ViVi
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Posts posted by ViVi
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Hey, Cat, you had really better watch out for TeeTaa. Don't think she's just talking bull. That woman is a woman of action - BELIEVE ME! She'll find you if you're still within 100 miles. If she sets her mind on something, you might as well move out of the way because she's coming through! So, to make things easier on both of you, why don't you give her a call.
How lucky I am to have her as a sister!
ViVi
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Dear Norme,
I, too, have often come to the board and read but have been at a loss for words. And that's how I am now as I try to think of how to respond to your latest post. All I can say is just KNOW that you are loved by Buddy and by everyone here.
ViVi
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Dear Paddy,
When TBone was diagnosed on Christmas Eve with those awful (and awfully large) brain mets, they immediately started the Decadron. We're convinced that's what decreased the swelling (and stopped the bleeding, possibly) so that his severe headache stopped and he did not have seizures. He hated taking the Decadron because of all he had read but I really don't think it was as awful as he expected. One thing it did though was make him REAL hungry. We all cooked constantly to keep him filled up. I want to add, too, that I think it was because of the Decadron that he was able to feel so good (physically, that is) right after dx and we were able to have all those cook-outs, parties, etc. (again, trying to fill him up! lol).
I'll keep both of you in my thoughts and prayers.
ViVi
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To James and deruo - WELCOME!
I hope you both find comfort and wisdom and knowledge here that will help you through this most unwelcome part of life.
Remember - there are absolutely NO stupid questions here. If you don't understand an abbreviation or a term or an explanation, just ask what it means. Some of us have posted so long that we don't even realize we're posting in 'shorthand' (does anyone remember what shorthand is (was)??)
Anyway, please keep us updated.
By the way, James, I am TeeTaa's (Katha's) sister and she told me about your situation. I, too, am here and willing to help you in any way possible. Just ask.
ViVi
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Oncodoc,
Welcome to a family that I never dreamed existed until last Jan. and that I don't know how I lived without before then. This board is SO important to SO many people.
Sure, you'll probably bombarded with questions, frustrations, etc. but I guarantee you that you'll also learn a lot - not only about cancer survivors, cancer victims, caregivers, doctors, etc. - but also about LIFE.
One suggestion - don't reveal your location because with the attitude you seem to have with these first 2 posts, very soon your office waiting room might look like the Gulf of Mexico does this morning (overflowing, that is)!
Vivi
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My heart is hurting for you as you move through this day realizing that you have lost your brother. But please know that his spirit is today and will always be with you.
Praying for us all.ViVi
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I am so, so sorry.
Praying for us all.ViVi
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Home, sweet home. So glad you are there. Enjoy every moment.
Love,
ViVi
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I think ginnyde's last paragraph says it best. It must be a miserable life for him/her and for his/her 'loved ones'. I am always one of the first to get mad, but my life's goal is to always be one of the first to offer support. And yes, I offer it here to someone who needs (and possibly WANTS) it dearly.
Sorry, David, Karen and Peggy, but I know y'all are big enough to handle it.
Praying for us all,
ViVi
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First of all - much, much love to DeanCarl and Gay from TBone's whole clan. You are SO special to us, even the 'nonmessage boarders' in the clan know and love you!
Secondly- thanks to my sister, TeeTaa, who is even more beautiful than any of you can possibly know.
Love you lots, DeanCarl and Gay!
Love you to the moon (and back), Katha!
ViVi
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Well I guess it's a good thing you guys didn't take me up on my offer for safe shelter in GA. We didn't have it as bad as you did, but we have plenty of wind damage and it is still raining.
It will take me days to clean up the trees, limbs, etc. at our place but we have no structure damage and no one around here was injured. We were without power about 12 hours.
As far as I'm concerned, y'all can keep Ivan all to yourselves down there!
ViVi
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When TeeTaa emailed me that BobMc had died, I first said that I wasn't going to log on the board even though I had planned to log on first thing this a.m. to check on everyone, especially Scott and DeanCarl. I was just too upset, as BoBMc was definitely one of TBone's favorites and he, TeeTaa, Teacake and I frequently talked about him, just as if he were our next door neighbor. TBone would talk about Bob's adventures with a certain longing voice, as TBone himself had lived quite a life of adventure and he dreamed of doing more, with his wife and kids this time. But I think TBone knew several months ago that his days of earthly adventure were over, even though we did get to do some close-to-home, low-key adventures.
But even as I resolved to stay 'disconnected' from the board today for sanity's sake, the clearest image came to my mind. It was one of the last really 'normal' conversations I had with Terry, when he had first gone to Hospice for pain management. He knew how badly I was hurting, as I had received the inevitable phone call that Hospice had been called while I was in New Orleans, and when I finally had it together good enough to talk to him on the phone, he had insisted that I not fly home a day earlier than planned. Anyway, after arriving home late Fri. night, I spent all day Sat. with him. We were just sitting there listening to music and occasionally talking when he, out of the clear blue, says, "Did you know that MO_Sugar died?" I told him that I had read it . And he said, "I'm afraid BobMc is not far behind. He is such a great guy - he's become a real friend. But I don't think he's going to make it much longer. He hardly ever posts any more and I know why. I can't log on any more either. It's just too depressing." And with that statement I knew that Terry knew that he and BobMc were soon going to be joining MO and so many more of their message board friends on the BIG ADVENTURE - albeit PAIN FREE and WITH APPETITES and WITH ENERGY and WITH HAIR and WITH SMILES.
