Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Join our Webinar: REAL Talk: Healthy Body and Mind After Breast Cancer Treatment - Jan 23, 2025 at 4pm ET Register here.

CMF Question

1100101103105106282

Comments

  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 410
    edited February 2009

    Julie ... bottom's up gal !!!   You are so right, this is definitely the place that your story can be told and everyone of us can relate to the rollercoaster of emotions you went through today.  A BIG WHEW !!!!!

    Annie ... I'm confident that you will be giving the two thumbs up cheer on Thursday as well.

    Shucks Mandy, hoping your yucky feeling is short lived , I give you a high five for doing rads as well right now ... you go gal  ... I like Colleen's suggestion of icecream !!!  I had that Sahara desert mouth thing as well, couldn't get enough water especially in the night time.  Have you been swooshing with Biotene?

    Colleen, bless your mom's heart ... talk about a real trooper, keeping good thoughts for some good response to her txt. 

    Rita, been thinking I feel the need for a chat ... hope to catch you soon!

    Pleasant dreams all, Carol

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited February 2009

    Hi Julie

    What a day you had.  Your gyno was right...get it tested as soon as possible and the radiology guy needs some patient skills.  But the main thing is that you got good news!!!!!!  That is the best part!!!

    Mandy

  • colleen1960
    colleen1960 Member Posts: 107
    edited February 2009

    Julie:  I am so sorry that you had to go through all of that, but the good news everything checked out ok and you didn't have to wait to hear the good news.  The waiting would of been horrible.  I am glad you opened a good bottle of wine, I can't wait until I feel up to having some myself.

    Sending you big HUGS!!!!

    Colleen 

  • Juliechicago
    Juliechicago Member Posts: 179
    edited February 2009

    Hi everyone

    thanks for all your kind word/wishes.  I realized though, that I posted this to wrong thread-- sort of-- I post on an Illinois list and made references there to certain people. I meant to modify the post for my buddies here. Sorry!

    I'm better today....gyn actually called me to check up on me. Not too many docs that will do that anymore.    Thanks for all the HUGS!

    -j

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited February 2009

    Mandy...how are you doing and how did the rads go?

    Rita

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited February 2009

    Hi Rita

    Thanks for thinking of me. I had tx #5 of CMF yesterday only it was CF without the M.  My onc is leaving out the M while I am having rads because it can cause permanent skin damage.  Now it may have been a coincidence but I had a terrible reaction to the chemo...I was really dizzy afterwards and when I went to rads they were worried I would not be able to do the rads. But I was not so dizzy that I was going to hang around all day for rads. When I got home, I took a long nap.  

    I have terrible dry mouth and dry eye this time. I wish I could  blame it on the rads but I think it is unrelated. When I woke up from that nap, my mouth was so dry, it felt stuck.  So I am rinsing every two hours with either biotine or salt water and it seems better. I am using refresh for my eyes.  And today I was able to hydrate myself better. Drinking anything made me so nauseous last night that it was hard to stay hydrated (and believe me I tried different things; I finally discovered sipping very tiny amounts of ice cold water from a straw worked....but when I say tiny, I mean tiny).

    Anyway, I seem to be alot better today .  Still weak and still needed a long nap, but ate a good dinner and hope this keeps up. 

    My rads doc and I have no relationship. He is not good on patient skills,  but so far I am in and out of rads like clockwork--about half an  hour from beginning to end and free parking to boot. I can complain about the little night gowns they expect me to wear in a co ed waiting area but I wear a fleece jacket over mine and so I am not exposed. A few patients are like me and wear sweat pants, or jackets (depending on where you'd be exposed) but most of them walk around looking unhappy and clutching their gowns.  Today I suggested to the male patient who was waiting outside of the machine next to mine and clutching his gown and clearly unhappy that if he wore sweat pants under the gown, it would take 1 minute to get them off and the techs wouldn't mind. They have been quite nice about my fleece and even said that the gowns were ridiculous.  He smiled when I said that and said it hadn't occurred to him. 

