mhutch1366
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Posts posted by mhutch1366
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Prednisone!! Argh!! no joy...
I had "reactive airways" -- like a mild asthma, if I was starting to get a cold or other virus my airways would tighten up and the doctor prescribed a several day course of prednisone -- maximum 40-50 mg/day, for 3-5 days maximum, then taper off.
Wild symptoms. Wild dreams. When I could sleep at all. Moody, irrascible, foul tempered, weepy, depressed.
I am VERY fortunate -- although the pulmonist thought the lung reactivity was radiation-related, this last year and a half the lungs are much less reactive, and react very slowly to any viral challenge. I think that means I'm gettting better.
Although I have not had long course of prednisone, I do know it has a lot of side effects besides water retention and appetite stimulation ( supposedly). I have friends who also have horror stories about moodiness with this drug.
On the other hand, forewarned is forearmed!! Talk to your doctor, this is no medicine to fool with stopping and starting.
Good luck. I'll keep you in my prayers.
MaryAnn
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Happy Birthday, Bob!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Congratulations, Debi!
Time flies when you're having fun.....
MaryAnn
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This information is mostly geared toward seeing if you can sue.
Why is it posted here in several forums?
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I'm sorry your mother finds herself in this position. It might help her to check out http:// www. "quitnet.org", it is a community of people dedicated to quitting with numerous forums, lots of information, chat room, etc. She will find all the support she needs IF SHE DECIDES TO QUIT. If you can get her to consider it, and try to check out quitnet, that's a start.
Good luck, you're in our prayers.
MaryAnn
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I'm sorry your mother finds herself in this position. It might help her to check out http://www.quitnet.org, it is a community of people dedicated to quitting with numerous forums, lots of information, chat room, etc. She will find all the support she needs IF SHE DECIDES TO QUIT. If you can get her to consider it, and try to check out quitnet, that's a start.
Good luck, you're in our prayers.
MaryAnn
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Anne,
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother.
In Sympathy,
MaryAnn
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Anne,
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother.
In Sympathy,
MaryAnn
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I had posted somewhat recently on this, I think.
Anyway,
I had cancer eat through 5 ribs and start on my vetebrae. The tumor extended from my neck through my chest wall to my spine through one lobe of lung. The radiation/chemo killed it, and it was removed,I had a lobectomy and a thorocotomy where my chest wall was rebuilt with goretex. Lost my collarbone, and the use of my left arm for almost a year. The surgery had to dissect tumor away from major blood and nerves in the front behind my collarbone up to my ear. This caused some new damage of its own.
I got 'down' to taking 30 mg morphine sulfate extended release, and 50 mg vioxx daily. I have a curve in my neck, and last fall that started causing a lot of pain, had new scans that ruled out tumor recurrence, neurologist believes it is compression on the nerve at c4-c5? I think but he can't say much more, because of the nerves cut during surgery left me with numb patches/areas. I was prescribed neurontin for nerve pain additionally, at that time.
The numbness and pain I believe will be with me always, but if I am going to function I need to get relief from the pain. It's almost the end of the third year now. I don't see any changes or relief in sight. But, I am self supporting and raising a child, so I consider it a decent trade off.
I had a pancoast tumor originally, which is one of the most painful types, and at the time I was diagnosed I was taking almost 8 grams of ibuprofen a day, and it barely sufficed. Slept on a heating pad every night for over a year, and still couldn't sleep more than a couple hours.
So, no, the pain doesn't always go away. The numbness doesn't always go away either. Given the pain prediagnosis, and the size of the tumor, and the fact I am functioning today in relative ease with small pain, moderate numbness, scoliosis, and no evidence of disease is a miracle. If it costs me reliance on medications, then so be it. It is not a perfect world.
I'm thankful anyway.
Good luck to you all.
MaryAnn
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Hi Mike,
Welcome. although the circumstances could be better.
Invite your dad to read over your shoulder, get to know some of the people here and some of the stories they represent.
These folks are truly amazing, but the biggest factor is that this is an open community of caring, supportive friendly folk who are united in the face of the darned disease. Alone, we are isolated and vulnerable. Here, among others dealing with the same issues, we do not feel so alone.
That makes a world of difference.
A shoulder to lean on, a hand to hold, someone else to be concerned for besides onesself. Advice, information, sharing.
Welcome to your dad too.
God bless, my prayers are with you both.
