Any Texas Hill Country BC Warriors?

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  • NY2TXbaby
    NY2TXbaby Member Posts: 113

    sorry that I won’t get to see everyone, but totally understand. Hopefully no one catches this virus! I am flying with my Lysol wipes, mask, etc!! Vicki - hope you are doing well - - and I think of ALL of you often. I know I couldn’t have gotten through those first few smarts, weeks and months without all of your support and advice. Hugs always - Jen, Vicki, Cindy and Terri - you were my rock. Miss you guys., Candy

  • jwoo
    jwoo Member Posts: 931

    Hope everyone is doing well!

    Candy, hope your trip was easy and uneventful, and that you are now safe st home!

  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 856

    Hi y'all! Always good to hear from you, Jen'. I hope everyone is staying well. All is good here. Getting pretty hard to stay busy without getting out, but this too, shall pass.

  • jwoo
    jwoo Member Posts: 931

    image


    l can wait to hug you ladies again, but it sure is tough not socializing like usual!
    Hope everyone is doing okay.

    John and I have had a rough few weeks, as we lost our elderly kitty, and have had some friends lose family to c19. It's so hard to not be able to hug those you love when they are suffering. So please keep safe, and stay home, mask up, and "wash your hands, Roger!"

    ❤️❤️❤️


  • NY2TXbaby
    NY2TXbaby Member Posts: 113

    Jen

    So sorry to hear about your kitty - it is so hard to lose one if our 4 legged family members.
    This is definitely a strange time. I guess I made it back from TX before things really got bad. My flight home was probably the best I have ever had - only 9 people on the flight and everyone was cleaning their own area. That plane was Probably never cleaner! We have been blessed - our area of SW Florida has not been hit hard like the Miami dade area on the southeast coast. But I guess we are all not totally out of the woods yet.
    truthfully - I have really enjoyed being home and not having anything to do or anywhere to go! Four of our cruise have been cancelled thus far - and I am glad not to have to pack another suitcase!! But I am definitely not complaining since there are so many that have lost jobs Nd lost loved ones.
    I think this would be a lot harder if it were not for technology. I really enjoy seeing how creative everyone has become. Wishing everyone well and continue to be vigilant. Love and hugs - Candy P

    PS - all my tests / blood work looked good. I’m officially on a once a year followup with my onco.


  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 856

    Jen', so sorry to hear about the loss of your fur baby. I miss my Sweet Pea every day. I will probably have a new foster next week. It's always nice to have a furry friend to hang out with, esp right now.

    Candy, I'm glad all is well your way!

    I have been missing my family, although we have had a few socially-distanced outside only, or in the car visits, it's not the same.

    I hope everyone else is doing well~

    Take care,

    Terri


  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    Hey all -

    Just a quick update. Tumor markers are climbing, we don't know why. PET early Monday, results with Dr. early Tuesday. Possible change in treatment (again)? Who knows? I don't expect the news to be great, but I am prepared with whatever comes. Not giving up yet!!

    I will check back in when I know more.

    No pity, but prayers are always welcome!

  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 856

    Hi Vicki, good to hear from you! You're in my thoughts and prayers. Fingers crossed for good results. Please keep us updated! If you need anything, let us know.

    ((HUGS))

    Terri

  • beaverntx
    beaverntx Member Posts: 2,962

    Vicki, sending prayers for you!

  • NY2TXbaby
    NY2TXbaby Member Posts: 113

    Vicki

    So sorry to hear - but praying that results of PET will be positive and they can figure out why the markers are higher. Keep us posted as we all love you! I will ALWAYS remember your thoughtfulness & kindness when I was first diagnosed and underwent surgery. You will probably never know how much that meant to me and how much our little central Texas group has helped me. Lean on us now. I may not be in TX any longer but You have my number - call if you ever just need to chat! I will always be here for you! Sending hugs and prayers. Candy

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    Thank you, Terri! You still doing real estate? If so, hubby and I would like you keep an eye out for property in Taylor, Coupland, and other small communities that may have reasonable prices. We are hoping to spend 50 to 60 K on land. We would like 5 acres, but may not be able to get it at that price.

    Thanks!

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    So sweet, Candy! I am always here to help, even if its to lend an ear. Thank you for reaching out. I find out results tomorrow. I am not expecting great news, but I am prepared for whatever comes and plan to kick some cancer booty!!

    Will update everyone once I know something concrete.

    Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes everyone!!

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    Thank you! Prayers are always welcome!!

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    Update on the PET results. Not good news but could be worse. The tumor on my liver is growing; my liver is swollen and angry (I don't blame her; I would be too), I have new tumors in lymph nodes surrounding the liver and new tumors in lymph nodes in my chest. The tumors in the lymph nodes in my neck have increased in size as well. Two steps forward, three steps back. Sigh.

