Calling all TNs

congrats, Ally!!

Hi Cocker, you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Congrats Allydp! I am so happy for you. I wish your baby and Cocker's great grand baby will have the same birthdays! That will really be something! Great news to hear!

Happy Holidays to all!

Gina

Hi Cocker,

Yes I am the nosy one who gave you the chemodrugs likely to be used in your case. I sort of felt heartbroken when you mentioned that you have sclc and did an immediate research on it and quickly posted it for you to read. But then I realized that it shouldn't be me doing this thing for you coz it might cause you more stress. I changed my post to a picture instead. Now I'm blushing with embarrassment. Sorry for being an eager beaver, I just want to help. I also did mention about Traditional Chinese Medicine to "complement" your chemo, but that would only be an option if all else dont work.

Keep well rested and prepare for the battle ahead. You have proven before that you are a tough ass warrior and you can do it again. You will go thru this with all our prayers and support.

Take care,

Gina

Ally that's GREAT news. So happy for you.

Cocker, the answer is yes, going to be a granddad and will give it my best shot! It's going to be a boy. I was very sure it was going to be a girl...but...of course I'm wrong!

Kathy had a regular check up today. Everything looks good! All the glory to God!

Continued thoughts and prayers for everyone.

Mike

Sweet Cocker we will all be with you in your pockets tomorrow! I'll send up many more prayers for you and your family as you start chemo tomorrow. Love you so much!!

Mike, I'm do glad to hear all is well with your wife!

Love you all and praying for all of you!

Ally .. Congrats to you and your husband!!!! one of my best friends has 2 beautiful daughters with different surrogates and everything has been just roses for them!

Cocker, I'm glad you have a plan - and I agree, that no-one really knows when we will be taken so I hope you can just enjoy your lovely family as much as possible in the mean time - and get to snuggle your great-grandchild!!

Everyone here has been through so much with cancer and then of course everything else that life continues to throw at us. My husband and I went to dinner with a couple the other night that we haven't known long, or well. My husband and I joked and told them about the terrible couple of years we had with all of the cancer and then my accident in July ( my hand is currently in a cast from latest surgery - and they asked about it) ... only to find out from someone else the following day that they lost a 12 year old daughter last xmas season in a car accident - and have hardly been out socially since. Boy, was that humbling! It made me realize, that even with all I've been through, it "could have been worse" ( I know, that is over used!) I hope this rambling makes sense. I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and I'm just trying to be grateful for whatever time I have.

Cocker, following your posts closely, you are always in my thoughts

Ally, I jumped for joy at your post! Thank you so much for sharing those pictures with us. Such great news, very special news.

Ally---- I'm so so happy to hear your wonderful news of a baby blessing in May!!!! I will be praying with you and waiting in expectation with the rest of these great people for that day to arrive so we can meet the baby. ))))

Cocker---- You are so incredibly loved and we all are believing that you will get much much more time here on this earth than your Dr is saying. Like you said, we know who is ultimately in control of our time table. I must admit that you bring a big smile to my face and I wish we were all closer so we could all get a good laugh in together. You are a gift to us. We forget about the cancer, the side effects and the doom listening to your stories. Praying with you on your new treatment plan and believing for no side effects and lots of good memories with your old feller and grand babies. Thank you for always being real. Xoxo

Georgie---- Such great words of wisdom. Thank you for sharing with us!!!!

Have a great night everyone.

Dear Annie/Cocker - It sounds like a plan. As you say, it's all in God's hands, but many have confounded anyone's medical "outcomes." If anyone out there deserves to do well, it is surely you. It is great that you like your doc. Having confidence in your medical team and being able to have a genuine relationship with them makes traveling down the road easier. Your Mandy sounds like a very special person whose light also shines. Not surprising as the apple doesn't fall far from the tree-:). You are always in my prayers dear lady. Congratulations on your upcoming great grandchild!!! What a blessing!

Dear Ally - Huge smile on my face when I read your exciting news!! Congratulations!! What a lovely, lovely friend you have to give you and your husband such a precious gift.

Dear AL - Congratulations to you too!! You will LOVE being a grandparent!

If anyone out there would like to know of my experience with icing during Taxol, please PM me. I posted quite a bit about it when I was going through it, and am happy to share if it would be helpful. It was completely successful for me. I had no neuropathy at all. And as Cocker said, I was also told to not take supplements during chemo as it may interfere with the chemo's efficacy. The only supplement I was allowed to take was Vitamin D. Low levels of Vit D may be a contributing factor to TN. I continue to take a D3 2000 IU capsule morning & night.

Thinking of all you lovely ladies

Paula

Annie, - may your treatments go smoothly and be easier than you think! I hate that you are dealing with this, - SO UNFAIR!!

