Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
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Hi all...sorry I have been awol for a while. Sammie Kaye....you should enjoy your new found freedom! Happy Rewirement!
And big hugs to Diann and Leah (((((Diann, Leah)))) while you wait for the results! Waiting is the worst. But a trip up the California coast sounds heavenly.
I am not rewiring for a while yet...only 50, and kids in college....guess the bank owns me for a while yet. And like you, Leah, the moola is in the 401K!
Michael survived the wisdom tooth experience just fine and healed quickly. He is playing in a baseball tournament this weekend. So we are running, as usual!
My sister's DH is having his prostate surgery on Tuesday the 6th at UPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh. His scans came back clean. So we are praying for clean lymph nodes too. Of course, everyone is concerned. He is not feeling well and having lots of symptoms, so he is anxious to get it over with....the waiting game!
We are getting ready for our big trip to Arizona. DH's youngest brother is being married on 10/25. We are flying to Tucson on 10/23 with Becky, Rachel and Mike. Matt can't go, since he has too many lab classes to miss. The kids are flying home on 10/26 with some other family members, but Bill and I are staying out and are going to try to see Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, other sites, and end up in Las Vegas to fly home. Return flight is scheduled for 10/31. We have not had a real vacation since our 25th anniversary...4 years ago...pre-breastcancer era.
I will be off work 2 whole weeks, and I am really ready.
Well...off to bed, we leave at 8:15 am to drive to Bellefonte for a 10 am baseball game!
Love you all,
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oops, forgot to tell Alyson, I will keep your DH in my prayers. Seems like heart surgeries are becoming so much easier (not sure that is the appropriate term)...but they don't keep you in the hospital as long, and they are always coming up with new technology to make it less invasive.
Praying he will recover quickly and easily,
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Results are in... good news is that my labs are GREAT, tumor marker normal. There is a tiny zone of increased uptake in the area where I had my RFA. The area is now stable at about 1.75 inches x 1.25 inches, and there was a tiny bit of uptake within that. So they might have to do another biopsy, or maybe they will decide it is nothing. I don't know... just have to go see the "liver guy" at MGH...
That won't be for a few weeks, so I can join the waiting crowd. I will try to be more patient than usual, since I know what to expect this time 'round. (GASP- is that a kind of silver lining????) But it just not something I am good at.
Love you all.
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Leah; Do be patient...as difficult as I know that is.
I guess we have all had posting issues as I had also thought I had posted about my Boston trip. Oh well...all went great and I was relieved to know that Dana Farber's opinion of all my paths concurred with all my originals. They did go the xtra mile and did the FISH since my HER2 was borderline. The result was still neg. Dr. Lin did say her treatment of me would have been different. She would have went with AC and then Tax...and probably radiation. I still feel good about the treatment that I was given. Boston was beautiful and we had a really nice, relaxing visit. We had fabulous seats that the hotel concierge had secured to the Sox game. Second row Sox dugout! Fun game. Our dinner at Carmen with Leah and Tom was most memorable and we had such a nice time. I highly recommend this restaurant!
Terry; I think we can all understand a little bit about what your family is going through right now. Hoping for clean nodes and speedy recovery!
Alyson; Thinking of your dh...
I hope everyone is getting to enjoy the changing season. We are having very cool and rainy weather. I would like to be home watching old movies instead of trying to get my personal taxes finished
Thnking of you all...
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Hi all
DH had his angiogram, now we wait for the decision as to when the valve will be replaced. If he is even slightly unwell we have been told to take him straight in to the hospital so that's something. This is of course the biggest problem of a fully public system, things take time. However DH is reluctant to go private as he is under the head cardiologist who has international status as does the cardiology dept at the hospital.
The country has been hit with a late snowfall which has caused problems in rural areas and stranded hundreds of motorists. It was just very cold here, right back to winter. It doesn't snow in Auckland.
Good progress has been made on the back yard the last two days and hopefully will be able to get on with some planting soon. My clothes line is up thank goodness.
Had better get a move on as I have an appointment at the Lymphoedema clinic this morning.
Big hugs to all. Be patient Leah, I know waiting is not great.
Alyson
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Alyson,
Have you heard anything on your husband's surgery? I hope they can do it soon. I know the waiting is a killer. Which valve is involved? I will remember you both in my prayers.
