Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[JustJo]

Hello all,

Probably time for another update, but please skip this one if you don't want to hear bad news.

We just got the results of my mother's last PET scan and the cancer has metastisized (or however you spell that freakin word) to her liver. They are calling it hyper-metabolic....which basically means growing like a son of a bitch.

Also, several of the punctate lesions have now activated on the outside of her remaining small intestine.

They have said they are "willing to try" very aggressive chemo....but the mild chemo she is on is already making her more sick than she can tolerate, and her weight is already dropping again. The only time she felt well, and was gaining weight, is when she had a break from chemo....so she expects that the very aggressive version would be absolutely intolerable for her.

She has decided to return home as planned on Saturday, to refuse chemo, and to begin working with hospice. She would prefer to live a shorter time, and not feel so sick...and most definitely not to die either in a hospital, or in front of my son.

She has already started getting her affairs in order.

Cancer sucks.

[clay]

Originally Posted by JustJo

Hello all,

Probably time for another update, but please skip this one if you don't want to hear bad news.

We just got the results of my mother's last PET scan and the cancer has metastisized (or however you spell that freakin word) to her liver. They are calling it hyper-metabolic....which basically means growing like a son of a bitch.

Also, several of the punctate lesions have now activated on the outside of her remaining small intestine.

They have said they are "willing to try" very aggressive chemo....but the mild chemo she is on is already making her more sick than she can tolerate, and her weight is already dropping again. The only time she felt well, and was gaining weight, is when she had a break from chemo....so she expects that the very aggressive version would be absolutely intolerable for her.

She has decided to return home as planned on Saturday, to refuse chemo, and to begin working with hospice. She would prefer to live a shorter time, and not feel so sick...and most definitely not to die either in a hospital, or in front of my son.

She has already started getting her affairs in order.

Cancer sucks.

aww Jo.....BIG HUGS to you and mom!!! She is in my heart & thoughts...as are you!!! Love you, Mom!!!

[DapperButch]

Oh, gosh, Jo. I am so very, very sorry. I don't even know what you say. Please know I am here if you want to talk.

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by JustJo

Hello all,

Probably time for another update, but please skip this one if you don't want to hear bad news.

We just got the results of my mother's last PET scan and the cancer has metastisized (or however you spell that freakin word) to her liver. They are calling it hyper-metabolic....which basically means growing like a son of a bitch.

Also, several of the punctate lesions have now activated on the outside of her remaining small intestine.

They have said they are "willing to try" very aggressive chemo....but the mild chemo she is on is already making her more sick than she can tolerate, and her weight is already dropping again. The only time she felt well, and was gaining weight, is when she had a break from chemo....so she expects that the very aggressive version would be absolutely intolerable for her.

She has decided to return home as planned on Saturday, to refuse chemo, and to begin working with hospice. She would prefer to live a shorter time, and not feel so sick...and most definitely not to die either in a hospital, or in front of my son.

She has already started getting her affairs in order.

Cancer sucks.

(((((((((((((Jo's Mom))))))))))))))

[mustangjeano]

Originally Posted by JustJo

Hello all,

Probably time for another update, but please skip this one if you don't want to hear bad news.

We just got the results of my mother's last PET scan and the cancer has metastisized (or however you spell that freakin word) to her liver. They are calling it hyper-metabolic....which basically means growing like a son of a bitch.

Also, several of the punctate lesions have now activated on the outside of her remaining small intestine.

They have said they are "willing to try" very aggressive chemo....but the mild chemo she is on is already making her more sick than she can tolerate, and her weight is already dropping again. The only time she felt well, and was gaining weight, is when she had a break from chemo....so she expects that the very aggressive version would be absolutely intolerable for her.

She has decided to return home as planned on Saturday, to refuse chemo, and to begin working with hospice. She would prefer to live a shorter time, and not feel so sick...and most definitely not to die either in a hospital, or in front of my son.

She has already started getting her affairs in order.

Cancer sucks.

Oh damn Jo, I'm so sorry. I can't think of anything helpful to say other than I will keep you and your Mom in my prayers. We are all here for you.

[SweetJane]

JustJo, this is always hard news. But it looks like your mom realizes that quality of life is important to her and those around her. We will keep her in prayer...and you as well.

[OS Butch]

Good morning. I just had the scare of my life and thought I would share it here. Sorry for the long ramble.


Since the age of 40, I have gone every year for a mammogram. It had become routine, something I just did.


