Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
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Hello everyone and thank you for all your concern. Well the news is in....I have a tumor in my chest, between my lungs, not in my lungs. The area is called mediastinal....space between the lungs. I went to the emergency room last sunday because of shortness of breath, and they did a chest xray that found fluid in the lining of the right lower lung that was pushing up on the lung making it hard to breathe. At first they thought it was "just pneumonia" and I was glad. But (and I give thanks to God anyway) the ER doctor did a cat scan of my chest and then saw the mass.
So what was going on is the mass (tumor) was pressing up against the upper right lung, causing fluid to accumulate and drain down into the space between the lower lung lining, pushing up on the lung and causing the shortness of breath, especially if I exert myself. So I was admitted and had 800 cc of fluid drained on Monday and after that felt great, went home monday with appointment to see my oncologist on Wed. Well Tuesday I felt ok, not fantastic but ok, breathing ok. But Wednesday morning while getting dressed to see the dr., I started getting short of breath again and by the time I got to the car and drove down highway 281, it was harder to breathe (I'm sure I got scared/anxious too so that didn't help). Instead of going to the office I drove myself to the ER right across the highway from my doctors office and they took another 100cc of fluid off and I was admitted for further testing.
Wednesday they did abdominal scans with contrast, brain ct and bone scan. EVERYTHING was normal. Just have the mass in my chest, dammitt!. My blood work is normal too. So Thursday they did another removal of fluid and got 350cc, and did a biopsy of the chest tumor, took alot of samples--which is good. Since that last fluid removal I haven't/didn't need any more oxygen. Friday I had the mediport put back in so no more arm pokes for blood. Felt good all day friday, no oxygen.Saturday one more xray and since I felt good, they let me go home.
So far so good, not coughing near as much as in the hospital and not feeling short of breath unless I exert myself or talk too much. I'm making myself do deep breathing and coughing thinking that will maybe keep the lung expanded, and move any fluid along. I feel pretty clear and can expand real well when I take a deep breath, I just don't want to exert myself, so I'm taking it real easy.
Tomorrow--Monday I see the radation oncologist for the plan to start treatment to shrink this thing, and Tuesday I see my oncologist to tell me if she will add chemo to the mix now or when. My oncologist is very aggressive and that's a good thing, so whatever she says is what I'll do.
I'll keep you posted as often as I can, I've already lined up friends to take me to appointments if I don't think I can drive so no problem there.
Remember, the good news...all the other scans are normal, Thanks to God! And no evidence of cancer in the lungs...the tumor is BETWEEN the lungs, more on the right side, where the scar on my breast is. Also, I have NO pain at all, again thanks to God.
I will keep you informed and I thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Love, Pat
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Wow, what a week you had!!! Thanks for letting us know. Our thoughts are with you as you do the rad planning and the chemo consult. Aggressive is good! A big hug to you tomorrow...
I am not sure what part of the country you are in- where are you, exactly????
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Well, now I understand why we haven't had any news of you! I'm so sorry you've had such an ordeal, but I guess it's good you know what you're dealing with now. I'm glad your onc. is an aggressive one, so you don't have to worry whether there is "anything else" to do. It sounds like things are already in motion to kick this cancer's butt again, and you will! So sorry it happened to you, Pat, but I am confident you'll get through this. Just keep us informed. Many hugs to you.
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Leahrc, I live in San Antonio, Tx. Heck, why be so anonymous now. Thank you all.
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OH Pat, I am so sorry to hear your news. SHIT, I was so hoping to hear it was not cancer related. Big hugs to you (((((((((((((((((((((((PAT))))))))))))))))))))
Sending up prayers and positive thoughts.... Please let us know as soon as you have a treatment plan ready to go. We are here for you!!!
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Pat -
I'm so sorry to hear the news. I echo Marsha that I was so hoping that it would not be cancer related. It is indeed good news that every thing else looks so normal. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Please do let us know when you have the tx plan lined up and when you'll be starting.
Sending you big hugs and prayers.
