stand4hope Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Leslie wanted to be sure it was ok to share her personal woohoos, so I decided to share my own personal woohoos. The last I reported, I said that the Decadron was helping and shouted "Bring on the Steroids". Well, it is still working and I couldn't be happier. As a matter of fact, hubby is like a totally different person. I'd say he's back up to about 80% of pre-diagnosis as far as how he feels and acts. The onc told us last Tuesday that the MRI showed a LOT of swelling in his brain, so that's why he was so sluggish. Tuesday was also the last day of hip radiation. No more pain and no more pain meds. The confusion is gone, his gait has picked back up, and he's very, very active again. This weekend he mowed the yard, trimmed bushes, changed the oil in both automobiles, cleaned out half the garage, took me out to eat twice, and just a host of other things. It's hard to believe he's the same person he was just a few weeks ago. I'm no Pollyanna and I realize the steroids are a band-aid, but I don't care. I'm lovin' it. He had his 2nd infusion of Alimta on Friday, and so far, no problems at all. I'm visualizing the Alimta erasing all that cancer just like you would erase pencil marks off a sheet of paper. The stereotactic radiosurgery is scheduled for July 11 to the brain mets. He gets his scan on Tuesday, and the onc warned us that since it's a special scan with thinner slices, more smaller mets could show up, so we're braced for that. He didn't say what they would do if there are more, and we didn't ask. We'll just wait and see. Oh, and also, his appetite is back and he has now gained 3 lbs. WOOHOO!! Anyway, those are my cheerful "personal WOOHOOS" (thanks Leslie) for this beautiful 4th of July weekend. Happy 4th of July everyone. LET FREEDOM RING!!! Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 WooHoos are good. Just a gentle reminder for those of us on immuno-suppressants like Steroids, we should be wearing waterproof gloves under work gloves and particulate matter respirators when we play in the dirt or out in the garden and doing yard work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Woohoo back at you Peggy. This is news I am very happy to hear. Enjoy the weekend and best of luck on the upcoming scans. Happy 4th. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie221 Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Woohoo! Isn't it just the greatest when just plain normal things happen again! I'll bet you'd rather see your husband mow the lawn and take out the garbage without pain than to see just about anything else. So happy for both of you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fall54 Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!! I am so happy to read this Peggy!!!!! Just in time to light up the sky with fireworks and celebrate! Keep the good news coming God Bless you all, Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Peggy That's wonderful news!!! I hope the good news keeps on coming and coming. Gail p-m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Woo Hoo , Don and Peggy!!! Love and Prayers, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Thay is good news, I'm sure that since your husband can do more he will again keep up and feel much better. Prayers are still going. J.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doughnut Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Peggy, this really is such great news. Dee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Really great news Peggy.I'm glad Don is feeling better and has so much more energy. Happy 4th and a big WOOHOO from Western Pa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Woo hoo! So glad to hear it, Peggy. I remember not too long ago your post about the doctors talking about quality of life issues... at least that is what I think I remember??? So very happy for you both. love, Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Wow! Good for him...I am so glad for you both. Nothing like a normal day to perk up your spirits. Wooo Hooo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Mowing the lawn and trimming bushes is fabulous, Peggy....but if you work this the right way, you could have him ironing, washing windows and scrubbing floors too! Think of the possibilities!! So glad to hear that hubby's feeling better and enjoying the "steroid rush" of energy. Sure beats the heck out of fatigue and lethargy! Tell me, though....does he have any trouble sleeping at night while on 'roids? I'm on a really low dose (actually I take prednisone for polymyalgia) - just 3 mg. daily which I DON'T take on chemo days when I get the Decadron. And I'm up 2-3 times a night to use the facilities...and then have a helluva time getting back to sleep. Is DH troubled by getting so wired he cannot sleep thru the night? Am otherwise so delighted to read your Wooo Hooo thread...as it reminds ALL of us to take a moment to count our blessings....even when things don't otherwise seem so blessed! Thanks, Peg! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted July 4, 2005 Author Share Posted July 4, 2005 Addie: He is getting up sometimes in the middle of the night to "use the facilities", but other than that, it doesn't seem to be keeping him awake at all. I remember in late 2003 when he took Decadron that he was chatty at night and couldn't get to sleep, but maybe he was on a larger dose - I just don't remember. He is taking 8 mg. of Decadron. I asked the onc about reading about some people taking 50,60 & 70 mg. of steroids, and he said they were probably different steroids and Decadron is more concentrated. They wanted him to start with 12 mg., but he said he would take 8. He takes 4 mg. early in the morning and the other 4 mg. at about 3:00 in the afternoon. I don't know how your dosage compares, but maybe it's stronger. If you aren't already doing it, you might try not taking it in the evening. The last time, his onc recommended he not take it after 3:00 p.m. so he could sleep at night. Cindi: Yes, and that's what the steroids are for, as well as the SRS he's going to get. They say all this will help his quality of life, and so far, it's working. I'm a little nervous right now. He decided since it was Independence Day that he was going to exercise his independence and ride his motorcycle. I didn't think he was feeling THAT good. He left at 6:00 a.m. (I was still asleep) and it's almost 9:00 a.m. now. I won't have any peace until I hear that rumble in the garage. I'm sure he's fine, but it still makes me nervous. He left me a note and said he has his pager and cell phone. He did say he wouldn't be gone long because he didn't want to be out when it started getting really hot. Thanks to everyone for your replies! Love, Peggy P.S. He just got home at 10:35 a.m. Thank you, God! He said it was a good ride, no balance problems, no hip pain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kel M Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 That is wonderful news - glad to read that he is starting to feel like his old self. I hope his Independence Day ride makes him feel even better and that he gets home soon so you can feel better too! Kel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 VROOM VROOM VROOM Peggy you made our day. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Lots of love Pat and Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieD Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Peggy, Great news. I know how he feels. It worked great for me too, but I could not sleep more than 3-4 hours a night. I'm off them now and sleeping normal but I don't feel near as good now. Anyway, enjoy it and I hope and pray it lasts forever. God Bless. CharlieD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 WooHoo, Peggy!!!!!!!!!!!! Bandaids used long enough DO allow injuries to heal!! So glad to hear your 4th of July news! A motorcycle just went past here. Checked it out. Don is NOT in PA ! Very, very warm wishes and (((hugs))), Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 He is just incredible! And so are you! love and fortitude elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Yo Peg, You certainly made this 4th of July a special celebration for us all also!!! A big bang of fireworks and happiness sent to you guys. Enjoy your good times together. I am just so estastic for you both!!!! Looks like your hubby is back to the "Born to be Wild" times. He must be feeling so free out there riding his bike. Enjoy, celebrate his independence... Happy, happy 4th. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David P Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 It IS a Happy 4th of July, Peggy. Thanks for the feel good WOOHOO post and the most uplifting Easy Rider post. Hope all continues to go well. Way to go Don!! Take care. David P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAnn Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Peggy, A big double WhooHoo from me! Maybe it's the combination of the Alimta and steroids that have made him a new man! (Sorry, I'm still trying to think positive about the Alimta, since I'm going to start it in a few days. ) I was wondering, does he take the steroids EVERY day or just when he has chemo? I'm going to be taking them the day before chemo, then I will have them in my chemo drip, and the day after chemo. I hope they make me feel better, but I didn't like them at all when I was having WBR. So glad to hear he is back to his old self and feeling so energetic. Don't let him "over-do". I usually pay for the good days when I do too much. Thanks for the positive and upbeat update! TAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharyn Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 What wonderful news.... hey, band - aid or not.... your hubby is feeling good and that is worth "woo hooing" about!! Glad to hear he had his motorcycle ride and that it was "uneventful".... Enjoy the rest of the 4th... God Bless you Both. Love, Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 wooooooo hoooooooo! talk about an independence day! so glad to hear he's feeling good. xoxo amie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Whoooo Hoooo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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