10 years ago, my oldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer; she did the chemo and mastectomy and is a 10 year survivor and going strong.


Last year my youngest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and is doing well.



Having done this 13 times and having some not so very sensitive technicians, last year I said to the tech “Good morning, are you having a good day?” She looked at me a bit puzzled and said yes. I said “Great, because the last thing I want is someone squishing my boob that is having a bad day!” She laughed and although uncomfortable, it went well.


Last week I went for my routine mammogram. I had the same conversion with the tech and again, it went well. My daughter had come by Monday to pick up her mail and it was a good day. Later that evening, I got a call from her telling me she got my letter from the radiologist. As she read it I stopped hearing a word she was saying after I heard “requiring more testing.” I cried myself to sleep that night.


Tuesday, yes, Valentine’s day, I called my doctor and instructed to call the radiologist for another appointment, I shouldn’t need another prescription. I called the center and was told the next date would be Feb 29…..That was 15 days away! I said to the lady, I have had 2 sisters with breast cancer and that seems too long can they call me if there is a cancellation and get in sooner? She said she is unable to do that, but she could transfer me to the local office and I could check with them.


She transferred me to the actual place I had my testing. I gave my name and other information. She said “Can you come in at 1pm today?” My heart just about stopped as I said yes. Even though I got an early time, the immediate response was of urgency it seemed and I was terrified.


I arrived early to the center, and waited to be called. I heard my name and through those doors I went. I had my little conversation with the tech and she laughed. She took 1 x-ray of my right breast and 3 of the left. She took me to a waiting room, still in the gown in case there needed to be more x-rays after the doctor read them. As I sat in the waiting room, there was a tv playing an infomercial on Tomosynthesis 3D imaging. After what seemed forever, the tech came and got me for another x-ray….omgoodness. I asked about the Tomo and she said that is what we are doing. She further explained that it is a new technology and insurance companies are not paying for it yet, but the Doctor here said to go ahead and do it.



Back to the room I went and waited. The tech finally came back and said I could get dressed and the doctor would be in to talk to me……..more waiting.


Finally he arrived and said that everything was fine and negative. Shadows of the 2d were not there on the 3d. A huge sigh of relief!


I suggest that if the new Tomosynthesis 3D imaging is available in your area, it is well worth the out of pocket expensive to alleviate false positive reading and going through what I experienced! Hopefully, the insurance companies will start covering this new machine…. it still squishes the boob, but it takes 52 shots in a pass so the doctor is able to see more!


OSB

[Countyfem]

Sending everyone well wishes

JustJo so sorry for this news my prayers are with you and your family

OS glad to hear your news was good, adding you and your family to my prayers

Clay I have a feeling everything will be good for you, you beat it once and if need be you can do it again!

Take care everyone keep your spirits high and know there are folks that keep you in their thoughts and prayers and support you.

[pynkkameleon]

OSB,

That WAS quite the scare for you. I'm so happy to hear that it turned out to be negative. Obviously, because of your family history, you have to stay diligent about being checked, which it seems you are. So many people aren't and I know of many (Butches in particular) who don't even do self checks; let alone routine mammograms. Has your family had any of the genetic testing done? If you haven't, once again because of your sisters, you shouldn't have to jump through the typical bunch of hoops to have the testing done. It would at least give you some sort of idea of what your own risk is and that of your daughter as well.

I'm so happy to hear that your sisters are both doing well. I am sad though that your family has been so deeply impacted by this disease. If you haven't already, I think you should all go out and celebrate your negative tests!

Wishing you all well and thank you for sharing. Hearing the positive stories are nothing short of a gift for many of us.

Big hugs!

[pynkkameleon]

I'm just a posting fool this morning. This time I am asking for prayers, good vibes and positive thoughts for myself and my mother.

I'll start with Mom. She was dx last week with a very large abdominal aortic aneurysm. It's over 7 cm as of yesterday. Last week it was 6.3. She is scheduled for open repair surgery on the 29th.. Personally, I wish it were sooner but because she's a heavy smoker, they want her to have at least a week or two without a cigarette before they cut her open. At first she refused the surgery but once they told her it would be fatal if she doesn't have it, she changed her tune. She's only 61. Way too young to give up and wait for the inevitable to happen.