    With all this going on, I feel fine. Imagine that. I start my third treatment protocol in less than a year on Thursday. Eribulin - back to the infusion room; every week for two weeks, then a week off. Rinse and repeat. I've read that the infusion only takes up to 10 minutes. Must be some powerful stuff. I told the doc I wanted something strong enough to kick cancer's butt but not so strong that it kills me before the cancer will.

    Let's see what happens. I'm been very lucky so far in how I'm handling treatment. I hope that continues, but hubby and I fear it's about to get real. So …. pulling on the big girl panties and ready for a fight.

    Keep the prayers coming. Miss you ladies!!

  • NY2TXbaby
    NY2TXbaby Member Posts: 113

    oh Vicki I am so sorry to hear those results. I have no words - other than to say stay strong & positive as you have been. Praying the third protocol does the trick to turn this around. Think of you daily and keeping you in my prayers. Sending you a giant bear hug💗

  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 856

    Vicki, Thanks for the update. That's tough news to receive, but, you never know what treatment might work! I hope you have minimal SE's. I know you're one tough cookie and are up for the fight:).

    Kick some butt!!!

    Miss y'all too!

    ((HUGS))

  • beaverntx
    beaverntx Member Posts: 2,962

    Vicki, hope those big girl panties have lots of pockets so we all can be "in your pocket" over these next weeks! Prayers continue.

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    LOL - I love the visual in my head with your statement Thanks so much for the laugh and for the support. I will make sure the panties have loads of pockets for all my BC friends You ladies make this journey tolerable!!

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    Thanks, Terri! Tough news, but not unexpected. We will keep trying until we find something that sticks. I'm not giving up, but we think it's about to get real. I told the doc I wanted something strong enough to kill the cancer but not so strong it kills me in the process. My new treatment is only a 10 minute drip every week for two weeks (plus whatever else they give me - I'll find out today) That must be some powerful stuff! BRING. IT. ON!!

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    I feel the bear hug from Florida to Texas! Thanks for the well wishes and prayers! I only cried once … after telling my kids. They are worried. But … we're fighters. I'm a fighter. I never thought I would see the day where I welcomed chemo! Things change when you are fighting for your life. I'm not done yet. We still have several options to choose from; over twenty treatment options, including genetic and immunotherapy. We are hanging on to these for later.

    Anyway, I listen to happy songs all day, dance every day, and focus on staying happy and upbeat. I work at it …. and it helps a lot.

    Keep the prayers coming!!.

  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 856

    Thinking of you today Vicki! Sending good thoughts and prayers your way:)Heart

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    Thank you, Terri! Chemo today was uneventful … other than I got a bad headache and a touch of upset tummy. The nurses warned me about the headache The tummy, I'm not surprised. Even though I still have almost a whole bottle of the anti-nausea stuff they gave me months ago, they just prescribed a new medicine that works fast and dissolves on your tongue. An omen of things to come? Probably. I've been so lucky up to now. Odds are I will really lose my hair this time. We will know in another two to three weeks.

  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 856

    Hi ladies!

    I hope everyone is staying well and away from COVID!

    Vicki, I hope your SE's are minimal, or better yet, non-existent, while killing Valdemort(?).

    Jen', I hope all is well. You have been unusually quiet:)

    I have been busy training (or being trained) by my new adopted pup, "Buddy". He is a mess, but we are officially stuck with each other! He is a good walking partner and is great company. He makes me go for a walk every day....I can't tell him no! As it should be. LOL.

    I sure do miss my Grandkids. We should be having sleepovers, playing games and having fun. That has been the hardest part for me. I feel like they will be grown up before we can all get together again. But, I know we are all in the same boat.

    What have y'all been doing to stay busy?

    Stay well, y'all. I can't wait for our next get together!!!

    image

    ((HUGS))

    Terri

  • jwoo
    jwoo Member Posts: 931

    Hi everyone!


    Vicki- you know your on my mind always.

    Terri- what a beautiful bub!

    Candy- I hope you aren't going too stir crazy and you are well. Great results!

    Cin- Hope you are well, we sure miss you!

    Beaverntx- Hope you and your husband are doing okay!

    I'm okay- except I apparently got into a chigger nest and am going to lose my mind with the itching. Haven't had a case since I was quite little. I definitely don't recall it being so painful. 🙄 always something, huh?!

    C19 seems to be hitting my world pretty hard. We lost my ex father in law at the beginning of July, and a few more acquaintances. It's just beyond comprehension. And so terribly sad. More so because it could have been so different now, had science denial not been so prevalent.

    About to start a major home repair project, and in September, a major yard overhaul. Please wish us luck, we'll need it!

    I very much look forward to getting together with y'all again, and send you my love and wishes for heath and joy! 💜💜💜💜💜💜

  • beaverntx
    beaverntx Member Posts: 2,962

    Yikes, I get so miserable from a couple of mosquito bites (they get to be the size of quarters and itch like fury) can't imagine what a bunch of chiggers would do!!

