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janetg

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Posts posted by janetg

    Ron finished 6 rounds - Catscan this Friday

    in MEMBER UPDATES

    Posted

    It's been some time since I've able to check on everyone's progress because of a myriad of bad things happening. Ron is doing well, I think, after getting through the 6th Taxotere treatment. There doesn't appear to be symptoms of a reoccurence of the fluid that he had removed on July 28. He will have his catscan on Friday and is scheduled to see a new oncologist on the 26th. Our favorite oncologist has gone on sabbatical for a year. We're not happy with his colleague so we've asked to see Dr. Jensen.

    On August 25 I lost my mom to cancer. She was diagnosed with a reoccurence in early July, most likely a metastasis from her original breast cancer which she was diagnosed with in 2001. The cancer was found in the liver for sure and other sites were involved (most likely the pancreas or bowel). She did go through 5 rounds of chemo but suffered terribly from mouth sores that severely reduced her ability to eat. So although she was 80 and only a petite 90 lb lady she fought with a wonderful mental attitude until the end. Perhaps that's why she had 4 "great" years since her initial diagnosis which resulted in a mastectomy, 8 rounds of taxol, and 25 radiation treatments. Mom was an avid skater (she wore racer skates - similar to what you seen olympian speed skaters wear) and enjoyed line dancing sessions with a Seniors group in our local area for the past 5 years. We sent her racer skates with her in the casket. Our guest singer at the funeral sang one of the songs she skated to all her life - "On the Wings of a Snow White Dove" and noted at the funeral that mom is in a place where she won't have to worry about the flames melting the ice. So, if you look up you may see her speeding by on those racers.

    Ron and I had a car accident that caused severe damage to only the car. We were very lucky to have survived. However, it was just another bad thing to have to deal with 4 days before mom's passing. Then the hospital shifted my dad to a nursing home just two days after mom's burial. He was grieving at the loss of his wife of 60 years and we had to take him to a place which was unfamiliar and he didn't know anyone. We were pretty emotional about that too.

    I'm sorry to babble but a helluva lot is going on. I've told Ron that he can't get sick on me now. He's a rock. At the end of this month it will be 18 months since Ron's go home and get your things in order visit. And quality of life has been good. His mindset keeps him with us. His respiralogist told him that during the last visit that "you amaze me." That's quite a compliment.

    I'm sad to read of the sad news on the board lately and happy that some are getting good news. There's no question that this board is the best. The support is incredible.

    Thanks for everything.

    Janet

    Ron gets a good report

    in MEMBER UPDATES

    Posted

    Hi,

    Ron saw his oncologist on July 4 and had his 4th taxotere treatment on July 5. There is no recoccurance (at this point) of the pleural effusion. There is a "faint" change in the liver but the onc. is not going to biopsy it - he says it could be CA, but it can also be a change as a result of the many chemo treatments or the fluid that had built up in his body back in April. The onc. was quite pleased with the results. He is still going to try and push for 10 treatments. Three days following his last treatment, a benefit was held in Ron's honor at a local gymnasium with 500 people present. Following the fifth band's performance many of the musicians got on stage for a long version of "Mustang Sally" - some of you may remember that song. Guess who sat behind the drums? He played his heart out for 10 minutes and even fit in two solos with offtime beats etc. He finished with a bang and rose from behind the drums to a standing ovation and the odd tear. He gave an incredible speech with a strong, adrenalin pumped, stance and bellowing voice. With his vibrant Lance Armstrong yellow bracelet in full view he spoke about his battle over the past 16 months and how he's not finished living yet. He left people with little doubt. His oncology nurses were there. His ICU nurses were there. Everyone was standing and applauding him. It was quite an emotional night. It took Ron 4 days to bounce back from that night but it was worth every nap and ache. Those who were present at the end of the night have been talking about the guy with Stage IV cancer who beat the skins off the Ludwigs. We live in a small community so word travels fast. The energy in the room remained from beginning to end - the dance floor was never empty, people got to see old friends and Ron had so many hugs, kisses and well wishes it was amazing.

    Ron appears to be doing well although I worry about his shortness of breath. He is functioning fine but seems to become very winded at times when he does too much. He doesn't appear to be feeling "short" of breath and doesn't have any interruptions in his sleep etc. I know that breathlessness is a side effect of Taxotere so we don't want to overreact. We're taking a few days off next week to get away for a little R & R.

