[The Week of Boring Tests—& I Love Boring]

Wonderful news!! 🎉🎊🤸‍♀️

[58yo 2 months into diagnosis of stage 4 NSCLC]

17 hours ago, Mamma Om said:

On the very day I was to start treatment my Oncologist told me she was doubtful of my diagnosis & took my case to the weekly tumor board at the Cancer Center. That bunch of educated, dedicated, caring Doctors determined the 2nd tumor was not SCLC but a rare neuroendocrine carcinoid.

Sorry to intrude on this thread but WoW. That just goes to show that what a difference a good doc (diagnostician) makes.  Your doc has good instincts. Same for the tumor board.

[Another Post Treatment/Surgery Scan in the Books!]

18 hours ago, Karen_L said:

What a gift to get that port removed.

My husband has neuropathy in his hands after some illness and is prescribed gabapentin. He says it helps, plus it's not a narcotic. I hope you'll find some ways to deal with this icky new factor in your life. 

Oh, and, I hope your doc isn't expecting you to smoke MM-- you can get gummies and tinctures. I live in Oregon, where cannabis is legal and there are many stores. I hope you find some options that help. 

Karen

Thank you! I was so happy to see it gone. Still a bit sore from the removal. More sore coming out than going in. Didn't expect that.

My smoking days are LONG over Karen. 😆 Only edibles and oils for me. I fiercely protect my lungs these days. My son owns one of the first commercial indoor grows there in Oregon so am familiar with things in that arena. As he is in business, he does not "hook me up" so to speak here in Texas. Does everything by the books as he should but when I visit he makes a nice THC/CBD oil for me.

I was given an rx for pregabalin. It did not agree with me at all. Only took one pill and had almost every bad side effect in the books. It was horrible. Picked up my rx and ate my first gummy last night. Best night sleep in a very long time. The tingling in my hands and toes is less annoying today as well and I feel very clear headed and rested. That's a win in my book! 

[Another Post Treatment/Surgery Scan in the Books!]

Minor (but BIG to me) update. After my last "clean" scan and this weeks blood tests my oncologist has okayed removing my port! 😁 It's coming out early Monday morning and I cannot wait!!  

I have been dealing with some neuropathy in my hands and to a lesser extent in my feet. Last few weeks the hand pain/discomfort has really ramped up. Doc suggested trying medical mj to help alleviate symptoms. He knows I've been resistant to any kind of narcotic pain relief as I am trying to hang on to every brain cell I can. 😆🤪 Chemo took a lot out of my in that department. Finally starting to feel normal-ish. Keeping moving, working out and swimming, basically building back up strength and muscle mass is helping my recovery I think. All in all doing great!!

[Another Post Treatment/Surgery Scan in the Books!]

1 hour ago, Karen_L said:

Wow, this is so exciting.

Scanxiety is such an invisible beast. I find meditation is helpful in mostly keeping me from launching into the scanxiety netherworlds. I use an app called Insight Timer. I haven't used any of their guided meditations, but they have many.  Perhaps that would help? 

 

Karen

Thank you Karen! I have used Insight Timer since 2010 and it is how I start my day every morning. It keeps me sane(ish)! This last round just snuck up on me. I am going to be better prepared next time. 

[Another Post Treatment/Surgery Scan in the Books!]

2 hours ago, Tom Galli said:

Kimberly,

Cancer free is NED (no evidence of disease) and is worthy of big-time celebration! So, get out there and view the bluebonnets on horseback!

Stay the course.

Tom

I plan on it as soon as the pollen settles down. It's horrible out there right now. I also notice that it affects me more after my lobectomy. A lot of things do. Can't be around bleach any more as an example. So protective of my lungs now. Wish I had been all those years ago...🚭

[Another Post Treatment/Surgery Scan in the Books!]

Results from yesterday's CT scans with contrast came in overnight and I am still cancer free! 🎉 🤸‍♀️💃🎊 This is my second quarterly set of post treatment scans. Boy I will say that the scanxiety really got me this time. I swear, for about a week I was totally unaware I was walking around holding my breath and my muscles were all tense. My insomnia came roaring back. It's so weird how it snuck up on me. Since this is going to be my life for awhile I need to figure out how to recognize the scanxiety sooner and handle it before it gets to be too much. Maybe I'll set up a reminder about two weeks out to breathe/relax before my next scan.

Anywhoo... So happy and I can breathe now. (at least for a few months 🤪).

Kimberly

NSCLC T2b, N0, M0 IIB

[Throat irritation and involuntary exhaling]

I don't know what it is either. The little gasps of air appear out of nowhere, at rest and under no physical distress whatsoever. Started several days after my upper right lobectomy last fall. I am noticing that it is happening less frequently as time goes on and I have greatly increased my physical activity. So weird. 

[Justin]

Around here we all know how you feel. Especially at the beginning it's a very up and down experience emotionally. It's not "good days" vs "bad days". It's more like "good moments" vs "bad moments". Up down up down. Ugh. It's maddening and at times depressing.

Eventually it should all sort of level out with only the occasional navel gazing moment of negativity/hopelessness. We are all so lucky to live in these times of new treatments seemingly being produced every month. 

Hang in there Justin. You are not alone. We'll get through this together. 😊