My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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My neighborhood is still dry this morning but I'll be monitoring things today as I could be impacted by the addicks resevoir overflow. I did see the sun for the first time in several days yesterday and this very cool butterfly
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I am praying you will not be effected Mae!! I am so thankful you're ok. This storm has been so awful, there really are no words to say how bad it looks and how sorry we are for all the damage. I am praying the waters recede soon and people can get back to restoring what they can. So sad. I haven't seen many butterflies at all lately. They seem to be in short supply lately. When I was a kid they were everywhere! Now not so much. I wonder why that is ?? Thanks for letting us know you're safe. I was watching the news and hoping you were on the Back end of this. Hugs to you! ~M~
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Mae - ditto what Micmel said. That is a beautiful butterfly! We have 4 monarchs in our bottle brush. They really like those.
Micmel - read bone mets thread, I told what happened yesterday. You will be, never mind. Having a rough week and sometimes the best thing to do is keep quiet.
I hope everyone has a nice, pain free day!
Hugs and prayers
Claudia
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Claudia~I want nothing more for you to feel no pain! I take 5mg Percocet everyday just keep at limit my joint and muscle pain, some people don't like narcotics. But small doses do not seem to be a bad thing. I have about 14 pills I take daily, and honestly I have a vapor oil pen that I also use for pain, it relaxes me and I am thankful Pa is now a medicinal state. Marinol works wonders as well. I have a great palliative care doctor who helps me a lot with lidocaine patches and ointment. I haven't needed those in a long time. But they helped tremendously with the pain. I am thinking of you! Love you 💕💕~M~
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I too have a similar story, My husband and I have been together since high school, 38 years. We've been married 34, have 4 children 2 sons 31 and 22 ,and 2 daughters 30 and 27 We also have 3 grandchildren, 1 granddaughter almost 8, and 2 grandsons (brothers) 6 and 4 1/2. I was originally diagnosed at 43, in 2005, stage 1 (found on a routine mammogram). I took the Oncotype DX test on my tumor and it came back that I had only an 8% chance of recurrence in 10 years and chemo would drop it to 5%. Needless to say, I skipped chemo. I had a lumpectomy, sentinal node biopsy (no cancer in the nodes) and 6 weeks of radiation. Since the tumor was estrogen positive and I was premenopausal, I had a complete hysterectomy (everything is gone) to get rid of those estrogen ovaries. I was then put on aramotase inhibitors. I lasted 3 1/2 years on them. I couldn't take the awful side effects anymore. In 2012, I was having back pain. After an x-ray and MRI, they found I had a compression fracture in one of my vertabrae (I've since had 4 kyphoplasties to repair them), and many tumors in my spine and lungs. It's also now in ribs, pelvis, skull, other bones, as well as my liver. 5 years stage 4 and still kicking. My husband has been wonderful throughout it all. I too worry about him (his currently 54, I'm almost 56). I asked him to wait at least a year after I pass before seeing someone, and never remarry. I know it's a lot to ask, but I too get upset thinking of how his future will be, and I don't want someone else taking over my spot. I worry about the kids too even though they are all adults now. Our older daughter has a lot of health issues, and I think she will be with him forever unless she finds someone. Currently she lives at home as well as our younger son. Everyone tells me how lucky I am to have a husband like mine. He's a jack of all trades, and does most of the housework too. He'd be an awesome catch for anyone, and that's the problem I'm having. I also don't think he could be on his own. He could do it no problem, but mentally, I think he needs someone. I told him I'd haunt him if he remarried. I know I'm not being realistic, but that's just the way I feel. He's the love of my life. Thanks for listening!
