jaminkw

Morning All! Was up to midnight last night. Unlike a lot of you, I don't get on the computer for fear I will get caught up and be up even later. Wendy picked up Dominick yesterday and after feeding and visiting with her, they were off. I'm on my way to getting my house back together. Good thing, we're having company tomorrow night. I had to tell Stan this morning that I couldn't go to the doctor with him tomorrow. He's o.k. with it, but I feel bad. His appointment is 9:45 and the orthos here are notorious for long waits. I'd be spastic thinking of getting home to get ready for company at 6 pm. Judy, good luck on the next step. Alan, you did a great job covering the biopsy. I wouldn't be too anxious to get that other lobe removed Judy. Ask Muriel. Bud, when Dominick and I were at the bridge where he was taking pics, a couple came around the bend in a kayak. I told Dominick I really wanted to do it but Stan says his shoulders wouldn't handle it. Dominick and I have plans to do the backcountry together next time he comes down. I can ooo and ahhhh while he takes pictures. I have to get in the office to do a quote and finish some touch-up cleaning. My lady says she has a part-time job now and can't come for touch-ups when I have company. Sucks. I know, I am spoiled rotten but I clean better than she does when I do clean lol. Have a great day everyone. Judy in KW

Morning All! Coming in a little late, gathering the young man's stuff up preparatory to his leaving. Of course, he's 13 so still sleeping lol. Dominick hasn't uploaded the photos to my computer yet. Then I want to install my new Adobe Elements and see if it's easier to resize and send a pic here. Ann, you must be loving this weather because I'm cold lol. Put on a sweater, slippers and a little blanket to sit on the porch this morning. Dominick is thrilled it's getting cold. He can wear his new Drop Dead jacket we gave him for Christmas. Glad that other kind of cold is getting better. That's about how long mine took. Going to go wake the kid and make pancakes. Have a great day everyone. Judy in KW

I agree with Randy that two infusions is too soon to assess if a chemo is working. It sounds to me that his quality of life is what is bumming him also and that might come significantly from the bicep pain and the pain meds making him sleep all the time. That fatigue is compounded by the chemo. There is at least one member onsite who is a survivor from NIH with a wonderful story/outcome. Maybe Kasey will pop in soon. I hope his drs will heed NIH recommendation to look at that bicep again. Also, sounds like some different pain management could be tried. Do keep in touch and give us more info along the lines Randy suggested. Judy in KW

Jim, we can certainly stay in touch here. Except for infrequent usually brief lapses, I'm pretty regular onsite and there is always the pm. I get email notifications of them. Duh, time flies when you are having fun. My chest wall has shown no evidence of disease since 2010, making it two years this Feb. I might mention, if I haven't already, they never did find a tumor in my lung or anywhere else. That made radiation and surgery not an option. My cancer manifested itself in a malignant thickening in the pleura or chest wall (now gone) and then in the lining of my abdominal wall. In any case, the fact of the pleural effusion and the malignancy in the chest wall constituting a matasticism (sp?) is what makes me advanced LC. It really has had no relationship for the most part to symptoms or how I feel except for chemo side-effects. I had fluid again in my abdomen (again with evidence of cancerous cells) so the fluid is something I really seek to avoid. Hang in there. Judy in KW

Good job Judy on the test and setting up the possible biopsy to suit your preference. Am I going to miss this boy who is leaving tomorrow! We went to town, got Starbuck's in the Marriot's lobby and lunch from their tiki bar. Sat forever chatting, then to Ross's to get him an Asian bowl for our house here. Next stop Office Max and a quick duck into the Dollar Store for a BDay card. On the way home, we stopped at a quaint little bridge on our road where he wanted to take pics with the new Canon camera his mother bought him for Christmas. What a great day! He is just a joy to be with. Have a good evening everyone. Judy in KW

So glad she's responding well to chemo but that broken hand is a bummer. She didn't need that! I agree with Alan, forget that 1 yr stuff. She's an individual, not a statistic. Sounds like things are moving forward in a positive direction. Best of luck. Judy in KW

Well now, I can't wait to see it Randy. If it was inspired by Patti, it's sure to be great. Judy in KW

