Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[pynkkameleon]

It’s been an awfully long minute since I last posted here. Life happens and time just seems to fly by.

Sending out my deepest and heartfelt condolences to those of you that have lost loved ones. I can see that there have been some tremendous losses recently for some of you. I wish you peace and comfort to help you heal your hearts.

I was diagnosed with stage IV recurrence this past May. Breast cancer to my bones and chest wall. Treatable but no longer curable. Originally it was stage 2b in 2009. Although I’m pretty annoyed by this latest bit of everything, I’m in a very good and happy place in my life right now. My two youngest, will turn 21 in 3 months. Our son lives at home with us and our daughter recently moved in with her boyfriend of almost 4 years. My two older ones are very happy, stable and in strong relationships. One lives in Alaska and the other in Oregon. TexasCowboi and I will celebrate 7 years married next weekend, 10 years officially together. We purchased an old but (mostly) sturdy motorhome late last year (lovingly named “The Green Turd”) with grand plans of sneaking in some adventures over the next few years as TC inches closer to retirement. Right now, those plans are on hold though while we deal with this nonsense.

In the meantime, treatment for now is pretty straightforward. Ibrance and anastrasole pills daily, Zometa infusions monthly. This will continue until I build up a tolerance to the meds and have to move on. I have very few mutations, so for now it limits my options. I’m not eligible for any stage IV studies and there are currently only 5-7 treatment line options available for me, so the longer I can stay on one line, the better. Traditional chemo will be around the 3rd to 4th line. I’ll have my first new set of CT scans on the 17th to see if the medicine is working and everything is staying stable. Side effects so far are very tolerable. Some nausea, aches and pains and fatigue mostly. I just switched to a new Oncologist and she’s promised to keep us in the loop every step of the way and not sugarcoat anything. She’s young, smart as a whip and breast cancer is her specialty. This is still pretty new for us and we are learning as we go. I learned to be my own expert the first time around but we’ve quickly learned that metastatic disease is a whole different beast and treated much differently. Stability is the name of the game now. Scans every 3 months and monthly infusions with labs every month for the foreseeable future are the new normal. As are making lots of new memories and enjoying many adventures filled with laughter. Because that’s the way we roll anyway. This was just a reminder that time is short and to not take any of it for granted.

Thinking of you all. Check in if you feel up to it and let us know how you and yours are doing.
Big love. Be good to you.
Vonni -

[clay]

((((((((((((((((Vonni)))))))))))

It is great seeing a rep from you & here on BFP> BUT I am saddened to hear this latest challenge!

Thought of you over the last few years, wondered how you were doing, and smiling at our chats we had long ago!!

It made me smile, seeing you with TC & how happy you are!! I know how much you wanted that, too!!

As you can see, I am now married, waiting on my sweetie to retire in next few months, so we can travel! We bought a retro camper that is in excellent, original shape, with exception of a newer fridge. We dubbed her BleuBelle, camp with a great group of older ladies, & have a blast. We go a few days every month, & are booked up now until Aug 2023!! I am very happy, and have a winderful wife!!

Know I hold space for you in my heart & we send you white light energies!! Thinking of you & TC as you travel this challenging road ahead now.Much love, always, pynk!! clay

Originally Posted by pynkkameleon

It’s been an awfully long minute since I last posted here. Life happens and time just seems to fly by.

Sending out my deepest and heartfelt condolences to those of you that have lost loved ones. I can see that there have been some tremendous losses recently for some of you. I wish you peace and comfort to help you heal your hearts.

I was diagnosed with stage IV recurrence this past May. Breast cancer to my bones and chest wall. Treatable but no longer curable. Originally it was stage 2b in 2009. Although I’m pretty annoyed by this latest bit of everything, I’m in a very good and happy place in my life right now. My two youngest, will turn 21 in 3 months. Our son lives at home with us and our daughter recently moved in with her boyfriend of almost 4 years. My two older ones are very happy, stable and in strong relationships. One lives in Alaska and the other in Oregon. TexasCowboi and I will celebrate 7 years married next weekend, 10 years officially together. We purchased an old but (mostly) sturdy motorhome late last year (lovingly named “The Green Turd”) with grand plans of sneaking in some adventures over the next few years as TC inches closer to retirement. Right now, those plans are on hold though while we deal with this nonsense.

In the meantime, treatment for now is pretty straightforward. Ibrance and anastrasole pills daily, Zometa infusions monthly. This will continue until I build up a tolerance to the meds and have to move on. I have very few mutations, so for now it limits my options. I’m not eligible for any stage IV studies and there are currently only 5-7 treatment line options available for me, so the longer I can stay on one line, the better. Traditional chemo will be around the 3rd to 4th line. I’ll have my first new set of CT scans on the 17th to see if the medicine is working and everything is staying stable. Side effects so far are very tolerable. Some nausea, aches and pains and fatigue mostly. I just switched to a new Oncologist and she’s promised to keep us in the loop every step of the way and not sugarcoat anything. She’s young, smart as a whip and breast cancer is her specialty. This is still pretty new for us and we are learning as we go. I learned to be my own expert the first time around but we’ve quickly learned that metastatic disease is a whole different beast and treated much differently. Stability is the name of the game now. Scans every 3 months and monthly infusions with labs every month for the foreseeable future are the new normal. As are making lots of new memories and enjoying many adventures filled with laughter. Because that’s the way we roll anyway. This was just a reminder that time is short and to not take any of it for granted.

