Barb73
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Posts posted by Barb73
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I took this from "Bill's Story." I just couldn't write it all over again, so I copied and pasted it.
The reason for the addition of adding December 16 was to give a little prelude to what occurred the following day, December 17.
Things happen, and there are so many that we can never be prepared for no matter how hard we try.
December 16 - Saw the oncologist yesterday, and we spoke of Bill's being removed from hospice to receive some palliative care for the shoulder and/or the neck.
The doctor will be calling the radiologists involved in those treatments. I will call both doctors and hospice today. Will report back later with update.
Thursday evening, December 17, Bill fell backwards down about three steps and landed in the kitchen, hitting his head on the side of the portable dishwasher. Called hospice and 911.
He was sent to the hospital. I stayed behind with the hospice night nurse until our son and daughter-in-law arrived to take me over with them. She noticed that the back of my left hand was quite swollen. I was behind him as he was ascending the stairs, and my hand must have slammed back onto the living room wall when he fell back and swept passed me. She bandaged it to keep the swelling down.
They took a ct scan and there was an area of blood in Bill's brain (had it prior, but smaller) that has grown and may need to be drained.
He was eating, sitting up, and conversing when I left the hospital late yesterday. He doesn't have a room as yet. They are full up. At first, he was labeled ICU but has been downgraded. (That is a good thing.)
Will be going back today with Linda and John. We are expecting snow and want to get there and back before the storm.
I wish there wasn't that prospect of draining. It scares me, and is one more thing that Bill doesn't need on his plate. Hope someone knows what they are doing here. Up until now, it has been "observed," albeit, it was smaller.
Right now, I am alone at home, and trying to take it one step at a time. That is all I can do.
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(((Ann)))
Thinking of you,
Barbara
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Susan,
I know the rash can be annoying, but it is encouraging that this side effect might, indeed, be an indicator of Tarceva doing the work.
There have been reports of it working even after the lessening of dosage.
My continued thoughts and prayers for very good results.
Barbara
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I remember you and am so happy to both congratulate you on your very successful loss of weight, and your very caring, wonderful support for your lovely Mom.
We love seeing her NED reported. It is the GREATEST!
Barbara
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woulda been
in GRIEF
Randy,
That photo says it all.
With love such as that, who cannot be strengthened?
Barbara
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Anne,
I read your post with much empathy. Bill had only one, single met to the midbrain and WBR was suggested.
Of course, I am no doctor, but I would first opt for individual radiation to the two mets, but if WBR is the final choice, Bill is still here walking around and not being too incapacitated by the whole brain radiation experience.
He does experience some loss when expressing himself, but it's not a dire thing. That WBR was completed over 2 1/2 years ago. He has had no recurrence, and is still actively participating in his life with Q of L.
Of course, he cannot do all the things he used to do, with much gusto, but hey, he is 79.
Whatever you decide, my thoughts and hopes go out ot you for a resolving of the issues which concern you.
Sending you my very best, and also send my prayers,
Barbara
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Randy,
I especially thank you for the advice on yelling out at the stars.
That will be my mantra in future days, when things become "more alone."
You have been a comforting note here with your postings, truly.
Barbara
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Judy,
Congratulations on your having "been there" 2500 times.
You are very special, and you are much appreciated.
Barbara
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Thank you, Michele.
These are the issues when caring for someone you love, but feel so inadequate being there for their caring.
You have posted, probably, the most important aspect in this whole journey.
Those who are caring often are lost in the milieux of this disease. I read this several times to allow it to sink into the inner self - not an easy task.
This is one very special post. Thank you, again, dear Michele.
Barbara
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Judy,
When I read it in my morning emails, it occurred to me that when I had a hysterectomy years ago, the doctor didn't put me on estrogen therapy. I thought he was being "insensitive."
Happily, I didn't take it, but have taken a liking to soy products (which, btw, contain estrogen). Hmmm
Soy is "supposed" to be a good thing, but......
Also beer contains estrogen. I used to love a cold beer with a hot dog (with saurkraut). Hope that didn't occur too many times.
You know, the more we read, the more we understand that this is one very complex and complicated disease. Oddly, I do believe they will come to understand it better ..... from my thoughts to God's ears.
Bill loved his soy cheese, and recently has been put off by it. Why? I don't know. Anyhow, soy is a product containing estrogen. Let's hope that they figure it all out sooooon.
Barbara
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http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/173829.php
ARTICLE:
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Anti-estrogens as therapy for breast cancer may also reduce the risk of death from lung cancer, according to study results presented at the CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held here Dec. 9-13, 2009.
"We found a reduction in lung cancer mortality among women treated with anti-estrogens for breast cancer. This work builds on previous studies that had suggested estrogens have a role in lung cancer development and progression," said Elisabetta Rapiti, M.D., M.P.H., medical researcher with the Geneva Cancer Registry, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Rapiti and colleagues evaluated whether anti-estrogen therapy for breast cancer patients reduced their risk of subsequently developing and/or dying from lung cancer.
The study included 6,715 women living in the Geneva canton of Switzerland who were diagnosed with breast cancer, between 1980 and 2003. Forty-six percent of the women received anti-estrogen therapy, primarily tamoxifen.