    Now I have gone on and on about chemo and rads....how are you getting back into the swing of things after vacation? I sometimes find it hard.

    Hoping that tomorrow will be better than today and yesterday with my chemo se.   And that you all have a good evening and a nice day.

    Mandy

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited February 2009

    Mandy, it sounds like you've got figured out what you need to do to make yourself more comfortable.  I'm so sorry that you're having to experience the dry mouth and dry eyes.  I guess I was lucky as I avoided that issue.  Like you, I don't think that the rads have anything to do with that.  Don't you just feel like a slab of meat as they tug you from one side of that table to the other during the positioning? 

    I was just worried about you doing both at the same time so it's good to hear that it's not been too terrible.  I can't believe that you have a co-ed waiting room.  We had separate waiting rooms for males and females.  I think your fleece is a super idea!  You're one clever gal!  Keep posting now so we know how you're doing.

    HUGS!

    Rita

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited February 2009

    Well the tech supervisor was upset about my fleece and wanted me in two night gowns. I sked her how often she walked in the hallway of her apartment building wearing a night gown that did not close?  After her answer, I said I don't go out in public in a night gown either.  That was the end of it.  But my actual techs don't mind at all. Now I had to win them over....last Friday I baked two  tea loaves for them, a day early for Valentine's. I figure if I see them every day for 6 more weeks, we need to be smiling at eachother. And the breads seem to have made a difference.  Besides, I love to bake!!!

    The whole rads experience is weird.  the medical center just built a new rads facility so the machines are very new.  I could keep my eyse open and see everything but it helps me to focus and stay calm if I close my eyes.  Once the techs leave, I just close my eyse and count.....the treatment takes less than 2 minutes....the techs return before I expect them.   And they are nice about getting me up off of the table.  As you say Rita, the pulling on the sheet is strange....I always start  to move to help them. It is a reflex but they want me still while they yank.  And I have two skinny little techs....I probably weigh more than the two of them together.

    I'll be in touch. But I am still waiting to hear what you are doing ow that you are back in Illinois and vacation is over!!!

    Take care

    Mandy

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited February 2009

    OMG Julie.  Drink the whole bottle sweetie pie.  Eat more chocolate. 

    THIS F87665NG DISEASE, excuse my french.  It does so much more than just take a boob, that's only a chunk of fat...it leaves us with these visible and not so visible scars.  And it sucks.

    Thank god you just had scar tissue.  But honey, I was reading, thinking "this is scar tissue" and FURIOUS at that ob/gyn.....the only thing I can add to this is that during this journey I have learned not to listen too much to what an OB/GYN says about scars; what a GP has to say on your cancer care: that each dr. is a specialist in their field.  And it helps to try to corrall them into those fields when asking those questions.  They will even differ when it comes to radiologists/ vs oncologists, and for that matter PSs and oncs. 

    My god, I'd go get a straw and a bottle of scotch after that day, Julie.  BUT!!! It ended well.

    I'm in the trenches with you, waiting on results of the cat scan on my lung, and thinking, well, I can't go get a prophy lung, oh dammit. 

    These are the days that we could do without and the legacy this crap leaves.

    And Susan, it does go away.  Eventually.  but the feeling of dread does creep back when we have scans or tests.  The good news is that it does not have to "infect" the rest of your life unless you let it. 

    Oh Julie, a big sigh and a big big big WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOooo for you, go hug those beautiful babies for all of us, and you too!!! ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))))))))))))))))  Wish it was in person!!

    xoxox

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited February 2009

    Been thinking about you Annie, and was glad to see a post.  At least we know you made it through the scans without self-destructing!  Now.....waiting for the results!  UGH!  Hang in there and let us know as soon as you get the results.  I'll continue to send the good vibes and prayers your way!  By now, I bet that you could use one of those up close and personal hugs, too.  I do wish I was there to give you one!  Hang in there.  You'll be in my thoughts.

    You still doing O.K., Mandy?

    Rita

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited February 2009

    OK ladies, I have a cautious, OK, but not from the dr....onc is on vacation, onc's assistant is too, and no one called us back, so we sat here all day.