Leah, have you gotten any news yet? I have been checking everyday. Hoping and praying for good news.
Catherine, are you still so very busy? Hope you and DH are doing well.
I have hit a snag in my recon. I noticed some red spots in the crease under the left breast, pulled it up and there were two holes. I have what is called suture abscesses. It is caused by the internal sutures working their way out to the surface. Oh joy! It isn't painful, just annoying and worrisome for possible infection. He put me on antibiotics by mouth and antibiotic cream topically.
Hugs all round. Love, Sammie Kay
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Hello all.
just a quick update: consult with Interventional radiologist who performed my first RFA on the liver is set for 10/26. If they decide to do any kind of procedure, we have the IR suite on 10/28. I think they will either want to do a biopsy or another ablation. And that will be that.
I don't know how they decide, so stay tuned.
I will put this aside now for about 3 weeks and think about something else.
Love.
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Leah...you think of something else....something nice. We will do your worrying for you!
My BIL did well with his surgery. Surgeon says it was large but still contained. He did not think any nodes were involved, but as you know, the pathology report will be more informative. Sooo, he has a catheter for 2 weeks and 2 drains, 31 staples in his stomach. My dear sister now has her work cut out for her....men are not very good patients. He will get cabin fever, as he is used to going and going!
Thanks for you good wishes.
Sammie....sorry to hear you are having more issues. You will mend quickly I'm sure.
Alyson...keeping your DH in my prayers.
Melanie...sounds like a wonderful time in Boston! Glad your second opinion was good.
Was supposed to take Mike for his senior pics tonite. But, had to cancel as he got "beaned" at his baseball tournament and now has a real shiner. He was batting and the ball hit his helmet and then his cheekbone. Being the tough guy he is, he won't give an inch to the pitcher and is always getting hit. Usually not to the head! No more baseball now until spring...time to heal up!
Hugs to all,
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This is so weird, I posted lasl night and did not see Leah's posts about her results, nor did I see
Alyson's and Terry's. I don't know if I didn't scroll up far enough or what.Glad to hear things are encouraging for you Leah. Just eat cake, LOL Easy waiting.
Melanie thanks so much for the info about your aunt's surgery. I have my appt. in Houston on Oct. 15.
Terry, hope your son is healing well. Enjoy your trip to Arizona. The Grand Canyon is awesome. We drove from Vegas and stayed a few days in the Grand Canyon Park.
Hope you BIL heals quickly too. Praying for good tests results.
Alyson, hope your DH is holding his own. I pray his surgery will be a big success. Wow, late snow. We are getting our first cool front on Thurs night. Of course cool for us in 60 at night and 80 during the day.
I am making my annual trek to see my sister. It is actually her turn to come to Texas, but she has a new home and wants me to see it and I want to so we reversed the order. I will be there from Oct.26 to Nov. 14. Looking forward to it. I hope my "ulcers" clear up before the trip. I am having some weird pain on the opposite side of the ulcers. I have appt. tomorrow with PS. So will hear what he has to say. Weirdly, my husband is having a similar pain in the rib area. Maybe it is sympathy pain LOL.
Love to all, Sammie Kay
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My sister called me...the surgeon called them last nite. It is in his lymph nodes and surrounding tissues. He is stage IV. I am the only one she has told so far, They go back to Pittsburgh for the full path report next week. Not looking so good now.
Sorry to be a bummer.
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Oh, Terry, so sorry for your sister and your family at large. It seems to me it took for ever for them to have the results... sending very warm hugs your way... they sure will have empathy and sympathy from you, who can understand their situation.
Pat, Marsha, sending hugs your way, too... please check in... thinking of you a lot (I even had a dream that I was with you, Marsha, we were teenagers -- 12-13 and were goofing around with a lot of laughter and silliness... go figure, but it was a very nice, cheerful, joyous dream).
Vegas, what are you up to?
Alyson, hope your DH is better, keep us posted. We are supposed to have 17 degrees over night (Farenheit!!!)... covered what I could in the yard, cut all the tomatoes, which hopefully will ripen at home, and also the lovely "hand painted" egplants which I cooked with mushrooms and garlic last night... sweet delicious in pasta.