By the end of the study period, 40 cases of lung cancer developed. There was no difference in the incidence of lung cancer among women with or without anti-estrogens compared with the general population. However, the risk of dying from lung cancer was significantly lower among women who received anti-estrogen therapy.
"Our results are particularly relevant to the research agenda exploring endocrine treatment(s) for lung cancer," said Rapiti. "If prospective studies confirm our results and find that anti-estrogen agents improve lung cancer outcomes, this could have substantial implications for clinical practice." Phase II clinical trials are currently underway in a number of centers to evaluate the use of anti-hormone therapy as an adjunct to traditional chemotherapy for lung cancer, according to Rapiti.
The mission of the CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is to produce a unique and comprehensive scientific meeting that encompasses the full spectrum of breast cancer research, facilitating the rapid translation of new knowledge into better care for breast cancer patients. The Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), and Baylor College of Medicine are joint sponsors of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. This collaboration utilizes the clinical strengths of the CTRC and Baylor, and the AACR's scientific prestige in basic, translational and clinical cancer research to expedite the delivery of the latest scientific advances to the clinic. The 32nd annual symposium is expected to draw more than 8,500 participants from more than 90 countries.
Source
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
. . . . . . . . .
(Medical News Today, Main Catefory: Lung Cancer, Also Breast Cancer/Oncology, December 13, 2009)
Disclaimer: The information contained in these articles may or may not be in agreement with my own opinions. They are not being posted with the intention of being medical advice of any kind.
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Susan, it is good to know "when the system works."
Keeping your Mom in prayers for successful outcome to Tarceva.
Barbara
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http://www.indexjournal.com/articles/20 ... morgan.txt
ARTICLE:
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Despite being engaged in her third battle with cancer, Nancy Morgan is determined to live and love every moment of her life, and inspire others to do the same.
The 61-year-old grandmother who is raising her 8-year-old grandson, Keith, was first diagnosed with lung cancer seven years ago.
"There was just a pain in my chest that wouldn’t go away,” she said.
Part of her right lung had to be removed, but Morgan recovered and continued with her life. At that time, Morgan said she thought she was blessed. Out of two brothers, a sister a niece and an uncle, who had all been diagnosed with cancer, she was the only one to survive.
Although it was scary, Morgan said her experience with lung cancer was nothing like what happened early last January.
She was in California visiting family when she started feeling ill and couldn’t get out of bed the entire week. When she finally made it back to South Carolina, Morgan went directly to Self Regional Medical Center.
"I told my daughter God told me to go straight to the hospital,” she said.
Upon being admitted, Morgan found out her organs were being shut down by an acute case of multiple myeloma cancer, a fast and progressive disease that affects the plasma cells in the bone marrow.
For 17 days, Morgan was sure she was going to die.
"I looked like death, I felt like death, I even smelled like death,” she said.
And when she was alone, she said a darker version of herself followed her. It would sit at the end of her bed, and Morgan said she was sure that vision was just waiting for her to die.
Morgan said the hard-working, compassionate doctors and nurses at Self are the only reason she survived.
"I know they help a lot of people, but a lot of people don’t speak out. They treated me with love and dignity. I had love at Self Regional. I can’t explain it any other way,” she said.
Morgan said she still remembers the nurse who came and made her get out of bed and walk for the first time.
"They really cared,” she said.
Chemotherapy treatment at Self brought her back from the brink, but in May, Morgan received a stem cell treatment she swears saved her life, and her quality of life. Morgan said the doctors harvested her own stem cells and then gave her a high dose of chemotherapy. Her stem cells were then put back into her body to replaced the damaged and diseased marrow. Since that treatment, Morgan said she feels as well as she did before she had cancer.
"If I didn’t have neuropathy in my hands and feet, I would feel like I was 21 years old,” she said.
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(Index Journal, Article by Felicia Kitzmiller, December 12, 2009)
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Here is my take on this after walking the walk for five plus years: Do not cave into the negative.
Like Bill, you can give the stats a run for their money.
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I loved seeing that NED in your post.
Now, you can celebrate that, and put it aside so that you enjoy your life.
Barbara
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Praying along with everyone for a great scan for your Mom. Prayers are powerful.
Barbara
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Dana,
Am joining the others in the "waiting room," and praying for a very good scan for you.
You aren't alone.
Barbara
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Lily,
I am so very glad to be reading your recent outcome on the pneumonia recovery.
Happy too, to see that you are back with your kids.
May the other issues be resolved, as well. Sending you best vibes, Lily.
Barbara
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In the article I posted under Cat's article this morning, it was stated that he was a cigar smoker.
Barbara
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Dog Socks!
in HOPE
Hi Kasey,
Just getting to see this posting. I send my congrats on the five years and on the fact that you can put your old (socks) memories away in a drawer.
Now, you are onto a bright outlook, and doggie will have substantial protection against the ice.
You are an inspiration, truly. Your post really made me smile.
It made my day!
Barbara
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A joyful congratulations to you, dear Jamie.
I wish you many decades of survivorship.