Lynne
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Lynne~welcome! I know exactly how you feel! I have layed awake crying many nights filled with grief at the thought of leaving this perfect man. He is my person. Just as yours seems to be as well. He cooks he cleans he loves me like no other. He and I have had similar talks about if I were to pass. He says he just couldn't do it all again. That once you find that one,nothing else matters. I'd like to think that would be the case because i know if the roles were reversed I would not even care to date . I know that deep that it would just be who I am. He says he has the kids and that he already does his photography when he hikes and that he likes doing his own thing.i cannot hike like I used to. That sadnesses haunts me. I am nothing like I used to be. It sounds like you have a lovely family and have been blessed with knowing your grandchildren. I pray every day that will Happen for me. No rushing them lol. But it would be a great gift to live that long. You are a warrior and I hope you'll come around and join our little family here on the thread. We support and care very much for each other and it's like a small town pub! Thank you so much for sharing your love story! It warms my heart to know that good real love is really why we fight this cancer so hard! Hugs to you ! ~M~
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Mae~ I just saw that reservoir on television. They showed many houses flooded because of that. I HOPE and PRAY your house is not effected! Geeze I wish this crap would stop! So many people effected. Life is so hard sometimes! Sigh! 😞Hugs ~M~
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So remember when Emma was sick right before vacation...yah she got sick again yesterday and we ended up at the local ER (we knew last time it wasn't brain tumor related so we didn't drive 2 hours) any way..she has a 5mm kidney stone and several other small ones in her kidney..so we are trying to flush them out...yah nothing is ever easy in our house.....she is feeling better now..was miserable yesterday..luckily it is into her bladder...school starts Tuesday...ready to get back into swing of things...tonight I want to sleep stayed at hospital with her last night...so not much sleep for me
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Keetmom~❤️ I was wondering where you were! I have had kidney stones before and for an adult its excruciating! That poor sweet child. I am so sorry that you had to put up with seeing her In pain again. How long was she In the hospital!? Is she ok now ? Has she passed all of them ? I passed out from the pain onto the floor. I am thinking of you guys. So sorry for her she has been through the ringer. Keeping you guys in prayer!
Mae!?? Hoping you're ok haven't seen you all day!
Hugs to all ~M
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No we are straining pee hopefully they pass soon...she is so tough! she just mentioned the pain matter of factly...I often am blown away by her strength..we are home, the only reason she was in the hospital, was because she has adrenal issues...
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Keetmom~ ah yes! The ole straining of the pee trick, so annoying. You can barely go anyway without extreme pain but they want to see what it's made up of. Usually they are calcium formed. She is absolutely an amazing child. But then again you have an amazing family and she has an amazing mother!'😌 I really hope they are small enough to just pass easily for her and for you. I hope this doesn't mess up school time for her. I cantreally believe that the Summer is officially over already! Time goes so fast. I just hope she can put this behind her soon. Hugs to you strong mama! ~M~
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Good news! The overflow from the reservoir will not reach my neighborhood, it turned out to not creep as far north as previously estimated and I'm told if there's no flooding here now, there won't be later. I also finished my part in the emergency contracts, tomorrow I open bids and see the cost. The last bit of good news is that enough rads techs made it in, so I was able to get my treatment back on schedule, although, it's located south and west of my home where so much flooding is, so I had to drive far east first, then south, then west. Oh well, back to my office tomorrow and grateful that I am able to get back to normal when so many others can't.
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Mae - I sure am glad you made it through with no damage! My heart just aches for those who lost everything. I am donating to the Lindel Foundation, where 100% of all donations will go to the victims in your state. He is the owner of My Pillow , and he is covering 100% off the Foundations operating costs so this can happen. He also has donated 60,000 pillows. Probably seems silly to some, but I think it will bring a small measure of comfort to them.
Hugs and prayers
Claudia
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That's very cool. And not silly at all, a good bed, pillow, nights sleep makes all the difference
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Good morning Ladies~Mae yay! So happy your neighborhood was spared in all of this horribleness. I can't even imagine how much suffering these people have to endure. Thousands and thousands of people with no place to call home anymore. Their belongings just gone. It makes me sad and mad at the same time.! Mother Nature can be an angry beast sometimes.
