Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

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  • busqueen
    busqueen Member Posts: 176
    edited June 2010

    Hi everybody.  Thank you all for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.:-)  So, as usual in my life, nothing can go quite as easily as it should.  When I met with my radiation oncologist he decided he wanted to do an mri on my neck to get a better look before starting rads.  My neck had been sore, but it seemed to be normal "bus-driver" soreness, and I had been feeling more pain in my low back.  So the dr comes in with the mri results and says I need to go straight to the hospital for emergency neck surgery because my neck is basically broken........hmmm, I guess that would explain why I hadn't been able to lift my left arm above my head and was getting numbness and tingling down my right arm for a few weeks.:-)  So they get me to the ICU and start putting together this bed of horrors that I'm basically going to be packed and strapped into and then put into traction to get my neck in the right position, and just as they're starting to pack me in, the neurosurgeon comes in and says forget it because there won't be any surgery.  He had looked at the PET scan they did in the hospital and said there wasn't enough good bone {because of the cancer} around the fracture to attach plates or screws to.   I'm not sure what was scarier.  Being told I needed emergency neck surgery, or being told that I needed it but couldn't have it.   So on to plan B.  I get to wear an incredibly comfortable and highly attractive neck brace  while going on with my other treatments.  The hope is that once the cancer cells are knocked out, the bone will get strong enough again and  surgery will be possible.  **Dramatic sigh inserted here**  I've only had 6 radiation treatments so far, 9 to go.  I had a Zometa treatment last week, has anybody else here had that? 

    Well, my computer chair tolerance is quickly coming to an end.  Its nice that so many of our group our still here on the site.:-)  I haven't joined any of the other boards yet....I don't think its really hit me yet that I "qualify" for the stage IV boards now.:-(  

    God bless you all.  Carie

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  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited June 2010

    Hi Carie, busqueen!

    Just want to say hang in there. We are all cheering you on.  Sending prayers and many hugs your way.

    Mandy

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  • havehope
    havehope Member Posts: 503
    edited June 2010

    Carie,

    We are here for you.  Stay positive and have hope. Hugs and prayers your way!

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited June 2010

    Carie, you must be just freaking out.  I know I would be.  My prayers are with you every day for strength, emotionally and physically.  This is so much more than anyone should have to deal with.  Stay with us even if and when you venture to a stage IV board.  Even tho we don't really know each other very well, we have a connection that is strong.  We will be here for you.  (((((  ))))))))

    Firn 

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  • lovemyfamilysomuch
    lovemyfamilysomuch Member Posts: 1,585
    edited June 2010

    Busqueen- xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxo

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited June 2010

    Sweet BusQueen!!

    I have been thinking of you and praying my hardest for you. Your sense of humor and the way that you are handling this challenge is awesome. Really such grace. I was just on the 10 year out thread and there are people who have been able to kick it to the curb and have wonderful quality of life. With no experation date!!!!!

    Hang in there and keep hitting it will all you have and they have. Drink your vita-smoothies. Be good to yourself.

    Im here for you as all of us are. (((((((((((((((hug))))))))))))))))))))

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited June 2010

    Carie, how are you doing?

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  • busqueen
    busqueen Member Posts: 176
    edited June 2010
    Hi Firni....thanks for asking, I'm doing ok.  Its getting quite warm and humid here so that makes me generally cranky and uncomfortable.Tongue out  My radiation treatments are moving along, and I am feeling a definite improvement in my back.  Nothing really new to report.  Just like we've all felt through this crazy journey, some days are good and I'm very optimistic, and some days suck and I just don't care anymore.  I hope that all is well with you, and with all of the sweet ladies here.  I really do appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers.:-)
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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited June 2010

    Oh Busqueen :( I just check in and found out about your neck story :( Are radiation done now? When would they might start looking at your bones again to see if surgery would be an option? I'm so sorry, this just sucks :( Hope you're able to keep your good humor through this heat.

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited June 2010

    It's good to hear the rads are helping the back pain.  Ah, yes.  summer in MN.  I grew up in WI and my brother lives in MN.  Just south of the Cities.  Where is Fridley?

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  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited June 2010

    Hi Carie, Busqueen,

    Glad that the rads are helping.  Sending hugs and good wishes.

