Joppette

What a sweet little guy! So cute. Judy in MI

Hi everyone, On late today. The weather is sparkling and beautiful today. High 62 F. That is very warm for us. We Michiganders are out in the sun, squinting our eyes like ground moles coming up from underground. Only our underground is snow! Our newest project is finding a new dog! We have Gibson who is a German Short Haired pointer, and two rescued cats. Gibson grew up having a brother, Huey, who was an English Springer Spaniel. Well, Huey lived 14 great years, and left us last year. We feel we are now ready to pour our love on a new brother for Gibson. We have debated on getting another Springer (which I adore that breed), or maybe a Lab, or a Labradoodle! They are the cutest dogs. But the dog must be started, house broken, and at least one year old. In the 18 years I have been married, I have trained a lot of puppies, and while they are adorable, I am done with chewed tables, carpet, furniture, the oops as they get house broken, etc. Told hubs I'm too old to be teaching a baby pup how to be a nice pup. In closing, THANK YOU to everyone that has responded to my depressed post! I have updated that with the latest, and am feeling hopeful for change in the circumstances. Judy in MI

Hi Wayne, Welcome to this place. Hope to get to know you better! Happy you have a good support system. Judy in MI

You guys are an incredible group of folks. I thank you for all the amazing advice and care. I talked to the doctor yesterday over the phone. The Neurologist couldn't fit me in for two months. I told him this was not acceptable, and to please find me a different solution. He admitted that he really was not sure which kind of doctor I should be seeing. So I am set up to see a doctor on Monday that specializes in muscle and bone diseases. That doctor read my file, and felt he could help me. Praise God. But the muscle doctor wants me to also see a rheumatoid doctor too. And if between the two of them, they can not find a solution, I will need to also see a neurologist. Whew! Good thing I have insurance. The spasms are getting worse. My hands are spasming now, and shaky. Had a hard time typing today because my hands are shaking so bad. But I am so looking forward to Monday and the possibility of some answers. Thank you so much. Judy in MI P.S. Thanks Bruce

Thank you's go out to all of you. Your support is greatly appreciated. I have not been on line since last Thursday because of the pain. My doctor admitted to me today that he has no idea of what to do, or who to refer me to. Tomorrow I am calling my Oncologist. There has to be an answer to this. My husband suggested that I contact a pain clinic in the meantime. What amazes me is that I got through a lung surgery, chemo, and so much more, and this muscle thing is taking me down. I can barely handle getting out of bed. But I do get out of bed. I have work to do, and I realize that the pain will be there whether I lay in bed until noon, or if I get up and get things accomplished. I'm sorry I have not been around for a few days. I just struggled with negative feelings and didn't want to be negative here. It is so weird. When I was told I had cancer, I was a fighter, and ready to do battle. But now, with no diagnosis, and no answers, I am lost. I am sad, and just pray for answers. I will go and ask for advice from Dr. West as a couple of you suggested. Thank you for everything. Truly. Judy in MI

I have not been able to be here in the last few days. But I want to thank everyone that posted their support to me. I've not been here because the spasms are so severe, that I am forced to lay on the couch, and pray for them to release. It's been excruciating. THANK YOU FOR HELPING WITH YOUR COMMENTS. It totally helps seeing your support. I would be lying if I said that I don't have a niggling of worry about what might be happening in my body right now. Right now, I'm doing well. My ribs feel like someone socked me hard in the front ribs, but they are not spasming, so I'm happy about that. On Monday, I will see my doctor and get referred to the specialist. Thank you for being there for me. It means so much to me. Judy in MI

Thank you friends. I woke again 3 hours later in complete agony. Today I went to see my great-niece born yesterday, and I held her for a few minutes and had to hand her off to someone else. The muscle spasms started immediately upon holding her. She weighs six pounds. So sad. I wanted to hold her and love her, but I could not. Tomorrow, I am going to demand (nicely, but firmly) further investigation. This is totally messing with my life, and I need answers. Thank you for your ideas. I will take them to the Neurologist. Judy in MI

