My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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@rlschaller - Rhonda, I'm not exactly sure if this new bump is actually a true skin met or just something that's come through the skin. I'm going to have to wait until they provide more information to know for sure. So far it's the only one I've noticed, and I thought actual skin mets show up in multiples or clusters or something. I know you've had quite a time with them for a while now, so you are probably an expert at knowing their ins and outs. I'm wondering if the systemic Xeloda will help of course, but maybe the oncologist will want to separately radiate the area too? It's very close to where my original tumor was. I want to give you a belated thank you also for a previous post you wrote in which you offered to help me with any skin mets questions I might have. (This was back when I first noticed the bump around mid December.)
It's rainy and chilly here too. Wish I could snuggle in with a good book too. Somehow books have lost their "specialness" or whatever for me over the years. It seemed to have started when I need glasses 20 years ago now. for some reason, I just scroll on my phone now and read whatever that way. There's something much nicer about a book though, and I try from time to time to get back into a routine with one, but it just doesn't "feel right" any more. Weird.
Have a good rest of the week-end!
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Nice to hear from you Mara. Have been wondering how you are. Sending hugs, and threetree…..although not the news you wanted to hear, a new drug will hopefully knock this back for you.
I am just learning the twists and turns of this crazy road. My last radiation is Monday and then they want to put me on verenzio, but just got letter I have to appeal the denial from insurance. Co. Not sure what that’s about but will call Monday. I have Medicare and a secondary. So ladies…..enjoy the weekend. I am grateful for all of you.❤️
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xsuzx-Why did your insurance company deny Verzenio? It's a pretty standard first line treatment. Hope it all gets straightened out soon.
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hoping to find answers Monday. Thanks Chicagoan. I’m from Park Forest. I love Chicago…..just too cold. Nite nite everyone ❤️
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@xsuzx - I have the same question Chicagoan does about just why the insurance company denied. I too have traditional Medicare and a supplement, and had no trouble whatsoever getting Verzenio approved. Come to think of it though, I got mine directly from Eli Lilly. They have an income base program, and I didn't have to pay anything. You might want to check with your clinic and see if they can hook you up with that. I only recently learned that I also could have somehow gone through Medicare. My clinic set me up with the whole thing from the get go, so I never went through the insurance. It was well worth it. They had someone at my clinic called a "patient care coordinator" who arranged all for me. You might want to see if your clinic has a similar staff person. After 2.75 years, the Verzenio has quit working for me, so I am moving on to another drug, but it served me well for a good while. It has it's downsides (side effects) that you can learn to manage, and then get into a routine. I hope you get approved one way or another and that you get a good long run on it.
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@threetree So sorry you have skin mets to deal with. That really stinks, I am in all pockets while here. Biggest complaint is leaking poo. Wearing diapers and getting diaper changes. Immodium given here not enough so once I get home, use own stuff.
Sleeping is still better and head pain is much less. I miss posting my food but should be out next week. Hoping by Monday but allowing for other days. Dr did not look in on me this morning but that is fine. I hope everyone else has a good day. In pockets for all.
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@mara - Thank you for your sympathies re whatever this is on my chest. It's cancer for sure, but not totally sure it is a true "skin met" and waiting to see more specifics from pathology.
It looks like you are steadily getting better, even if not as fast as you'd like. Just so glad that this all seems to have gone relatively smoothly for you and that there were no real glitches. What you are dealing with sounds like "par for the course" post surgery type stuff, and stuff that is gradually improving, so you should be back home in reasonable time and back to posting all about your daily food combos. Sounds like it won't be too long, and I will keep looking for those food posts to reappear. Still in that pocket of yours for sure!
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Question…….Are you guys still working? I could not even imagine going in to work. Luckily I am in a position I was able to quit. I am 72. But I couldn’t imagine going on with my day to day…..driving, dealing with pushing customers. I hope there is a new normal from this…..and I can take a walk around the block and feel like meeting friends for lunch, but that is going to be a while for me. When I was first diagnosed and had my lumpectomy, I took a month or so off…. And I was back. I never knew this could come back. This time…. It has just really affected me….pain wise and emotionally. Anyone else?
