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Any Texas Hill Country BC Warriors?

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Comments

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    Happens to me all the time.  Glad you're hanging in there!  I just happen to be in your fair city today to shoot the MS 150 bike race start, then head to New Braunfels to shoot the riders coming in.  Unfortunately, it never got off the ground because of the weather.  So....we shoot in New Braunfels tomorrow all day.

  • rhgsr
    rhgsr Member Posts: 179

    Hi ladies!! Well.... I'm in the hospital. Had stomach bug Friday night and couldn't stop vomiting. Got real dehydrated and with lung issues ... I got to where I couldn't catch my breath. Went to ER early Sat. morning. Possibly have pnuemonia in addition to the pneumonitis. Here is an update from my blog.

    --------------

    Update
    General doc Mentioned being here possibly till Tuesday or Wednesday but that tends to be a day to day thing. Pulmonologist coming today to see me. Breathing better but lung still hurts. Some nausea but better. Still real weak. Getting IV meds and a slew of other stuff. Unfortunately that doesn't include IV Valium like last night in the ER they gave me to help my cramping and breathing- darn - that was good stuff - Ha ha!!

    They don't think what they saw on the abdominal CT is anything to worry about. However, Kind of worried about some female issues I had this morning so They are ordering an ultrasound to get a better look. The tests after chemo showed I was postmenopausal and the Lupron injections are supposed to keep me that way. Since my cancer was estrogen fed we don't want any estrogen in my body (the less the better). So this requires a more in depth look just to be sure nothing else is going on. It's probably nothing... I'm thinking I just got a stomach bug and with my immune system being compromised from the steroids, coupled with my compromised lung and being severally dehydrated- it's just all cumulated into one big mess for me. But I'm glad everyone here is being so thorough.

    image

    image

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  • jwoo
    jwoo Member Posts: 931

    OH HOllie!!!!

    sending a ton of healing thought down south to you!  Hope your stay is short. 

    I just got done getting tested for serious bleeding (considered in chemo/tamoxpause)- luckily- nothing found- my TVUS came back with a small fibroid, but nothing else. I am sure your issue is related to all the other stress your body is under.  

    Get some rest while you are there if you can and know we are thinking of you. 

    Same with the rest of you lovely ladies- thinking about you, looking forward to seeing those that can make it, and hoping to meet the rest of you soon. 

    (((supersized hugs to all))))

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    Holli -

    Sending hugs, prayers, good juju....whatever else I can conger up!  Sorry you are having issues and are in the hospital.  Two steps forward, one step back.  

    On a positive note, you get to rest....when nurses and doctors aren't coming in to poke and prod.  Also, you ROCK the hospital bed!  I'm telling you, girl....looking good!!

  • rmlulu
    rmlulu Member Posts: 1,501

    Holli - sending warm (((hugs))) and prayers!  Breathe and focus on those beautiful pics at the coast...praying for stength, confidence, and peace.  Singing Remind Me Who I Am! And Overcomer!  Gosh your smile and your girls smile say so much...family surrounded in love!

    Kelsey - GRRR so frustrating....hang in there...{{{squeeze}}} holding you tight!

  • rhgsr
    rhgsr Member Posts: 179

    Still at hospital. Saw Pulmonary doctor and medical oncologist today. Pulmonary doc said some new infiltrates seen on the chest CT. Possibly some infection due to my lowered immune system due to the steroids. Just going to make sure no new infection, Confirm pnuemonitis, and worst case scenario ... Rule out any nodes. It is probably not the latter.


    No results yet on the abdominal ultrasound I had today. Hopefully no news is good news but I will ask my nurse tonight when I see if if she has gotten any results.

    I've gotten to see the girls a couple of times. But not Rhett. Boy do I miss him. I got to face time with him a bit and not sure if it helped or made my heart ache that much more.

    They will be putting me under for my procedure tomorrow. I believe it will be done between 2 and 4 PM. Please pray for all to go well. I'm really nervous and scared.

    image

  • jwoo
    jwoo Member Posts: 931

    will be in your pocket!

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 856

    Holli, so sorry to hear of your setback. I am sending good thoughts and prayers your way! 

  • NY2TXbaby
    NY2TXbaby Member Posts: 113

    RHGSR (Holli) 

    I have never met you but am so sorry to hear you are in the hospital. My positive thoughts and prayers are being sent your way and hope you are back on your feet real soon.   I look forward to meeting you in the future. 

    All other central TX warriors - I made a reservation for 11:30 am at McCains in Salado for Sunday, Oct 19th for approx 8 people (number can be adjusted as needed). They serve breakfast until noon and then only from lunch menu.  I am looking forward to meeting everyone - Candy 

  • rhgsr
    rhgsr Member Posts: 179

    Just got back to my room about 30 minutes ago from the bronchoscopy. The doctor took several pieces of my lung to biopsy. He also found some enlarged lymph nodes that he took pieces of to biopsy. He feels pretty confident that this is all due to inflammation from the radiation. But there is still the question (or lingering fear for me) that those enlarged nodes may contain cancer). He said the inflammation was pretty severe. It concerns me that there didn't seem to be much improvement (and even some new areas) after being on high dose steroids for almost 2 months now.