I hate this. I've been crying for the last two hours, and I hate it. I'm not one to dwell on the negative. My lung cancer taught me to totally focus on the positive. But I just don't get what I am going through right now, and am so tired I can't think straight. My husband woke me up an hour ago, as I was screaming. Once I woke up, I realized that my muscles were spasming in a horrific way, and I could not stand it. He got wet, hot towels and wrapped them around the muscles, which helped. Then he got heat pads that are self adhesive, and wrapped them around the affected areas. Thank you my sweetie. It was horrific. I was crying so loud, and in so much pain. Once I woke up fully, I took a Norflex muscle relaxer, and am hoping that will help me to fall back asleep. I just wish my doctors could tell me what is going on. This is torture! My regular doctor said my blood tests showed something not normal, but that he did not have the education to diagnose the problem. He wanted me to take the muscle relaxers for a couple of weeks to see if that helped, and then he'd schedule me with a Neurologist. Well, it's 2:04AM here, and he will be getting a call from me tomorrow. I need answers. Yesterday I woke up to rib muscles totally spasming, and took a muscle relaxer for it, which did nothing. There is something more going on. I am usually a positive person, but this issue is breaking me down in a big way. I'm sorry for this, I do not want to be so sad, but right now I am at my wits end. What is this? I just need answers, and hope for the future. If this continues, I will have to resign myself to a wheelchair. Sad, and frustrated. Judy in MI

Jim, so glad both you and Dad got encouragement from us. I remember my first chemo day, and I was a bundle of nerves. But I tried to stay positive through it all, and I think I did. It was not fun, but it was doable. And survivable. i wish the best for your Dad,and will be happy when he joins us here. Take care, Judy in mI

Hi Carole, you came to the right place to get support as you deal with this. Try to stay as positive as possible, it will help tremendously as you go through treatment. Please update us as you get details, and we will be here for you. Judy in MI

What an awesome picture! Hard to believe they had that kind of technology way back then! Thanks for sharing Eric. Judy in MI

Good morning! Yesterday's topic was so interesting. As I've said before, it's so cool to read about other people's lives, and locale. I've never been overseas in Europe, and that is a goal of mine, to do that. Now, Judy in KW, how they raise the money is that you must buy a ticket to get a wrist band that allows you to view the art. And they have a trolley going around, and you must buy a ticket for that too. Then they have Corporate sponsors that fork over dough for it as well. The restaurants and retails shops want people to shop and eat, so they are eager to sponsor the event. We had over 100,000 people come to this last year. It truly is a boon to the City. Bud, the biking must be so painful with the shingles. I'm so sorry you are suffering with this. I pray it is just a short blip on the screen of your life. Eric, I missed your post on art. I'll go back and read it. Well, got to go. Been sitting around all day, and need to get some errands run. Judy in MI

Hi Tessa, I did a little research on thermotherapy, and honestly have never heard of it being used in treating cancer. It sounds like an interesting take on things though. I've just used it for sore muscles in the past. But the following article delves a little deeper in saying it is used to treat certain cancers. We do have a Board Index topic that is ask the doctor. Or try the web site that Dana suggested. You and your family are very handsome! I wish you the best with this. Judy in MI

What a preciously darling little puppy! Love the name too. So cute. We're shopping for puppies right now. My English Springer passed away a year ago, and I still haven't had the heart to find a new dog. But our other dog is acting like he's lonely, so I think we'll do it this spring. Judy in MI

Eric, we missed you! So nice to see you back. Hopefully one of the techies can help you, I don't have a clue yet. Judy in MI

Oh! I forgot to add.....with this Art Prize thing.....the people of the city vote on which pieces are the best. That is how the winners are decided, so it's so much fun to run around and look at all the art work, and vote for your favs, and then see the results revealed! It's really fun. And for Bud, I'm with Judy. When I had it, pain medication was prescribed and boy did I need it. Hope you get to feeling better soon! Judy in MI