Claudia~ I like that idea. Everyone needs a great pillow to rest their head after something like this. I didn't even know his fund was available. We donated to Red Cross but that is a good idea!! Hope you're doing ok. Thinking about you all! Hugs ~M~
Keetmom ~ How is the stone watch? Poor gals! Always sending good thoughts
Hugs ~M~
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I was wondering how you ladies detected your cancer?. I was thinking back, and I had what they thought was a cyst. Two different doctors told me that it was a cyst and my age. Yada yada. It wasn't a cyst. I could have moved on it a year earlier had they said whoa, have that looked at. It was like a breast mouse, I could move it freely and it wasn't connected to anything at all. At first. Yes oh yes at first. Then not so much. Awful! I just wondered. Did you ladies have a lump? How did you know?? Hope all is well ! ~M~
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Mae- glad you are going to be safe..watching in disbelief and feel awful for all the people who have lost everything.
Mic- yup still on stone watch, no sign yet but no more pain..well not that she is telling us. DHs first stone was a grain of sand and brought him to his knees and this is 5mm and she said yah my back hurts a little...cant get over her pain thresh holdMy cancer was a thickness in an area, my DR found it and sent me for a mammogram, we were in the midst of a very ver very bad year...yah we have had a bunch but this one was particularly sucky, stage 4 I was achy and my tumor markers up so my NP sent me for scans even though my oncologist said "There is no way that cancer is back..." I think and my new oncologist that I was always stage 4
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Keetmom~ she is something else your precious Emma! I think kids are pretty tough sometimes. Maybe she gets it from you!
I also was always stage four from the beginning. They just didn't know it until they found a small pencil head sized tumor on my livers surface! I had already had one heavy AC chemo. He pulled me out of the heavy chemo and told me their suspicions! The following week I was in biopsy. I then had a liver resection and left mastectomy,it was rough!! After that onto Abraxane! But during the time of all that. The little suckers, nested in my bones.
Mae~ was anyone in your neighborhood effected by the resevior? Must be a large neighborhood, has the storm at least moved along ? You mentioned cost? You mean the cost of damage for your company and repairs ? My mom lives in Mississippi and they are under Tornado warnings quite a bit today! This Harvey needs to head out! How long have you worked for your company?That sounds pretty cool. Interesting to say the least!
Claudia~ Sending hugs and good thoughts!
Nan~ miss you darling !
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I can't even believe that medicine would cost that much. It's really sad that medicine that is so needed wouldnt be able to be gotten without insurance! Scary world we live in these days! I am starting my 10 th month and I am so fatigued, I don't even Think the word applies and needs a new name! Hope all is well.
Claudia~ thinking about your pain and hoping today was at least better for you!
Happy thoughts ~M~
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Micmel, no one in my neighborhood affected thankfully and we're dry and sunny now. I work for the transportation dept in roadway maintenance, specifically contracting. The cost of cleaning up debris and fixing submerged pavement and traffic signal electronics will not be cheap. Both of my former supervisors have retired in recent years and I'm the only one left who's been through this before (Hurricane Ike was a direct hit), it's a lot of stress to try to be quick, efficient and train others in the process which includes lots of rules at the state and federal levels. So, the emergency work, plus concern about my area flooding on top of cancer has mad enough for a hell of a week.
Still feeling good though
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Mae~That is very good that your neighborhood was not involved. Seems like you chose a safe place to live. I thought that is what you meant about the clean up. I am sure that alone is a full time job, just noting what was damaged. Just make sure you rest for you!
