Jump to content

Joppette

Members
  • Posts

    1,997
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Joppette

  1. Hi Izzy (may I call you that I wanted to make sure someone responded back to you on your second questions. I can't answer this question because you saw that mine was not SCLC, but if no one responds here, it doesn't mean there aren't people that haven't responded well to first line. I don't know if you saw anyone refer to a site many of us belong to called cancergrace.org? It's http://cancergrace.org That site has Oncologists that offer up good information to enhance what you have been given by your doctors. While they will not give medical advice or diagnose, they can give you valuable input and answer questions like the one you pose here. They are kind, gracious and very caring. This site has been invaluable to me when I just needed further back up of what my doctors were telling me. If you open an account there, we'd like you to use the user name you have here "izzyleung" so we know it's you and can offer help there too. Obviously you don't have to but we like it! Anyway, I recommend posing this question there and seeing what the good doctors can say about this. Judy in MI
  2. Well, I'll start, and if someone else beats me in, moderator, please merge my post into theirs. It's a sunny and beautiful day here. The ice storm passed, and now it's going to get to 50! Before you know it we'll have daffodils popping up through the shards of ice! LOL. R took me out for a nice little dinner last night. I could tell he was feeling the weight of all of this, and it physically looked like it was weighing him down on his shoulders. Finally I took his hands, and said "no matter what they say, we only have one choice here. It is to live. Since we know that, the only other choice is to live in fear and anger, or live in joy, finding delight in any and everything we can. I choose to live well, and live with joy." I asked him if he remembered when his Mom was dx with lung cancer. She was very angry. Not only was her last few months of life abjectly miserable, but so were the lives of those around her that loved her. We remembered how sad we all were, and how sad and mad she was and the whole thing was a dark and awful thing to endure. I asked him to keep in mind that no matter what they said, I was going to be here as long as it's meant to be, and whether that's a month, or ten years, there's nothing to do other than find a way to live in peace, with that. And joy! I told him how sad it would make me if I was truly embracing the beauty of life, nature, and relationships, while he brooded in the corner because "life was not fair." Our news this week has been filled with horrible things. We had a road rage incident that resulted in a young couple being killed. We know of two young people at Gilda's who died from their cancer, so young, with lives so full of promise. There were the school shootings in Indiana. And on and on and on it goes. I told him that we both know that life is hard. Not only is it hard, but it is not fair. Some folks seem to skate easily through life (although appearances can be deceiving), and others suffer great tragedies. We need to put our situation into perspective, and realize that our story is no different. It's life and life is hard. What we do with that is what determines how awful and difficult it has to be, or how amazing and awesome it can be. He looked through his tears at me and smiled, and said that he understood. I know it will take time for him to absorb it all, but I think he will. So at 4:00 I meet with the oncology nurse to go through everything, and then we shall see. My two brothers are coming over for lunch. I'm looking forward to that. Have a good day. MI Judy
  3. Hi there! I had NSCLC, but I think my experiences are no different when it comes to CT scans. It is very normal to have a scan, and have a result that warrants "watching." They had been doing this with me for the last year. I had a nodule that looked suspicious, but was not conclusive. It was not a candidate for biopsy, so watch is all we could do. 16mm is very, very small. I would be glad they are watching, but I would also feel okay because it's so small, and they are on top of it and can get at it quickly if need be. I agree with the doctor that doing a biopsy this soon could just cause un-do discomfort, for no reason. It very likely could be gone in 3 months. Chemo works in the body for a long time after the last infusion. Glad you popped in to post. Hope this helps. MI Judy
  4. Oh and I just read the tail end of Katie's post about never stopping asking her to go out and do stuff. I agree. While she may continue to say no, there may be a time (that will become so special to you) when she says yes. Celebrate that inside of you. Don't make it a big deal, because if she thinks its a big deal, she may decide to not do it. I have a sweet girlfriend that just had a baby. She wanted to bring lunch, and give me cuddle time with the baby, and time to talk. I haven't even started chemo yet, but I don't want to do this. I'm exhausted trying to recuperate from the surgeries. If my head nods, I want to lay down immediately and take a nap. I'm pooped! I'm not sure i'll have the energy to hold her baby. Right now I just want to rest as much as I can, and am turning down a lot of invites. When I do go out, people are so happy seeing me out and about. Me too. Anyway, hang in there. Everything is normal, and it's going to be okay. MI Judy