Carynn
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I'm so sorry to read your news Pat. As with all other FCCers, I was hoping for benign results. Looks like my chemo will run into November so cifhemo is part of your future, we can hold virtual hands. This sucks.
As for a little update on me, I've been feeling queasy and sleepy. Had a little fainting spell the day after chemo, just like the previous Tx. Not fun but fortunately the house cleaners were here as DH was in Dallas. They fluttered around me and made me drink some vile baking soda concoction (I was vomiting as well). It passed but I can't say as I want one of these episodes weekly. I'm chalking it up to low hemoglobin (not low enough for another transfusion but low enough to make me light headed).
Phill bought a house! YAY! The inspections are scheduled for this week so we should know for certain by Friday. It's an older home in the Southlake area on one acre. Lots of bedrooms, a pool, many bathrooms and an outdated kitchen, flooring and oak paneling in many of the common rooms (ick). I'm watching the HGTV channel alot lately trying to figure out what one does with an abundance of wood panelling. Despite the work that needs to be done on the inside, the backyard is an oasis of peacefulness with a pool, hot tub, trees, grass and backing onto a park. I hope this goes through as I'm tired of thinking about it (=stressing). Ran out of ativan last night and didn't sleep a wink as I worked through all the things that need to be taken care of. Meg's school year starts on August 25th.
I had a lovely but quick visit with Hillary last week. She brought chocolate! I wish I'd had (or have) more energy. After not sleeping a wink last night, I stayed in bed until 2PM today.
I have not been able to retire but am still pondering my options. I need to get to work in Dallas before making a decision.
Hugs and sausages all around!
Oink.
t
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Twilah, I am so glad to see you checking in. I worry about you when you don't! Hell, I worry about you anyway. Good for Phil! A pool, hot tub and lots of bedrooms? I've got dark paneling with wood beams in my family room. You just have to pretend like you meant to put that there. Maybe a Hemingway decor? Or red leather like a gentlemen's club? Anyhow, when will you be moving? Hopefully you have time to just hire someone to go in there and get the house ready for you. Please take care of yourself, fainting and puking? ECK on the baking soda concoction! Love you sweetie and OINK OINK right back at you..............M
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Oink, Oink, Oink... hurrah! Good job Phil!! Sounds like what the doctor ordered: a peaceful park and serenity around the pool... So pleased for you all... Now, you put a paint brush in everybody's hand after picking your favorite color combinations and off goes the dark wood paneling... Twink, I wish you a better week, take lots of naps to compensate for the white nights... I have an Asus (tiny linux base computer) in bed, with headsets... and I listen to various radios... French for the news, Russian for language fitness and, recently, od'ing on traditional Greek music (Crete)... they have great radios... I am just missing the retsina wine and the beach... :-( but I definitely fall asleep with the radio in my ears... nice jazz or chamber music does the job, too... Aromasin is keeping me wired beyond sleeping time... I hope somebody can do cooking for you with hemoglobin boosting foods... and walk around with you and your doggies to keep a good blood circulation... is the puppy still with you? Hope you do a lot of cuddling and smooching... {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Twilah}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Pat, you sound so collected and all together, and brave and humorous like Twink, in the face of adversity. You are both an inspiration and a lesson in "stoicism" (sp?). I wish you the best of tx plan and a quick shrinking of this mass (do they know what's in it? Is this the mediastinal lymph node?). You are so sweet, too, to come tell us what's going on. Glad you write you're not in pain... Are you living by yourself or do you have a family around you? Sending you warm hugs, dear Pat... {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Pat}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
We are circling the wagons around both of you...
Marsha, Caryn, Leah, Melanie, SammieKaye, Terry, Hillary, Alyson, Phyl, Luckymel.... wishing you all a good week filled with joie de vivre. Enjoy the beach, Hillary...
Love to all,
Catherine
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Oh, Pat, I was so hoping your news would be better. But I guess the news could have been worse, as you said. I am glad your onc is aggressive....no messing around.
Twink...your back yard sounds wonderful. That dark paneling can be painted...although I think you might have to put "something" on it to make the paint stick. Or you could go to the trouble of taking it down ...but YUCK! to that work.
