Hospital/pneumonia

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diana50
diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
edited March 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hi people

Just wanted to check in b-c have been absent from boards and hate to just "disappear". Have had a few PMs but too sick to respond.

Admitted March 1 to hospital with pneumonia. Contracted influenza A. Lungs full of infection. Etc. spent 5 days and finally discharged Sunday with oxygen. So I'm sitting here with oxygen up my nose and the condenser running. Hating every part of this.

My sister flew out from Minneapolis for " sister week" and ended up taking care of me. Being single means cats, home, laundry, food, mail. Etc. Grateful she was already here when I was discharged and she left today. I spent this morning getting " home health " set up to help me as I recover.

What has occurred to me. 1. Yes people with the flu this year are very sick; pneumonia and all kinds of stuff. 2. My blood work and body are trashed from a year and half from chemo. 3 I'm questioning if I want to continue chemo /treatment. Complications for us cancer patients are deadly. In the hospital I had no control. Would it be better to stop treatment and just live/ and start hospice when things go South ? Being Mortal (the book) comes to mind. I am now off treatment until my lungs heal from pneumonia. Which means the cancer for the next few weeks is going to take off. Scares the crap out of me. And then I wonder if I even want to get back on Tx. I am taking another look at this disease; treatment, complications and quality of life. How much treatment and when to stop? Individual experience as no one is the same. But it seems to always come down to these kinds of questions.

I'm not asking for advice. These are just random thoughts. I have never been so sick for 5-6 days. I'm better now but weak and if course still dealing with blood work from all this chemo. I seem to improve each day but I need to ditch the O2 and attachments ASAP. Ick.

Anyway. you all have been on my mind. Hopefully you are all doing ok and hanging in there.

Diana


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  • 50sgirl
    50sgirl Member Posts: 2,527
    edited March 2016

    Diana, I am so sorry to hear that you have been so sick. Your quote has always been an inspiration to me, "Not today cancer. Nope." I admire your strength and determination. I have never had pneumonia, but everyone I know who has had it says the same thing. It really knocked them for a loop. It makes even the healthiest people very weak and sick, so I can only imagine how hard it hit you. I am glad that your sister was there to help you. I don't think that you should make decisions about further tx for bc right now. Wait until you are stronger and feeling better so you are able to make the best decision possible.

    I know what you mean about having no control in the hospital. The good thing is that you survived and are now recovering. Can you get a flu shot and pneumonia shot in the future to help prevent those two illnesses?

    I hope you feel better soon. Please rest and don't try to rush things. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    ((Hugs)))

    Lynne

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited March 2016

    Diana, I'm so glad you popped in to give us an update and I'm so sorry for the troubles you've been through! I hope that you continue to recouperate a little each day till you no longer need the oxygen tank.

    You have difficult decisions to make regarding chemo and quality of life. There are no easy answers. You are in my thoughts, my prayers.

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  • Longtermsurvivor
    Longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,438
    edited March 2016

    (((Diana)))

    You're in recuperation mode and of course your can-do attitude is taking a beating too.

    Please don't make any treatment or life-death decisions now, just focus on healing and keeping your life simple.

    You'll have a better sense of what's possible when you get to feeling better/stronger.

    Thanks for checking in and holding you in healing light, Stephanie

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  • Lynnwood1960
    Lynnwood1960 Member Posts: 1,284
    edited March 2016

    Diana, so sorry to hear what you have been going through! There has been a lot of sickness and pneumonia this winter! As Lynne says, even the strongest of people are knocked for a loop with this and recovery takes quite a while. Hopefully as time goes on you will feel stronger and then can make some decisions regarding your treatment. The fact that you are feeling better is a good sign. Get lots of rest, drink lots of fluids and know that we are all wishing you well.


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  • MusicLover
    MusicLover Member Posts: 4,225
    edited March 2016

    Thank you for letting us know. I pray that things improve for you.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited March 2016

    Feel better soon!

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  • Lillymillie
    Lillymillie Member Posts: 192
    edited March 2016

    Hi Diana,

    I'm so sorry to hear you are unwell. My mother in law in her late 50s is just recovering from pneumonia and she really took a right battering from it and that's without any underlying health issues.

    When you build up your strength and recover from this you will be in a different frame of mind and you can decide what feels right for you. I have followed your posts since I was a stage 3er and now recently became stage 4. You always have such a wonderful ballsy attitude and it's very inspiring. Wishing you a speedy recovery and nice your sister was with you too.

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  • Rosevalley
    Rosevalley Member Posts: 3,061
    edited March 2016

    I hope you feel better soon! Your sunny upbeat attitude is missed. (((gentle hugs))))

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  • LindaE54
    LindaE54 Member Posts: 2,054
    edited March 2016

    Diana - how kind of you to let us know. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Keep us posted. Lots of hugs and love to you.


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  • steelrose
    steelrose Member Posts: 3,798
    edited March 2016

    Diana! I've missed your posts and am so very happy to hear from you, although I wish your absence was because of some awesome vacation or adventure. The important thing right now is that you're on the mend… everything else can wait! You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Love to you…

    Rose.