  5. Good morning friend, Yesterday we met with my Oncologist to talk about my second round of chemo. My cancer was cured 4 years ago, but a new one is here and they need me to begin chemo again. Not that this has any bearing, but I was 52, healthy, active, very involved in my community and church, and just a very happy busy woman. He asked if I remembered what side effects I had the last time. How could I not forget? The first round was not too bad. But each round after that got progressively worse. My husband was freaked out by how quickly I went "down hill". Like Katie said, chemo is poison. It attacks the bad guys, but the good guys get attacked too. Our organs that keep us vital are under seige, our muscles, everything. I know there are some that get through chemo ok, but I think they are blessed. A lot of us have the malaise. Excessive tiredness. No appetite. My life changed dramatically after chemo. 3 days after infusion, I was laying on the couch, curled up in a fetal position, and stayed that way for another 3 days. The pain was horrible, my chemo attacked my muscles and they hurt bad. All food tasted like metal, so nothing was appealing, and my husband had to beg me to eat. I didn't think this would be an issue because I thought even if I didn't want to eat, I could always force myself. Well, try eating something that sits before you that you know is going to taste awful, smells awful, and get that to go down your throat without wanting to lose it. It was not good. I lost a lot of weight. While I was not obese when I began this, I did get very thin. It seemed like it took a good two weeks before I finally felt good enough to even try to do something beyond laying on that couch. But by the time I began to feel semi-normal, it was time for another infusion, and it began all over again. I did lose every hair on my head and body too, though that didn't affect how I felt physically. At the same time, when I showered, and sat at the table to put make up on (on a good day) I would cry because I looked like an alien with no eyebrows, eye lashes, or any hair at all. Everyone responds to chemo differently. Who we bond with will depend on who makes us feel safe, and comfortable. When all else is not safe or comfortable, we will cling to the person(s) who make us feel that way. I can't remember when your Mom started chemo, but know that this will get better. My last infusion was in October. I did have my large family over to my house for Christmas. Looking back, I shouldn't have, it was too much for me. But also looking back, I'm glad I did. HUGS to you. This is tough stuff. MI Judy
  6. Ah, I just posted a Wednesday Air reply in Tuesday! Sheesh. Can't keep the days straight lately. There's a lot going on. I'm meeting with the oncology nurse tomorrow to hear more details about the chemo regime they are recommending. Once I've had a chance to digest their proposal, I'll be back to ask advice! Judy in MI
  7. Prayers for sure Lilly. And thank you for your prayers for those of us struggling. I just got home from meeting with my Oncologist. There's a lot to digest. Tomorrow I meet with the nurse for an Educational Training about the proposed chemo regime, and how it will affect me. The chemo is set to start on the 15th. Once I know more, I'll obviously let you guys know! I've been having a tough time, hence have not been here much. Am just hoping and praying that a lot of this is just recovery from the surgery and soon I'll be back in fine form again. Judy in MI
  8. Hi Bud, Wow, you have a lot going on too! Get well soon. Spent last night in the ER at the hospital. 50% of the time we spend in the hospital is to counteract 50% of what they do to you in the hospital. I'm not a math whiz, but I'm thinking avoiding hospitals gives us a much better chance of avoiding hospitals! LOL Just was having tummy trouble, that I hope has been resolved by now. I'm going to go take some naps. MI Judy
  9. I'm re-reading The Shack again. It came out in 2007, (read it during my first go-round with lung cancer) and I read it voraciously. This time I'm enjoying it a phrase at a time, rather than devouring it like I did the last time. This author writes brilliant descriptions of things that are so vivid and pregnant with meaning, that you almost feel like you physically ate a snack when you get done with the chapter you are on. An example is this, on page 74. He's writing about a place that holds bad memories. "He had pushed away any thoughts of this place since Missy's disappearance, sequestering his emotions securely in the padlocked basement of his own heart. ........ He had tried to avoid thinking about what he was doing and just keep putting one foot in front of the other, but like grass pushing through concerte, the repressed feelings and fears somehow began to poke through." I liked the picture he painted with his words here. MI Judy
  10. Good morning friends, I'm on my third go-round with morning, and this one is the best so far. Ann, just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers this morning. I'll bet the words that Pat wrote in saying goodbye to her mate will be eloquently expressed by you. After a long battle and suffering, Bob is at peace and rest now. Now we pray that for Pat as well. HUGS. Today is a planned quiet day. A couple of my favorite books are calling my name, and my cushy and fresh cleaned sheets and blankets beckon. So I hope for a good weekend for all of you! Judy in MI
  11. Joppette