Good morning everyone! Well, it's going to get to 70 today! Yippee! I am heading to the church where I work 3 days a week, and am going to open all the doors and let the fresh air in! We Michiganders get a little loopy this time of year, after having six months of cold and snow! It's kind of funny. So Judy, something about our State? We'll not get into economics here in Michigan because we are surely hurting here with the highest unemployment % in the USA because of the Automotive market. But I do want to tell you about ArtPrize. The big city closest to me is Grand Rapids. I live about 30 miles North of the city. Well, G.R. has turned into quite the "cool city" as our governor likes to call it. ArtPrize was an event that launched last year for the first time. It brings in international renowned artists because the first place prize is $250,000, with an additional $499,000 going out to those that take second, through fifth place. The genius who thought this up, wanted to make our city a destination, and boy did it ever. We draw people to our town from Chicago, NYC, Boston, even LA. The Art is displayed all over the city, some of it indoors, lots of sculptures outdoors. Last year an artist did a Loch Ness Monster sculpture and put this enormous thing into the Grand River, which is this huge river that snakes through our state. It was amazing. And wherever the art venue is, you can get coupons and discounts from the store that is sponsoring the piece of art. I did not get to see it last year because of health issues, and not being able to walk the route. But this year they are bussing people, and I will not miss it this year. Oh, and an update to my rib/trunk spasms. Something did not check out right in my blood work. So in a couple of weeks, I will be referred to a Neurologist for further examination. Who knows what this is. I am not going to worry about it. I'm here for as long as I'm meant to be, and that is that. In the meantime, they gave me a muscle relaxer, Norflex, which is doing a fairly good job at helping with the pain, but I'm very sleepy taking it so it's not a long term solution. Judy in MI

Prayers! Hope it all goes well, and that Mom is okay. Hope for sound and solid medical advice. She's lucky to have you to advocate for her! I did that with my Mom and it was so needed. Judy in MI

Dana, Fantastic! Isn't it such a relief when we get told news like this! I'm finally at once a year now and it's so nice to feel healthy. Judy in MI

Bud, ouch! I hope you only get a mild case. Ten years ago, I got a flu that went to my lungs, was extremely ill. And I had this horrid pain in my side. So I went to the doctor, and she said I was getting shingles. Shingles??? I was horrified, because a friend of mine got that and it was all over his face! My rash had not started yet. But it did! And wow was it painful. Doc gave me some Vicodin, and the cream and told me I'd just to just ride it out. I was lucky, and got over it in 4 weeks because I took gobs of vitamins that repair a weak immune system. My F-I-L got them when he was in his 70's and it stayed with him for a long time. I think because of his age, it hit him much harder. I hope for healing fast!!! I'm working right now, but I have the doors open and fresh air and warm breezes are coming in and it's beautiful! Judy in MI

Hi Jim, I'll add to the rest of our peanut gallery here. Much beloved peanut gallery! I was stage 2. Had left upper lobe removed. Chemo stunk, but am glad I did it, for today 3 years later, I am cancer free. I had Carboplatin and Taxol for chemo. It caused much pain, and nausea. I took nausea meds up front and it helped. Doc prescribed pain medications for the muscle pain that the chemo caused. It helped a lot. I did rest a lot. Chemo day I was a bit manic due to the steroids they gave me, but I learned to take an anti-anxiety medication on chemo day. Xanax. It helped a lot. 3 to 4 days after chemo was when I felt the worst. But I took pain meds and got through it. Dad can too. The good news with lung cancer, is when it is operable. That means they can take it out of the body. That is a good thing. Hope this helps! Judy in MI

Hello again. I just went and read your blog. Wow! I can not imagine still waiting to hear the stage your cancer is in, and awaiting treatment. I went in on a Friday at 10:00AM, and by 2:00 that same day I was told my prognosis, and they scheduled surgery that same day. It was way too fast for me, so I set up a meeting at the Mayo Clinic to get a second opinion. Removing the upper lobe of my left lung seemed drastic to me. However, after flying to Mayo Clinic, and they agreed with my doctors at home, I came home and had the surgery, and agreed to the follow up treatment of chemo. I wish you the best with this. You are a brilliant writer, and I appreciate your sense of humor. Judy in MI

"cheeky monkey"????? I love reading your Scotlandish sayings! Funny story about the grey hair! Are you a teacher? You spoke of teaching young adults, so I'm curious about your occupation. It's sunny here today, but very cold. Had a freeze warning last night, and I'm sure it happened. Hope my flowers can survive it. Have a wonderful Saturday. Judy in MI

Hi! Welcome here. This is a good place to be as you go through what you are going through. Do keep us informed, we have lots of levels of experience here, and hopefully can help make your journey easier. Judy in MI

I wish you and Dad and family the best. I hope it is not serious! Hang in there, K? Judy in MI