    My mom has been in the hospital for two weeks. Cancer cells have been found in the liver. The doctor feels that we may be looking at the pancreas or bowel as the primary. She is a four year breast cancer survivor. So things have been pretty hectic for us. Just when you think things can't get worse, they do. My dad has been in hospital since March 17 and is awaiting placement in a nursing home. The only consolation to having them both in hospital is that they can see each other daily. Life's a bowl of %%%*&( at times isn't it?

    We will perservere though. I haven't been in tune with what's been going on but I'll try to catch up over the next few days.

    Prayers to all.

    Janet

    Update

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    I don't know anything about the particular treatments you have mentioned but wanted to congratulate your mom. Prayers for continued good news are being sent your way.

    Janet

    Mom is feeling better... As long as I don't strangle her.;)

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    I loved your post. I felt guilty this week after hearing recurrent sighs and "oh my God" day after day and telling Ron that he has to choose some other words to use. I just wanted to get out of the house for awhile and get away from his sadness. I felt guilty when I told him to pick two more words to describe how he was feeling but I just couldn't help it. After I said it though, I thought that I should have kept my mouth shut. But thankfully, he just chuckled so I guess he wasn't mad.

    Some days the strain is just too much - it's not just what he's going through, it's working fulltime, and visiting my dad in the hospital everyday that gets to me sometimes.

    Then there are days that just simple pleasures seem to make live worth living.

    I hope that your mom gets a good report next week. I, daily, want to strangle my mother.

    Janet

    Sometimes I feel guilty

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Your news is much needed to give the rest of us hope. I'm happy to read happy news. I feel sad when I read sads news. But the bottom line is, I feel more encouraged when I read of similar a diagnosis and the "success" treatment brings.

    Keep up the great work.

    Janet

    My best buddy is having a tough time but still positive

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    Ron had a port-a-cath put in last Monday and had his third chemo last Tuesday. As had been the case after the first two rounds, he was like Superman for three days because of the decadron. Since Saturday he's been really down for the count. He spent most of his time in bed due to joint pain in his arms and legs. I read of some of the side effects of Taxotere and though the info. says its not one of the most common it is often seen in diabetics. Ron was a diet controlled diabetic until the decradon.

    I hope he can get some relief soon. He was quite content to stay put on the weekend and rest a lot but now he's ready to burst out again but his legs won't let him. He said today at lunchtime that he can't understand how someone who feels so good could be so weak.

    His catscan is scheduled for June 28. If the chemo is working, the onc. is going to try for 10 in total.

    Are there any suggestions that we may not be thinking of that may help him to increase his strength? I'm open for any and all suggestions.

    Thanks for any input you may have....

    Janet

    It's Three Years Today~

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    Congrations to Mr. & Mrs. Ry! Three years is a milestone and I believe a reason to celebrate. I believe that we should celebrate each day of life even those days when we wonder what it's all for.

    A good friend of mine lost her 47 year old partner to an aneurysm in February of this year. She asked me the other day, after she saw Ron for the first time since his reoccurence looking weak and moving a little slowly, if I thought that the way her man went was better. I reacted with a big "no way" and Ron certainly agrees. He's battled to get back to "normal" last year and he did it. He appreciates and enjoys life much more than he ever did. He had a wonderful period of remission for several months. He's gone back into an even bigger battle this time and he's even more adamant to be alive.

    I'm sorry but I am one of the ones who says we're 13 months, 14 months etc. since the official diagnosis. We're proud of that. We see the faces of those who've been newly diagnosed (and who have read the bleak statistics) light up when they see a Stage IV lung cancer survivor who has remained active (most of the time) and is living life with energy and enthusiasm.

    You guys have all seen that look on the faces of people when you tell them that you or someone you love has lung cancer. That, "oh" lowered voice reaction, then the slight bowing of the head and then ever slow shaking of the head from side to side gets to me.

    What better way to educate people than to give them the accurate message. I remember only too well the devastation, the sleepness nights, the tears etc. for several weeks after the initial diagnosis. I wish I had had someone who could have given me something to believe in when I thought we would have 3 - 6 months. I tell everyone I know that Ron's close to his 15 month anniversary - and I'm so proud of him.

    I'm sure that you're very proud too. Kudos to both of you.

    Janet

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