Morning All! Can tell the first holiday is over anyway. I'm on the Air bright and early. Stan's already been to town to the grocery so Dominick and I can mark that off our list. YEAH! I got a little mad at Stan last night. I know he's been feeling badly with his hip but he gets plenty of help and sympathy. Yesterday he said it was a lot better and he and Dominick went to town for an errand Stan wanted to run. At great energy cost to me, I did some big laundry loads that included his, got all the side dishes ready for dinner and did all the clean up except the pan he cooked the fish in and he was still moody. He even got to take a nap! Guess I did it appropriately because he decided to finally get up and give me the haircut he's been promising and was more pleasant the rest of the evening. I've really been looking ratty below the ball cap and he's pretty good. The lady at the barbershop scalped me a few months ago. He say's when he combs it there are no bald spots but a little shift with a hand or wind does, I know lol. Wendy gave me an adorable hat for Christmas. Dominick will try to get a decent pic of me today to put online. Not easy these days. Have a great day everyone. Judy in KW

Evening All! I am feeling bad I missed a holiday post on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Sorry. I did kick the kid off and try on Christmas Eve. It was very weird but I could not get on to save my life. Christmas day went by in a blur then visiting with Wendy this morning because she was leaving to go back to PSL. She left Dominick here because he wanted to stay even though she practically has to turn around and drive back for him. We had a great Christmas. Everyone got gifts they liked and we just visited until a terrific prime rib dinner with a guest/neighbor. Terrific as it was, I am and have been exhausted. We're talking about skipping a year--Wendy and I could go somewhere fabulous and the guys could go to Ohio where Stan hunts with his friends. It could even be next year lol. Stephanie, I hope you get to sample some of the food for those parties, or at least left-overs lol. Eric, I was shocked at the ATM incident. How awful is that. Mike, want you to know I saw your goodnight and loved it even if I was a little late. Alan, hope you really really had a good holiday. Judy, I loved your Merry Christmas. Will be thinking of you tomorrow and girl, you need to start that Ativan or whatever your anti-anxiety brand is. I hate the MRI and when I'm having one like last week, I take one at bedtime, one at 6 am and one around 10 am when I'm usually scheduled. Of course, I do nothing but sleep when I get home. Hope I didn't miss anyone and hope you all had a great Christmas. Going to town with Dominick tomorrow. He's over the top with his new camera. We'll go and find places for him to take pics. Have a good evening everyone. Judy in KW

Morning All. It's Friday for you working Joes and Janes altho I know at least Ann is already on vaca. I'm getting on before the kid gets up and commandeers the computer. I hope Eric and Bud have time to read today because I want to tell Eric that fatigue you feel--the price of fame guy. You have certainly taken the LC advocacy arena by storm. Bud, thanks for the pics. Just when I get feeling well enough to think about boating and fishing, Stan goes down with a bad hip. He'll still be heading to OH Jan 5th for hunting so I'm out of luck for awhile. Loved the pic of the kayak--wish one of us had the arms to do one. And the crappie is awesome. Nothing much to say except it is so much fun having the 13-yr-old. He's a prince. He knows what his main Christmas present is but is agonizing over opening it. He even took a pic of the package and put it on FB lol. He loves to keep chatting Nonie up when she says it's time for her to go to bed and you know I just love it! Have a great day everyone. Judy in KW

Adam, welcome from another survivor (4+ yrs) with a bad dx and a great attitude. I've lost enough friends to know that staying positive is not always enough but I know it gives us a big old leg up. I'll look forward to checking out your blog. Judy in KW

Hey Alan, I'm way late but wanted to say I kinda liked the thumbtack thing LOL. Judy in KW

Jim, I can tell you that I'm a 4+ year survivor. Went into remission soon after 6 rounds of Carboplatin, Taxol and Avastin followed by a few more Avastin. I was off chemo for 6 mos--fantastic. Since then I've been mostly on chemo: Alimta--very doable if you get in charge of the bowel issue, Tarceva that didn't do squat for me and may have let the cancer get a leg up in my abdominal lining, and now Taxotere that I'm handling well too. All but the Tarceva pill have been on 3-wk cycles. The cancer in my pleura has been in remission I think a year in Feb. Your friend can feel good that he has a great chance in living a pretty normal life. Sorry it took awhile to get back to you. Been busy with family. Judy in KW