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I'm 73 and still work "officially", but for all practical purposes I really don't work. I manage a few phone calls and emails from home, from time to time, and I maintain a certification that I need, via zoom seminars a couple of times a year, but that's all. The small business I work for continues to pay me just a little for what I do. It helps them to still have me as a certificated employee on their roster, so this has been a bit of a "win-win" for us. I make next to nothing however, and it's fine with me. It helps them out and it helps me out too. I am for all practical purposes retired, and could not go out there every day and do what I used to do.
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I'm 72 and retired at 67 from staff development and teaching at a University. Fortunately I could afford it as my DH was still working. It was a demanding job requiring me to be on my feet a lot. I was able to go on SSDI and then SS from there. I am not sorry I retired although I do miss my work.
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I stopped working at 59 after I was diagnosed because I was so sick. For the first few years I had numerous medical appointments and fairly low energy. I resumed working again at 65 because I had more energy. For a seven month period I worked two jobs which added up to full-time, one in my field and the other is a just a fun part-time job. Working full-time is too much for me. But I enjoy part time-the things I do are very flexible and I can work when I want. It's helpful for me to have a schedule and I enjoy interactions with customers and co-workers. (I'm 68 now). My fun job does require a lot of standing. It helped me to rebuild strength and stamina. The other good thing about my job is that it requires me to smile a lot. My spirits get lifted when I spend a shift smiling and trying to provide good experiences for customers.
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I miss working but my job was very physical and required lots of smiling. Usually not a problem for me….but am grateful I don’t have to now. I’m 2 1/2 months into my new Dx. Still smiling at people but will have to get my strength up again to do any lifting. Thanks guys. Have a beautiful day.
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Welp the good times don't stop here. Still in a diaper for days, Big D is a constant companion. The PSW said let's do a shower so I sat first then she asked me to stand. All of a sudden I got lightheaded so we edged me down to the floor. Cleaned up after using machine to put me onto stretcher, had MRI and back to bed. No food until Big D is gone.
People here are kind and I am sleeping decent. Pain is rare in my head. My stomach not feeling too bad but nothing else due to happen during my stay. I do get the feeling brother and SIL want me in longer if I am honest but I need cats and the only thing wrong is constant BIGD and not enough immodium given.
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@threetree I am sorry to hear about your skin. In your pocket for whatever happens from here.
I really like the people looking after me. I had a big D episode and we tried to shower. I had to gently get down and lay down. Good point was they lifted me on the stretcher and off to the MRI. Need to get home so I can stop the constant leak Skipping supper for now No more laxatives in future either. 5 days of leaking is enough and 2mg immodium is not enough to shut it off.
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oh Mara….that doesn’t sound like any fun at all. It will be nice when you are all snuggled in….surrounded by your kitty’s.
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@mara51506 I am hoping that they figure out what is causing all the diarhea. It sounds really miserable. I wonder if you have IBS? Did it start when you began herceptin years ago?
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&CHICAGOAN. I am not sure what started this round of BIGD except the laxative I was made to take. I did not want it for this reason. Once I get out can take enzymes and immodium to shut it down. I do not feel sick thankfully. Read it maybe a side effect of DeX. Who knows. Herceptin does mess up my stomach but I take digestive enzyme with meals. Keeps everything regular for me.
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@mara51506 It's so weird that they made you take a laxative before you were even constipated. No wonder you have had such horrible diarrhea. I hope you will be able to take a shower soon, once you feel stable.
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I overheated in shower I asked to lay down and I continued my leaking. Have to get home and use more immodium turn it off myself. Plus side not a sick stomach but yet I keep leaking.
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@mara51506 sorry to hear that struggling with the bigD! I’m glad the staff has been very kind to you but understand that you are anxious to get home. I’m glad to hear you feel pretty well other than dealing with D. I hope it starts to slow down and you can get home soon We all look forward to you being home and posting your creative recipes.. 🤞🏻❤️
@threetree I hope you get some answers this week as to what exactly is going on. I’m sorry that you’re dealing with this even though you were expecting something it’s never easy! May Xeloda kick cancers butt!🤞🏻❌⭕️
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@irishlove Hope you get your script debacle cleared up tomorrow 🤞🏻thinking of you and hope things are getting better at home❤️
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