    Not sure if I'll go home tomorrow or not. Please continue to pray. We should get results back in 3-5 days.

  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 856

    Oh gosh, Holli. I know the waiting for results is brutal. Hopefully, you can go home and hang out with the kids to keep your mind off of it. I hate that you are having to deal with this. I will be thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.  ((HUGS))

  • rmlulu
    rmlulu Member Posts: 1,501

    (((Holli))) grr waiting :( concur with Terri...praying you get to go home very soon and hang out with your precious kids...there's always something about looking at your sweeties that renews your spirit...love to sneak in at night and smile over them sleeping in dreamland.

    Praying!

  • BookLady1
    BookLady1 Member Posts: 196

    Holli - I'm new to this site, an Austin girl by way of being a USAF military brat, and I just couldn't let this night pass without sending you back to JWoo's beautiful healing thoughts card. That's what's coming through to you. These women are CRAZY about you and I can see why. I hope you get some healing rest tonight. Thinking of you, Linda

  • jwoo
    jwoo Member Posts: 931

    Welcome Linda- 

    I am a USAF brat too! Grew up in Cibolo as my pops was at Randoloph. 

    Hope you are doing well with the start of your chemo. If we can help you in any way, please let us know. 

    - jeni

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    Holli -

    Continued prayers and good thoughts sent your way!  Hugs!

    Linda - 

    We're hooking up in Salado on Sunday at 11:30.  Please join us if you can!

  • jwoo
    jwoo Member Posts: 931

    For the meetup- anyone needs any hats or scarves? or know anyone that does? i am clearing out a few items. 

  • ChaosRains
    ChaosRains Member Posts: 90

    I stay so exhausted that I usually jump on here read what is going on and then am too tired to reply. 

    Hope you all have a good meet up in Salado- I will attend one of these days! 

    So update on me... I started getting severe neuropathy in my feet and hands- mainly feet- and my feet also started swelling horribly to the point that socks wouldn't even fit right and I've been just hobbling around, plus my blood work was a mess- everything too high or too low, so despite the new tumor growth onco felt it was in my best interest to discontinue chemo and go straight to surgery which will be on November 6th.

    Not getting much sleep at night... the neuropathy seems to be worse then, and I'm really worried about what having to stop chemo means for my future... for the odds of reoccurance... etc. 

    Trying to stay positive but it is getting harder *sighs*

  • rmlulu
    rmlulu Member Posts: 1,501

    Linda - Welcome!  Glad you found us :) we will be in your pocket for chemo {{{squeeze}}}  Sending good thoughts and prayers your way.  Please join us for our meet up this weekend if you can.  We try and carpool so if your game and need a ride, perhaps there is a pickup spot so you can come and let us do the driving. Ie my hubby is dropping me off Georgetown/I35 to catch a ride.  Just let us know!

    Chaos - so sorry :(((....no words just heart felt thoughts for answers and better days.  Prayers

    Holli - praying you get to go home soon...hugs!

    Kelsey - breathe and hang on...thinking of you too!

    Healing Thoughts! For body, mind, and soul!!!

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    Chaos -

    Thanks for stopping in and letting us know how you are.  If it helps, I have a friend that had to stop chemo and hormone therapy early.  Her body just said "NO"!  That was seven years ago.  She sees her oncologist every four months ... because she had to stop all treatment, they are watching her like a hawk.  So far, so good.  But, as happens to all of us, getting tested then waiting for results is never fun.

    Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way.  Looking forward to seeing you when we do our spring or fall weekend retreat.  I'm thinking Bastrop by the river.....

  • jwoo
    jwoo Member Posts: 931

    Chaos- 

    I had severe hand-foot syndrome and neuropathy. I would stick my hands and feet in cold all day long. Ice packs wrapped in towels. I made myself walk barefoot even though it hurt a bit, and my job is all typing all day, and since i was doing that, i think it helped. then after chemo- i made myself learn how to knit. THe hand-eye coordination of learning that type of skill really puts the body-mind connection back into place. 

    But cold- cold helps a ton. Be sure not to put your skin directly on ice, as it will do damage to the soft tissues. 

    I had to stop my chemo- just one treatment early, but they had reduced the dosage a few times before that due to all the N and H&F.  Don't get discouraged. They will get in there and remove it all, and then you can revisit chemo later if needed. 

    xoxoxoxox

  • jwoo
    jwoo Member Posts: 931

    i think this should be shared with everyone, regardless of the situation, it is good advice

    http://articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/07/opinion/la-oe-0407-silk-ring-theory-20130407

  • rhgsr
    rhgsr Member Posts: 179

    hi everyone. Thanks for the positive thoughts and prayers. I'm still in the hospital. Supposedly some of my left lung is effected too even though I didn't get radiation on that side. So today I get an echo on my heart to be sure there isn't any cardio involvement. Hoping to go home today or tomorrow. 

    Today is what I consider my 1 year survival date. I copied and posted my blog post about it below. 