I am enjoying a break from work at last, but the week was not idle: Tuesday I passed my naturalization test and will be officially an American citizen next Thursday (the 15th)... talk about quick
. The ceremony is in the morning at Denver Public Library downtown. DH will take pictures... and we'll celebrate with a few friends on the 18th, a Franco-American brunch with champagne!! DH will turn 68 on the 19th, so it will be perfect timing...On Wed. DH had a colonoscopy that came back squeaky clean (with pictures!! I know him inside out, now ;-) ) ; they clipped a little bit of tissue that looked maybe like a baby polyp or nothing, so since they had gone all that way, they took a little piece for biopsy). The Gastroentero guy told us he could see that we were on a high fiber diet (whole grains, veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds of all kind... chirp, chirp).
Today I took my car for its 6 month oil thing (900 miles in one year, everybody giggles at me...), and then raided WholeFoods so we can stay home for 2 days, waiting for the storm to go away (1 inch real snow for tomorrow...??? so soon... arghhhh).
I am knitting socks and hats, enjoying every minute of it... so, overall, not too much stress to report on this side of the Rockies
Leah, Melanie, SammieKay, Hillary, Vegas, Marsha, Pat, Phyl, Terry, Alyson, Carynn... wishing you a gentle week-end... Jan/wildhorse, what are you up to, these days?
Your soon-to-be American sister,
Love to all, Catherine
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Oh geeze, Terry. So sorry to hear the news. Will continue to pray for successful treatment.
Keep us posted. Love, Sammie Kay
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Hi Catherine, I was typing while you were posting, but yours didn't show until I sent mine.
Stay warm. We are having low 60's Fahrenheit. What a glorious change. My arthritis is already better after the high humidity and low barometric pressures have passed.
Hugs and warm thoughts, Sammie Kay
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Big hugs Terry, its so hard. Two guys we kno have similar dx, one is actually doing very well and my brother had prostate cancer 2 years ago; they are hoping they got it all as the tumour was very large.
DH is fine at present. Now we wait but know he will get his operation in the next three monthsAs I have said this is one of the problems with the public system, however if he is unwell again he must go straight into the hospital and that will mean he will jump the queue.
My older cat has decided he wants to give me a cuddle which is making things difficult.He comes when he wants too, next thing he will try to do is push me off the computer chair which he regards as his.
We had a lovely afternoon with our Bea, took her to the park to see the ducklings, cygnets and goslings. She really enjoyed the swing. She will be a year old at the end of the month and is almost walking. she is so much fun and can be really cute, like kissing her Granddad on the top of his (bald) head while he was playing with her on the floor.
Have just about finished a jersey for Bea for next winter and then will make a wrap for DD1 - have some lovely mohair which I have been given. Barney the cat is determined to get me off this chair.
There has been heavy snow again in parts of the country which is of course causing problems for the farmers as most of our stock is outside all year, lamb loses have been high in some parts where lambing has been late and of course they have to keep the frost off the fruit and grape blossom. At least our blueberries are under cover and the capsicums and tomatoes are in glasshouses.
Catherine can you retain your French citizenship as well? We are able to hold more than one passport.
Must go and finish this knitting, think DH wants the computer and mine is not on.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Alyson
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Morning.
I exchanged emails with my Interventional Readiologist guy at MGH who has confirmed that their is a recurrence for my liver tumor. I will be having another ablation on Oct. 28. I don't know whether that will buy me another 2 years or what, but my oncologist said if they got whatever is there, there will be no chemo. He has to have a tumor to watch, and there won't be any. So I guess it could be worse.
But I am kind of sad and thoughts keep swirling about "does this change anything?" for me. I am just letting the thoughts come and go. At some point, I will be clearer. I think I haven't processed it all.
One thing I do know is that I am going to ask for a biopsy before they ablate it so that they can see if the recurrent spot has a different receptor status than the original one (triple negative). Often that is the case. If so, maybe I could do herceptin or something like that. If it is still tri-neg, then at least I know.
I am also very sorry for all the various other ailments our families are dealing with, as well as worrying about Pat, Marsha, Terry, SammieKay, Carynn, Alyson.....
Sending you love.
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Leah, so disappointing and enraging, since you had no signs of this sneaky evolution. You are right about the tumor status, it is very important to know. Get plenty of rest and a good diet to be strong for the procedure. As you said before, at least this time around you know what to expect as far as the RFA goes, takes some of the stress out of the picture, but still...