As you probably know, Bill passed his five-year mark on December 4. What I love about all of this is that it kicks stats in the rear end.
It proves once more that we are people, all different, and certainly NOT numbers.
Time to celebrate,
All the best,
Barbara
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Thank you for the article and the video. I was sorry to see this in the news.
It seems more celebrities are being diagnosed with lung cancer. This artcle was in my morning emails:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/nationwor ... 0079.story
ARTICLE:
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NEW YORK (AP) — Bryant Gumbel shocked a television audience with the news that he's recovering from cancer surgery and treatment. The former "Today" show anchor, 61, said a malignant tumor and part of his lung were removed two months ago. He revealed his condition to Kelly Ripa while subbing for Regis Philbin on Tuesday's edition of "Live With Regis and Kelly." (Philbin recently had hip replacement surgery.)
"It's nothing to hide from," Gumbel said. "They opened up my chest, they took out a malignant tumor, they took out part of my lung and they took out some other goodies."
Even with the surgery, some aggressive cancer cells had escaped, "so I went through some treatment and it's done now," he said.
The tumor was not in Gumbel's lung, but next to it, said Sean Cassidy, a friend of Gumbel's and president of DKC, a New York public relations firm. Gumbel is not a smoker, he said.
Gumbel said he and his wife, Hilary Quinlan, had wanted to keep the news private. He said he had even kept his staff at the HBO sports newsmagazine "Real Sports" in the dark. HBO said Gumbel didn't miss an episode, taping shows on both Sept. 15 and Oct. 27.
"We hope," he said. "We HOPE, it's over."
Gumbel was host of "Today" for 15 years, ending in 1997, as the show became a ratings juggernaut. He worked first with Jane Pauley, briefly with Deborah Norville, then with Katie Couric. He moved to CBS for a prime-time newsmagazine. After that did poorly, he moved back to the mornings, hosting "The Early Show" from 1999-2002.
He's receded from the public eye since then, concentrating on "Real Sports," an Emmy-winning monthly magazine that takes a newsy look at sports issues.
Until he was called out by Ripa, there's some question about whether Gumbel's health news would still be under wraps. At the opening of Tuesday's show, Ripa told Gumbel that "you just made me almost faint."
The two had been talking backstage and Ripa mentioned that she wanted to dance with him to accompany a segment with a woman who dances for exercise. Gumbel demurred, and when Ripa pushed it, he said he was not allowed to dance. Then he told her the reason, she said.
Gumbel said he's meeting with his surgeon and oncologist next week and hopes to be cleared to play golf.
. . . . . . . . .
(Los Angeles Times, Sports, Article by David Bauder, AP Television Writer, December 8, 2009)
Disclaimer:
The information contained in these articles may or may not be in agreement with my own opinions. They are not being posted with the intention of being medical advice of any kind.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scot ... 399566.stm
ARTICLE:
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Golfer's drive for cancer support
Golfer Colin Montgomerie has launched a Christmas appeal to raise the £3m needed to fund a new cancer care centre being built in memory of his mother.
The Elizabeth Montgomerie Building is being set up in association with Maggie's Cancer Care Centres and will be based in Lanarkshire.
An interim centre at Wishaw General hospital is already providing support to cancer patients and their families.
The Ryder Cup captain's mother died of lung cancer in 1991.
Announcing the project in February, the 45-year-old golfer said he wanted to create a "lasting and valuable legacy" to her.
Lanarkshire was chosen as the location for the new centre due to its high rate of lung cancer diagnosis.
Colin Montgomerie has visited the interim centre, which currently provides advice and support services, relaxation sessions and Tai Chi classes for cancer patients.
It has helped more than 2,000 people since it opened in April 2008.
The golfer said: "The support the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation has had so far has been magnificent and I am grateful to everyone who has helped us raise money.
"We still have a long way to go to reach our fundraising target."
"This centre is badly needed as it is located in an area with some of the highest cancer rates in the world."
He added: "It will be the proudest moment of my life when I open the Elizabeth Montgomerie Building."
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(BBC News,co,uk/Scotland/Glasgow, Decembr 7, 2009)
Disclaimer:
The information contained in these articles may or may not be in agreement with my own opinions. They are not being posted with the intention of being medical advice of any kind.
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Prayers daily being said for your Mom, and for your family, Susan.
May Tarceva do the job.
Barbara
A Particular Reason for Caregiver Burnout
in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER
Posted
Ginny,
Thank you for the response. I needed that more than you will ever know. This is a very lonely "place," this cancer trip.
There could be many people in my life and they are, but none of them understands the fear, the responsibility, the utter "uselessness" feelings that invade the thoughts every single day.
I had my left hand on his pant waist lifting a bit while I was holding onto the right bannister. Somehow, he hurled backwards and went right past my left arm. I don't know how he did that because I am very strong for a woman. The back of my left hand looked twice the size with swelling. It was the nurse who saw it. The force whith which it hit must have been powerful, but you know, I didn't feel a thing.
The thought of putting the bed downstairs makes me feel defeated. It seems to say to me, "Ok, you're on the level before going out the door feet first." Hate
that.
Barbara