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  • Zillsnot4me
    Zillsnot4me Member Posts: 2,687
    edited March 2016

    Diana. Yes your mantra has been a godsend on some days. So sorry you are battling the flu and cancer. We will support whatever decision you make.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited March 2016

    Diana,

    First and foremost, take very good care of yourself. I hope your recovery is quick and uneventful. The question of treatment, how much for how long, vs. quality of life is something we will all have to face at some point. I wish you grace and peace as you make these decisions

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  • Fitztwins
    Fitztwins Member Posts: 7,969
    edited March 2016

    Very scary to be so sick..

    I think a lot about what you have brought up. You will know when.

    I read a book once about spontaneous cures, what if your illness kicked your immune system into overdrive? Wouldn't that be cool? (wishful thinking


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  • sueopp
    sueopp Member Posts: 1,541
    edited March 2016

    Diana, sending you a heart full of love, and all the good karma I can muster. Steady on, my girl, one step at a time. Fondly, SUE

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  • Tina2
    Tina2 Member Posts: 2,943
    edited March 2016

    Yikes, Diana! Sorry to learn of your ordeal. I'm glad you're out of the hospital and safely home.

    Pamper yourself if you can and focus on recovering!

    Tina

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  • artistatheart
    artistatheart Member Posts: 2,176
    edited March 2016

    Diana, That stinks that you have been so sick. I am so glad to hear you are feeling better little by littIe. Giving yourself time to recoup and heal will give you the outlook you need to make a decision on treatment. I have read some things about spontaneous healing too and hope that can happen for you. We need your input and positive outlook here on the boards! Feel better.

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  • oriole
    oriole Member Posts: 72
    edited March 2016

    Diana,

    I am glad that you are home, but know how scary and frustrating these last few weeks have been for you. I just hope you can rest and recuperate over the next days. Decisions can be made when you are feeling better. You are an inspiration to so many of us and please know that we are all sending you positive thoughts.

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  • ChelleG
    ChelleG Member Posts: 540
    edited March 2016

    wishing you a quick recovery!

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  • Mel26
    Mel26 Member Posts: 67
    edited March 2016

    Diana, sending healing thoughts your way

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  • many
    many Member Posts: 254
    edited March 2016

    wishing you a quick recovery & sending healing thoughts your way

    diana ,plz dont give up, this is just a bump on the road

    you will be fine in a week or two

    just relax and let your mind and body heal

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited March 2016

    Feel better soon, Diana! And if it helps, think of your immune cells spontaneously healing cancer! Maybe they just needed this signal...

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  • teacher911
    teacher911 Member Posts: 853
    edited March 2016

    Hi Diana, I am so sorry for the illness and hospital woes that you have been through. I hope you are able to recover and begin to feel stronger at home. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Michele

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  • Bestbird
    Bestbird Member Posts: 2,818
    edited March 2016

    Diana, you've been through a lot, and pneumonia is challenging even for people with no other health issues. It's no wonder you are feeling the way you do.

    Right now please concentrate on getting better and stronger! You do not need to make any treatment-related decisions at this point. This incident understandably places you in a position of mentally reviewing everything. That said, until you recover from the pneumonia and have been back home for a while, you probably shouldn't make any decisions.

    Perhaps if you are not already on it, you might consider going on Palliative Care, which is different from hospice care. Palliative care can reduce symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. It addresses the whole person and helps them to carry on with daily life. It can improve one's ability to go through medical treatments and help people to better understand their condition and choices for medical care.

    Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.Usually a team of specialists, including palliative care doctors, nurses and social workers, provide this type of care in conjunction with your patient's doctor.To obtain palliative care in order to manage cancer or treatment side effects, you can speak with your doctor or nurse. Alternatively, when you are well enough, you can look up Palliative Care providers in your area at: http://getpalliativecare.org/providers/

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  • BionicBunny
    BionicBunny Member Posts: 146
    edited March 2016

    Diana-sorry you have had such a nasty time recently. I hope you can rest and recuperate to get back to feeling better soon. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  • Geeper
    Geeper Member Posts: 164
    edited March 2016

    Hi Diana- I wish you a speedy recovery. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  • nancyh
    nancyh Member Posts: 2,644
    edited March 2016

    Hi Diana,

    I admit I was getting worried about you and almost dropped you a PM. I'm glad you are able to let us know how you are even if the news is not good. Please focus on getting stronger and recuperating, all the questions about treatment can wait until you regain some strength. You have had such a rough time, I wish you could catch a break for once! Take care, know that you are loved here on the boards and we're all pulling for you.

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  • artistatheart
    artistatheart Member Posts: 2,176
    edited March 2016

    Just thinking of you Diana and hope you are feeling better bit by bit.

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  • ibcmets
    ibcmets Member Posts: 4,286
    edited March 2016

    Diana,

    Hoping you can get back to your immunetherapy soon. Sending healing thoughts your way.

    Terri

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  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited March 2016

    Diana - so sorry you've been so ill - hope you're getting all the rest and good nutrition your body needs - sending hugs, S.

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  • Kjones13
    Kjones13 Member Posts: 1,520
    edited March 2016

    I agree with nancyh--you have been through so much and I want very much for you to get a break! Please know we will be praying for you to get stronger every day! When you are able, lean on us

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