    Mandy

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited June 2010

    Hi Busqueen, how's your week going? Thinking about you, last day of rads for the week, get some rest over the weekend. (((HUGS)))

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  • busqueen
    busqueen Member Posts: 176
    edited June 2010

    Hi Cebula. My week went ok, I was just very tired this week.  It seemed like every day I had to get up earlier than I wanted to, although I'm sure we all feel like that most of the time!:-)  Only 4 more rads to go ~ woohoo!  Then an appt with the neurosurgeon to figure out what to do with my neck, and I think a PET scan in about a month to see if my "hot spots" have retreated or progressed.  My husband's national guard unit is having a fundraiser dinner for us next Friday.  He was supposed to be deployed in August to Iraq, but his commander canceled it because of the cancer stuff.  Of course we are happy he's not going, but we were looking forward to and counting on the extra money he would have made.  So his sargeant put together this fundraiser for us to help us get through until I can either go back to work or get started on social security disability.  Cebula, are you still homeschooling?  I'm already thinking and planning for next year.  My son will be in high school, so I have to have things more organized and get my record keeping a little more under control.:-)

    Well, I hope all of our friends here have a wonderful weekend.  Its kinda muggy and stormy here, so I plan on watching a lot of HGTV.:-)  Firni, Fridley is about 15 minutes north of downtown Minneapolis.  We actually moved into a house in the city of Minneapolis in May, I just haven't changed my profile thingy yet.:-)

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  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited June 2010

    HI Cari/Busqueen!

    Yippee, rads are almost done!  Rads can make you fatigued so that may be why you are tired. Sending some good vibes to you.

    That is wonderful that your community is rallying behind you with the fund-raiser. While the extra $ might have been nice, it is so good that your hubby's commander was understanding and did not deploy him.  

    I home-schooled both of my daughters for high school so feel free to private message me if you have any questions that I can help with.  They both went to very prestigious colleges and did very well.  They were well prepared for the work. 

    Cyber hugs to you and to my other December 2008 sisters.

    Mandy

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited June 2010

    Hello sistahs:

    Well its freak out time for me. I passed the "two week of pain" period for needing to follow up. My lower back and ribs have been giving me a lot of trouble. Mostly lower back and hip to be exact. I have of course had lower back pain in my life but it never sticks around passed the trauma. I am hoping that it is just the chemo effect. But I am scared I must admit. I have a pet scan on Wed. Sooooo........ I have kept a brave face to everyone as they depend on me and seeing me scared makes them scared. But I just wanted to have an outlet for that all those errant thoughts that are very difficult to control. The first thing in the morning and last at night are the toughest. I honestly can forget about it but the pain brings me back.

    The good news is if I get the all clear and it is a degenerative back condition, I can move on with my healing. Anyway just needed a little rally of prayers and good thoughts.

    It a little embarrassing whining when sweet busqueen is battling what I am fearing. I can only imagine. Her strength helps me breathe.

    Love to all

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited June 2010

    Busqueen, one more week of rads.. woohoo :) How nice that your hubby won't get deployed, I honestly didn't think they cared about personnal lives, maybe he just has the one great commander in the US :) We don't always see it, but there is a lot of great folks out there. I only homeschooled one year, couldn't handle it! LOL! Homeschooling pretty much kept my mind off cancer during chemo & rads, my son is strong willed and stubborn, so I am, add chemo in the mix, we didn't stand a chance at a succesful homeschool experience, when April came around, I told hubby that he was smart enough, I was done and he was going to school the following year! It was only kindergarten though. We found a great little Christian school in our area with a pace curriculum, he started in first grade and around march, moved to 2nd grade as he was done the material for the year. My hat's off to any homeschoolers out there, I couldn't do it, and in our family, for everyone sanity, my kids are much better at school! With them at school, I started substituting last fall, I'll be going back next fall and I'll be teaching the art class for the elementary kids at my boy's school and a cooking class for the middle/high school. I can't wait, it should be a lot of fun. Small school, they were only 13 from K-12 last year!

    Oh no Bold, those scare are horrible. I had one last fall, thought for sure it was it and found out my coccyx was crooked and I had herniated disk in my back. Wishing you for the same out come.

    Any big plans for the 4th anyone? Hubby & I got back from Prince Edward Island last week, we went away childless for a week for our 10th anniversary, it was wonderful and reminded me how much fun I have with my husband. He's a great guy :) Next week, we're taking the kids camping in Ocean City, should be fun and weather is supposed to be mid-80's, can't beat that for beach weather. I hope you all have a fun weekend.

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited June 2010

    Bold, don't worry about whining about anything here.  You know that.  Otherwise you wouldn't have posted.  I am praying hard for you.  How sad that the good news would be degenerative bone issues.  How soon after the scan will you know anything?  Errant thoughts, (I call them squirrels in my head) are so hard to deal with.  Let us know.

    Carie, sooo good to hear about your DH non-deployment and the fund raiser.  His commander is awesome.  I really have not heard about anyone avoiding deployment because of a family member's health.  As much as it seems the military is not about family, they do take care of their own.   With only 4 more rads to go, you should be feeling less fatigue soon.  You are in my prayers too.  For a successful neck repair and rapidly receding hot spots.  My brother is in Hastings.  I hope next time I get up there, I can give you a jingle.  Maybe we can get together.

    Caroline, no plans for the 4th here.  I think we'll stay home and enjoy the fireworks that are illegally magnificent in our neighborhood while we make sure the house doesn't catch fire. Surprised  

    I don't have vacation time until Dec.  So we're kind of stuck at home for the most part until then.  I'm thinking island, sand and umbrella drinks around then.Cool 

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  • lovemyfamilysomuch
    lovemyfamilysomuch Member Posts: 1,585
    edited June 2010

    Sending love and support to all my bc sisters! xo

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited June 2010

    Hi Lovemyfamily...  How are you doing?