    A buddy of mine who works in the office called and told us she "heard" it was "stable"....that means OK in my book.  Since I have to dissemble for a bd party in PA on Sunday, I am going with that for now.  I believe that is what they wanted, if there were changes, it would mean the cancer had spread to my lung.  However, it does sound, cautiously, optimistically, OK for now.

    I'll post more when I get it.  Don't worry about me Rita, I am not the self destructive type at all .  I was actually at Kohl's buying my husband underwear this AM at 8.  I was in bag lady mode, mind you, but I was there, bec. I'll be double dammed if I'm just going to sit there like a lump and worry myself sick over things.  It does not good, and it might hurt, so I just get up and get on with it.  I do vent here tho :):).  And thank god for all of you guys.

     Mandy, how are you doing today, and how is the dry mouth?  You seemed a bit better last night, I hope it's continuing.  some of this stuff gets kind of cumulative, altho I had dry mouth for a few go rounds, (it seems like everything hits around #6 or so) and then mysteriously, it went away.

    I should think the rads may be adding to it, they might have more helpful hints for you?  They told me to suck on hard candies during rads (not actually during the txmnt, but after) and it did help.

    love to all.

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited February 2009

    Annie,

    Great that you are "stable". I think that is what we all want.....so enjoy the birthday in PA . 

    I am doing better.  My mouth is a little less dry and so far no mouth sores or other nasties. I have had 10 rads so far, 5 chemo tx.....no wonder I have no time for anything.

    Take care and have a wonderful weekend.

    Hugs to all

    Mandy

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited February 2009

    Did anyone have trouble with their nails when they were on CMF?  My toe nails seem to be cracking.....any suggestions?

    Have a nice day.

    Mandy

  • 3ofus
    3ofus Member Posts: 201
    edited February 2009

    Hi cmf friends!

    Jill, wow, your story drew me in so much; I felt I was right beside you.  I'm so sorry that you had this experience.  These scares bring us right back to the fear at our original diagnosis.  "Canceritis", I guess is always with us.  I laughed so hard when you talked about going for lots of chocolate, instead of a coffee.  This wonderful sense of humour is a gift I see in all of us here---what a blessing!  I hope you save this post somewhere, because I think it was so well written and might be able to help someone who has a loved-one with bc, better understand how tough it can be on us, even after treatments.  But isn't amazing how fast we "bounce" back and celebrate life again---hope you enjoyed the good bottle of wine J

    Annie, I'm praying that you get good results, soon!  Hoping the birthday for you d goes really well.  Hang in there hon!  Sending a big ((((((hug))))out to you.

    CONGRATULATIONS COLLEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whooohooo! You did it and you are now through!  Take good care of yourself, still, as your body recovers and reboots back to feeling great again----it will happen!

    Rita, I'm so glad you were able to get away and have a nice vacation.  Bet you loved being able to play golf in February!  I miss you!

    Carol,  I'm glad to hear drinking more water is helping a bit more with your infusions.  How long do you have to do this for? ((((((hugs)))) to you too!

    Mandy, I got dry mouth and dry eyes.  Have you tried eye drops, you know the ones that are like artificial tears, not visine.  That may give you some relief.

    Colleen how are you doing?

    Lisa, your photography is such a treat.  Thank you for sharing your talent with all of us here.  You are so sweet!

    Hi to Harley,  how goes the job search?

    News on my friend with bc:  she had a double mastectomy and is healing well.  The onc thought she definitely had it in her nodes (removed them all) and there was none!!! Her other b had none!!! And she is grade 1, Er+----so the news is much, much better than we all expected (from all the mri and core biopsies, my poor friend had to endure, because they were so unclear about what was going on.  She has a lot of love and prayerful support.  Thank you ladies for your prayers and good wishes.  I have another friend going for a core biopsy soon---just so much bc all around!  It is great to be able to help other ladies going through this.  I have not joined a Reach for Recovery, but find in my new job....unfortunately, quite a few opportunities to lend support.  I guess that is sad really, that bc is so prevalent.  But it is wonderful to take a hard experience and be able to help others, because of it.   Rita and Harley how is your R for R going?

