Jump to content

Joppette

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,997

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Joppette

    from milano italy for my DH

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    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

    Dahknee's puppy

    in SHARE YOUR LUNG CANCER STORY

    Posted

    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

    Tuesday's Air

    in JUST FOR FUN

    Posted

    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

    Tuesday's Air

    in JUST FOR FUN

    Posted

    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

    6 Month Scans

    in HOPE

    Posted

    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

    Monday's Air

    in JUST FOR FUN

    Posted

    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

    New to site

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    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

    Newbie intro

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    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

    Saturdays Air

    in JUST FOR FUN

    Posted

    "cheeky monkey"????? :lol:

    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

    Newbie intro

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    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

    Thursdays Air

    in JUST FOR FUN

    Posted

    Well it's still morning here, so good morning all. It's 75 here and heading to 80, but extremely windy. Cold front is blowing in, but it's gorgeous right now! Will be back in the 50's and 60's this weekend. I adore Spring, for we get these temperature changes, and no humidity. That will come in July and August, and I hope to not put the Air on until then.

    Judy KW, I understand the desire to see the birds. You would naturally see them migrating. But remember that they migrate because it gets downright nasty here come December through March! :D I'm not complaining though. I'm a Northerner through and through and love the four seasons, they are all beautiful. Right now the red winged black birds are feeding, and I love the song they sing. The finches are all brown in the winter, but come Spring they turn bright yellow, or blue or red. It's the boys getting pretty for their mates. It's awesome.

    Well I took one Norflex last night, and I woke up ten hours later! I better take this medication earlier in the evening so I don't sleep in until 10:00! But I woke with no muscle pain, so maybe this medication will help. I plan to make the rest of the day a good one, spending a large part of it at Gilda's club. I love my Thursday stints at Gilda's club. Makes me feel like I'm a part of a solution, helping others with cancer live life fully.

    Eric, I have not read Swayze's book either, but I followed his story. He was a huge star over here. Sad story.

    Judy in KW? I think when a child is born and gets the name Judy, there is a destiny in mind for that child. I've always been a busy bee, and can't miss anything happening around me. I am uo late and always on the go! Even though I'm officially retired, I still drive around 25,000 miles a year going from one thing to another, busy as a bee. I'm definitely a Type A personality, and I love it. I think we are a lot alike!

    Eric, I'm with you, keep the windows closed and stay inside. I don't do well with pollen, dust, really cold air, and other things that make breathing a challenge. Hope you make great progress on your project!

    Well, I'm off to attack the day!

    Take care,

    Judy in MI

    Listening to myself talk

    in LC SURVIVORS

    Posted

    Good morning Judy,

    Thank you for sharing. I was always a bit manic on chemo day because of the bag of steriods that preceded the lovely chemo. I'd be up all hours of the night, cleaning, reading, and writing. My mind raced too.

    I don't know what i'd do if were to have to make a decision for more treatments. I try not to think about it, and just leave my fate in my Creator's hands. But I get that anxiety when it is scan time too. Even though the CT scan is not uncomfortable in any way, my heart does some racing as that fluid starts to go through my veins and I can feel it. I'm always dizzy when I get up off the table, and I know it is because of my emotions.

    So I send you a cyber ((((HUG))))), I understand.

    Judy in MI

    Teacher Wife is still slugging it out

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    All I can do is echo the others, she is one tough cookie! I pray for and wish the best for you both! Healing, and well being being prayed for as well. Soon she will be able to rest, and enjoy some time off, and that will be good for her.

    Thanks for the update,

    Judy in MI

    Wednesdays Air

    in JUST FOR FUN

    Posted

    Decided to wait to see who all posted today before saying HI on this glorious Wednesday. Katie and Rick are definitely in my prayers. And I found her on FB, so am getting updates there too.

    I updated my last post with what the doc said today. There is hope that they will get to the bottom of this mysterious muscle problem I'm having. For that I am hugely thankful.

    It's beautiful here today! It's 75, the sun is shining, no humidity, birds singing outside my window. I live out in the country, about 1/2 hour from the city, and I love the wild life that lives here. I can hear the male pheasants calling his hens in for dinner at the foot of our corn feeder. There are hundreds of birds feeding at the 8 or so feeders we have hanging off our deck. My two kitties love it when the windows are open so they get to watch kitty TV, which is the birds outside! They are indoor cats, so they only get to watch through a screen.

    Hubs has a dinner business meeting tonight, so I think I'm taking myself out to dinner! I have a place that I like to go to where I know everyone, and feel very comfortable sitting there having dinner. I chat with the workers, and read a little bit, and it's just very nice.

    I'm feeling very content today.

    Judy in MI

    New Normal

    in LC SURVIVORS

    Posted

    Well, I'm back from the doc. He prescribed Norflex, which is a muscle relaxer specifically for muscles that spasm. He ruled out nerve damage, after carefully listening to all of my symptons. He said it is definitely muscle issues. So he sent me off to the lab for 3 specific blood tests, looking for a possible auto immune disease in which muscles attack themselves. If this is the case, there is hope for it to get better. He is wondering about this because the problem is escalating and getting worse, which would indicate a disease.