    ----------------

    posted by Holli on Thursday, October 16, 2014

    One year ago today (October 16, 2013) I said to Ronnie as I was heading to my car at 7:30am "I feel so silly going to get this mammogram. They are just going to tell me I'm stopped up with old milk"........

    And then my world changed.

    Cancer
    Mastectomy
    Chemotherapy
    Radiation

    I think I've mentioned this before but I count October 16th my survival date. Why? Well, Since I didn't kill over from the shock of the mammogram results, that has to be the date I started surviving. So today October 16, 2014 I am a one year survivor.

    So why aren't I happy? Well, One year ago I didn't think I would be typing my one year survival post from a hospital bed. I thought I would be much farther along in this journey at this point.

    I was so naive when all this began. I thought " we'll just cut 'em off, maybe do a little chemo (I can rock bald) and be done with it". Then I could get back to my life and my husband and my babies and living again. I didn't factor in positive lymph nodes or vascular invasion, or extra tumors. I didn't realize the lingering side effects or even damage that the treatments to kill the cancer would have on me. I didnt realize that I'd have to take medications to combat side effects from medications that I have to take to combat side effects of the cancer treatments (read burnt lung ). I didn't factor in how it would change the way I think, look, feel, hope, dream.

    I read somewhere this week ( if I'm plagiarizing anyone please forgive me) :

    "I can jump through all the hoops. It's the obstacles that keep getting in my way"!

    I guess I'm going to need to learn how to start crawling over the obstacles too.

  • ChaosRains
    ChaosRains Member Posts: 90

    JWoo,  the onco nurse told me to make sure my feet didn't get too cold wear an extra pair of socks etc... which honestly hasn't helped one bit and this being TX and still "summer" has been horrible.  Now I'm going to have to call and ask if it's okay to use ice! I keep busy during the day and move my hands and feet around constantly so the neuropathy does but doesn't bother me as much... it's mainly at night when I'm trying to go to sleep or am asleep that it's a big problem. 

    VBishop, Bastrop in the spring sounds lovely!  And it's good to know that someone else has gone through a similar situation and is doing fine. Crazy though, the red devil chemo was supposed to be the strongest and worse chemo to have and even though it wasn't a walk in the park the taxol which is supposed to be easier decided to kick my butt!

    Holli, so sorry you are going through all of this, wishing you some relief! 

    This is what I've been doing to occupy my time and fingers... 

    image

    image

    Bottle cap jewelry and Redneck fishing lures :-)

  • rmlulu
    rmlulu Member Posts: 1,501

    One4bemi - hope everything went well and you are home healing.  We are in your pocket {{{squeeze}}} Let us know how you are doing when you are able.  

    Perhaps, Candy will give us an update on Sunday.

    Sending healing thoughts and prayers :)

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    Chaos - 

    Love, love, love!  Making lemonade out of lemons.  Watch this turn into a huge business ( I am looking for the silver lining here).  Prayers for healing, comfort, and an easier road ahead.

    Holli - 

    Thanks for the blog.  The one year anniversary is interesting, isn't it?  Very different for everyone.  Here's hoping that you are home with your family real soon.  Sending prayers and healing thoughts your way, too!

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    Look what I found about a possible new treatment for triple negative bc.  It will be discussed and presented in the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December.  Fingers crossed that its a viable alternative!!

    http://news.yahoo.com/roche-extends-immunotherapy-...

  • rhgsr
    rhgsr Member Posts: 179

    Heading home

    posted by Holli on Thursday, October 16, 2014

    I finally got busted out of the hospital. Don't really have anymore answers than I did going in. They gave me a round of antibiotics IV for pnuemonia. We are waiting for the biopsy results of the lung and lymph node samples they took yesterday during the lung biopsy. We should get those back anytime between tomorrow and Tuesday.

    I'll follow up with the pulmonologist next week. Please pray for easy time with the insurance on that.

    I'm very frustrated that I've been on high dose steroids for 2 months ( dealing with all the side effects that come with them) and my lungs didn't improve. They actually got slightly worse.

    I will say I got really good care from all the nurses and assistants at Seton Hays.

    I just want to find out what's wrong so we can get on the correct treatments and I can get moving forward again. I have 3 more major surgeries left ( mostly elective ) and I can't get going on those until this lung issue is resolved.

    What a crazy week this has been... 

  • one4bemi
    one4bemi Member Posts: 3

    Holly,

    I hope to meet you at some point in the near future. You have such a beautiful family.  I can see you fighting for them as much as for you.  I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

    Betty

  • one4bemi
    one4bemi Member Posts: 3

    Thank you so very much for all your support.  I am doing well at this point.  I still have the drain in place and my follow up is next week with the surgeon and the oncology.  The breast surgeon says she feels good about everything and maybe the nodes are negative.  I am hoping so.  I would like to be able to come to Salado but not sure that I could make the trip this time. I will be thinking of you and will definitely plan on being there for the next meet-up.  I have been reading along and am so glad to see Holli is going home and glad to be part of this group.  Thank you!

  • jwoo
    jwoo Member Posts: 931

    while only in testing- this is pretty exciting news! http://www.kvue.com/story/news/health/2014/10/15/lighttherapybreastcancer/17321915/

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