The Chemosabe March Cruise

The pics are great... beautiful family, beautiful vacation!

Miss S

Amen, Marsha!!

Prayers for an easy last tx and excellent results!

Christine 

I hope the rest of the stuff this month goes smoothly, Marsha. I'll be your personal DJ while you dance with NED.

God Bless,

Miss S

Diana...so good to hear from you and I'm so happy that you and your husband are doing well.  My deepest sympathies on the loss of your father and aunt.

Love the name of your store....may you be a smashing success!

Marsha....how you doing?  I think you completed your chemo...didn't you have scans scheduled.  Prayers coming your way.

Hope all of you have a wonderful holiday weekend.

Hugs,

Nancy

Happy Birthday, Melissa. So good to hear from you and good to hear God is blessing you and using you. Don't be such a stranger!

Diana, I'm so glad you have managed to make your dream come true and glad you and your hubby are both well. So sorry to hear about your dad and aunt. My dad died from lung cancer, as well.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend!

Miss S

Nice to see so many people checking in.

 Marsha -- Thinking of you and hoping you got some good news.

MissS:  I think I'll avoid that "real age" site like the plague.  My various ailments are enough to tell me I've aged 10 years in the last 3 -- no need to get more depressed.  LOL

Diana:   Congratulations on the launch of your new business -- your post is just full of energy!  Best of luck.

My condolences on the loss of your father and aunt.  It's so hard to take it in when they happen so close together like that.  I'm happy for you that your husband is doing well.

Melissa:   Go, you!  Where have your travels taken you?  Congrats on your scrapbooking business and raising so much money.  A late Happy Birthday!

 I hate to whine about good news, but I got the all-clear on my ribs after sweating out the Labor Day weekend with a couple of sore spots.  (I would have waited 3 days before calling anyway.)

I am very, very grateful for good news, but these scares are emotionally exhausting.  I haven't whined anywhere else, but I figured you would understand.

 Max

Thanks, Christine.  No, they couldn't really explain what's going on -- there are so many possibilities.  Radiation pain, lymphedema pockets, and I also did some new exercises, which would explain the general soreness, but not the two spots.  It seems to be lessening though.

Sorry you had that coughing anxiety while you were on vacation, but it's hard to take symptoms calmly.  You never know when a symtom is just going to drive you crazy or be bad news.   I'm like you right before MD visits now -- my anxiety level goes sky high. So whine away come December.

Getting used to the new normal is a work in progress. 

Hi everyone and thanks Miss S for rescuing us.

I guess that there will never be an ache, pain or cough that doesn't make us start to wonder...BC the disease that keeps on giving.

I know we have alot of prayer warriors among us and wanted to let you know about a Prayer Day that some of us are trying to organize.  After some discussion on when it was decided that we would pick NOV 1st as it is All Saints Day and this way we could honor those that have lost their battle to this disease.  All details are not worked out....suggestions of being in prayer during the day and then maybe picking a specific time when we all pray for a cure (wouldn't that be so powerful and comforting?)  Anyhow you can find the thread under Prayer & Spiritual Inspirations ---there are 2, One Titled, Prayer During October and Two, Praying on Nov 1st (something like that).  Would love everyone's input.

Prayers,

Nancy

I am so glad that some many of you are doing well. I did end up with a little scare too. My breast really swelled up and I went to see the DR and he did not like what he say. Had test and all is well. Thank you lord! the doc did say that they could drain it but it would only be deflated. She said consider it a self made boob job. LOL

One last thing she said is that it will be hard to find lumps now so off for an MRI.

Yuk

Melissa

Hi everyone,

Just to let you know they found a spot on my lung with the PET scan and I will be getting a CT scan on Wednesday. That is the scan that caused me to freak out last time. Well, I guess the shot did. Anyway, I am praying that it will be nothing. Please pray with me. Will let you guys know something when I find out.

Love to all,

Miss S

Miss S,

I will be praying that things are fine.......I found the best way to escape during MRI's, CAT scans, etc is to take my iPod and listen to music.  I bought a CCD at WalMart on that wall of music they have.  It's called Spa and it's by Roger St. Dennis.  The music is so soft and soothing.  I listened to it frequently when I was in ICU after my bilateral mstectomy & TRAM reconstruction, and it really soothed me.  I hope you can find something similar to help you.  If not, ask for drugs!!

Please let us know how you make out!

Diana

thanks Miss S for letting us know about LisaSDCA.....this just stinks big time.  My prayers will go out for our dear Lisa.  I hate this disease!!@! 

My prayers will be with you on Wednesday as you go for your CT scan....please let us know when you know something.  I'll be there with you in spirit.