    In the meantime, I hope this Norflex is helpful to treat the symptoms, and I pray they find a solution to this perplexing condition. We did discuss possible nerve damage due to taking Taxol, and he didn't think that was it but won't rule it out after other tests.

    So I am to try this medication for the next two to three weeks, and see. I will be amazingly thrilled when they can pinpoint the cause and get to a cure. I'm pretty much always a happy woman, even with this debilitating pain, but living without this pain would be a huge source of JOY!!!!!

    Thanks for your support and suggestions!

    Judy in MI

    New Normal

    in LC SURVIVORS

    Posted

    I remember going through chemo, and then emerging from it, triumphant and full of joy. I survived something so painful, debilitating, and difficult. I was ready to embrace life fully, with a new energy, and enthusiasm. My hair grew back curly, which I loved, and everything seemed so beautiful, colors sharper, images more beautiful. I was psyched to get back to LIFE!

    It turned out that it was only in my attitude could I embrace life with this fullness, mental energy and mental enthusiasm, because my body refused to cooperate with the mental mind set! At first, this threw me for a loop. I wanted to bounce out of bed, and attack my day. But my body didn't bounce anymore. The day could be approached with a careful enthusiasm, but the physical ability to do the things I used to do was not there.

    It took months before I could drag myself out of bed to begin my day before 10:00AM. My immune system was compromised. My energy was zapped. My mental desire was there, but the body just would not cooperate.

    I remember two years ago, I got a call from my church, asking me to come to a meeting. I had no idea why, but I had retired from my job, and went out of curiosity. It turned out that they needed someone with organizational skills to volunteer and help get them organized again. They did not have the budget to hire an Administrative person, and they sensed I had these skills, which I did have.

    So I said yes. I can so remember the first few weeks. The printer/copier was downstairs, and every time I sent a print job, I had to go down the stairs. I was having huge problems with pain in my feet, hips, and back. I can remember hobbling down the stairs, and then back up. But I noticed after a few weeks, that I was making it up and down those stairs easier and easier! I was getting stronger because I forced myself outside of my self-imprisonment, and got busy working for a cause bigger than I was.

    It was then that I realized I was finding my "new normal". To this day, I can't run up the stairs without being extremely short of breath. But I can climb them honorably (LOL), and get my breath back quite quickly. And my back and hips no longer hurt. I am stronger, and I love my life now. I have found my "New Normal" and I'm loving it.

    Now this is not to say I'm not facing challenges. I go to my doctor tomorrow to deal with these bizarre muscle spasms, as I wrote about before. They come and go, for no apparent reason. The doctors can not figure out what it is. I asked you guys, and no one could put a finger on it. A couple of you said you had pain in the ribs, but only where the surgery was. Mine is not this way. Mine is systemic. Sunday and Monday of this week, I was in misery with muscle spasms, to the core of my body. I woke up with them on Sunday, and suffered for two days.

    But today was a great day with no pain! So I continue on my quest to find my "New normal". I think the next steps are to send me to a neuro-muscle-skeletal specialist to totally analyze the big picture. Wish me luck with this. If they can not find out the reason behind all of this, I am going to wind up wheelchair bound, and I can deal with that, but would like a medical diagnosis to back it up!

    I think exploration into pain clinics is also a good option for me. I will explore all of these before putting my booty in a wheelchair. But I remain hopeful, positive. Prayers would be appreciated. I can't imagine being wheelchair bound, but at the same time, there are much worse things to face so I remain positive, and open to change.

    Take care, all of you.

    Judy in MI

    Tuesdays Air

    in JUST FOR FUN

    Posted

    Hello Eric,

    This was a nice thread to read. Ned is so perceptive isn't he? :-)

    Sounds like a nice young man your daughter has found. It's so interesting to hear about different places, and such. So I enjoyed this very much.

    Here, it's about 60, cloudy, and supposed to rain. I live in Michigan, in the middle of the State, very close to Lake Michigan. Our weather is always affected by whatever is happening over the big great lake! Supposed to be 70 tomorrow, which is very warm for us this time of year. Can't wait!

    Judy

    6 months today

    in GRIEF

    Posted

    Dear Michelle,

    I believe he is with you in spirit. Pray for a sign, and he may come to you in a dream to assure you of this.

    I have not lost a spouse to cancer, but I did lose both parents, and a sister to it. It just takes time, and the amount of time for grief varies with every individual. And the grief will ebb and flow at times, sometimes rushing over you, other times life's distractions will allow it to ebb. Probably getting this job will help you.

    When my little sis died, I grieved for a long time. I'm not going to say how long because like I said it is different for everyone. I want to assure you that you will be okay. When my Mom died, I didn't re-join the world for about a year. I was devastated, and she was my best friend.

    It's been 14 years since she's been gone, and I don't actively grieve her anymore, time does heal. But that time frame is yours and yours alone.

    ((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))

    Judy

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

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

  I accept