    We are basically staying home except for necessities. Currently waiting for a new HVAC system to be installed--supposed to be Tuesday which will be almost 2 weeks since the old one failed. The good news is that we still have one functioning unit and it includes the main living area and a bedroom we can use. The master bedroom, laundry, and attic room are the area affected. MB stays in the high 70s to low 80s, attic room was 93 when I went up to retrieve something the other evening.

    Y'all take care and stay safe.



  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    Good Sunday Morning, Everyone!

    Candy - I don't think you will be impacted by the hurricane, but I always think of you when these suckers are heading to Florida. Stay safe!

    Terri - Love the dog! He is beautiful. What a great companion during quarantine and after! And your are right; not seeing or hugging the grandbabies is pure torture. I have a new granddaughter (my daughter adopted Hazel; they've had her since birth) that I haven't spent near enough time with yet. We do facetime at least once a week and it is so precious. I got lots of kisses, virtual hugs, a game of peek a boo, waves, and lots of smiles and giggles last night. It was great!!

    Jen - OMG on the chiggers. I hate those suckers! I am so sorry to hear about your ex-FIL. I am so sorry this virus has hit so close to home for you with both family and friends. I've dodged that bullet so far, but sadly, I think this thing is going to be our life for a while; we will all be touched by it before its over. Hope your itching ends soon and you and John can work happily on your home and landscaping projects!

    Beaverntx - Hope all is well for you and your family.

    Cindy - I hope you are having fun in your travels and that you and hubby are staying safe.

    I recently updated my blog so you can get more details there. Here is the 1000 mile high version of where we are, cancer wise. First, I am feeling pretty good. No real complaints. Tumor markers are heading down, not to the extent I'd like but down is better than up. My WBC was normal last week for the first time in months. But they jumped a lot this week to 9.5, which is high; ANC is high as well. Typically this is a sign of infection. They took a urine sample; bacteria and WBC were found, so they prescribed antibiotics to play it safe. They are waiting on the culture to determine what more, if anything needs to be done.

    I just finished cycle 2 and I am entering into my off week. I start cycle 3 on August 14th. We will do tumor marker tests again then. The plan is to try to get through three cycles and do a PET the end of August. So far so good. The tumor in my neck appears to have gone down, but it could be wishful thinking. I am handling chemo well, again, with little or no side effects. I am getting fat, partly because I am not walking as much in this heat, partly because of the steroids I am getting to fight nausea. Since the nausea isn't bad and I can deal without taking anything, they dropped them from 10 ml to 4. We may drop them again to 2 on the 14th or stop them altogether if I continue to handle this chemo with little or no nausea. Fingers cross!

    I can't wait to see all you ladies again! In the meantime, virtual hugs all the way around!!HugHugHugHugHug

  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 332

    It's been a while, ladies!

    I had a PET last week and tumor marker labs. Everything going down, well except for one tumor in my neck (the only one I can feel) but it is stable. Tumor markers down by a lot! We stay the course. Two more cycles and then another PET. My history of treatments working three to four months before my cancer wises up leaves me cautiously optimistic but happy that the next PET is not so far away. We want to catch things earlier enough so we don't loose all progress, as has happened in the past.

    No new tumors this time, so that is also a plus!!

    Anyway, blog updated with details. I am feeling happy, blessed, grateful.

    Hoping all of you and yours are hanging in there and are well. Maybe we can plan a get together soon ..... outside, with masks, social distance, for a few minutes. Virtual hugs all the way around.

    Love you guys! You may not know it, but I always feel the love and support from all of you, even when we don't "speak" for weeks.

    So blessed to have found all of you! Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend! C'mon fall!!


  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 856

    Vicki,

    So good to hear from you and so happy for the good news!!! SillyHeart

    I hope all of you are staying well. I am definitely ready for some cooler weather and some adventures with Buddy. He loves car rides and long walks.

    Stay well everyone~

    ((HUGS))

    Terri


  • beaverntx
    beaverntx Member Posts: 2,962

    Just checking in, all is essentially the same here. Limiting trips outside the house. I fell about 6 weeks ago, led with my chin and broke two front teeth. Scheduled for permanent replacement mid November; in fourth of what may be six weeks of physical therapy for soft tissue injury (similar to tennis elbow) to non dominant arm. DH and I celebrating 58th anniversary of our wedding today. Overall, life is good.

    How is everybody doing?




  • happyandwell
    happyandwell Member Posts: 6

    Hello,

    I'm moving to the Texas Hill Country soon and one of my biggest concerns is leaving my great doctors behind. I'm not undergoing active treatment but am being monitored for BC recurrence once a year with bloodwork and mammograms. Does anyone have a recommendation for an oncologist in San Antonio or Austin? I need to find other specialists also, including a gynecologic oncologist, so I'm leaning toward something like the MD Anderson group in San Antonio.

    Thank you!