Angie Daughter of Bill

After researching, I also found something else that could be a possibility. What about hypercalcemia? The symptoms which I found were dizziness, constipation, weakness, urinary frequency and sleepiness. Dad has all of these symptoms. Maybe this could be a possibility.???? Dad's doctor did not mention anything out of the ordinary on his last lab report though. hmmmmmm...........still would like to know if a brain met could present as dizziness. Thanks! You guys are so awesome to volunteer your time. Angie

Don, So sorry to hear about this latest setback. No doubt in my mind that Lucie wil breeze right through the treatments and come out fighting. Don, you continue to take real good care of her, o.k.? (remember, taking good care of a woman involves..........shopping!! ) Lucie, hon, YOU are AMAZING!! You give such inspiration to so many hear through Don's words. Roll up your shirt sleeves and get ready to fight. You can do this!! AND.......after you get through this treatment, Don's gonna let you go internet shopping, right Don??? You take care Lucie!! You are both in my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

I know that Dr. Joe is on vacation right now, but I will go ahead and post this. Maybe Teresa or John can help me out. (or Dr. Joe can pick up on it when he returns from his well deserved vacation ) My question is..........Can a patient have brain mets and not have very many symptoms? My Dad has been having some dizzy "spells". It happens about twice per week. It started about two weeks ago. The last one that he had, he was sitting in his truck, got out, walked around to the front of the truck, felt as if things were going dim.........he ended up tripping and falling flat on his face! Poor thing! Could brain mets present themselves with dizziness alone? No headaches, no balance problems(except when he got dizzy and fell), no speech changes, etc. A little background.........right now Dad is getting radiation to the T12 and left hip. He is not on chemo right now. His meds include Oxycontin 40mg twice daily, Lortab 7.5 for the breakthrough pain, Folic Acid tablets and B12 injections(gearing up to start Alimta on Dec. 3rd), Miralax for constipation and Megace to increase his appetite. My first thought other than brain mets was the Oxycontin. But, he takes the Oxycontin everyday, twice daily and the dizziness does not happen every day. If it was brain mets, would he have the symptoms every day? Or if it is a small met, could it happen just every once in a while? I take his BP several times a day.........it's always in the normal range. I have even taken it when he was feeling dizzy. It was normal. I will talk to the doctor about this, but I don't want to jump to conclusions. Also, I have read that squamous cell carcinoma is the least likely to met to the brain. But, how often do you actually see squamous cell met to the brain? Does it sound like an MRI would be in order or would that be jumping the gun? Whew........it is so hard to find a balance. I want Dad to get EVERYTHING checked out and he doesn't want to call the doctor for ANYTHING. (He feels that it is a bother every time I call asking questions about his symptoms........he says he can wait until his next appointment......of course I call anyway most of the time) Thank you guys for all the time that you take answering my neurotic questions!! Angie

Geesh Melinda, are we related?? I have a lot going on right now also. I'm so sorry that all of this is happening. Bless your heart. I wish I had some words of wisdom that would make everything better..........All I can say is hang in there. You have done a great job so far. Keep on keeping on!! In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Dean How awesome for you!! You continue to amaze me. Happy anniversary to you!! One day at a time............... In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Welcome back David. My family has been praying for you. Hope you are feeling better soon. In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Bill, When Dad gets Zometa, he gets it on Tuesday. On Friday and Saturday he has a good bit of pain. It is always in his legs and lower back. By Sunday morning, the pain is much better.........little to none. Dad is currently undergoing radiation to the T12 vertebrea. When this met came on, the pain was constant and got increasingly worse. Hope this helps. Angie P.S. The pain from the Zometa was enough that Dad had to take Lortab 7.5.

Hi Dean!! So good to see you. Just seeing your post brought a smile to my face. Enjoy every day........ In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Oh Amy.........can we talk? My youngest daughter is a little stinker. When she was younger, she did sooooo much. One thing I can say is this too shall pass. At age 6, I think my daughter was realizing that what she had and what boys had was different. I think she was really aware of her body. Like Curtis said, she shouldn't feel ashamed of her body, yet she can't go around showing her stuff either. I think if you calmly talk to her and let her know, as Curtis said, that their are appropriate times to drop your pants. (school not being one of them) I think this is one of those things that if you make a big production of it, it might make things worse. Also, maybe with all of the talk of sickness, etc., she decided to find a way to get a bit of attention. Not saying that you aren't giving her attention, but maybe she wants to be front and center. Hang in there Mom, my daughter has been a good bit better since she turned eight. Maybe that's the magic number.........maybe......crossing my fingers........ Good luck, hon. I know what it's like............. Angie

