AlaskaDeb is in the Hospital

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CalGal
CalGal Member Posts: 469
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Deb C posted this on the Recurr & Mets section and asked that it be posted elsewhere.   Thought us fellow Trip Negs would want to know. 

From AlaskaDeb: 

"Well, before I was even out of the recovery room they had found "something" in the spinal fluid.  The first tests are not conclusive.  It may be meningitis, encephalitis or it may be the mets.  We should know by the end of the day or tomorrow what we are really up against.

The tap was odd.  They did an awesome job and I was not in pain, but when they got the needle in it felt like someone was letting pressure out of my head....like Ahhhhh...that feels better.  I knew that couldn't be a good sign. 

Anyway, since we are still not sure what is growing in the spinal fluid they have started me on a strong anti-viral and several antibiotics.  That will cover the bases until all the pathology has a chance to "grow" and be identified.  The earliest would be tonight, but most likely not until tomorrow.

I was one sick puppy on Tuesday and yesterday, but I feel some slight improvement this morning.  I can sit up with out feeling bad. Luckily I didn't get a spinal headache at all.

I don't have the energy to post lots of places, so if you guys don't mind spreading the word of what is going on, I would appreciate it.

I'll try and update when I have news.

Nap Time

Deb C"

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Comments

  • Raye99
    Raye99 Member Posts: 1,350
    edited August 2008

    Thanks for the update, CalGal.

    Dear Deb,

    My thoughts and prayers are with you. You get your rest and I will be praying that the test results come back with good news.

    Raye

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  • bonny1963
    bonny1963 Member Posts: 450
    edited August 2008

    Thanks for the update.  Deb, you are loved and we are all praying for you.  Hope you feel better soon.  Keep us updated.  Love ya, Bonny

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  • Yogi70
    Yogi70 Member Posts: 654
    edited August 2008

    You're in my prayers, Deb hope you feel better soon.

    Yogi

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  • jeriss
    jeriss Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2008

    My prayers are with you...stay strong!

    Jeris

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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited August 2008

    We triple negs...are lifting you up in prayer.  May good news come your way.

    Flalayd

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  • HeatherBLocklear
    HeatherBLocklear Member Posts: 1,370
    edited August 2008

    Dearest Deb,

    I don't read and post much these days since I'm so busy with summer school, so I only just saw this now, Friday morning.

    I am praying and hoping and WILLING it to be something quite different from mets. Have you asked about intracranial hypertension? (This is not incompatible with infection.) My daughter had that (banged her head during a car accident), and she had the exact same "Ahhhh, what a relief!" feeling when they did the spinal tap. It was excess spinal fluid, caused by trauma!

    Everyone is waiting with bated breath to find out how you are. Please let us know, or have someone else let us know, as soon as there's an update. Maybe the fact that you're feeling slightly better means the antibiotics are working! Oh God, I hope so.

    We love you.

    Annie

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  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited August 2008

    ((((((((((((((((((((((((Deb)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

    We are thinking about and loving you girl.

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  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited August 2008

    Does anybody know what hospital she's in? I like to send flowers.....

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  • CalGal
    CalGal Member Posts: 469
    edited August 2008

    I've pm'd AlaskaDeb and asked her if she's able, to keep us updated her at the Trip Neg section.  She is posting on the Recurr & Mets section.

    Wishing Deb some good results ... and getting out of "inconclusive" limbo and the hospital!

    11 hours ago AlaskaDeb wrote:

    Well, The first spinal fluid results are back and the damn thing is INCONCLUSIVE!  I am about to have a real pity party sob fest.  They looked at the spinal fluid on microscopic slides and there are suspicious cells that look like they are possibly malignant, but there are so few cells they can't be sure.  My doc has been on the phone with U of Washington cancer center and Mayo Clinic and we have a sample that will be reviewed at Mayo tomorrow.

    I am just so tired and disheartened.  I am on a crap-load of drugs because they don't dare NOT treat some of the possibilities, but it means I have to stay in this damn hospital.  I am trying so hard not to have my DDs get scared, and here I am scared to death myself.  I am making my husband stay home with the girls because they need at least one of us they can count on, but that means the nights are way too long here. I have been in treatment for months and have never had to be in the hospital...and it SUCKS!

    I don't feel quite as sick as I did, but anything past about 10 feet, or anything that is not straight in front of me is still double and I have a weird headache if I move around much.  I am SO upset and scared and tired of doing all of this.

    I want to thank you all for your goods wishes and prayers.  Reading the boards was a very bright spot in a very shitty day.  I don't know what I have done to deserve all you wonderful women, but I am sure glad you are on my side.  I'm going to call the nurse and get something to help me sleep.

    Hugs to everyone

    Deb C

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  • spar2
    spar2 Member Posts: 6,827
    edited August 2008

    Oh Deb, we gotta keep on praying.  Am so sorry your going through all this awful stuff.  Wish there was something more we can do.  Sending lots of hugs and love also.  Sherry

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited August 2008

    Oh Deb, damn it all!  Just know I love you and pray for you to get well and stay that way.

    Hugs and kisses, Shirlann 

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  • HollyHopes
    HollyHopes Member Posts: 497
    edited August 2008

    Deb - how awful for you and your sweet family. I am aching for you...hoping and praying that you can find peace and rest nad strength to get through it all somehow...

     love and gentle hugs,

    Holly 

      

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  • jason222
    jason222 Member Posts: 70
    edited August 2008
    Hope that we can get some good news from Deb soon. She has been an inspiration, and hope she will continue to do well.