    Good News

    Paulette, NED is good. You will be missed here. MI Judy
  12. Good morning all! Ah, Judy, maybe we're being too hard on ourselves? Although I do agree that this cancer thing has aged me as well. Or maybe it's just age that has aged me. LOL. They say that happens after age 55. I'm 57 so I'm ripe for that getting older "look". Dianew, I so wish that the chemo would do that with my nails. After chemo, my hair grew back light brown, soft as a baby's hair, and very curly. I totally loved it and hoped that was my "new hair". Unfortunately after a couple of cuts, it went back to dark brown, and very very straight. Oh well, it's hair right? As for my nails, they are what they are. Judy, hope you get to feeling better today! We are getting HAMMERED today with big, heavy, gloppy snow this morning. You'd think our TV weather people were on drugs they are so giddy with glee over this. They haven't had a weather event to report on in months and months, so they just are glad for something that justifies their jobs! Ok, nodding out at the keyboard, time to hit the coffee! Have a good day my friends. MI Judy
  13. Hi there, It's 1:30 here, and I thought I'd just open the window a crack before heading out. I'm feeling a little blue today because I'm having my acryllic nails taken off today. Sigh. I know, worse things have happened right? But I have a "thing" about having manicured nails, and my nails are not strong, so the only way to have them look nice is with acryllics. They are having a hard time monitoring my oxygen with these nails. When I start chemo, they discourage acryllics as well. Acetone is not a good chemical for finger tips when getting chemotherapy. So, it's time to go back to au' naturel for a while. Hoping I don't fall asleep at the manicure table, I'm tired because I didn't sleep well again last night. Time to hit the coffee again. Other than that? We are under a storm watch, with 6 inches of snow on it's way. Yeah right. They have threatened that all year, and it's not happened once. We ran into our snow plow guy last night, and he said this year has been brutal on him due to lack of snow. He's investing money in farming equipment so he can farm wheat and corn rather than depend on snow removal for his living. Seems strange for Michigan but in the last couple of years, it's not been good for him. Ok, going to go for a walk, drink some coffee and try to get some zip in my zag before I get behind the wheel and drive. Take care all! MI Judy
  14. Circling back So nice to see a group today! Ann, my heart is with you and I've marked my calendar for Saturday to pray for you. God will give you his Spirit to say the words that need to be said for your friend's companion. Lily, nice to see you back home in N. California. The weather sounds divine! 75 degrees. How lovely. Enjoy that Mardi Gras party, late or not. Hi Ginny, well I'm just sayin' back atcha'! LOL. The chemo did work well, but the side effects were pretty rough. However that was then and this is now. So who knows. I'm feeling a lot more positive about this now than I did a few days ago. KW Judy, you are strong. You have done well with chemo, but you have a positive attitude, and look for the best in everything and everyone. I can only hope and pray I can be strong like you! HI Randy! Imagine the craziness if it had been a doughnut! I slept from 3:00 to now and wow do I feel better heading into the evening. Need to go figure out what to do with the chicken that I thawed for dinner! HUGS! MI Judy
  15. Good morning! I was up and about at 5:00 so thought I'd say HI. Yesterday was a big doctor day. The next appointment will be with the Onc., I think on 2/29. They assured me that he will take the chemo as far or as little as I want it. I can have the same chemo as before which surprised me. They sounded like they wanted it because it was successful in the last cancer (4 1/2 years). I asked how they could do the same chemo again, and they said because this is a new cancer, and a different cancer, they could do this. I have finally accepted that this recovery is just going to be a lot longer than the last one. I fought it, and it didn't get me anywhere other than being upset and very tired. I think I'd rather just be tired and let the being upset go. I've settled into a 2 1/2 hour sleep thing. I sleep really well for that long, and then am up for about that long, and then back to sleep. I'm okay with that I think. I had to laugh last night, I fell asleep on the couch with the news on. Somehow the story on the news got intertwined with my dream, and it got real crazy with a police chase up and down side streets because I stole an ice cream cone. HA HA HA HA HA! Anyway, hope you have a lovely day. Judy in MI
  16. Hi Bud and Eric, It's been a while! Lots going on in my world, too much to explain here. But tomorrow I go in to get the doctor's proposed chemotherapy solution. We have some decisions to make then, and make them quickly. They like to start chemo six weeks after surgery, and that would be right now. The reason for the magic number of six weeks, according to cancergrace, is that all clinical trials were measured in six week intervals. They don't have trials tested much beyond that so they don't typically recommend chemo much beyond that. Anyway, still dealing with a tremendous amount of being tired. Seems all I do is sleep, and then fight sleeping. It's been a rough go of it. MI Judy
  17. Tom, does she have a pulmonologist as a regular doctor. You'd think after 4, almost 5 years I did, but I didn't. You'd think, having survived lung cancer, that a lung doctor would be at the top of the list! Anyway, a persistent cough can be symptomatic of so many things. I've had asthma my whole life, and sometimes that cough is indicative of me being exposed to one of the allergens that irritates the asthma. Now that I'm on oxygen, I notice that I also get a irritated cough when my O2 is low. I went to the grocery store yesterday and notice it when I got in the store. I sat down, and with a few minutes time, it got better. My oxygen got low and it made my lungs "hungry" for air. Please have her continue to have it checked out. It could be as simple as allergies, to not so simple. Take care, MI Judy
  18. Hi there, Good for you Janet. Venting sometimes just plain feels good, and educating always is rewarding. I've been off for a few days. Just trying to wrap my brain around all of this, and having a difficult time. So many thoughts are racing. Judy, me too. Looking forward I mean. Well have a good day. MI Judy
  19. Joppette