    Boy time flies...hope to check in sooner, next time.

    Blessings,

    Ginny

  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 410
    edited February 2009

    Good Saturday Morning ...

    We've had a beautiful week here in the PNWest, atleast to our standards for February.   I'm  kinda hyped to be going to a Get Started meeting today for the 3-Day/60 milers that will held in September here in Seattle.  I have a fellow CMF friend from here in Poulsbo that is seriously thinking of signing up to walk and I'll be hyped if she does.    She has just finished her 35 txts after chemo last week, and as with myself last year, this will be quite the topper to a long year. 

    So Mandy, wish there was a simple cure to the dry mouth thing ... I know that I drank more water through the night than I ever had during txts.  I can't quite remember when it subsided ... but it certainly did. 

    Ahh, and the way to your rad team's heart .... through their stomachs.   Sounds like you've got your gown issue resolved as well, its always something isn't it ???

    I can't pipe in on the nails .. was a lucky one.

    Annie, hope your enjoying your weekend celebrations, having that lil' birdie give you some encouraging news on your scan has got to help!

    Rita, now that you've probably got your "cation" clothes put away ... are we getting geared up for your trip west ???  I havn't checked out IL weather lately ...  any golf happening your way?

    Susan, assuming your marking off those days on your calendar ... you'll be finished before you know it.  I'm assuming your still having minimal to no se's .... YEAH !!!!

    Jill, here's hoping that you've got the right dosage of drugs to have you feeling a better.    Kent and I have booked our tickets to AZ.

    Harley ... I know your somewhere cruisin' away, eating great food and soakin up some sunshine ... a well deserved "cation" !!!

    All ... refresh my memory ... anyone else on Femara/Arimidex or Tamoxifan?  Been having continued issues with joint aches on Femara ... have discussed with my onc and may try switching to Tamo.  Stilll trying to figure it all out.

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited February 2009

    Good morning everyone!

    Carol, I'm so sorry that you are having trouble with joint pains while on the Femara.  I had quite a bit of trouble with the Arimidex, but much of it is gone now.  I've been on it nearly 2 years and I don't know if my body has finally adjusted to it or not.  The joints in my hands are still enlarged.  I can no longer wear the rings that I once wore on those fingers and hesitate to have all my rings resized in case they become smaller in time.  My aching feet have improved.  I have a backache right now from sitting too long at the computer for two days in a row but that's due to my own stupidity instead of the Arimidex.   Why does your onc think you might fare better on the Tamoxifan than the Femara?

    As for the golf, it's a long ways from golfing season in Illinois yet.  It's too darn cold!  We had a slight dusting of snow Saturday, too.  I'm ready for spring, though!

    Ginny, so good to see a post from you and so good to hear that your friend's situation is better than you expected.  Are you still enjoying your new job?

    Annie, stable sounds good to me!  Any other official results yet?

    Well, I need to get moving.  I'll catch you all later.  Have a great Sunday.

    Rita

  • colleen1960
    colleen1960 Member Posts: 107
    edited February 2009

    Hi All I hope that everyone has had a nice weekend.  Just checking in to ask that you all say a prayer for my SIL Pat she goes in for her surgery Tuesday morning at 5:30 AM.  She is having two different tumors removed from two different areas.  She has a hard time with this thyroid everytime she takes a step forward a few months later she takes two steps back.

    I am doing ok.  Still very tired especially late afternoon.  Can anyone tell me when that starts to go away?  It has been almost two wks. since my last tx.  I hope all is well with everyone.

    Thanks in advance for all your prayers,

    Colleen 

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited February 2009

    Hi Colleen:  Your SIL will be in my heart and prayers as she goes through her surgery and afterwards.   