Thinking of you and sending frosty but warm hugs, sweetie...
It's snowing...
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Leah, so disappointing and enraging, since you had no signs of this sneaky evolution. You are right about the tumor status, it is very important to know. Get plenty of rest and a good diet to be strong for the procedure. As you said before, at least this time around you know what to expect as far as the RFA goes, takes some of the stress out of the picture, but still...
Thinking of you and sending frosty but warm hugs, sweetie...
It's snowing...
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Hugs ((((Leah))))) I would want the biopsy too...pathology can change.
Anyone hear from Marsha or Pat....Hugs to them too.
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Big hugs Leah, hang in there girl. Take everything they can give you which I know you will do.
Once we know when DH will be having surgery we will organise our trip. He will need time to come right and be able to travel.
it isd a beautiful spring day here so hopefully the good weather will stay.
Huhgs to all
Alyson
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Terry
You asked about Marsha and Pat. They are lurking, both have signed in recently but have not posted anywhere.
So Marsha and Pat we are thinking about you all the time. We would love to know how you are doing.
Alyson
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Leah - I am so sorry that you have to go thru this again. Since the last scans were good, it must mean that this is early and tiny. I am glad that you are checking your pathology, if it changed would that mean chemo? Keep us posted and know that I'm holding you close in thoughts and prayers that this go around will bring NED. (((Leah)))
Terry - I am so sorry to hear of your BIL's dx. Will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers also for a tx plan that brings NED.
Melanie - There's definitely posting issues. I've popped in and posted a few one liners, and the post was definitely there, only to be gone the next day. The first time I thought maybe I had accidently hit preview instead of submit, but the second time it happened I had even gone back to view it. Fun with technology. Loved hearing about your Boston trip, what's up next? Texas?
Alyson - How is your DH doing? Been thinking about you and yours and hope all is well. How are you feeling? Is your RA in check? I visit with the Rheumy tomorrow.
SammieKay - How are you? Are the suture abbesses better? Wishing you good health for your upcoming trip and beyond! Glad to hear that your arthritis is in check. How is rewiring going?
Catherine - LOL about knowing DH inside and out. Congrats on the great news there. Also big congrats on your upcoming ceremony! Make sure your DH takes lots of pictures that you can post for us. What a wonderful occasion! Hard to believe that you have snow already. Our weather sounds a lot like SammieKay's right now. 80's during the day, 50's - 60's at nite.
Today was the Phoenix Komen Race for the Cure. Turn out downtown was amazing, early numbers are saying close to 40,000. Circumstances preventing me from walking this year, so I did the Sleep in for the Cure. One of the local news channels here is a big sponsor and they cover the event each year. Watched it all on tv and have to admit it made me a little weepy and that it made me think of all of you. I'm just so glad that you are all here and that we're here for each other's ups and downs. You are all so important to me.
I'm going to go be lazy today. Sending you all big hugs and good wishes.
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((((((((((((((((((((Leah))))))))))))))))))) So sorry you are going through this. I hope and pray they can give you some encouraging news. I hate cancer. It is so unfair. The nicest, kindest, sweetest people have to suffer. I am praying for some good news from the biopsy and ablation. Everything is crossed. I will be in Georgia when you have the procedure, but I will be checking on my DS computer.
Terry, hope your BIL will respond well to the chemo and other treatments. Keep us posted.
Hugs to Marsha and Pat, as well as all the FCCers.
My abscess situation is progressing. Still open, washing and cleaning with q-tips as he wants them to heal from the inside out. Yuk! Now I have an angry red rash next to the two holes. It itches like crazy. I believe it is a skin fungus. Kind of like jock itch. He had said to watch for that as I had taken the antibiotics and that is a warm moist area beneath the breast.
As far as rewirement goes, well it is good. I am still working. Mike went to his class reunion last weekend, so this is really the first weekend we have had. It is chilly and raining, so haven't done much. We may drive down to the coast tomorrow and look at boats and eat at a seafood restaurant. Even tho we have a 40% chance of rain.
We will be going to Houston on Thurs. to see the back surgeon. I will be leaving on the 26th for Georgia, so don't plan on starting any big projects anytime soon. I will be back mid Nov., then Thanksgiving and Christmas and possibly back surgery. Doesn't leave a bunch of time for our projects.
