Topic: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer

Jan 15, 2021 10:31AM candy-678 wrote:

I talked to my friend this morning. Her husband is hanging on--still unconscious. They are being discharged home with hospice today-- getting hospital bed delivered this morning. She seems to be holding up pretty good. She cat napped in his hospital room last night. And ate a sandwich. I wish I could be with her when she gets settled at home. She said she knows people will want to help, but she does not want a "revolving door" due to Covid. She is unsure how she will handle that so she does not offend.

I am getting my repeat CBC/ANC check today. Hope better and I can restart Ibrance.

Supposed to get a dusting of snow later today/tonight.

Jan 15, 2021 10:56AM illimae wrote:

SeeQ, DH loves Mexican food but he’s camping with a couple friends, so I used the opportunity to pig out on my own and I’m loving it, lol

Karen, I’m sorry to hear about your progression and trouble breathing is very scary. As for Xeloda, while side effects can be tough, especially at first, I found that once I had a good routine down for meds to manage my digestive SE’s and nightly lotion of hands and feet, I feel really good and currently have zero complaints. Hopefully, I’m not just a lucky case and everyone can find their balance fairly quickly.

Brain MRI follow up changed from in person to a phone call in about an hour but the nurse who called to let me know said it was stable, which works for me 🎉😁

Might do some packing and general chores since my day is free now or I might just watch mysteries, haven’t decided yet.

Jan 15, 2021 12:53PM candy-678 wrote:

Mae- Woohoo for stable!!!!

moth- Sorry both you and Olive had a restless night. Rest today if you can.

Jan 15, 2021 03:55PM Micmel wrote:

congrats Mae!!!!!

Jan 15, 2021 05:54PM booboo1 wrote:

Dear TangandChris,

Yes, initially, it is a bit overwhelming, but as you go through your instructions and treatment with your MO, it helps to be in a routine and becomes easier. I can so remember my first days when diagnosed. All I thought about was “when am I going to die”. This too shall pass. Just stick around here with us. You will not only learn a lot, but we can often help with questions you have. But most importantly, this thread is all about listening toeach other, supporting each other through scans and other procedures, and just being here to lighten your load as a newly diagnosed cancer patient.

Hope you stop by often and share your experiences with us.

Jan 15, 2021 07:01PM Karenfizedbo15 wrote:

Great news Mae...it’s also great to hear you enjoying your food after all those weeks of not!
Candy good for you on sorting out the vaccine. I know some are sceptical and that’s their right, but frankly we get pumped with so much stuff, this is just another thing in my head...and it might give us some freedom and a wee bit of confidence.
Sondra mentioned on another thread something about another single dose vaccine ( Janssen??) about to be approved.

Tang... welcome

Mel.... just sending you a great big hug.

Jan 15, 2021 10:54PM illimae wrote:

So, DH is having a brain MRI on Tuesday to rule out anything serious. The neurologist we met with believes his issues are most likely related to stress and poor sleep.

He seemed concerned about the MRI, so we discussed it and he said “I’m just not comfortable with chemicals being injected into me”, I spontaneously burst out laughing, then apologized and he understood why. Obviously, I meant no disrespect but the clinical innocence just got me. Ahh, the good old days before we inject or swallow who know what all the time.

Jan 16, 2021 12:38AM SeeQ wrote:

Karen - that's disappointing news, too say the least. Hopefully, they can make you more comfortable right now, and the Xeloda will push it back.

Candy - Good news about the vaccine. I hope, as time goes by and more and more people are vaccinated, we can all feel safe(r) in public. I have no idea when I'll be eligible in my state. A single dose vaccine would be great if it's equally effective.

Mae - First your story about 'chemicals being injected into me" is hilarious. He must be tired. lol. I hope he could laugh with you afterwards. In all seriousness, I hope his scans are clear. It may be time for him to focus on self-care a little more. Second, I thought you were on a 'food holiday' - which is what I often do when dh is away. I eat things that I love that he either cannot eat, or does not care to. Last, but not least, hurray! for your stable scan.

Tang - welcome

I had bloodwork today so my MO will have my TMs for my appointment next week. If everything looks good, we're going to slow my appointment schedule to alternate between checking TMs and an MO appointment every other month, and hold off on my next scan until 6 months, ideally. Practically speaking, it makes sense - it's not liike walking into the MO's office keeps me stable - but there's still part of me that worries about it. I got to have lunch and dinner with my ds, so it's been a good day, all in all.

Jan 16, 2021 04:33AM Kittykat9876 wrote:

Hi everyone, I've just been resting up while waiting for the call to have my port inserted.

Candy, I'm so sorry to hear about your friends dh, I hope they can keep him comfortable, its so hard when we can't give the support we usually give but I'm sure your friend knows you'd be there in a heartbeat if you could. Good to hear you will be getting your vaccine, we don't start vaccinating here until February at the earliest.