    I don't know when the tired goes away. This is the first weekend when I have collapsed from chemo and/or rads.  I was OK until today....I have literally been unable to get anything done today...it is day 6 of tx 5.  And I have had 10 rads too.  M stomach has also been a mess today...the good news (from my point of view) is that I lost 4 pounds over this weekend from my stomach. I have been on a non stop weight gain since I began chemo and I am starting to be wider than I am tall.   Until today I have been able to keep most of these side effects away through acupuncture and luck.  

    Anyway, I am off to go back to sleep!!!

    Take care all.

    Mandy

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited February 2009

    Good morning, gals!

    Colleen, I will keep your SIL in my prayers. Wow!  There seems to be so many health problems in today's world and my prayer list grows daily.  We need that cure, gals!  That heads the top of my prayer list.  As for the fatigue, you've been through alot, hon and your body has been bombarded by some nasty stuff.  It took me awhile to regain my energy level.  I finished all my treatment and rads in August and remember that I was still very tired that Christmas.  Then it just gradually fades away and you get to feeling better.  I still think that sometimes I tire sooner than I did before bc, but it's doable now and not that awful stagnant feeling.  I notice this especially when I have a long shopping day or we travel.  I just can't keep going like I use to go. Think it could also be age related????  LOL  Anyway, hang in there.  Things will better.

    Hang in there, Mandy.  If your stomach problems continue, tell your onc.  They can change your anti-nausea drugs.  Sometimes they have to do this as you progress through the treatments so don't be shy.

    I'm off to meet another bc sister for a day of lunch, shopping, and companionship.  I really don't need anything today but hey........I'm not giving up a shopping trip and I'm sure I'll find SOMETHING that just jumps out at me!

    Everyone have a good Monday!

    Rita

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited February 2009

    Hi Ritajean and everyone!

    Well I followed your advice, and  I have put a call in to my onc this morning. I hope I get a call back before I leave for rads. I'd like to take care of whatever is going on with only one trip to the hospital.   I guess I can call again from the hospital but my cell phone does not work there!!!

    Have a nice day!

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited February 2009

    Hi all!

    Well, I am here to officially declare this our "lucky" thread again!  Got the "all clear" from onc today; I am profoundly relieved.  To get to this stage and then get sidelined by lung cancer was not in the plans! They will continue to monitor it, but they won't bother me for a year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Wahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

    So nice to hear from you, Carol...I note on my calendar, that you are our next birthday lady on the 9th, is it?  You'll be getting a little goodie from me for sure in the mail.  I can't help you with Femara, only had arimidex (yup, some joint achies some days worse than others, exercise helps) and tamoxifen (nothing whatsoever, except a warm flash or two).  Have you tried beginning a thread on that question?  Maybe someone can chime in for you.

    Rita, a day of shopping.......now that does sound so nice.  I know what you mean, way too many sisters out there with this.  I wonder what is in our environment, or perhaps we've just polluted the planet too much....we need a cure STAT.  An onc in my practice is working on the human genome project, he says we will have our vaccine within 5 years, so that is really good news!

    Ginny, how great to hear from you!  And what great news to get....I am so thankful for your friends' good prognosis and better stage!  I also agree with you, I love to pay it forward and take a tough experience and use it to help.  My ACS here never called me back, I will get done with the hst/ooph, then will be of some use I hope.

    Colleen, I will most certainly add your SIL to my prayer list.  Tomorrow AM at 5:30.  I hope for a very successful surgery and an end to her cancer woes.  The fatigue for me lifted mostly after the last three weeks.  Then it persisted for several months or so, off and on, but I kind of ignored it.  Altho when I realize it now, I ended chemo in July, just kept on going, but I noticed the absence of fatigue sometime in late november.  It was really gradual.  I think your body just has to work its way back and be patient with yourself.  I know you are raring to go and help your mom but you've been thru a lot, it takes a bit of time.  Tho I'm with Rita, now at 53, I don't have the get up and go I did.  Altho it's getting better with alot of aerobic exercise.  My blood pressure dropped from stroke levels they did not want to tell me to 120/80!!!!!!!!!!  I kind of think that it also has alot to do with chemo drugs, but was happy to hear it.