We are still planning what we want to do to the kitchen. I have wallpaper now, but am thinking about just painting.....maybe one of those techniques...like making a tile or brick design, in light colors. Our brick on our outside and fireplace is shades of brown and beige. DH doesn't think I can do it....now I ask you, if I can make a prom dress, can't I paint? No faith whatsoever! I just want a facelift. I have the wood laminate flooring picked out...a very light color tile design...beiges and creams. I am keeping my light oak cabinets, as I do love them. Maybe new countertops....in a blue shade. I know you will have a lot of fun, once you are feeling a little more energy....besides, what is the rush...take your time and enjoy!
Catherine....I only listen to the radio at night with headphones to drown out DH snoring! You are so much more invested in it than I am.
I am still coughing....both Onc and PCP have said I am fine and there is no evidence of it being related to cancer....more like post nasal or allergy related. I sure hope they are right.
Well...took off work today to take DS & DD to the doctors...they both needed forms filled out for school. DD leaves Sat for college. We will be going with her to transport all the "stuff"...only an hour or so away...not too bad. We did a little school shopping. Other DS has eye doctor this evening. So I stay busy even on a day off. What else is new?
Hoping all are doing okay....Pat and Twilah especially.....((((Pat))))((((Twilah))))
Love to all,
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Pat; How scary what you are going through. I know that Twink can certainly empathize. You are certainly in my thoughts.
I went to my BS today as I have been having a strained and pulling feel in my non cancer side. He assured me that there is nothing there but the scar tissue that we have already biop'd. Said it was simply the implant pressing on my muscles.
Twilah; August should be a fairly non-eventful month for me. I can honestly get to Dallas easier than you guys can...if anything needs to be done while you are getting ready to move. I will not call you as I don't want to call if you are resting, but...please do call me if you feel up to it. Or have Phil call if there is anything at all I can do. I MEAN IT. Edwin just said to tell you "hi" and we can and will do what you need.
We are back from a nice trip to Iowa and now we are on the road headed to NW Ark. Meetings...blah. I am terribly behind on everything, but not complaining. Just the way it is!
Marsha; I think I told you that we will be in Orlando on Sept 3rd, but we will have children with us, so I don't know if I can manage any grownup time. We will most likely be taking the boat out again if you want to join us and don't mind terrors of the small kind.
Catherine; I don't know how you manage to make even mundane things sound fascinating. Can you do some of that magic with laundry?
Terry; I absolutely have faith that you could paint whatever fits your fancy! And remember...you can always change paint!
It's so nice to see all the posts!
love ya'll
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Hi everyone. Saw the rads onc. yesterday and got marked up, postioned, scanned and had the simulation done to prepare for rads which hopefully will start next week. Saw onc. dr. today who discussed plan to let rads do it's thing and she's sure it will shrink and probably even obliterate it completely. IF after a few treatments she sees it isn't doing what she wants then she'll add chemo--avastin and one other med.
This recurrance changes me from stage II to IV according to my onc dr. She says the GOOD thing is that it is a local recurrance, with no mets found, so that is a plus. Oh yea, I have a PET scan ordered for thursday so lets hope it doesn't find anything new.