Love,

Nancy

Lisa -- I am so, so sorry to hear about your diagnosis.  I hope you have the same response to the rads that your sister did.  When does treatment start?  I'll be holding you in my thoughts and prayers.

 MissS -- You will also be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow -- and tonight as well since the night-before anxiety is so hard.  Try to think of us thinking of you and sending pixel hugs to ease you through this.

My latest test was an endometrial biopsy for an episode of vaginal bleeding 7 years after menopause.  That was clear, but there was no other explanation, so that's kind of hanging out there.  I'm holding on to the fact that an uncommon SE of one of my regular meds is vaginal bleeding.  And so it goes.

 A wave to Nancy, Melissa, Diana and Christine.

Congrats on the new car, Holly. Vrooom! Let's see a picture!

THanks for your kind thoughts and prayers everyone. here is how my day went....

 I went to the hospital to get my CT scan this morning at 8AM. When I arrived, I was told we had to wait for my doctor to send over orders. Since the appointment was made a month ago, I don't know why the orders were not there. Of course, I don't have much of a clue about the behind the scenes stuff. I should add that I had an allergic reaction to the contrast last time, so I prepared this time with two five pill doses of steroids yesterday, one this morning and two benedryl after I got to the hospital.

Anyway, I had a mammogram scheduled for after the scan, so I had to call and make arrangements to be late. That all went pretty well.

I finally get called back for the scan. When the girl stuck me with the needle for the IV, I said, "Not finding a vein, huh? because I could tell by the way it hurt. She said she had one and I told her the IV hurt. [I was looking the ohter way, answering questions.]

Then it's time to get injected with the radioactive stuff. I tell the girl, "This is burning and it hurts."

She rubs my arm and says, "It's not swelling up."

I was like, "Okay then."

So they do my scan twice and then come back with three extra people all looking at my arm. "The contrast didn't go in. It infiltrated your arm. We have to call a doctor to come and look at you."

All I could think of was that I had told them from the beginning that it was not IN. I held my piece. The girl says, "You didn't get warm at all, did you?" I told her no and she said she knew because there was no contrast for the scan. She did tell me she was sorry and I could tell they were all sorry. With the crowd gathered around me looking all worried and then smiling big, fake smiles at me, I was getting plenty worried, too.

Anyway, a radiologist came in and told me to alternate heat and ice on my arm and to keep it elevated. She looked at my films and said she could see what she needed to see without contrast. Now that scares me. Wouldn't she want to be SURE about what she is seeing? That makes me think it IS cancer. I am definitely calling my onc before work tomorrow to see if I can find out.

I left to go get my mammogram (which there was only one person in front of me, so that was all good). The benedryl had kicked in and I was ready to try to make it home. Now I still don't know if the regimen of pills I took will stop the contrast reaction. Oh well. I'll probably get another chance.

Here is what I found about CT radioactive contrast infiltration:

Provided the IV device has been deemed suitable and functional, the actual injection should be monitored for as long as the technologist can remain in the scanner room without being irradiated. Unfortunately, IV infiltrations are unpredictable, even under the best conditions. If an infiltration occurs or is even suspected during the injection, the CT technologist should put an immediate halt to the injection and treatment for the infiltration is pursued.

Treatments plans in each CT department may differ, but may include some of the following steps:

1.      Notify the supervising radiology physician for assessment of the affected site.

2.      Notify the radiology nursing department or appropriate nurse of the occurrence.

3.      Keep the affected area elevated and apply cold compress for 15-30 minutes, 5-10 times a day for 2-3 days.

4.            If a substantial amount is infiltrated, a plastic surgeon consultation may be required.

5.            Documentation of the event is obtained.

6.            Instructions are given to the patient to continue treatment after leaving the department.

IV infiltrations can actually be viewed as a traumatic event to an unsuspecting patient, so it is vitally important to follow-up with the patient to assure their well-being. This can be done with a simple phone call, which would include continued treatment instructions, contact names and phone numbers, and perhaps a little TLC.

All I know is if the doctor tells me I don't have cancer in my lung tomorrow then all this will be forgotten. I do not want more cancer! NONONO!

Keep praying....

Love to you all. Lisa, you're in my thoughts so much. Be strong and know you have many friends and sisters in your corner, rooting for you.

Miss S

Oh Miss S, sounds like you have had a day from hell!!!!!!  Hugs to you.  I'm sorry that you had such a terrible day....please keep us posted on what you onc says tomorrow.  Know that I am there virtually holding your hand and saying prayers for you.

Max and Holly so good to see you posting.  Holly I bet you look so cool in your mini....love those cars (one of my sons has a convertible mini and loves it....watch out they are fast...no tickets, lol.

Max,sorry to hear about your unexplained bleeding...doesn't this whole trip just stink!

Hugs, love and prayers for all my sisters,

Nancy