cindi o'h
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Posts posted by cindi o'h
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It was three years ago today that I lost my "little" bother, Johnny, to lung cancer. He was so very sick at diagnosis and had already defeated colon cancer two years before. The doctors were able to extend his life just a few more months which for me was a huge gift.
I took Big John fishing every chance I got. We both loved to fish and were compatible fishing companions.
Johnny left behind a young son, Jay, who was 4 years old when his daddy died. That was John's biggest sorrow about leaving this earth, "what about my boy?"
Johnny was a sweet and gentle giant and I am grateful that we were able to spend some quality time together before he passed away. I slept on the floor of his hospital room, I gave him good back scratches, I held his head as he sobbed about his fears...
I am thankful that I had the courage and maturity to stand beside him and hopefully help to ease his fears.
Cindi o'h
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Hi Bet..
I am afraid that I have had way too much experience with steroids...I have been on high doses for asthma, for arthritis, and with chemo. I can tell you that I became very compulsive...I wanted to organize drawers, paint walls, wash ceilings and ceiling lights; restless and could not sleep. I am pretty sure that if you check with the doctor that the doctor will say this is a side effect of the prednisone.
Also, my mind worked a hundred miles a minute and unfortunately, so did my mouth. Also became very tearful at times for no reason other than the prednisone.
I always say I have a love/ hate relationship with it. They have pulled me out of so many events where no other medicatioon will, but the side effects are hateful. I think if I remember right, that I would ask for a sleepy time medicine so that I could at least get a little sleep.
Sometimes it is the only thing that will work in some situations...this may be one of those situations. I wouldn't be surprised if the doctor doesn't take your mom off them.
Best wishes to you and your Mom...She is a force to be reckoned with...good for her.
Cindi o'h
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Because it took Cutis so long to get it, that brings in a negative point.
A minus one on the Richter scale.
Because he started giggling in class that is another half point deduction.
Becaue he lied about the source of his chucke, that is another half point. It was clever to blame it on Katie, though...good save, Curtis
However, because he laughed out loud, I suppose the boys deserve at least a point for that.
Let's see....Bruce and I cancelled each other out...Teresa still doesn't get it....
Nina could anticipate the joke line....
I can't do the math here...
Cindi o'h O'Houlighan
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Bruce liked it, but I didn't so we canelled each other on that one which comes out to zero.
Cindi o'houlighan
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that's a belly laugh from me
Cindi o'h o'houlighan
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hi Bev,
If I get cut and I know that it is not life threatening, then I don't worry about it too much.
I would say though, that puking blood is something I have yet to do. But if I did have blood coming out of places that I never did before, then I would get my little self to an emergency room for an
evaluation....pronto.
cindi o'h (o'houlighan)
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Hi Bill,
My treatment was interrupted a couple of times. Pretty much across the board, my counts were down. The one that the doctor was most concerned about was the one that was causing symptomatic distress. I was having severe taccycardia due to low neutrophils, if I remember correctly. A couple bags of beautiful stacked platelets and I was symptom free immediately.
I was not understanding one of your sentences..."But, no rock bottom numbers have ever been given."
Does this mean that you didn't receive information on at what point intervention would start and treatment halted? If this is what you meant, then it is my understanding that the doctor weighs each case individually on a variety of factors based on their broad education and experience. Based on the prior health of the patient, the medical history, age, sex, weight, clinical symptomology or asymptomology etc. are some of the considerations when weighing the decision to proceed with treatment or to halt. In short, they do not rely on the numbers from the lab reports exclusively, but rather use it as part of their formula in decison making.
Best wishes for positive results.
Cindi o'h
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Good to see that beautiful baby again. I wanted to respond to your question with my own experience. This might fit you and it might not. To me, it sounds as if you are feeling really scared about the thought of losing your mom. It has been a whirlwind for you and your mom this past month. That is obvious to me when I see your mom's health bio. This is all way too much for any of us to handle. How we get through it all, I don't know... I know that I am grateful that I had a belief in a Power much bigger than myself. That certainly helped. I could let go of the what if I don't survive part. I knew that it wasn't up to me. That it was up to someone else. I did my part. I showed up for my appointments. Sometimes that was all that I could do. The treatments really knocked my socks off. I laid in bed...plenty. A lot of people were amazed that I went to all of my appointments all by myself and took care of myself all by myself. But, I also had the luxury of being able to be sick all by myself too. What I mean by that is that when I was feeling that sick, I didn't have to have anyone see me being so miserable. I could go off by myself and curl up and wait it out. I was able to do a lot of introspection.
I was able to work through the fears of the unknown. Maybe your Mom is doing this. Who knows what is going on behind that bonnet? It could be that she is doing all that she can right now...showing up for her appointments.
Of course, when your friends ask, you can say," she's hanging in there." Or, " the treatments are hard on her right now." Or, " We have hope that she will bounce back." Or," A few prayers are always appreciated. Or, " we're muddling through." Even though your mom is depressed, it doesn't mean that you can't be upbeat.