I was wondering how you ladies found your cancer if you don't mind sharing. I have been thinking that a lot of women knew about their lump and was told To watch it closely. I did watch it closely, I did everything they said. I would have done the mammogram, had they notsaid we're not worried because of your age. If it changes we will immediately check this out! Well it did change , and it was doing damage by playing the I'm going to spread game! I just wonder how many cases could have been different if the doctors didn't place such an emphasis on age. Have a good day ladies. Much love and good thoughts ~M~
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Good morning Micmel, I am feeling better today! A little sore and A lot tired, but that's ok. End of Ibrance cycle, hence the tiredness. I hope you have something fun planned for this weekend. We are finally going to take the weekend off! We are going to go riding and spend the day at the beach. I don't know if I told you, Dh is doing all our construction projects. He is working late in the day and all weekend. I finally convinced him to take this weekend off. He works full time then comes home and works here. He needs a break. We are having dinner with friends Sat night, we have made a habit of that. We meet every Sat for dinner! They are so much fun! I hope you have a great weekend!
Mae - You are one busy lady right now! I'm so glad you did not suffer any damage! I hope you have a great weekend!
Keetmom - Has the stone passed yet? I sure hope so! You and your family have had enough trials to last a lifetime. I'm wishing you a great weekend!
Chicagoan - Do you have big weekend plans?
Nan - Thinking of you. Wondering how things are? What about your weekend? Have you found a dress? I wish I could go shopping with you. There is nothing better than shopping for a special dress for yourself or a loved one! Ok, maybe shopping for wedding dresses is more fun! I bought a great peri winkle sheath dress for the rehearsal dinner when my son got married! I know you will find something beautiful!
Hugs and prayers everyone
Claudia
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Good Morning Ladies~ Mae~saw more about that addicks reservoir on television all I can say is wow wow! I keep seeing so many animals being rescued. I am just glad that they are getting the animals out and not leaving them. It seems like All the water in the world is in Texas! Unreal pictures. Can't tell you how glad we are you're ok in all of this. Hope that your entire family is ok in all of this! I wanted to say that I think you're pretty amazing. You still work and have a great attitude!
Claudia~ you have another keeper of a DH! He seems to be just like mine always on the move doing some awesome projects and being our hero! I was thinking about you and hoping your pain was just part of the waxing and waining of this shitty disease. I am always thinking about you guys and our daily challenges we all face one way or another. So much strength here on this thread! Enjoy your time with your friends ! So special that time!
Keetmom~ you're another example of strength, your family also. I hope Emma is pain free, even though she's one tough cookie and has a pain threshold that is mind boggling. She shouldn't be dealing with ll of this at this age. Think of you all often as well!
Chicago~ hope you're feeling good from
Your long hike. Also another amazing woman here. Hope the weekend is good weather,but certainly will not utter one word if it isn't, I'll take rain for a month, if it keeps it away from Texas!
Hugs and good thoughts to all. Always! ~M~
Nan~ gotta tell us about your dress ! Miss you. I surehope you're creating memories!
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Stone has passed...she is doing good..need to add Urology to our list of specialists to avoid this from happening in future again.
Sunday is our 23 year anniversary, going out for dinner tonight and to best buy....nothing to exciting..but should be fun...I'm attempting to wear a wig, it is itchy already....hope I don't rip it off during dinner.0 -
Keetmom-So glad Emma's stone has passed! It's bad enough when adults have to suffer but kids? It just doesn't seem fair. Happy anniversary-hope you have a great time!
Micmel-Are you off to the movies tonight? So glad you are getting out and having fun.
Claudia-Glad you are feeling better. How awesome to get out riding and go to the beach.
Mae-So glad you are able to work and help alleviate the problems in Houston. Good thoughts to all and hope that you get some R&R this weekend.
Nan-Please post a picture of your new dress if you can.
I went to a Jazz Festival last night-so uplifting and today am tackling painting my front porch. I even bought paint to repaint some rooms that badly need it. Being a "cancer patient" I was procrastinating and then thinking, "I better paint it neutral (for the new owners)" But today, I bought the paint that I wanted and think I will be strong enough to paint the rooms, if I pace myself. I bought Hacienda tile and think I will be the one to enjoy it. Cheers everyone-enjoy the weekend!
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Micmel, I forgot to include my cancer story. Here goes....