MaryAnn
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Quite an introduction, I'm a transplanted Yankee.....
I am completely lost on a few of these...
What is a Michigan left? ( a right?...)
Thanks,
MaryAnn
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Great timing, MO.
Let's hope this is it for a while, eh?
Blessings and prayers,
MaryAnn
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Hi Sharon,
Congratulations to your dad for his continued stabilization.
Enjoy your holidays!!
MaryAnn
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Lori,
So very very sorry for your loss.
Prayers are with you.
MaryAnn
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Ray,
Take the holidays and enjoy!!
Some days I feel like that too.
Fortunately there's enough of us someone(s) usually has the love and energy and hope to field the ball for that day/time. That's the thing about a support SYSTEM... we take turns giving and needing....
a truly humbling experience in my opinion.
We are truly fortunate in our "family" here.
God bless us all.
MaryAnn
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Hey Jay,
I think it would be WONDERFUL for you to go see ConnieB. I'll kick in for part of the cost as well.
I think if we passed the hat here, we'd be able to swing it for you with out a problem.
What do you say, all???
I'll leave it to connieB to sort out the contributions.
(sorry for volunteering you, dear, but it's your visitor... lol... and you must know how much the airfare will be... )
I'll pm Connie, and see what she says.
Let's send Jay North for a visit!!
Love to you, young man.
I'm getting too old to have a crush on you, and I'm not as pretty as Carleen. But if I were younger........
MaryAnn
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Anne, and Debbie,
I pray that you are able to handle this difficult time with fortitude and grace. The others are correct, about getting to the point where most of what we have left is our dignity, and hopefully our wishes will be respected. It is hardest for the caregivers, and I feel for you, I truly do.
I pray that during this time your mothers are not in pain, or suffering unduly. I pray that you all have the grace to deal with the difficult times, and find the strength you need to keep going.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
MaryAnn
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BethAnn,
I'm glad you found us.
Sounds like your mother has a wonderful caregiver.
Don't focus on the calendar, just take each day one at a time.
Ask questions, ask more questions, write things down.
There are lots of medications for nausea, and pain.
Often cancer patients are depressed, and there's meds for these as well.
As far as fear goes, that's something that sharing seems to help.
We've all dealt with the fear that strikes us at diagnosis. I found it to be one of the most isolating events of my life. It helps to share experiences and stories with people who have survived the initial fear and kept going.
One foot after the other.
Hang tough. You sound like a loving daughter, and I'm sure you'll do right by your mom. There's no reason she should be in pain, or suffer nausea. Be proactive with the doctors. and good luck.
You'll be in our prayers.
MaryAnn
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Sounds like no picnic, that's for sure. It's going to take quite a while to stabilize his stomach lesions so there isn't bleeding, and it willlikely put off any chemo for quite a while, since he needs to heal the stomach lining.
I'm sorry this complication occurred, it must be scary for you and him.
Prayers are with you. Hang tough!!.
MaryAnn
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Adam,
Glad your dad is home.
How about a nice bathrobe, or sweats for lounging, or warm slippers? Maybe a nice blanket for the couch for taking naps. ( These are things I'd like, which is why I mention them....). Perhaps the book he always would have liked to have time to read.
Enjoy your holidays.
You and your dad are in our prayers.
MaryAnn
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Mamey,
I have little experience with the brain radiation, but many others here have. The chemo/radiation combo can be seriously effective, and there are many types of chemo to use if the first ones do not work as well as planned.
The point I'd like to make is, to get informed, stay informed. Write things down. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion.
Your mil has her age going for her, I know they kept telling me that (I was diagnosed at age 43) so the chances for her are very good indeed.
Keep your spirits up. And good luck.
You'll be in our prayers...
MaryAnn
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Enjoy the holidays as best you can, and good luck on your surgery.
You will be in my prayers....
MaryAnn
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Good luck today with the radiation.
I'll keep you in my prayers.
MaryAnn
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Jason,
My sympathies on the loss of your dad.
You and your family will be in my prayers.
MaryAnn
Update on my father
in SCLC GROUP
Posted
Shelly,
I feel awful about the position you're in. Must be horrible to be so torn.
Would it be at all possible to have your dad come home with an aide to come in twice a day to transfer him, and work on PT with him? It sounds like a vicious circle that needs breaking somewhere if he's going to regain his strength.
You are both in my prayers tonight.
MaryAnn