I was in the same position that you are in when my dad became ill with brain cancer. I was really scared. His friends wanted to know how he was doing and I really didn't know how to respond either. I wanted to "protect" my dad. And I wanted to protect myself from breaking down crying. It is a helpless feeling not being able to help a parent.
I hear the worry in the tone of your note. That is pretty understandable.
I hope for the best for you and your family.
Cindi o'h
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Richinsouthdakota
In just a month or so, you should have enough snow to cover it all up.
Out of sight, out of mind. Don't sweat the small stuff, brother. Sorry you're in pain. Just hopin' that you can find some relief for that very soon. Been there, done that.
Cindi o'h
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I have been reading about trials since I was first diagnosed with lung cancer. Initially, I was given the option of being in a trial. During the treatment planning of my lung cancer "cure", the oncologist that I was working with decided that I would better fit in with the "tried and true" methods of treatment. I don't know what his method of thinking was...in any event, at this time, it is a moot point.
However, my sometimes inquistive mind, continues to plague me with the unanswered question that keeps popping in every not so once in awhile: What is a "phase one trial?" What is a "phase two trial?" etc...
Cindi o'h
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Thanks Elaine.
Comprehensive article
Cindi o'h
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congratulations are in order.
Best wishes in elimination of the mets..
Here is to the next two years...cheers! Slainte!
Cindi o'h
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As my sister would say, "That ain't right."
Let's see... if I can remember all of this, '
Initially, I had a biopsy using guided imagery.
A chest, abdomen, pelvis CT with contrast
A PET scan
A bone scan
A brain MRI
All of the above were for diagnostic and staging purposes to properly treatment plan for elimination of disease.
At the end of the radiation, another PET and a CT to determine resolution of disease and to see if we were on the right track.
Another PET/CT at the end of chemo for restaging
The oncologist at the time treatment planned follow up CT every 3 months and PET every 6 months along with a PET.
The oncologist I have now wants chest, abdomen, pelvis CT every 3 months.
Good luck to you. (If the cancer don't kill me, the radiation will
)Cindi o'h
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thank you, Dean
Cindi o'h
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Tina.
No problem.
Cindi o'h
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Hello Paula,
Welome to the group. Sounds as if your roller coaster ride has started...glad you found this group to share your experience. Rides are much better with friends who know what you are going through. And you surely will find those friends here.
I am sorry that you had that bad experience so early on. Also, that you have the wisdom to know that you don't want him on your ride...goodness knows, it is scary enough!!
Hope for the best for you. Right now, there are so many advances in treating lung cancer, that it is a value to do a little research on your own to discover what options best fit your situation.
Again, a big welcome...
Cindi o'h
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good one
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Hey, Hi
I have been waiting to find out how things went. For me, it sometimes takes awhile for the good news to sink in. And this to me sounds like very good news. Hope the Iressa is good to him. Thanks for the update.
Cindi o'h
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***hides some black and red checkers in his pants pocket and tells the kids to reach in there and find them.
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TAnn
So good to see your update. I have been thinking about you and praying with the rest. Blessings for success and minimal side effects.
Laura, I like what you said about the cancer strengthening your faith. Through the darkness, there comes Light.
Cindi o'h
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I was at the heart clinic today to see the cardiologist. Had an echo done and dropped in upstairs at the pulmonologist's office and asked if they could squeeze me in for a flu shot as long as I was there...
"No problem."
I realize that there is a shortage of flu shots this year...could you post your experience with getting your shot?
Thanks to David and Beth for reminding me that I need mine.
Cindi o'h
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CT Results
in HOPE
Joe & Gina,
What great news! Congratulations! Now....celebrate!
Cindi o'h
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Hi MJ
So sorry about the results of your tests. I really like the sound of that tenacity coming through loud and clear... keep it up!
Say, my dad was at Bishop for a brain tumor. Such wonderful doctors, nurses, staff and facilities...is that where you folks go?
Cindi o'h
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Hi Kate,
I think you are doing a great job at remaining courageous and all the while maintaining your sense of humor. It must be a great asset to what you are going through. I sent you a little PM. Let me know if I can help.. you're in my prayers.
Cindi o'h
Out of sight, out of mind. Don't sweat the small stuff, brother. 
)
What do you say?
in GENERAL
Posted
Hi Randi
One of my little girlfriends was diagnosed in stage IV with brain mets last Jan. It took me the longest time to get it through MY head that she
wasn't interested in treatment. She did concede to radiation to her brain but not without kickin and screamin. At the techs too.
When I finally accepted that I had no control over her decision to die then our relationship became less strained. I was able to talk to her about her concerns and help her to move to a place of acceptance as well. She had some personal goals she wanted to meet before she died and that was to make sure that her soul was in order.
She couldn't stand the thought of not being in heaven with her dad. So we went to see her priest for some confessions and for absolution. She planned her funeral and chose Billy Holiday music to be played. She chose her flowers. She bought some new nightgowns. She had a manicure and a pedicure....something that she had always wanted. Her husband was supportive of her decision. She was a strong-willed little girl. Her courage was beyond belief. She cried. She told me intimate details of her life. Her regrets etc.
I wonder if anyone has asked your mom what she wants. I know that you say that she says she just does what she is told to do.
Cindi o'h