I am football soggy. Caryn your Cardinals beat my Texans.
The Dallas Cowboys did pull a victory out of chaos. LOL. Well, guess I will go to bed. Alyson, you and your DH are in my thoughts and prayers.
Catherine, snow, Wow! Slows down the puppy's walks, huh?
Love to all, Sammie Kay
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Something wonderful to celebrate! Catherine is a US citizen now! Congratulations!
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Hope all went well Catherine, I know my aunt found that it made life a whole lot easier being a citizen.
Have had a great Friday Bea has just gone home with her Mummy and Daddy. They went to go and realised they didnt have the car seat, tried ours but that didn't fit so SiL had to go home and get their, luckily its only a few minutes away. We have had a great time today and it is a very tired Bea tonight. She got very grubby this morning so had to have a complete change of clothes, then she was out in the garden with me and will definitely need a bath when she gets home.
She is coming with us to the Pinkstar walk tomorrow evening which should be fun. We are going to make her wings tomorrow.
Must go and plant the last of these plants then think about dinner.
Hope you all have a great weekend.
Alyson
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Yey! Big Congrats Catherine!
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Congratulations Catherine!!! You are a great asset to the U.S.A.
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Hi, everybody... had a busy week, but here are a few (poor) pictures (flash issue) of the big event:
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" mce_src="" alt="" border="" hspace="" vspace="" width="" height="" align="" />This was in the main hall of Denver downtown library, which I found a very appropriate place to stress that informed/educated/involved citizens are the number one condition for the Republic to work...
Wishing you all a gentle week-end... I am off to clean the house, do the yard for a franco-american brunch with champagne tomorrow to celebrate!!! Melanie, Leah, there will be a pile of goodies from Trompeau's bakery... and delicious green zebra tomatoe chutney that I made with at least 6 pounds of tomatoes harvested in a hurry before the freeze of last week...
Love to all...
Catherine
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A great big CONGRATULATIONS to you, Catherine! We are proud of you!
I too had a harvest before the snow of this week...picked about 20 lbs of carrots...need to figure out what to do with them now!
It has snowed about 2 inches here. Too soon, the earliest snowfall in PA recorded! I am just not ready.
Leave Friday for our Arizona wedding.
BIL and sister go to Pittsburgh for surgery followup and pathology report on Tuesday.
Love to all of you!
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Good Evening, all...
It is snowing. Wasn't supposed to, but it is. WIll they every get the weather right???
I am still feeling sad. Trying hard to shake it. Wish Twilah was here to talk to me.
Love to all.
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Hey everyone. We are back from our trip and realized that my post about my BENIGN results is gone! I had done a quick blurb as soon as I got them - couldn't wait to share happy news for a change. Seems like everyone has been having issues with disappearing posts. Grrr... Anyway, I got my results the first day of our trip so we were able to celebrate all the way up the California coast which was amazing. I fell in love with Carmel - what a gorgeous town.
But it seems like our little group has been hit with more bad news since we have been gone.
(((((((Leah))))))), I can't believe you have a recurrence. Just wish I could put my arms around you and give you a huge hug. Will be praying very hard that they can get it all during your procedure. Can't they do it any sooner? The waiting just sucks.
Terry, will also be praying for your BIL that they can cure him. I do have a friend that was diagnosed Stage IV about seven years ago, and he is doing really well. When will you be in Vegas?
Alyson, I am sure you are worried about your DH. What a shame he has to wait so long, but will be hoping he has no serious problems that would bump him to the top of the list for the duration.
Catherine, a huge congrats to you on becoming a US citizen! What a treasure our country has just received.
Sammie Kay, how are your stitches doing? And Melanie, what is new in your jet setting world? Carynn when are you going to get to Vegas again?
Love to Marsha and Pat and hope you are both doing well.
Just got my oldest son his first home last week. Had to put in 13 offers to get a house - the market is just nuts here! Almost everything is bank repos, and half the time the agents are so busy they don't even respond, which is very frustrating. Got lucky and found one that a "real" seller owned and it turned out we even knew him, so we were able to make the deal stick. He moves in the beginning of December. I don't know who was more excited, my son or my husband who loves him dearly but will be happy when it is just the two of us again!
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