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited June 2010

    Umbrella drinks sure sound good :)

    Hubby's work shut down for a week every July and between Christmas & New Year. While it's great to have those extra vacations, he does need to keep vacation time for those 2 weeks or they're unpaid time out. Luckily, next week is supposed to be quite pleasant by the beach. Plan away, we all deserve it!

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited June 2010

    Awww vacations! 

     Tomorrow is my scan 10:30 P.S.T.  I have no idea when you get your results.

    Wonderful plans for the weekend. DH and I are taking his nephew to Universal Studio Hollywood. I have not been there since the 70's. Thats Thursday. Saturday Puppy class. Sunday party in the Hills of los Angeles. 160 view and five hours of fireworks. Really wonderful people, most are musicians do a jam will ensue. Oh Boy! Then Monday my family at my house for swimming and BBQ! Cancer? What Cancer? HaUndecidedEmbarassedTongue outWink

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited June 2010

    Good luck tomorrow, Bold.  Prayers with you always.  It's so nice to hear that you have lots of plans for the rest of the week.  Should help keep the "squirrels" at bay.

    Caroline, it's kind of nice that your DH gets built in time off.  It would be real easy to make plans being that it's the same two weeks each year.  Kind of forces you to take some time and relax.   

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  • busqueen
    busqueen Member Posts: 176
    edited July 2010

    Thinking about you, Bold. Praying for you.  Knowing exactly how you're feeling.

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited July 2010

    My wonderful sistahs. I have great news I got an abbreviated report yesterday from the clerk. She said that "You are stable. No evidence of disease". Oh I can not tell you the relief I cryed and my DH cried. What a ride this cancer journey is. My future is unknown but my present is hopeful.

    I thank you for your prayers and support. I did not share my fears until the day before the report to family and friends. I did not want them to worry to much. But I leaned on you all. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. Oh happy happy joy joy!!!!!!!!!!

    Busqueen: I have been thinking of you a lot. Sending you love and healing prayers. Your a strong and wonderful woman who will have many beautiful years ahead of you. I know how easy it is to get enveloped in the fear. You have a good treatment plan. You eradicating the cancer in your bones. It is being destroyed!!!!!!!!!!! Please take some strong supplements so that you can rebuild the good cells and keep your immune system strong. Mostly find beauty it will help to keep the blues at bay. We are here for you. I am on FB too if you would like to chat. I know that the strength of a community is empowering.  XXXXOOO

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited July 2010

    Bold, what WONDERFUL news! Now you have double the reasons to celebrate this weekend :) So glad you didn't hang for days waiting for the results.

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited July 2010

    Bold   Happy happy joy joy  Waaahooo.  What fantastic news!!!!  I am crying for joy with you.   I'm so glad you'll be able to enjoy your weekend plans without that dark cloud hanging over you.  What a treasure that clerk was to share the good news with you before next week.  Have a beautiful 4th.

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  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited July 2010

    Bold: That is wonderful news!!!!  YAY!

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  • busqueen
    busqueen Member Posts: 176
    edited July 2010

    Bold~~~I'm SO, SO, SO happy to hear your news!!:-)  And I'm so glad they were able to get back to you before the long weekend.  Whew!  Happy happy joy joy for sure!  And thank you for your sweet words for me.  I do believe that I am getting rid of these nasty cancer cells.:-)  I am on FB, you can find me, Carie Anne Gaspersz.  See you there!

    I am still a little bit in shock and very overwhelmed after our fundraiser dinner last night.  I could not believe how many people came, especially from the transit company I work for and from my husband's squadron.  His squadron has a lot of young kids in it, 19-20 years old, and I was amazed at how many of them showed up to support us.  And at the end of the night, they had raised almost $10,000 for us.  What a blessing.  

    We have no big plans for the weekend.  My kiddos went to their dad's and I think I'm just going to stay inside and enjoy my air conditioning.:-)  I hope that all of you have a wonderful weekend celebrating the holiday with your friends and family.

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  • busqueen
    busqueen Member Posts: 176
    edited July 2010

    Where did everybody go?

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited July 2010

    I don't know.  I often wonder that myself.  Me...  I've been at work mostly.  Short staffed and working shifts.  Otherwise, I'm trying to sleep.  My grandkids came over yesterday.  They just moved here from Florida a couple weeks ago.  They are 3 and 5 years old.  What fun.  How exhausting.  Today we went to about a thousand garage sales to get outside toys for the kids.  Bikes, big wheels, one of those Flintstone cars, a little race car track and some other stuff.  Then we had to clean it all up and disinfect it all.  Then rearrange the patio so the stuff can stay out of the rain.  I'm pooped.

    How are you doing Carie?  Are rads done?  Have you had your bones checked again yet?   

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