APRIL Rads Anyone?

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  • marlenet
    marlenet Member Posts: 345
    edited July 2009

    bettelou68 ~ wonderful news! CLEAR MAMMO! YEEHAA 

    I have not been on this site for a while.  My prayers are with you each and everyday.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Three days have gone by with no biopsy scheduled. The waiting is the hardest part for me. What is this thing in my lung and what is the treatment?

    Today I go my mind off things by volunteering at my church's Vacation Bible School. I told the Creation story from the Bible to two age groups of children, and it went really well. I still have the skill in storytelling that I had as a children's librarian many years ago, and that made me feel good.

    Thanks to all who are praying. I will keep you posted once I learn anything.

    Bette 

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited July 2009

    Oh Bette, so sorry you going through all this again. I just got home from vacation and wanted to check on you. Hope VBS keeps you busy this week. Not sure what else I can say, this just sucks!

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited July 2009

    Bette, it really sucks that you're having to wait so long to get the biopsy scheduled.  I pray for your strength through this.  I know I would be beside myself.  I'm glad you were able to volunteer at the Vac Bible School and I think it was a wonderful way to keep your mind occupied on other things.  And what a wonderful topic to keep your mind occupied with!  Wishing and praying good thoughts your way and hope you get this done quickly!

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  • bethaib
    bethaib Member Posts: 125
    edited July 2009

    Bette- I keep hoping when I check back in that there will be some news. Stay strong and hopefully the biopsy will be scheduled very soon!  Tomorrow would be good : )

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009
    Learned today that a needle biopsy is too risky due to the location of my lesion. They said my lung might collapse. So now the pulmonary specialists are looking at my scans to see if they can do a bronchoscopy. I looked it up and it does not sound pleasant.The end result is more waiting. At least today I got three progress report phone calls from a fantastic CRNP at the Breast Center. It makes it easier when you know what is going on.Bette 
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  • eadsla
    eadsla Member Posts: 217
    edited July 2009

    Well Bettelou, you certainly know how to keep your doctor's busy.  You're in my thoughts.

    And you're right, it is better to be informed.  Half of the hell of waiting is the not knowing and your mind making up whatever it wants whether it makes sense or not.  It sounds like you've got some great people at the Breast Center.

    Catherine

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited July 2009

    Still praying for you Bette - hang in there girl.  You have to be ok!

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited July 2009

    Bette-Hang in there girl... the waiting is not fun.  Thinking and praying for you!

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited July 2009

    Bette -- you are still on my mind every day -- good thoughts and prayers coming your way. 

    --bonnie

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  • bethaib
    bethaib Member Posts: 125
    edited July 2009

    Bette- so glad to see that at least you now some more information, I'm sure that helped set your mind at ease somewhat.

    I googled bronchoscopy as I had no clue what it was. It seems they can do a biopsy this way as well, so maybe that is an alternative they are looking at?  It doesn't look like it is on my list of top ten things I want to do, but on the other hand, it may not be all that bad. How can this be any worse than what you have already endured? We all dreaded rads and now look where we are...not so bad after all. This will be the same I am sure.

    Thinking of you and hoping the waiting ends soon....

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    bethaib, bronchoscopy is not on my top ten list either.

    Today we got a call from our local hospital offering to schedule a needle biopsy TOMORROW. Based on what we had heard from Hopkins, we declined. The CRNP from the Breast Center called to say the pulmonary specialists are working on deciding a safe alternative. No more phone calls today, so I am hoping to hear tomorrow.

    Thanks for all the prayers!

    Bette 

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  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited July 2009

    Bette - I did have a bronchoscopy and it wasn't bad.  They gave me some medicine and, even though I wasn't "out," I didn't remember anything when the medicine wore off.  I had a sore throat, but other than that, it was bearable.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Jane, Thanks, I needed to hear that.

    I can't sleep tonight. Am up again after only 3 hours. Follow up appointment with radiation oncology today.

    Bette 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    The appointment with the rad onc went well today. She said my skin looked really good, an told me not to worry so much about the PET scan and biopsy thing as it is common to have false positives on these scans. I felt a lot better after we talked.

    We learned today that we should not expect to hear from the pulmonary specialist until Monday or Tuesday. So I can relax tomorrow at Vacation Bible School without having to listen for my cell phone.

    Tom is off tonight. That means quality time with my sweetie.

    Bette 

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  • marlenet
    marlenet Member Posts: 345
    edited July 2009

    Wonderful news bette!  Sending you prayers and good vibes!!!!!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    You and Tom - PERFECT together!  I think the rest of us love him almost as much as you. 