Pat
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Pat, thank you for keeping us posted... I sincerely wish you can sleep and eat well to boost your immune system before the next medical assault. Your biography is so discrete, I can't remember what you do everyday... do you have to go to work? I know San Antonio fairly well since my dh's second son lives there with wife and kid, and I lived 11 years in Houston, so we would drive there relatively often... I even took my mom there while she was visiting with us in Houston (in 1988...). We stayed in a nice KOA camping last Christmas... mild weather, red cardinals, bougainvilea... we had it all. Hope the heat is not too hard on you... Take care of yourself, dear Pat... Keeping you in my thoughts, warmly tuck next to Twink... Catherine
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You are so sweet Catherine....you are so gentle. I'm sort of fiercely (sp?) independant, never married although I have one beautiful daughter that's now 24 and who was hoping to move out on her own soon. I think she'll wait now. I work as an RN and had left an outpatient surgery dept to return to the emergency room where I could work 3 twelve hour shifts a week instead of Mon thru Friday. I have yet to start though since this happened 2 days before the move. So I'm in work limbo as well, but I have short term disability if my sick time runs out. I relax by working in my yard, feeding the birds. Thank you for your support. Pat
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Hi, everybody, as I was watching the 1pm news on French TV, I saw a piece about the exact place where we were living before coming back to the States, and where we kept our little boat. The man in the interview is a local painter who made a water color of our boat for us, it's hanging on the wall here... we were neighbors, really, just a "block" away... hope it takes you on a short nice trip... you do not need to understand French... these were our daily walks, all over the point of Primel, hence the pseudo here ;-)
http://videos.tf1.fr/video/news/0,,3943870,00-decouverte-de-la-pointe-de-primel-.html
I hope it will work...
Have all a gentle week-end (it is a record cold day here for the 15th of August and it has been raining since last night, and will continue to do so through Sunday... great for the yards...)
Hugs to all...
Catherine
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Good afternoon, all.
Some sad news: Leroy Sievers, the man from NPR who started the MYCANCER blog, died yesterday. I personally will miss him... he was my "voice" to my close friends and family when he would write about something I wanted to say, but couldn't. He was an excellent writer. The last few weeks, his blogs were quite explicit about the end of this disease, and that helps, too, in some ways. TO KNOW what it could be like.
Anyway, between his death today and Randy Pausch's two weeks ago, I am a little bereft of my anchors in CancerWorld.
I will start now begging for all the good energy that you can spare as I go for the one year from liver RFA Pet/CT on Tuesday. I am only expecting good news, but it can't hurt to have my other family here rooting for me...love you all so much.
Regards.
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Leah, sweet Leah, I've been so busy I did not follow the news (I visited his blog, you gave us the link, if I remember well). Of course we'll be rooting for you here... and keeping fingers and toes crossed for NED. This constant underlying fear is the hardest part, who can escape from it? Big warm hugs to you... are you still working 14h a day? I thought I would have a longer break, but it's over... started a new baby sweater, though, and I am busy spreading around buckets and buckets of rain water (raining non stop since Friday evening... a blessing, but a bit gloomy).
Wishing you all an OK Sunday, pain free and not too much anxiety if at all possible... Love,
Catherine
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Leah, my sympathy and good luck with your upcoming testing,
Catherine,,,your descriptions sound idyllic....speaking of cold...did I hear on the radio there is snow in Colorado?
I think we had some frost here....my zucchinis look like it. But the tomatoes look okay....still awaiting a beefsteak. Had some early girls and yellow ones~mmmmm!
Delivered DD #2 to college today....she is settled in and dorm room is fixed up. Her roommate doesnt arrive until next Sat, but she wanted to go take the early week intro class. I will miss her so much, but am excited for her new journey.
Love you all,
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Terry, time to get Skype to "see" your DD...
Snow above 10000 feet ... so Denver is just soaked wet (not even 60F for a high today...), waiting for warm August days to come back... It is also snowing in the Alps (above 2000 meters)... and I saw tornadoes filmed in Poland and Siberia... go figure... if not planet warming, definitely climate changing...
I must say, I like a few gray days... the house is cosy, I even ironed yesterday (I do that once in a blue moon...), dinner is cooking (buffalo meat balls and spaghetti in a rich tomatoe sauce...) We are both "cutting" calories a bit... but we need comfort food tonight... we got just enough of a dry window of opportunity to walk the dogs who are experiencing some serious cabin fever...
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Pat - I was away when your news broke .. wishing you the best and may the radiation fairies be on your side, zapping away that little nuisance! I'm sending you a pm.
Twilah - I'm so glad that Phil came through with a great house. I'm sure that you'll be able to get rid of the wood panelling. Are you up for a visitor on Wednesday? If so, what time is your doctor's appt? (I'll calculate forward about when to show up!). I'm supposed to get a chest X-ray before my checkup next week, so I'll be able to kill two birds, as the saying goes ...