Janet, thank you so much for this. I know what an effort it must have taken to put it all down. I've been trying to get myself to do it for years. We joined this site close in time to one another and that always makes me feel like I have a special bond with a member. That and the fact that I've always been so jealous of your work at the rescue farm lol. I really needed to hear your story now. I've been worried about you especially since I'm not on FB much. I know you had a rough summer and am so glad to hear you have such a competent oncologist who just helps you over hurdle after hurdle. Thank you again and have yet another of many Christmases to come. Judy in KW

Afternoon All! Maybe 3:30 pm is heading into early evening lol. We unloaded most of the coach yesterday with Dominick's help. Got ready for the cleaning lady then more unloading today. I hit the wall earlier and just wrestled the computer away from Dominick. Ann, I can just imagine how great it is to be off work awhile. I remember when I worked for St Leo College here, for a number of years we closed between Christmas and New Year's. I waited anxiously for that time every year. It was precious. Judy, hope you don't work R to the bone but that you do get done things you need done. Don't get ahead of yourself now. You don't know what if any "procedure" will be imminent. I'm gathering you will have the biopsy but maybe you can be watched for a time. You know what they say, hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Sounds like what you are doing. I went on cancergrace and asked about the passing out and the continued fluctuation in bp. Not much they can offer but there are some things common to cancer patients. Not sure any of them relate to my situation. What else is new lol!!! I have an appointment with my PCP Jan 9. I decided to wait for him to come back from his holiday break. His partner there knows nothing about me or my situation. Hope you're all ready for Christmas and relaxing like me. Dominick and I will go out for Thai for lunch tomorrow and run a few last minute errands. Stan shopped today but is still in agony for a time when he first sits or first stands. The pain just doubles him over. It's hard to watch. He has an appointment with the ortho man Dec 30. Been waiting forever. Have a great evening everyone. Judy in KW

O.k. Mike, I caught your good night this morning but that is o.k. Hope your holiday looks a little brighter as does mine. Wishing you and yours some peace and happiness. Judy in KW

I agree cancergrace is the best place to put this question to the docs there. My fluid did test positive for cancer cells but if it were not possible that it would NOT show cancer cells, why would they do it? Makes sense to me he could show a tumor somewhere and the fluid not be infected with cancer cells. I'm pretty sure it can also come from pneumonia. Good luck and hope you and your friend get some straight answers soon. He's lucky to have you looking out for him. Judy in KW

Morning All! Sorry about that mistake Eric. I know that's so hard for you guys to admit. Stan swore I told him to wake me at 5:15 this morning instead of 6:15, fifteen minutes before Wendy was due to drop of Dominick at the RV. Oh my! We're headed home, a day earlier since I got the dates of this trip all messed up. We're ready for Christmas except for Stan getting the prime rib. I'm still thinking of apples for homemade applesauce and I wish I'd baked that one batch of my favorite cookies. Sigh. I posted my results on FB and in a group email and it warmed my heart the people who responded to support me. I really am happy with the stable this time. Off to chat with Dominick after I answer posts. Have a great day everyone. Judy in KW P.S. Eric, that house sounds awesome if you live where it gets cold. LOL Oh my, I may be punished with some 50 degree weather for that remark.

Evening All! Been out and about most of the day since 7 am. I'll do an update but can't wait--STABLE AGAIN! Good enough. Sorry Stephanie and Ann that you're dealing with colds. I'm glad I got mine over with when I did. I think the cough lastest the longest, maybe a couple of weeks. Now since I'm on the road and we didn't have time to do a thorough cleaning of the RV, I'm really suffering from sinus headache. I take Zyrtec in the am and Claritin at night already and the only thing I know would help is my prescription nasal spray which I left home. Oh well, I'll live til tomorrow. Steph, I laughed at the porcelain god remark--not funny tho huh! Stan never gets the stomach issues from food that I get even before cancer. We say he has a cast iron stomach. Ann, what a jerk your boss was to say what he said. That makes me really sad for you. It's hard enough without criticism for feeling on top of the feeling. Judy, so sorry about the no water. That is definitely the pits. Hope all is together and flowing hot and cold now. Enjoy your second more serene family Christmas. Have a good evening everyone. Judy in KW