    You continue to be in my prayers.  I defy anyone to mess with my " April Rads" clan!

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  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited July 2009

    Bette - Even if you won't hear until Monday or Tuesday, I'm still going to pray for/think about you all weekend, ok?

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited July 2009

    Bette, that is good news, still stressful, but at least it looks like it's getting better and not worse :) Enjoy your sweetie :)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Tom and I just enjoyed a relaxing breakfast together and are going to volunteer at the last day of Vacation Bible School today. 

    I definitely feel more relaxed now. Talking with my rad onc really helped.

    Bette 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    More blessings coming your way Bette!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    Still hanging in there! It is relaxing to spend a day without hoping the phone will ring and it will be from Baltimore!

    Tom is sleeping right now as he works the night shift as a nurse and is working this weekend. In a few hours I will make a pot of coffee and wake him up. Then we can spend time together. I always do much better when I am with Tom.

    We are praying that PA will pass the state budget so that Tom and thousands of other state employees will get paid. They are fighting about whether to raise taxes or not, so PA has been without a budget since July 1.

    I don't know what I would do without BCO and the women on this board. You all really help me through the quiet lonely times. Thanks

    Bette 

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited July 2009

    Bette -- thinking of you and praying for you every day!  You are very strong and together with Tom, even more so.  It's so great you are together and he supports you through all the bad stuff as well as the good stuff.  Do your best to stay as calm as possible so you can enjoy the weekend at least a little bit. 

    --bonnie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    This afternoon Tom held me as I had a panic attack. He was so patient. Later we shared the joy of eating fresh, homemade ice cream. Life goes on in the face of cancer.

    Next weekend we are going away together. We have B&B reservations and theatre tickets. Something to look forward to, no matter what the week holds.

    Bette 

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  • marlenet
    marlenet Member Posts: 345
    edited July 2009

    Bette

    Your Tom sounds just wonderful.  You have such a great support team!  You are in my thought and prayers each and everyday. Hang in there, I know that easier said then done.  Sending you good vibes!!!!! 

     Marlene

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  • eadsla
    eadsla Member Posts: 217
    edited July 2009

    Bette-Panic attack aside, it's good to hear that you are feeling a bit more relaxed mentally.  But at least you had the presence of mind to follow up the attack with ice cream, the ultimate feel good treat.

    Catherine

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    And the ice cream was super good! I love our new ice cream maker.

    We are having a mellow Sunday afternoon. Tom is cooking dinner and has put on music and lit candles. I am looking forward to or evening together, and especially to the trip next weekend.

    Tomorrow starts another week of listening for the phone. We should hear tomorrow or Tuesday about my biopsy appointment. I am resting in the peace of God, who has all things, even phone calls from surgeons, under his control.

    Bette 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    More prayers for you Bette.  Continue to think positive thoughts.

    Somewhere back on this thread or another we asked you to clone Tom.  Is it done yet????  I want one just exactly like him.  Please let him know just how much we all appreciate him.  I think his support for you in some way supports us all. 

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  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited July 2009

    Maybe Tom can write a how-to book for husbands?  Of course, it will have to have lots of pictures.  I'd buy one for my DH in a second!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2009

    One thing Tom did do, back when we were dating, was to read The Breast Cancer Husband by Marc Silver. He said the book helped him to understand me better, and taught him some things to do, and some things NOT to say. I don't know if it was the book, or just his general character being a nurses and taking other people, but he does know how to take care of me.

    Tom has never know me WITHOUT BC. He knew what we were in for and proposed anyway, even though I was in the middle of chemo. He persuaded me not to wait until I was "all better" and I am so glad I said yes.

    Another thing about him is that he is a godly Christian man. He loves God, and from that flows his love for me. It says in the Bible that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church. If you know the story, Christ DIED for the church. That is some love, and a tall order for husbands to follow, but Tom really does strive to love me that way.

    In return, I love and respect and care for him because I want to. He does do some things that make me crazy: he doesn't load the dishwasher the way I would, he knitpicks about how the laundry gets done, and is always closing down all my browser windows  when he uses the computer. I could get mad about these little things, but choose not to. He has so many marvelous qualities, and I know I do things that irritate him sometimes too. So we are two very human people building a marriage in the midst of the BC journey. I'm sure your own DH's have endearing qualities, too.

    In summary, I don't think it's possible to clone Tom, but I recommend that book he read, and he does have six brothers! 

    Bette 

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