Phyl - How was DD's wedding? Do we get to see any pictures?
Terry - Congrats on getting DD#2 off to school. I can't remember - do you have any left at home?
Marsha - You need to check in more often ... what plays are on the horizon for you?
Catherine - You always have the most comforting words for everyone ...
My September/October are looking absolutely horrific! I'm still waiting to hear whether my ds got into the afterschool childcare program (he's first on the waiting list) and I'm in touch with one potential babysitter, but I'm really not sure how dh and I are going to pull this off. Last fall, I was only working part-time. Now, I still have the part-time position, but I'm also going back to school to get a new degree (new options) and will be taking two courses this fall. Gulp. It's scary to think how long it's been since I've taken a class! The stress of the fall schedule also means that I'm going to have to bail on the reunion ... as well as some other discretionary traveling I'd thought about for the fall.
Hugs to Carynn, Melanie, Allyson, SammieKay, Leah ...
Hillary
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Hey everyone, how are you all? Pat, glad to hear you have a game plan with the rads. How did your PET, last Thursday, right? Please let us know. I checked in all weekend put didn't see anything from you.
TWILAH the same goes for you. If you are reading, every once in awhile, at least give us a one-liner. OK? I worry about you. I'm really jealous Hillary sees you on a regular basis.
Catherine has the rain let up? We are in for a tropical depression , I guess, tomorrow or Wednesday. Everyone rushing around getting batteries and bottled water.
Hi Hillary, sorry to hear you won't make the reunion! I so wanted to meet you in person. WOW back to school? ECK LOL
Speaking of..... is it me, Leah, Melanie and Twilah again?
Melanie, what day are you taking the yacht and captain out? LOL See what caught my interest? haha
Terry, I bet your house feels really big with your daughter gone off to college. How are you adjusting to her not being home?
Leah, hang in there and try to stop obsessing about what death will be like. You are gonna drive yourself batty! Just because you were stage IV right out of the gate does not mean you are doomed. You need to try and keep reminding yourself you are NED as of right now. There isn't anything found that you are currently being treated for. You could go like this for YEARS. I'm totally rooting for you and your upcoming tests. You know I love you, right? Now, how was that fishing trip? You looked like the real McCoy in all your get-up. Can't wait to see you.
Hugs to Carynn, Jan, Phyl (where the hell are you?) Alyson, Sammie Kay (I thought for sure you would come to Dallas!)................... Marsha
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Hi all! Just popping in to check on Pat & Twink, and everyone else as well. I've been MIA just cuz work is still so crazy. For the most part, all is well here.
Pat - Have you started tx yet? Sending you hugs and good wishes. Hope you are hanging in there and keeping the Techs in line.
Twink - How are you? Have you heard anymore on the house? When will you be moving?
Think of you both daily and sending up lots of hugs, love and prayers for you both.
Leah - I saw the info on Leroy. How sad. I'll never forget "meeting" him in the documentary. I think you and I might have been the only ones who watched; so moving and inspiring. His words of wisdom and comfort will be missed. He will be missed. Add me to your list of those sending up prayers, good energy and lots of love for your next scan. May it be truly "unremarkable."
Catherine - Hard to believe CO had record cold; we're still in the 100's. Has the weather cleared yet?
Terry - You had frost already?? I cant get my head around that yet!
Hillary - Wow you sound busy! What classes will you be taking?
Melanie - How are you? Hope you're feeling better. All set for your next FL trip? Tell Mickey hi from me!
Marsha - Nice to see you. What are you up to these days? BNO still going strong? What's the forecast for your area with the storm? Just lots of wind and rain? Stay safe.Sending you all (((hugs)))) & good wishes from the West
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((((PAT,TWINK and LEAH)))) Am thinking of you and praying for you.
To all my chemo sisters...much love and laughter!
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Hi all
Have popped by a couple of times to keep up with the news. Lots of love and hugs to Twink, Pat and Leah and anyone else who needs then today.