    Lost a dear freind

    Ah, Ann, what a heart break. Definite prayers for Pat. What a shock it must be for her. And yes, though you suffered terribly with your husband's loss, now you can be there for her, having had to go through this yourself. God bless you as you help her through this, and for her as well. MI Judy
  20. If those who are grieving have not been here, and didn't respond to the moderator request because of it, does it make sense to "just remove them?". Maybe it does. Judy in MI
  21. I am so sorry. You must be devastated. I wish I could reach through this screen and hug you. Like Judy said, do stay here if you can. We have lots of caregiver survivors here and they can attest to the support they received as they went through this. Gentle hug to you. MI Judy
  22. Stephanie and I "met" on-line here when I first joined in 2010. From our posts back and forth, I recognized a person of high intelligence, with an inate curiousity about life and it's irony. Plus, who could not know about her culinary fine tastes? It was at the Hope Summit, last May, when I finally got to meet her. I expected this out-going power horse of a person for some reason. Strange the mental images we have of a person based on the personality we see here. But my surprise when I met her was to see a very tiny, diminuative and shy person. On Saturday morning, she sidled up to me and said "I'm sitting next to you. Then you can talk for both of us since I know you can do that!" LOL. How did she figure that out? But Stephanie was strong in personality, opinions, and backbone. She just didn't like being the center of attention. She lived with cancer with grace and dignity. I so enjoyed the sharing she did of her trip to Italy, of the mouth-watering foods that she loved. She would write often of the amazing baked goods she prepared for M and her for breakfast or a snack. Stephanie, you will be missed here more than you wanted. I know, you didn't want to draw attention to yourself, but you couldn't help yourself. Judy in Michigan
  23. Hi All, There are a lot of us here who "knew" Stephanie (ts) here. If we didn't know her here at Lungevity, her presence was well known at Cancergrace. In addition, a bunch of us got to meet her and get to know her a bit at the Hope Summit in Washington DC last year. And from what I've read here, she was at the Seattle event as well. Since so many of us "know" her, I wanted to start a thread, in her memory and hopefully filled with memories of her. She will be missed. Judy in MI
  24. Joppette

    Stephanie

    Sad. What a class act she was. I loved her quiet and yet amazing sense of humor. She was grace and dignity through it all. She will be missed. Darn it. Judy in MI
  25. Hi Jim, I haven't weighed in on this thread to date because your best friend's case was nothing like mine. However, I can relate to the appetite issue. I'm currently struggling with mine, and when I look at food, it just is not attractive to me. I'd just as soon not eat. What we're doing right now is making sure that there are lots of options in the refrigerator and cupboard for me. I am enjoying fruits and vegetables most. (Not best for muscle or calories), but it is food. I find if I can get my appetite jump started, I will eat a small amount of food. For me, breakfast foods work best. Oatmeal with fruit and brown sugar. Crunchy sweet snacks. They appeal to me. My husband has learned that if he piles my plate high with food, I get discouraged looking at it and then don't want to eat at all. I know this is psychological, but we've learned that it's best to put a tiny amount of food on a smaller plate, and if I'm successful in eating that, I seem to be willing to try a bit more. I feel better about that, rather than seeing a big plate of food that I know I can't possibly eat. I like soup a lot more than meat and potatoes. But he sneaks them in, in the soup. He makes hearty soups but only serves me small portions and I am doing good with that. I don't have nausea, I just don't want to eat. So maybe these hints will help? I think Randy's suggestion about an anti-depressant is good too. I have not done that yet, but if I feel I'm waking up feeling despondent more days than not, I'll be open to it. I've heard it can do wonders for people. Jim, I echo what others have said. What a dear friend you are. I hope you don't have to quit your job. Maybe some hints here will help a bit to enable you to feel better about all of this. Do remember to take care of you! I've been a caregiver to 3 people in my family with lung cancer, and it takes quite a toll. Make sure you are getting rest, and that YOU are eating healthy foods. And if necessary, you should consider medication such as an anti-anxiety or anti-depression medication. Your ability to care for him is AS important as his care with the doctors right now. Judy in MI
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.