SJAS
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Posts posted by SJAS
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Sorry about the blood pressure problem, Dean. I think Cat has a point with the link to morphine. Steve had to use high blood pressure meds until he went on morphine. After getting off morphine, his blood pressure zoomed again - back on morphine, off the meds again. For him, that side effect of morphine is a plus
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Possible surgery - seriously ill doggy - this is totally unfair. We need our big, sloppy friends at times like this. Sending prayers for you both.
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HURRRAAAAHHH FOR YOU CAT!!!
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Jane,
What a wonderful tribute to your brother. You are a sister extraordinaire!
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Ginny,
I've been anxiously awaiting an update about you both. Thanks for taking the time. You're in my prayers always.
I love Fran's idea about the angry wasps and the neighbor - now there's vigilante justice!!
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Sometimes it pays to get to a post late and then I get the news on the upswing
So glad things are turning around for you Ray. -
I don't know anything about surgery, but Steve had a pleurodesis which sealed the lung to the pleural cavity and it has been fine. His problem had been fluid fillling the pleural cavity, totally collapsing the lung (2 thoracentesis & chest tube 9 days). Also, a friend from Ireland said she had a pleurodesis many, many years ago to correct a leaking lung and no problems since (she did not have lc). Hope you can find the answer soon.
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Minnie,
I was a bit slow to read your post. Re: the brain mets - I really suggest you get more than one opinion. There are definitely strongly different philosophies about brain met tx. Get all the info (and be prepared for experts having opinions totally opposite) and then make your own informed decision. Good luck with the insurance - we all struggle with that one. Just keep at 'em. There has been research that shows that the more "vocal" (and thus often less popular) patient may live longer. I think you can do it in a friendly way - it's the persistence that counts.
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Welcome Bill. Sounds like you got off to the same start we did - Stage IV, mets to bone, brain, etc. It's a rough way to enter this journey because you start with the whole shabang. Any one of these tx would be overwhelming for someone. It's really going to take a bit of time for your wife to get back on her feet. Just keep coming back here with your questions and frustrations and we'll help each other along.
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Steve just finished with Gemzar/Cisplatin. He has a PICC line instead of a port. (He had been scheduled to get a port, but his platelets were too low for surgery.) This is the second PICC line he has had and he hasn't had too many problems. The installation is fairly simple (but make sure to get someone who is VERY experienced with their insertion and maintenance!) The second PICC line did cause a bit of an infection, easily controlled by antibiotics. You do have to be more careful with a PICC because they are external and they have to be flushed and the dressing changed weekly, but Steve is very satisfied with it. Blood draws, transfusions, etc. all go through the PICC and you don't have the vein destruction which happens with chemo thru a regular IV.
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Glad you're back Jim. You're right about the fish and beautiful places - we could learn a lot from them. You've given quite a gift to everyone there.
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Hello Cap & Husband,
Boy, when you ask a few questions here, you get answers! But that is what this place is about and add to that more caring and compassion than you will encounter in any other place. Maybe sometimes our responses step on a few toes, but understand that they come from the heart and are from those who have spent a considerable amount of time in this battle and have had enough experience with timetables and "quality of life" to get a bit riled up when the issue of statistics comes up. This place is not about judgment (goodness knows we get enough of that from the outside world), it's about getting us all through this in the best way possible.
Welcome to the battle - we're all in this one together.
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Paige,
I also wanted to welcome you to the family here. We'll be here to support you and your mother in whatever way you need us. Prayers for you both.
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Nancy,
Celebrate - really celebrate, each moment that you are not deep in the throes of the battle. When my husband had some good news and a break from treatment, we went away for a weekend and took advantage of returned good health. That's not to say that we didn't share some tears and fears and "what if's," but that was ok too. We NEEDED to do it all. Since our reprieve was very short-lived, I treasure that time more than you can imagine. Cancer has drawn back the curtain to give you the hard-earned view of what life is really all about. Use the gift wisely.
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Church does me in all the time - especially the hymns and when they pray for Steve. (Thank goodness I quit using makeup long ago!) To make things worse, I have it happen from time to time at work. In my job, I never know what topics might come up and I have come very close to having to walk out right in the middle of something.
I just say "sorry, slight meltdown" and everyone understands. Hate to fit the weepy woman image, but darn it, as Popeye says, "I am what I am!"
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Don,
You did not kill your mother - lung cancer killed your mother! You did everything in your power to love her, support her and try to save her. When we were faced with opposite opinions from "the experts," they finally told us that we just had to make a decision and not look back. You made the best decisions you could at the time with the info you had - and who is to say that if you had chosen a different course, the outcome would have been any different.
Please don't turn your hurt and anger inward. Use its power to effect a change in all those issues that failed your mother. This is what she would want for you and the best way to honor her memory and deep love for her son. Take care....
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Pam,
My heart goes out to you, not only for your father's pain, but also for yours. I too live far from my father and have made three emergency trips. The last time I was told that he would not live long enough for me to get there. He was on a ventilator for 5 days and amazingly, he is back home, playing golf and doing well. I know the outcome may not be the same for your dad, but I also know that your being there with him has made a difference. He knows you love him; you've had the chance to show him. We never know when we say good-bye to someone, if it will be the last time, no matter the age or health. Just say what is in your heart. Your father will understand.
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Don,
My deepest condolences. I hope you can find some comfort in wonderful memories and the knowledge of how much joy and love you brought to your mother's life.
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Fay,
This kind of stuff just blows me away. Can't wait to see what karma has in store for those poor excuses of womanhood. I loved Snowflake's approach - so much better than my indignant, "Excuuuuuse me!" followed by a withering look.
You're a treasure Fay and if your husband has any doubts, bring him to the board and let us at him!!
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Count me in with the others. INSIST that your husband be checked immediately by other methods, like the PET. Believe me, if it were someone in the doctor's family feeling that pain, they'd be in tomorrow. Good luck!
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Thanks for the info. This certainly seems to be something to keep our eye on for further updates.
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Peggy,
I was away from the board for a couple of days but I constantly had Rob and TBone on my mind, so it was the first thing I checked. I felt just like you - like I just can't do it anymore. Then I started to think about something that happened yesterday. We picked up my youngest son and two of his friends in S.F. after they returned from camp. During the 2+hour ride home, I listened to the two other kids chat about their lives and families. It hit like a ton of bricks - we are such a different family now. Our life has so little in common with those who have not experienced cancer. When I come here, I am with family - family who knows and cares and is not "turned off" when I focus on cancer issues. It is a place where I can DO SOMETHING - something that might be helpful - compared to the little bit I seem to be able to do about this monster disease in our own home.
I may take breaks as things get too overwhelming - but I'm so comforted to know that you will all be here for me when I get back. Peggy, I'm so glad you're among them.
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To All of TBone's loving family,
There is absolutely nothing I can do except sit here and let the tears roll down. Terry's story was probably the first one I noticed when I first came to this site and the one that kept me coming back. His story was so similiar to my husband's, and he wrote with such a light heart. And then to get to know his incredible family - his life was truly full of blessings.
TBone's passing leaves such a large hole here, I can't imagine how it is for those of you who were lucky enough to have spent time with him. I know you will be there for each other and what a beautiful image to cling to - TBone fishing in heaven! May they all be keepers....
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Oh Tess,
I...I... just am so sad beyond words. Your description of Rob's passing sounds so warm and comforting. My deepest sympathy to you and all your family. We'll certainly have you in our prayers.
So glad things are turning around for you Ray.
Sunday afternoon, boat ride, and being normal
in GENERAL
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