He truly admired and appreciated BobMc, who PM'd him even in those last two weeks.
I know I speak for TeeTaa & Teacake when I say that the three of us feel like we have lost another brother.
Praying for us all.ViVi
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I don't think TeeTaa, Teacake or TBone or I ever posted this story but I like to remember it, as it was one of those "laugh" days that were SO nice.
The radiology onc. told TBone he'd start losing his hair on his 10th treatment. Well, lo and behold, he hadn't lost a hair until he got home from his 10th treatment and he realized that every time he touched his head, a handful of hair just came out. So he got outside on a stool, and while Elliott (age 13) and Anna (age 9) brushed the remaining hairs out, Dozier (age 15) circled around them with a makebelieve microphone singing, "You Are So Beautiful - To Me". I always liked the song but now I REALLY like it!
ViVi
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Dear Beth,
I'll be thinking about you 'extra hard' tomorrow.
About the steroids - I know they're tough but the Dr. told TBone that the chemo could be LOTS worse if it weren't for them. So I guess they're the lesser of two evils. Let's hope the Taxotere is evil enough to destroy the monster!
ViVi
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I am SO happy for you!
ViVi
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Dear Fay,
Hip, hip, hooray for the radiation finale!
As for the radiation burns, I have no experience with that but I DO have experience with broken toes and it takes a LONG time for them to heal. Sorry for the bad news. You might as well go ahead and cut the toes out of all your beautiful shoes!
ViVi
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To all you Floridians,
IF you can possibly get to I-75 and head north OR if you can fly (like Cat) to Ga., you are welcome at our place in central west Ga. You would need to get off I-75 in Cordele, GA (or earlier if it is bumper to bumper), travel through Americus, and on to Buena Vista. It's about 60 miles from Cordele to Buena Vista. If you're interested, PM me and I'll give you a phone number so you can call for more detailed directions.
Ginger (aka ViVi)
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Dear Tammy,
I am so sorry about your Mom but so happy for the past 5 weeks you shared her life with her.
DeanCarl (OUR MAN!) posted on Aug. 27 "Time for an update" a wonderful piece of wisdom (doesn't he always?) about fighting the beast and never losing. I think you will enjoy reading it.
Love,
ViVi
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Ditto on keeping check on the thyroid functions! I don't have cancer (atleast I certainly hope not!) but I had rounds with my thyroid before finally having it zapped and I learned lots about it. First and foremost, there is not a single body function that is not affected by the level of thyroxine in your body. Secondly, even small fluctuations in the level can have profound effects. Thirdly, it's much easier to stay on a normal level by making sure that you take the medication (thyroxine) daily (and preferably, at about the same time each day on an EMPTY stomach) than it is to try to get back to a normal level. Fourthly, it takes several weeks to several months for changes in levels to appear in your blood so you could feel really rotten for a long time before feeling better, even if you have adjusted your medication. Fifthly, there are many physicians who think a thyroid problem is just that - a thyroid problem. They don't realize the many,different and varied symptoms and how crucial the right level of medication is. My body tells me when I am a little high or low on thyroxine levels and I go and have it checked (although it is recommended that you have it checked every 6 months if you have had a problem with it). Even though I supposedly no longer have a thyroid gland, my level still fluctuates because of different things happening in my body so it's important that I keep tabs on it. And finally, estrogen supplement will cause a false read on the T4 level so the TSH level is by far the safer one to 'steer' by. I have a great book about thyroid disease written in layman's terms that TeeTaa bought for me when I got sick several years ago. I think practically everybody in the county and several folks in neighboring counties have borrowed it when they realized they had thyroid problems. Let me know if anyone out there would like to borrow it or get info on purchasing it.
ViVi
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Dear SWEET, SWEET Angie,
I just knew 'it' would come out sooner or later - that southern female "charm", that is! I could see it underneath that perfect porcelain shell. Actually TeeTaa, Teacake and I became masters of it over the past year (although we've always been quite good). So, if you need us, remember we're only a few hours away. We could catch the next Tyson poultry truck headed that way!
Love,
ViVi
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Dear Denise,
I hope the realization that we all share your sorrow will bring you some comfort, as it brought us when we lost TBone.
Praying for us all, ViVi
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Dear Renee,
Know that as lonely as you feel right now, you are surrounded by much, much love.
If you have a chance, read about the 'apparent' dementia in "Crossing the Creek". Our last hours with TBone were spent holding his hand, rubbing his arm and recalling story after story of our childhood together. I think it made it easier for him - I know it made it easier for me. I had just finished one funny story and I was leaning down close to him smiling when he reached up and held my cheek in his hand (he was not a 'touchy' person, and neither am I). Ann said, "Look, Ginger, he's trying to smile!" And then as his weak arm dropped, he mumbled, "Feels good." It took all his effort but he said it. What a gift I received!
To you and Scott and all your family - I wish you peace.
Love,
ViVi
My Sweatshirt.....
in GENERAL
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One smart cookie and an armadillo for you, Fay A.!
Praying for us all,
ViVi