Things have gone toatlly mad around here lately. DD1 returned from Europe - still had gallbladder problems so she had that removed last week after another attack. Then DD2 arrived back from Scotland last Friday. Her and her husband are staying here until they move into a rented house (which they have managed to find - a really lovely little place at a very reasonable rent). DS is also here but will be off this Friday as his visa for the UK came through last Thursday. there are bags and boxes everywhere as they try to sort out belongings. Hopefully this will mean that we can reclaim some of our garage space!!!
Have seen the BS and the Med Onc in the last few days and all is well. Do have a very sore area around the scar but the onc laughed and said it served me right when I told him I had, in frustration, moved DS's large scotch chest - it is nearly as tall as I am - out of one room so that I could get the room ready for DD and DSinL.
School is as franctic as ever and we are all getting really tired of the cold wet weather. There has again been so much snow further south and I am finding it hard to get warm. Sometimes I wonder if my temperature control has been upset as I don't normally feel the cold so much.
DH is watching the Olympic so just might go and do so myself, though I should do some work for school.
There are always times in the day when I think about my US friends. One day I will get there. Love and blessings
Alyson
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Sure is good to see Carynn, Jan and Alyson popping in.
Twilah, come out, come out, where ever you are.
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Hi ladies. I'm getting ready for my weekly onc. appt and chest xray as she's keeping tabs to make sure the fluid isn't building up again. Also today at 3 is a repeat visit to the rads onc. clinic for them to "re-verify" my positioning, measurements, so it sounds like rads will start very soon and I can hardly wait.--Sounds wierd huh. But really, this tumor is sitting right on top of my chest and it feels like a fist pressing there alll the time. No pain, just pressure and the shortness of breath with simple things like lying on my back, walking in the back yard, cleaning......anything. So yes I can hardly wait for rads.
Alyson---not meaning to scare you but please be diligent about any discomfort to your scar/chest area. I could rationalize every pain/discomfort and now here I am. I say this not to alarm you, just to help you take care of yourself.
Love, Pat
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Leah; I want you to know that you are on my mind. Call me today or tomorrow. If I don't hear from you, then I will call you.
Pat; I am also thinking of you. This has to be very frightening for you and I am certainly hoping you get some real relief soon.
Catherine; What unusual weather. But...as usual, you make it sound enjoyable. Somehow, I am making it to Colorado to visit you...
Carynn; Nice to see you! All the remodeling is done?
Marsha; We are taking the boat out on Sept 3rd. Would love to have you! Leaving at 9:15 pm as the fireworks are not until 10 that evening. It will be a rather subdued evening with the kiddies. Nothing like our girls night...lol. Normally we do our adult trip in Oct, but we will wait a bit. Who knows, we might just decided to take a quick trip back in the next couple of months!
Twilah; What day does your road trip start? I hope you can somehow get enough rest to be ready. Any chance of flying? I know someone that has a nice King Air that I bet I can arrange to come and get you. I hate those little planes, but it might be what you need right now. I am serious so please let me know.
Love to all...
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Ok, just got back from dr. who solidified the plan to let rads do its thing and hold off on chemo until we just have to. tomorrow is another chest tap to get rid of fluid buildup. I unloaded a stack of paperwork for my onc. to fill out---FMLA, short term disability, credit account disabilities, you name it. Anything will help out. Oh, yes, the PET scan only showed this chest mass.....no sign of cancer anywhere else!! Thanks to God!! Have to keep things in perspective as it could always be worse.
Hillary you are a doll....thank you!
Leahrc, Marsha, Catherine, Melanie, {{{Twilah}}}, CommandoB, Wild Jan and all FCC'rs, take care, we are one tough bunch of gals. I'll be in touch.
Pat
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Just lost my entire posting ....argh! Hillary, I'm at HUP at 9 AM tomorrow. Catherine you are sweet and thoughtful. Thank you. Pat, thinking about you especially. Hugs everybody.
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Checking on Leah...............
Pat so relieved to here the PET results.
OH and hi Twilah, good to see you check in! Melanie, you can send that King Air for me any time. LOL
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