My maternal aunt was dxd about 5 years ago in her 60's, my mom was dxd about 3 years ago, also in her 60's. I told my PCP when I found out about my mom (this became more significant family history) and he ordered a mammogram just before my 40th birthday. The mammo was normal and my moms genetic testing came back negative, so life went on.
Fast forward 18 months, Saturday 10/29/16, while undressing for bed I feel a lump, it was big, like an egg and I'm sure it wasn't there days before. I cal my PCP Monday morning 10/31, he does an exam that afternoon and orders a mammo. Mammo and ultrasound performed Friday 11/4, afterwards a nurse talks to DH and I and it sounds grim but I'm scheduled for a biopsy on Tuesday 11/8. Biopsy done and on Thursday 11/10 I get the "I'm sorry, it's cancer" call. I leave work immediately, go home and call MD Anderson. I'm seen and scanned at MDA on Wednesday 11/16 where due to a suspicious lesion on my hip bone, I was told I'd be treated as stage IV (bone biopsy later confirmed).
I was completely blown away. Partly, because my genetic testing came back negative too, although I was told that there is very likely a risk associated with a combination of genes yet unknown. The other thing was that I thought, if I reacted quickly, I would catch it early. It never occurred to me that it could be so advanced before any symptoms appeared.
What's got me though this is DH, of course! The fact that I've always felt I was a lucky person, minimal mets (just the left hip bone), having normal pre-cancer energy and my relaxed attitude.
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Mae~ wow! I always thought my lump just changed overnight as well. I also was blown away by the stage four diagnosis, I also had no obvious symptoms. I look back now and I can see some that I associated with other things. I only breathe on one lung, from a totalOther separate condition. So fheee was always something to blame my sickness on. When I really think back, the cancer must have been in my system for years undetected. The day I was diagnosed I ran 6 miles in an hour. I was just always exhausted no matter how much I slept,kinda like now with lady ibrance. I am sorry that that happened to you. I do agree you have an awesome attitude, and clearly another keeper of a husband! Thank goodness. Thanks for sharing your story. At least you weren't told watch and wait! Have a safe Labor Day weekend & hopefully a dry one ! No rain whatsoever! Good thoughts all around!
Chicago~next weekend the movie comes out. I am not sure if we will hit the first weekend or not, I don't want to deal with big crowds, so within a week or two I'm going to venture out with the entire family. Which I am so thrilled that they all want to go. Even my DH who is a big chicken. Lol. Hope you have a good weekend also.
Keetmom ~ yay Emma. She is one tough cookie!! Relax both of you. Wow
Claudia~ have fun riding and be safe. Enjoy your friends. Sending big hugs.
~M~
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Let's all take a moment here to send good thoughts and vibes to Lita57 , she has received the news we all quiver in fear of, and this brave lady has a battle of all battles ahead of her. This disease is so maddening. I am so angry that it keeps hurting good people, who don't deserve any of it. She's so scared, I know prayers is such a funny phrase to say when things like this happen, it makes me think and wonder why someone would allow such suffering. Maybe it's just something people say because we all want to believe that there is an almighty power! Well he needs to get moving and help some of us MBC sisters. Enough bullshit pain and literal suffering. I'm sorry Lita my friend. I wish I was a magician! So sad today. Love all you special ladies so much. There are no words ~M~💔
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So saddened by Lita's update too, such a devastating thing for her, her family and her bulldog (they feel the emotion). It is a frightening reminder that progression can happen to any of us at any time.
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Still trying to wrap my mind around Lita's diagnosis.
Keetmom, congrats on 23 years! So happy Emma passed her stone!
Chicagoan, a Jazzfest in Chicago, wow! My ex and I used to go to Rush Street to listen to Jazz! Like 36 years ago! Gosh that makes me feel ancient. Have a great weekend!
Mae, you are so right, our animals do feel our emotions!!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Hugs and prayers
Claudia
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