Karen, I hope they get you breathing better on Monday, I know what it's like not to be able to get enough air, it's very distressing.

Welcome Tang, and here's wishing you the best birthday on Monday.

Mae, congrats on stable and I hope dh's MRI goes well on Tuesday.

Wishing everyone else a peaceful weekend, take care, Cathie xx.

Jan 16, 2021 09:20AM illimae wrote:

Tangandchris, happy birthday Monday 🎉

Mixed feelings about birthdays or anything really when your recently diagnosed is totally understandable. I thought the 1st since cancer might just be my last but after being in treatment for a while, I realized it wasn’t the immediate death sentence, I thought it was. Now I not only celebrate my birthday but I’ve added a 1/2 birthday at the 6 month mark.

Jan 16, 2021 11:56AM Sunshine99 wrote:

Tang, welcome and sorry. I'm fairly new (less than a year) into my mets diagnosis. I remember reading my reports over and over again and not believing I was seeing the word "metastatic". Wait, WHAT??? Who, ME???

Then when I met with the radiation oncologist, and heard his nurse use the word "palliative" radiation, I freaked out a little. Isn't "palliative" like "hospice"? NOPE! Palliative just refers to helping with the symptoms, in my case pain. The palliative radiation to my hip, femur and spine significantly reduced my pain. So, don't let that word scare you.

Let us know how you are doing. I do hope you have a very happy birthday!

Carol

Jan 16, 2021 12:17PM Micmel wrote:

You’re all such kind, sweet, loving ladies.

Jan 16, 2021 01:47PM mara51506 wrote:

Tang, sorry that you are so new to MBC, I must for me that was the worst time with all the fear and sadness I was feeling. I was stage 4 from t he start with some cancer cells in my brain that did not form a tumour until a year after I was diagnosed. I am going into my 7th year if you start counting from 2015. I am largely used to it all now and am glad to be stable but I do know it can change. Now that I have some distance, I am no longer fearful. That would change with any new developments. I will say that regular life makes me more anxious than my own cancer. I am realistic about it but don't largely think about it. That is just me, I had social workers, a nurse who came in after my Mom died of lung cancer and I could have family help if I would ask for it. I also have a friend I speak to by phone. I am not even that worried about covid, just follow any rules put out and that is about it.

Mae pocket duty for your husband as well.

Karen, I am sorry to hear about the progression and fluid in your lung. Hoping draining will provide relief for breathing.

Anyone struggling, I think of you all. I missed a few people I know but I do care for you all.

I did not do anything much today, went to pick up groceries by foot and also walked a bit on my treadmill. Got home and did not pay attention to where I was and tripped over my cubii. I was unhurt except for what I know will be a nasty bruise. I did cause pain but is fine now. It took me a minute to figure out getting up. Used my yoga mat. Had to scooch over on my butt and then put the mat in front of the chair I needed to brace myself on to get up. Got up, did a few self pity tears and am OK now. Been a while since I tripped over anything so have been lucky thus far.

Jan 16, 2021 03:26PM jaycee49 wrote:

Many of you know me and I know many of you. I posted on this thread a few times a long time ago. I read it all the time when I put it in my favorites. I put it in favorites and take it out from time to time. I don't really know why. I'm keeping it in favorites now because you guys talk about things other than cancer. Like laundry. You guys do a lot of laundry. I finally figured out why that is. You guys spend a lot of time in each others' pockets. Pockets must be clean to have company.

I probably won't post much. I don't post much anywhere anymore. Most people don't appreciate my attitude which is snarky, sarcastic, and cynical. I am totally done with medical providers who mostly live in the 1800's when they used to tell women that their ailments were "all in their heads." They just have different ways of expressing it now like, "anticipatory side effects" and "anxiety." This happens to be my pet peeve right now. I'll move on to something else that annoys me soon. I just wanted to tell you about my laundry revelation.

I'm thinking about my Scotish friend, Karen, a lot. My Faslodex (with Ibrance for me) experiment may end soon, too. Xeloda hovers. My big question about Xeloda is that you take no estrogen suppression with it. Why is it that for YEARS we have worried about estrogen and possibly progesterone levels and with Xeloda, it's like, "who cares about that silly hormone(s)." What happened? I am confused. I pretty much stay confused and ask silly questions and with no answers, I stay angry when I think about my medical situation. As the years go by (7 so far), I'm getting really good at NOT thinking about that. That's the trick, I find. Difficult but doable. For your new person, that's the trick. Not so doable when you are new. But I decided to not let cancer steal my time. I spent so much time worrying at the beginning and most of that time was wasted. I always say, I wish I had that time back.

Jan 16, 2021 03:51PM tangandchris wrote:

Thank you again for the welcome!!

I love snarky too tee-hee

My husband, 11 year old daughter and I went out for a nice walk earlier. It was really nice to go out and be together as a family.

Now we are getting ready to hunker down for some playoff football.

You all are so uplifting. ❤