    Harley, thinking of you sailing in the sun on  a cruise ship somewhere.  How heavenly!!!

    Julie, you did write that "rant" as you called it so amazingly well.....you should keep it and publish it somewhere, you have a rare gift for putting feelings with your words.  Altho I would not wish another day like that baby on anyone. 

    Everyone be well.  I love you all so much and thank you again for all your support.  I now declare this thread............"lucky"............

    xoxo

    annie

  • scarp
    scarp Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2009

    Wow - so much going on.  i've been off for less than a week.  Julie...I'm sitting here crying knowing all those feeling you had during the exam.  UGH!  so happy it turned out so good.  I'd have had the whole bottle as well....maybe 2.

    Annie - Great news!

    Mandy- Haven't been in touch.  So sorry to hear you didn't do well with 5.  Just think, only 3 more.  It'll be over before you know it.

    Rita- Welcome back from vacation.  I have 6 more weeks before I go.  Can't come quick enough.

    Go for # 7 next week.  Just can't wait to be done with it!

  • colleen1960
    colleen1960 Member Posts: 107
    edited February 2009

    Annie:  Congratulations on getting such good news, I am so happy for you!!!!

    I will check in later when I hear from my brother.  I wanted to be at the hospital with him, but the onc told me to stay away from areas like that if I could for the next few wks.  Although my son is home sick today with fever of 102 and was throwing up all last night.  So I have the sickness right in my own home!!! lol.  He thought he was going to school with a fever of 102, because today was his 1st hockey game and if your not in school you can not play.  He is upstairs very upset with me for calling him in sick!!!  Kids are funny!!!

    Colleen

  • Juliechicago
    Juliechicago Member Posts: 179
    edited February 2009

    Hi all,

    Annie--- *****YEAH********   I know what it's like for that wait- the wait and the weight of it....funny, the context of those two words...

    Scarp-- you are almost there..... and thanks for your kind words-- though I really didn't mean to make anyone cry!!!

    Colleen-- just had the whole throwup (or "frow up") with my daughter. Ugh- hope you don't catch. Beth is much smaller- 4-- and miserable with the flu-- but that didn't stop her from asking if she could go to Chuckie Cheese. They have less tolerance with the flu than we do!

    Mandie....you hanging in there???

    Not much news on my end-- which I consider a good thing.  Need to make a follow up appt with the PS, but not rushing to do it. Have had quite enough of docs for a little bit right now and am just going to leave it that way.

    back to work with me.........

    -julie b

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited February 2009

    YEAH!!!!! Annie's good to go!  Super News!!!!  CELEBRATE!   I'm so glad the test results came back so good.  You're due for this clean slate of health!  Hugs to you..........

    Mandy, did you get any satisfaction when you called your onc.  If not, keep on them.  Be pro-active!  There's something out there that will work for you.

    Harley...have you docked near home yet?  I can't wait to hear about your cruise!

    Where are you heading in 6 weeks, scarp?  I'd say you deserve a nice vacation!  :-)

    Colleen...we're waiting for news about your SIL.  Please post when you can.  Hugs!

    Carol...so glad you had a nice weekend.  This has been quite the winter!

    Jill...hope the new combination is working well for you.  Please drop in and keep us informed when you can.  Thinking about you..........

    Rita

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited February 2009

    Hi Ritajean and everyone

    I am thinking of Colleen's sister in law and praying that her day has been good for her and her surgery is over and has done everything we hope and pray it will.

    As for me, well I am at the most unsympathetic medical center in the USA, They may have some cancer fighitng technique but they do not have any sense of  patient support and/or privacy....when I finish my treatment, I will write  a letter about it, but right now I am afraid to make too many waves. 

    Anyway I am going to try to get a good night's sleep.

    I send everyone love and healing vibes.

    Mandy

  • scarp
    scarp Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2009

    Julie - I cry easily so...especially these days.  I cry on commercials. I even cries watching the kids from Slumdog at Disney World??!!  I just know how bad the anxiety must have been.  For me...there is nothing worse.