Years ago, my dearest friend was given a dire prognosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and had appts with 3 oncologists. The first 2 gave her awful time frames, the 3rd told her 'no one has an expiration dated printed on their forehead', and no one should give her one! She opted to be treated by this kind, wonderful man. She lived on for 9 years, - long after the time frame told to her by the other drs who were so discouraging.

Do what ever makes you feel comfortable. Your family sounds as wonderful as you are!

You are admired and loved by so many, near and far!

Well ladies the day has almost "finally" ended and I have to say it went well. My nurses were exceptionally brilliant and never left me alone although I was very weepy with fear. I haven't got a port. Megan one of the nurses got me a big bowl of hot water and gently placed my hand in it for about 5-7 mins and when she dried my hand there was a beautiful big vein with lots of blood. She withdrew the specimen for my kidney check and electrolytes which went off urgently and then got me ready for the chemo. She stayed with me once it started flowing to make sure there was no reaction and although my old feller was there with the buzzer they checked on me constantly. All went smooth except I was extremely tired and even went to sleep at one point. We arrived at 8am and left at 2pm. I rattle with so many tablets in side of me but all in all it was a good day. And of course not without its humerous side. My hubby stopped at a couple of shops where I wanted to pick up some Christmas presents. He pulled up got out the car went in and got them, popped them in the boot and I didn't know he had done it zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz About 20 mins from home I awoke briefly and said Alan I think I have wet my pants. He said don't worry we are not too far from home and I'll call in at the supermarket and get you some poise pads. Back to the zzzzzzzzzzz for me. When we pulled into the garage he said I got your poise, again without knowing he had done a heap of shopping and I didn't hear and thats when I said I don't need the poise. He said yes it wont bother anyone and nobody needs to know except us. That's when I said the top of my FULL water bottle top had come off in my big hand bag I had on my lap and the water had soaked right through to my undies. We both laughed so much. I was so tired and didn't feel like a full dinner so the nurse had told me to eat what I wanted and how much I wanted over the next few days so it was a slab of pavlova yum, pears, cherries and a heap of cream. I ate the lot.

Tomorrow is another day though not only will I feel very fatigued but I have to take six chemo tablets over the day and then the next day. They are like miniature bombes and with the mouthful of ulcers that I have tonight and the fact that I can't swallow at the moment or drink a glass of water with them is going to start the darn fear off again. Not only that but if they make you sick within the hour you have to call emergency. So they are out for me. I am going to ring my lovely nurses and see if I can get them into injection form at my local hospital or my doctors rooms and see how I get on with that. Even my ice popsicles are now a problem cause when I suck on them they make my tongue bleed so I'm making pretty patterns on the white ice.

Well I did get through it with all your wise, encouraging words, love and you being in my pocket. I don't suppose one of you took the top of my water bottle whilst you were in there - did you? Love you ladies so much and I'm so pleased you are coming along this great journey with me. xx

Maryann thank you so much for your kind words. You don't have to say anything Maryann just knowing you are along here with these ladies with hugs is enough for me and I thank you so much.

Another that is a remarkable story and I have never ever known anyone to live for 9 years with pancreatic cancer. What a beautiful doctor she had. By the way there is no expiry date on my forehead at all. I am waiting for three little bubs, my great grandchild, my Ally's little bube and our Mikes little grandson. Also I would like my 50 red roses for my 50th wedding anniversary from my old feller on October 28th and if I am very lucky I may even make another Christmas with my beloved family and my brilliant friends on here.

Goodnight Ladies sleep well and in peace. Love you all. xxooxx

So glad you made it thru today, with the help of your dear husband. Laughter is strong medicine , so glad you had some today!

Cocker, thanks so much for checking in! I'm glad it was a good day in spite of what you had to do. I love your sense of humor! Thanks for making me laugh!!!! I surely needed it. I'm sitting at the airport waiting to go to TX to see my family for an early Christmas. My flight is delayed and I had a bad bout of diarrhea on the way to the airport, so I hope and pray the Imodium I took works!! Flying sucks but it especially does when you have the poops!! Ugh! I shouldn't complain because there are worse things, but as you know, it's diarrhea that always sets off my health anxiety!! Anyway, I'm sending up so many more prayers for you as the next few days unfold. Love you so much sweet funny lady!!!

I agree AnotherNYCGirl! Oh how Iwish we could all meet in person!!

Cocker,

I can just imagine how hard it is to be in your shoes right now. Sorry but as much as possible I try to avoid talking about pain or suffering, although I might sound insensitive sometimes. Did you get to talk to your medical team about the injectable form of your "bombs"? If they are tablets, I wonder if you could just grind or pound them into powder and dissolve it in water so you can drink it. Maybe just mortar and pestle can do the trick. There's no other way except maybe a tube inserted in your throat. You wouldnt want that for sure. I cannot say do whatever suits you, It sounds cruel but you really have to fight now that you've started this. God will help those who help themselves. It is one of my favorite sayings. I believe God will help you and your family.

Praying really hard for you.

Gina