Awwwwww, Tami, your birthday IS a big deal. It's the day that God gave you life. I'm sorry that you will be working instead of spending the evening with your hubby and kids. All I ever ask for my birthday is that my hubby have no plans and we just spend the evening watching a movie at home with the kids or something like that. Sending you "virtual popcorn" and the movie "Steel Magnolias". (I have a feeling that you are a Steel Magnolia) Hope you have a great birthday. In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Thank you Teresa. I guess I should also mention that Dad has a very weak stomach. He won't touch, smell or eat a prune. He was gagging just trying to open the bottle of Lactulose. He hadn't even smelled it or tasted it yet. Maybe apple juice? Lots of apple juice. He does drink LOTS of water. Probably 10-12 glasses each day. He doesn't sleep much, so all night he is drinking water. Bless his little heart. It seems that what takes care of one problem creates a new problem. Thanks again! Angie

Hi TeeTaa! Gosh, your list on "goings on" is almost as long as mine. Taking Dad for radiation starts my day..........four days every week. We won't get into the whole list. I've been missing you and was going to try calling. Every time I think about calling, it'a either too late, too early, or I'm in a spot where my cell has no service. I'll try to get in touch with you one day this week. In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

I have a dilema with my Dad. His pain meds are causing TERRIBLE constipation. He is taking 60ml of Lactulose two times daily. This is NOT helping. He goes 4 or 5 days without "going". When he does go, it's because he finally gave in and used a Fleet's Enema. Dad is taking Oxycontin 40mg two times daily. In between the Oxy doses he is taking Lortab 7.5mg about every 4 or 5 hours. Here's my question....... would it be better for Dad to up his pain med dose so that he has to take fewer pills. (Maybe like Percodan or Percoset between the Oxy or some sort of immediate release pain med for the rough times) Or, should we stick with what he is taking for pain and change the Lactulose to something else?? Dad is not eating much at all due to feeling sooooo full all the time. Dr. Joe, what seems to work for your patients?? We will certainly be asking Dad's onc. about this, but I do like to have myself armed with a few ideas. Thanks in advance........as my Dad says, "It's rough when your pooper don't poop!" Angie

Well guys, I know it's time to check in when Frank Lamb is checking up on me. (just kidding Frank......like I told you, I really appreciate you checking on me) The last week has been like a whirlwind. Dad has started radiation to his T12 and his left hip. The radiation oncologist thought that the left hip showed a pretty sizable uptake and due to the location, we should radiate it also. So, we are going for radiation treatments on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Tuesdays we have to stay over to see the radiation oncologist and the medical oncologist. Tomorrow Dad will start his new chemo. (Alimta) Dad is still having quite a bit of pain in his back. (not enough radiation treatments to help it yet) Driving an hour each way four days each week is really tiring for Dad. Other than the back pain, Dad is having a terrible time with constipation. He is on Lactulose 60ml twice a day.........very ineffective. Also, despite taking Megace, Dad still has no appetite. If I can get a few bites of food in him, it's a good day. He is still able to go down to the country store and tell tall tales with the guys. My girls have busy schedules........I have somewhere to take the girls four afternoons each week. Plus, this Friday is one of the fundraisers that I have planned for our friend who had a heart transplant. Whew! See why I haven't been around?? I must say though............God IS Good!! I can step back and look and my life a couple of years ago. Everything does happen for a reason. I became a stay at home Mom a couple of years ago. Shortly after that, my Dad and stepmother of 23 years split. My Dad was going to live with us temporarily.......then he was diagnosed with lung cancer. God knew what was coming my way and he prepared me for it. He made a way so that I would be able to care for my Dad. I am so thankful and honored to be able to be there for my Dad. It's hard right now, real hard, but I am holding together pretty good. I think of you all daily and I pray for you. I know that you will all say to take time for myself...........well, there just doesn't seem to be any time for me right now. That's o.k. though.......this is Dad's time. Love to you all!!! In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Hi Maureen! Sorry I don't have much info on Alimta for you. My Dad is scheduled to start Alimta on Nov. 16th. I have heard from others that it is a fairly easy chemo. Dad was cautioned to eat a good diet. The Alimta depletes your body of B12 and Folic Acid. Dad was given a B12 shot last Tuesday and he has a prescription for Folic Acid tablets which he has started. I hope that Alimta for you and for my Dad and I pray that it treats you kindly. (Oh yeah, Dad was also told to take a multi vitamin daily) In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Elaine, I'm not Dr. Joe..........just wanted to let you know that I hate it that you are having trouble with this still. Have you tried Prednisone? When Dad was having trouble with this they put him on 20mg Prednisone daily for about a month. They then tapered it off. It did wonders for Dad. His legs, knees and ankles were swelled to twice their normal size. Also, after getting chemo, those symptoms went away completely and have not returned. Hope you get some help, dear. Angie