    Colleen - Hope you son gets better and that you don't get it.

    Rita - We were fortunate that someone gave us their timeshare in Saint Martin for a week.  We wouldn't have gone on vacation  due to the economy but I had a lot of credit card miles for airline tix  so all we need in spending money.  Boy, do I need this vacation.  We go every spring break and it really looked like we were doing nothing this year.  So thankful for the kind person who gave it to us!!

    The weather may get warmer today which would so nice!

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited February 2009

    Scarp....how wonderful!  It's so good that you have this trip to look forward to!  You will have so much fun. 

    I'm off to bowl.  The bowling season is about over.  That means that spring and summer are on their way!

    Hugs to all of you.  The sunny days and warmer temps that are approaching will help all of our attitudes and moods.  Hang in there.

    Rita

  • colleen1960
    colleen1960 Member Posts: 107
    edited February 2009

    Hi All - I heard from my niece and it was not very good news.  The 1st tumor was wrapped around her vocal cord.  The dr. came out and said he tried everything but he could not remove the full tumor without cutting the cord.  He asked my brothers permission and he told him to do what he had to, to get the cancer out.  The 2nd tumor was deep in her chest and wrapped around an artery, after a very long surgery they removed what they could.  So they had to cut one of her vocal cords and now they will run tests to see how much damage.  It is amazing what the vocal cords do, besides let us speak.  It also controls how we swallow and helps to direct the food that we eat.  So she will need rehabilitation on how to eat and swallow.  They said she tried to speak yesterday, but she was pretty out of it.  They can not see her until noon, so I asked my niece to call me when she could.  The dr. said they will have a meeting in 14 days to re-evaluate everything.  Evidently thyroid cancer is usually pretty curable, but the dr. said when it comes back which is about 15% of the time it is very dangerous.  Please just keep her in your prayers, because we all know the power of prayer. 

    My son is feeling a little bit better.  He has the stomach flu.  He has not thrown up since Monday, but he is still running to the bathroom.  His fever is now just low grade.  He is home again today, but is getting crazy about going to school.  Hopefully maybe tomorrow.  He still has not eaten anything.  The Dr. said not to push the food so much but to keep him hydrated with the Gatorade.  He has no interest in food.

    Mandy - I hope you are feeling better.!!!!

    Scarp - Your trip sounds great.  I wish July was almost here, that is when we are going away!  It seems to long.

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 916
    edited February 2009

    Hi everyone and thank you for the sweet congrats.  It means so very much to me.

    Sorry so many have the flu....sending lots of hope and good wishes for swift recoveries!

    Colleen, I am so sorry your SIL did not go as well as hoped.  My dad lost the power of both speech and swallow after several strokes, and he has rehabbed quite well.  It took a while tho.  And he is 77!  So I have high hopes for your SIL.  I hope this recovery and rehab will go well for her and that she is free of all cancer, and if there is a teensy bit left over they can zap it.  My prayers for you and your family, dear.

    The tummy bugs that are going around are quite nasty.  Please get out that purell.  I swear by it, kept us all healthy during chemo.

    Mandy, PMd you.........you go, girl!!!

    Scarp, that is truly wonderful that these friends were so kind....now that is the kind of help we all want to get!

    Hello to everyone else, Rita, you sound (or e sound I guess) wonderful as usual, cheering everyone on.  How are you feeling and doing these days?

    Julie, sorry your home has the bug also, I'm with you.  Some days you just need to bake and do nothing cancerish.  It takes enough away from us all with out it being our total focus.  Good to take a head break from it all.

    Harley, oh Harley, floating on the cruise ship, we are all jealous.................

    love you all, spring is coming!!!  Off to jam a giant needle in the old hip for my LAST lupron shot before they spay me.

    p.s. sad news...........had to give kitten back.  Our resident cat would not accept her, and it was becoming cruel to keep her in the crate/bathroom.  Lots of tears, but better for the kitties.  I am glad my daughter has spring break this next week and that I FINALLY got hubby to get a checkup.  About time!  men.

    xoxo