Morning All! Beautiful morning in PSL. Got here late yesterday afternoon. Stan decided it wasn't worth going for an early dinner with his hip problem. Dominick stayed back at the coach with him. Wendy and I had a great leisurely dinner at Longhorn Steak House. Awesome shared stuffed mushroom appetizer and a Firey Grilled T-Bone for me. I felt like I needed fortifying after Friday's event. The meal was great. This will probably be it for me for maybe a couple of days. We're off to Orlando this morning to spend the afternoon with Dave and family. My appointments Mon and Tue are very early and the long days usually wear me out. I screwed up royally getting all the dates wrong in my head and giving them to Stan that way for RV sites. We got it together, thank goodness, so we are all good now. I'm almost looking forward to the post-holiday. I've been so fried. Have a good day everyone. Judy in KW

Stephanie, I didn't see this til after I posted on Sat's Air. Watch those parties--I left my first in an ambulance lol. No joke. Judy in KW

Thanks for the update and congratulations on the no-smoking mark! The next two chemos will be gone before you know it and then you can begin to live life normally again. It's so much better to grin and bear the follow-up chemo. Since you are in a randomized trial, they will watch you closely so relax. Hope your chemo schedule lets you have an enjoyable Christmas. Judy in KW

I think Stephanie and Judy have covered pretty much what I would say here. I do find that time and treatment plans as they progress do begin to "normalize" life considerably. For get about that "how long" thing. No one knows. I looked at mine expectancy in the beginning and I'm well into that and still living life even with ongoing chemo. And don't dismiss the anti-anxiety aids too quickly. I do Ativan as needed and don't feel any particular difference beyond being calmer. I think they've come a long way with meds in all areas. Remember to take care of yourself. Judy in KW

Afternoon All! Judy, glad you opened. It was a poor me morning. We went to a gala dinner party for probably more than two dozen people. The lady who thru it is incredible because she makes it look easy. Anyway, I crashed during snacks and drinks (I drank only ginger-ale). Went out cold for a few seconds and someone called the squad against my protests. Guess it was a good thing cause I couldn't get up again without starting to pass out. Went to the ER in the ambulance and they did all kinds of tests and really don't know what the drop in BP was all about. My BP was still way down this morning but seems to be o.k. now. We're on our way to PSL now. My daughter says the funniest thing she heard was Mom saying last night, "I'm in the ER but we'll be up there on schedule tomorrow." She asked to talk to the nurse and I later found out she told her to watch me that I minimize everything lol. Judy, I miss the old big Christmases in NJ but not enough to go there in December. The Italian counsins usually have a party. Then the family I grew up with has a Christmas Eve party that sounds a lot like your--loads of people, everyone helps. I miss that. When Stan started his business, he was often away for Christmas working while foundries were on shutdown. Eventually my daughter, her small son and my friend Jim and I started a tradition with a gala dinner I put on with standing rib roast. Jim would wear an elf hat and spoil Dominick with presents galore. Eventually, it was Stan home again to add to the mix but unfortunately Jim passed a couple of years ago. We added some neighbors last year but this year it will be just Stan and I and Wendy and Dominick. But that's o.k. Christmas Eve we all go to this big party in the neighborhood. The host and hostess dress as Mr and Mrs Claus and their four grown kids as elves. The evening ends with Santa reading poems one daughter writes usually roasting people for some silly events that happened during the year with a presentation of a silly related gifts. It's lots of fun and ends with a off-tune crowd sing'along. It's been a tradition here for more than 25 yrs. O.k. that's long enough and I think I've distracted myself thru downtown Miami lol. I'm glad I copied half way in cause I got bumped to some advertising a couple of times. Have a great day and do let us hear how you spend your Christmas or Hanuka. Judy in KW

Terry, I hope the writing helped. Know that you communicated to me the most profound love for your father that I can ever imagine. You also gave me a beautiful picture of his passing with his family around and you giving him permission to leave. I have heard that story enough to know that they are people who need someone they love and trust to tell them they can go and the family will be taken care of. I hope there comes a time when the pain eases and you can begin to focus on the good times. It has happened for many on this site although even then it seems there are lapses into sorrow to be expected. Judy in Kw