Thinking of you all. Check in if you feel up to it and let us know how you and yours are doing.
Big love. Be good to you.
Vonni -

[pynkkameleon]

Originally Posted by clay

((((((((((((((((Vonni)))))))))))

It is great seeing a rep from you & here on BFP> BUT I am saddened to hear this latest challenge!

Thought of you over the last few years, wondered how you were doing, and smiling at our chats we had long ago!!

It made me smile, seeing you with TC & how happy you are!! I know how much you wanted that, too!!

As you can see, I am now married, waiting on my sweetie to retire in next few months, so we can travel! We bought a retro camper that is in excellent, original shape, with exception of a newer fridge. We dubbed her BleuBelle, camp with a great group of older ladies, & have a blast. We go a few days every month, & are booked up now until Aug 2023!! I am very happy, and have a winderful wife!!

Know I hold space for you in my heart & we send you white light energies!! Thinking of you & TC as you travel this challenging road ahead now.Much love, always, pynk!! clay

(((((((Clay!)))))))

Well hello there old friend! It’s been far too long since we last caught up. Thank you for your words of love and support.

I’m very happy to hear that you’ve found your person and are doing so well! It sounds like you are truly living your best life right now. Long overdue but clearly you’ve just saved the best for last

[Kätzchen]

Just wanted to check in, today, and quietly share that I am getting a biopsy done today to confirm if i have cancer, or not.

Not sure what the outcome will be, but I live each day with zest for life and I plan to be present and clear minded about what I have to do next.

Blessings to us all,

K. 💐

[pynkkameleon]

Thinking of you Kätzchen.

Sending all of the positive into the universe for a good outcome. Here if you need to talk, vent or just hear a stupid joke or two to distract you.

[BullDog]

Best wishes to you Katchen! Also to everyone else in this thread and others who are facing challenging health issues. I see so much strength, determination, resiliency, and grace expressed here. I admire all of you and wish you nothing but the best.

I have been extremely healthy all my life until the last several months. I have never been in the hospital, had surgery, broken a bone, or had any serious issues at all. Up until recently I hadn't been to a doctor in decades and didn't have health insurance - both of those are no longer true (thank god for the ACA). I have always known I was extremely fortunate and tried to never take my good health for granted. But don't be like Bully - you need regular checkups just like your car does.

I have been referred to go see a cancer specialist in Albuquerque at the end of the month. I've been quite sick and lost 100-150 pounds - probably closer to 150 - and I have been in a lot of pain (have meds to help with that now) and have a lot of strange symptoms. I have received good care so far and I am very impressed by the qualifications of the cancer specialist.

Best wishes to all. I will keep fighting.

[Kätzchen]

Today was real rough....my dearest, long time BFF revealed to me by text that she is moving back to our homestate to be closer to her grandkids. I was at the doctor office when i got her news and was devestated (sp?) And couldnt get control of my emtions. I was crying (sobbing) into the arms of a complete stranger and rescheduled to another week later this month.

But i just want to share back to Pynk and my long time friend in the community, Bulldog, that your comments of support help me so much, right now.

*Thank you* ♥️💜♥️💜♥️


I too have lost a ton of weight and my weightloss is related to my cancer.

I will know by late September what type of cancer i have and what types of treatment are available to me.

I will keep you all posted and thank you for the kindest of support!

~K. + big air hugs. : )

[clay]

Oh my, I am very saddened to hear this, bully!!!PLEASE, reach out here if you need to talk to a friend! Will be holding you close to my heart & in my thoughts!

You are so right....we must get checkups, maintain our bodily machines, as best we can. Am grateful to hear you got ACA.

And, it is always good when you have complete faith in your oncologist & team! This is NOT an easy journey, will be fraught with challenges along the way. It is of utmost importance to have a really great support team IRL & here! I so hope that you have that, Bully!!

Know you are always welcome at my door here!! Check your PM's. Myself & pynk are both nurses! We have both travelled the journey you are now on.

Big hugs, BD!!! Keep positive & keep fighting....I might need yer help to kick some azz one day...lol....Much love....clay

Originally Posted by BullDog

Best wishes to you Katchen! Also to everyone else in this thread and others who are facing challenging health issues. I see so much strength, determination, resiliency, and grace expressed here. I admire all of you and wish you nothing but the best.

I have been extremely healthy all my life until the last several months. I have never been in the hospital, had surgery, broken a bone, or had any serious issues at all. Up until recently I hadn't been to a doctor in decades and didn't have health insurance - both of those are no longer true (thank god for the ACA). I have always known I was extremely fortunate and tried to never take my good health for granted. But don't be like Bully - you need regular checkups just like your car does.

I have been referred to go see a cancer specialist in Albuquerque at the end of the month. I've been quite sick and lost 100-150 pounds - probably closer to 150 - and I have been in a lot of pain (have meds to help with that now) and have a lot of strange symptoms. I have received good care so far and I am very impressed by the qualifications of the cancer specialist.

Best wishes to all. I will keep fighting.