Oh Karen! I am so sorry. Words are failing me now.......... Sending my love to you, the kids, your Mom and your whole family~~~ Angie

Oh Karen..............I'm so sorry to hear this news. I think of your family often and have been praying for all of you. Have a safe trip.......... In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Well, I'm not supposed to be granting hall passes, but I truly understand the need for a break after a trip to Disney World. We took our kids last year.............WHEW! It was exhausting! It was also the best trip that we have ever been on. Like you said..........it was magical. (I guess that's why they call it "Magic Kingdom". ) Gear up for the fight now. I'll lend you my boxing gloves if you need them. In my thoughts and prayers~~~~ Angie

Nell, We are at the same point with my Dad. Dad is seeing a radiation oncologist tomorrow morning for radiation to the spine. Praying that it works for Bob and my Dad. Seeing our loved ones in pain is no fun. Actually, it is heartbreaking. In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

O.K. Frank, you get a point for that one!! Too funny! Angie

Gee, Elaine, I thought you were asking for our funny sex stories!!! As for the poll..........it's a no brainer........the girls win!!! Don't give up guys, I love your jokes.........but hey, I'm a woman. Us girls have to stick together. I have a feeling that with this new way of voting, the guys have won for the last time.

Hello all! I took my Dad to the doctor today. The news was not good. He has significant progression in the T12 vertebrae. He also has to areas of uptake on the left femoral head. (where the leg bone joins the hip bone) The T12 vertebrae is what has been causing the pain. Dad has also lost 11 pounds in just under one month. The onc. feels that the weight loss is due to progression of the disease. (his words) Dad is set for a CT of the chest and abdomen. He is also seeing a radiation oncologist on Thursday of this week for radiation to the spine. Since there is progression, Iressa is off my Dad's list of meds. Dad got a B12 shot today in preparation to start a new chemo on the 16th of this month. He will be getting Alimta. Please pray that Alimta does it's job and is really nice to my Dad! There was so much to take in at today's appointment. I feel o.k. with it though. I'm just so glad that Dad will be getting some pain relief. He has a whole new cabinet full of drugs. He is now taking Megace to increase his appetite, Lactulose to help with his plumbing, Oxycontin 40mg twice daily for the pain, Lortab 7.5 for breakthrough pain, Medrol dose pack for inflammation around his spine, and Folic Acid to prepare for the Alimta. Whew!!!!!! What a list! BUT.........the good news is that the doctor listened to us. He gave Dad a pill or liquid for EVERY problem that he is having.(somewhere I have heard "better living through chemistry" ) Dad is feeling like he doesn't have much time left. I say he has to make it at least 10 more years. (so he can see both of my babies graduate from high school!) Dad is not in the "fighting cancer mode" lately. He is almost ready to give up! That's o.k.....I have enough fight in me for the both of us. Somehow, someway, I WILL pull him out of this!!!!! I'm not ready to give my Dad up..........I'm not ready to let this cancer beat us............so I'm NOT giving in!! Hopefully, this is just a bump in the road.(with a few curves thrown in the mix!) Thank you all for your prayers and your concern. Please continue to pray for us. Could you also add my two little girls to that list of prayers? The girls are seeing that Papa is feeling pretty bad lately. They are asking lots of questions. (It's sooooo hard..........Dad has been groaning in his sleep due to the pain. It wakes all of us up at night.) I might not be around as much in the weeks to come. Since Dad will be starting radiation, I assume it will be daily.............I probably won't have much computer time. Please know that I will be think of you all and pray for you all when I am not around here. Love to you all!!!!!! In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Geesh, David, what a trip! Flat tires, leveling the trailer, Ring Man's kids, sounds like a nice relaxing time! Seriously, I am soooo glad that you got a chance to escape for a bit. Saying prayers for you to handle the extra dose well..........also prayers for an uneventful camping trip next go round. Hey, you can always look on the bright side.........it's a trip that you will NEVER forget!! In my thoughts and prayers~~~ Angie

Amen, Dianne!! I think Lucie is such an awesome lady!! A true inspiration. You know, I hear through the grapevine that Don lets Lucie shop online..........LOTS! Any man that agrees with lots of shopping is A-O.K. in my book!!! (just kidding Don........you really are a gem!) Angie..............member of the I Love Lucie fan club!