    Will be praying for Deb!
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  • Cody
    Cody Member Posts: 81
    edited August 2008

    Deb,  So sorry you are having this happen.  Please know my prayers are with you.  You were such a blessing to me during my surgery and recovery.  Thank you sweetie, I don't think I could have made it without you.  Please rest and get better.  Love and hugs coming your way also my prayers will be continuing.

    Cody 

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  • HeatherBLocklear
    HeatherBLocklear Member Posts: 1,370
    edited August 2008

    Deb,

    Still waiting on GREAT NEWS from you. It sure does sound like an infection to me -- we're all counting on that to be the answer. You'd better come through on this one, girl!

    Love,

    Annie

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  • AlaskaDeb
    AlaskaDeb Member Posts: 2,601
    edited August 2008

    Hey girls-

    I got sprung for the weekend :)  They got a bunch of cultures back and it is not bacteria or virus.  They found a grand total of 2 cells that look like cancer in the spinal fluid, but are still not sure.  My doc thinks mets is still the most likely cause, but inconclusive is still the official report.  There will be a conference with my medical team on Monday and I have a PET scan scheduled in Anchorage on Wednesday morning.  They also want me to see a ophthalmologist neurologist and possibly have another spinal tap so they can put the fluid in a centrifuge down at mayo clinic and see if they can find enough cells for a definitive Dx.

    SO...I am still seeing double unless I wear my fetching eye patch.  If I wear the eye patch I just see everything blurry and have no depth perception.  I see a lot of broken crockery in my future as I seem to be dropping everything..

    Thanks for all the prayers and good thoughts.  We will pin this sucker down soon and I will get back on track....

    Hugs

    Deb C

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  • PineHouse
    PineHouse Member Posts: 416
    edited August 2008

    Deb,

    Gosh, this is so frustrating...

    But I pray, hope, wish that it's NOT a metastasis in spinal fluid or CNS.  Don't they always say that most of us metsters have microscopic cancer cells in a lot of places anyway, but not all them grow to be life threatening tumors.

    I had my vision worries way back in Feb-Mar.  Luckily they found nothing incriminating, and the problem went away now.  So I really hope that there's another explanation for your blurry vision.

    Gentle hugs...

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  • pinkpig
    pinkpig Member Posts: 228
    edited August 2008

    Oh  Lord I pray for Deb today.  I thank-you that she is at home and resting easier.  I thank-you for a proactive Dr. that is taking this seriously.  I pray that you will protect Deb from fear this weekend.  It is so difficult, Lord, to not know what is actually going on so protect Deb from fear and replace that fear with hope and strength.  Lord I feel frustrated for Deb and for all of us with this cursed cancer, but I know you have us in the palm of Your hand and you are always available to meet our needs.  Lord, I ask you cover Deb with peace tonight and help her to sleep like a rock.  Amen

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited August 2008

    A POEM FOR ALASKADEB 

    Violets are blue

    Eye-patched is Deb

    I hope that her worries

    Will soon start to ebb.

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  • flyrzfan
    flyrzfan Member Posts: 557
    edited August 2008

    Deb ~ so glad you got sprung for the weekend and are at home with your family where you belong. We'll say our prayers they are able to get something more difinitive next week ~ without you having to stay overnight again!

    Love to you and your family, who I am sure are glad to have you home.

    Bonnie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2008

    Hey Deb.  We're getting somewhere, right?!?! 

    I know-curse if you need.  This must be a royal pain.  And, be sure to use rubbermaid whenever possible.......

    Love and prayers, Deb

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  • smithlme
    smithlme Member Posts: 1,322
    edited August 2008

    Eye patch? Deb, are we going to see you in a pirate hat soon? Glad to see that you are home with those you love. Sounds like the upcoming week will be busy so get plenty of rest. Sunny Cali prayers are headed your way...

    Linda

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  • AlaskaDeb
    AlaskaDeb Member Posts: 2,601
    edited August 2008

    Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes.  I managed to have a good day in spite of everything.  Being home is good medicine :)

    Hugs

    Deb C

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  • Carol1220
    Carol1220 Member Posts: 402
    edited August 2008

    Hi Deb,

    I am so sorry you have been going through all this crap.  I had been away and just now saw what was happening.   I am so glad you are home - you will feel better there for sure.  I will be thinking of you next week and hoping for a good scan on Wednesday.  Prayers to you.  Carol

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  • RN2teach
    RN2teach Member Posts: 312
    edited August 2008

    Been off the board since last Wednesday. Sorry to read about your hospitalization, Deb. Glad you're home and praying for a good dx. Take care, Paula

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited August 2008

    Deb - Sending hugs and prayers your way.  Glad to hear you are home and breaking dishes!  Hope the scans go well this is from the medications.  Best Wishes Joann

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  • Raye99
    Raye99 Member Posts: 1,350
    edited August 2008

    Hi Deb -

    Just checking in on you. I hope your weekend at home was relaxing and enjoyable - even with the eye patch.

    Big HUGS (((((DEB)))),

    Raye

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  • slonedeb
    slonedeb Member Posts: 562
    edited August 2008

    deb just read your latest post oh sister hang in there seems like this beast likes the name deb it sems there are moe debs on this board than any other names deb i pray for you and i know jesus is going to help you and me we have had a bad few weeks but i am going to try and fight some more and hopefully help someelse to get through this journey they are stsrting im like you deb i am so tired of all i have to go through and sometimes just want to give up and quit then i look at my hubby and i start crying because i love him so much and i want to stay around for him but my dear sister know i love you and god loves you and i know he will not let you suffer remember he wont put on us no more than we can handle i believe this but i told god rnough is enough i cant handle no more and  told him i was giving it to him to to with what he though was best so deb lay it at jesus feet and he will take care of it i love you dear sister  deb from ky

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