As for me. I had my gallbladder removed yesterday. No stones located but the lil bugger was adhered to my ovary and appendix. That explains much of my pain right there. I'm up and walking around today but it sure does feel like someone kicked me in the belly with a pair of steel toe boots. Ouch! On Tuesday, I go in for two spinal MRI's. My physician is concerned that I may have mets in my spine. I'm not overly stressed but of course I still have that little bit of nagging fear that goes along with every one of these tests we all get thrown at us. I was officially diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in both of my feet this past Tuesday. Can't feel hot or cold in either one of them. It's in my hands too but not as bad as the feet; although there may be an indication that one hand may need surgery to repair the trigger finger that I have more recently developed. I also have achilles tendonitis that they believe is also related to the chemo. Next week I will be undergoing testing for Lupus, B12 deficiency, MS, diabetes and whatever else she comes up with.

I am happily soliciting and accepting any and all positive thoughts and healing energy that can be thrown our way with a great big thank in advance.

I sure do miss those days when life was boring and any chaos that occurred, I generally had control over. I don't care so much for this "new normal".

Many hugs to all!

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by OS Butch

Good morning. I just had the scare of my life and thought I would share it here. Sorry for the long ramble.


Since the age of 40, I have gone every year for a mammogram. It had become routine, something I just did.


10 years ago, my oldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer; she did the chemo and mastectomy and is a 10 year survivor and going strong.


Last year my youngest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and is doing well.



Having done this 13 times and having some not so very sensitive technicians, last year I said to the tech “Good morning, are you having a good day?” She looked at me a bit puzzled and said yes. I said “Great, because the last thing I want is someone squishing my boob that is having a bad day!” She laughed and although uncomfortable, it went well.


Last week I went for my routine mammogram. I had the same conversion with the tech and again, it went well. My daughter had come by Monday to pick up her mail and it was a good day. Later that evening, I got a call from her telling me she got my letter from the radiologist. As she read it I stopped hearing a word she was saying after I heard “requiring more testing.” I cried myself to sleep that night.


Tuesday, yes, Valentine’s day, I called my doctor and instructed to call the radiologist for another appointment, I shouldn’t need another prescription. I called the center and was told the next date would be Feb 29…..That was 15 days away! I said to the lady, I have had 2 sisters with breast cancer and that seems too long can they call me if there is a cancellation and get in sooner? She said she is unable to do that, but she could transfer me to the local office and I could check with them.


She transferred me to the actual place I had my testing. I gave my name and other information. She said “Can you come in at 1pm today?” My heart just about stopped as I said yes. Even though I got an early time, the immediate response was of urgency it seemed and I was terrified.


I arrived early to the center, and waited to be called. I heard my name and through those doors I went. I had my little conversation with the tech and she laughed. She took 1 x-ray of my right breast and 3 of the left. She took me to a waiting room, still in the gown in case there needed to be more x-rays after the doctor read them. As I sat in the waiting room, there was a tv playing an infomercial on Tomosynthesis 3D imaging. After what seemed forever, the tech came and got me for another x-ray….omgoodness. I asked about the Tomo and she said that is what we are doing. She further explained that it is a new technology and insurance companies are not paying for it yet, but the Doctor here said to go ahead and do it.



Back to the room I went and waited. The tech finally came back and said I could get dressed and the doctor would be in to talk to me……..more waiting.


Finally he arrived and said that everything was fine and negative. Shadows of the 2d were not there on the 3d. A huge sigh of relief!


I suggest that if the new Tomosynthesis 3D imaging is available in your area, it is well worth the out of pocket expensive to alleviate false positive reading and going through what I experienced! Hopefully, the insurance companies will start covering this new machine…. it still squishes the boob, but it takes 52 shots in a pass so the doctor is able to see more!


OSB

OS,

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am glad that it had a happy ending! I can see why you would have been so nervous wiht two sisters with breast cancer.

[OS Butch]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

OS,

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am glad that it had a happy ending! I can see why you would have been so nervous wiht two sisters with breast cancer.

It definitely was a tough day. I immediately sent a text to sister number 3 to get hers scheduled along with our mom.....and pay the $50 to have the Tomo!

[pynkkameleon]

There really are no words to easy the pain, frustration and heartbreak you are going through right now. So from me you get a big (((((((((((JustJo and family))))))))) and a reminder to just keep reaching out for support to get you through this terrible time period. Despite what you say, in my own opinion, you ARE strong and amazing. If ever you need someone to talk to... vent, cry, laugh. you name it, I am here for you as well. A stranger I may be to you, but I think that's a formality that we all get to bypass when our lives are all mutually touched by Cancer.

Thinking of you