kathyb
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Terrific news! We are so fortunate that God is very merciful. I try to remember that when I’m not feeling much mercy for other people.
I’m so happy for you and your family.
My oncologist has told me they put more significance on how you feel, rather than the tumor markers. These are used along with other indicators. Some people have very high tumor markers and some have really low – and they are possibly in the same stage.
This is a question to ask the oncologist; but believe me, stable is excellent! I am stable (but with no shrinkage) and feel very blessed about that.
Kris,
Many thoughts and prayers are with you on your journey and stay at Frankfurt.
Sounds like a good idea, not remembering. The long trip would make anyone very tired.
Kathy
Lainey,
The Rabbi and Priest together – how it should be.
I’m glad you have Teddy home with you, and that you are blessed with good friends.
Kathy
Thank you Roxy. I just had another MRI and everything is once again stable.
In the fall of 09 I had radiation and 5-FU chemo. My husband and I really believe the radiation zapped the tumor good, although there has never been any shrinkage.
Last May/June I started gem/cis and stopped chemo the end of Oct. It was a hard decision to start chemo as I was feeling so good, but I did it in hopes of delaying more tumors.
I never cut back on sugar, but I do eat 4 stalks of Green Giant asparagus every morning and every night. I call this my probably false internet cure. It was one of those things that come around in email that is suppose to “cure” you. Like a few people, I’ve gained weight during my last chemo – probably from the steroids.
Why have I been so lucky/blessed? I honestly do not know. Some people tell me I have a great attitude. My husband will confirm that my attitude is great except when I don’t feel good (which was two months straight during radiation and chemo in the fall of 09). Having always been healthy I don’t do sick well; but I feel I am now better at it as I now know you can be terribly sick for a time, but it’s possible to feel great again and enjoy life.
I also have a very supportive family and a strong faith in God. I pray daily, not for my own healing, but for myself to be a better Christian as I am often a bad example, and for all of my family to grow to be strong Christians. I believe God will take me to heaven when my time has come.
I’m sorry your family has to deal with this. Cancer sucks!
Kathy
Shari,
I understand about just wanting to be done and not being delayed as I had a few delays myself.
Have a great Christmas with your family.
Kathy
I would think guidelines would be the same, but it seems every hospice has their own set. I had a friend who was a nurse who formerly lived out of state and worked for hospice. She told me morphine was given as needed to control pain, even though the amount would be classified as an overdose. She said they just never talked about it. This is how I would personally want it.
I do have a strong suggested for all hospice organizations: Ask if the person has a defibrillator. My dad had in home hospice for two or three days before he passed away. This is an implant that shocks a person if their heart stops. The battery for dad’s defibrillator should have been dead. It would have been an easy check and an easy turn off. The night before Dad actually died, he tried to die and the defibrillator kept shocking him. It was horrible. An ambulance had to come and take him to the hospital where we waited for the rep to come and turn it off permanently.
I’m really glad you called Susan Levine, Lainy, but it really bothers me that she thinks they did a good job. They did not. What are their guidelines? Did they follow them? I understand she is probably trying to protect her organization. I hope she is not just smoozing you so you won’t stir up anything.
Your precious memories are still there and they will overrule the others. Sometimes it takes a little time. You made the best decision with the information you had.
Kathy
Lainy, daughter and grandsons,
I’m thankful you had the gift of being with Teddy at the very beginning of his heavenly journey. Perfect peace, perfect health, perfect love.
May God wrap His arms around you in comfort.
With my love,
KathyAhh, I remember being up at 3am and cleaning out the cupboard under the kitchen sink. Gotta love those steroids.
“normal boring lives” – that’s wonderful!!!
Shari,
Definitely mention the hoarseness and increased sneezing to your doctor or chemo nurse. My friend had an allergic reaction during chemo (scratchy throat and then throat closing). They had to increase the time of chemo by running it really slow.
I was told Zofran helps more before nausea starts. Might be something you want to ask about; but if it is working the way you are taking it, that’s what matters.
I just finished my gem/cis.
Kathy
Bless you Robin, for sharing these pictures with us. I’m so glad you and all your kids were able to share Thanksgiving with Teddy and Lainy. Great family photos.
