Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

Tommi · 04-10-2019, 12:17 PM

I was diagnosed in March of 2004 with endometrial cancer. Had the radical surgery, and went on with life. In 2013, I had a recurrence, adenocarcinoma of the vaginal cuff (not identifying with that) , had internal and external radiation. Met the love of my life 2 weeks before that diagnosis. We married May 2, 2015.

I realized that I no longer think much about cancer . Anniversaries, trigger me, like going in for my annual EXAM from hell.
My wedding anniversary is next month, and I'll schedule my annual exam for sometime after that.

So, Just For Today, I listen to the birds, enjoy the flowers in my yard, and am thankful for...today.

Teddybear · 05-28-2019, 09:14 AM

Hello caregivers and survivors

I wanted to give an update since I haven't been on much in the last couple of months. Here is a brief recap and update

In September I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. I didn't just have one type of cancer but two different types. We were devastated to say the least. More testing to be done to find out if I had broken DNA. I do not one broken gene but two.

I offered Norma a way out. We could call it quits if she couldn't handle this. We had been told I would be on whatever treatment the rest of my life. I am a fighter and told my doctor that I wasn't convinced he was. He proved me wrong I am so happy to say.

I started chemo in October. It was killing me. Daily I prayed for strength and that GOD would show me the way. Norma wasn't going anywhere so I asked her to marry me. She agreed. I am sure she may regret that some days.

Thanksgiving came and what do I get instead of turkey TWO!!!! blood clots in my lungs. Thank you LORD they were small and treated quickly.

Christmas came and what we thought was a pimple turned out to be an infection that required surgery and 10 days in the hospital. Another week out of work once I was released. Norma became my nurse. I am so thankful for her and her courage during this time.

New Year and a new treatment, but we had to fight for it and boy did we. I knew GOD was strong then cancer, stronger then anything the devil would throw our way.

In the last month I have had my cancer markers tested they are now 58 verses the 312 in September and 900+ in December and before the new treatment started in February they were at 1395. My A1C is down to 7.4 verses the 17+ (of the chart) in September.

I had my PET scan done the end of April which shows that my liver is now has less then 10% tumors verse 75-85% in September last year.

My doctor told me that this is very rare and shows that the Keyturda is doing its job. I will probably be on it the rest of my life and I am ok with that if it keeps the cancer away.

Wrangler and your Mom are in our prayers for treatment to be resumed and that she will get results yall are wanting.

I am praying for each of us as we are on this journey for peace and healing and understanding if we are the caregiver that this journey can be overwhelming at times for even those who are not the caregiver.

Thank you all for your support during this time. It has been a great source of peace for Norma and I

rustedrims · 07-13-2019, 10:54 PM

Had my 6 month scans the other day. Made sure I drank all that jacked up water they give me. The girls that do the pictures are good at what they do. Non threatening and safe. Feeling good and some light pain in my surgery area when I overdo a little. My thoughts are with everyone that is fighting the fight.

rustedrims · 08-16-2019, 09:49 PM

Things are going well for me finally. Its been a long hard road. Saw my Doctors a few weeks ago. The pictures looked good. Nothing came back. Because of that I get pictures once a year now. So gratefull and thankfull for that. Thank you all for being supportive. We gotta fight this fight together.My thoughts and prayers go out to all of us.

Thank you for reading and caring.

s

Wrang1er · 08-28-2019, 10:37 AM

On August 5th, my mother had a CT scan that showed her cancer is shrinking. Her oncologist said 3 more cycles of chemo (which equates to 3 months) and then she'll get another scan.

The downside is that due to the chemo Avastin she has a bladder infection and mouth ulcers. She is on two different meds for these two issues now.

Yesterday after chemo we went to lunch. I dropped her off at the door of the restaurant and parked a couple of spaces down. When I get out of the car I see that she is all the way down at the end of the parking lot. I yelled for her a few times. I asked her what she was doing and she said she didn't realize she walked past the door. Then inside she forgot where the bathroom was. This is worrisome but I am going to chalk this up to chemo fog at this time.

rustedrims · 08-29-2019, 09:46 PM

Hello.. Been working my yards and I get tired easily.. Sometimes I need to stop and think what I went through.. My cousin called the other day.. He started the conversation off with I gotta tell ya something. Yeah he has it now.. Its pretty serious but things look good for him after surgery. This sh#t doesnt stop.. Some day there has got to be an end..

Thank you for reading and again caring..

Wrang1er · 09-03-2019, 01:01 PM

Mom was unable to get her chemotherapy today due to most of her numbers being low. Her CA125 has gone back up a bit. I updated them on everything that happened last week.

Her temperature was normal. They told her if she ever has a fever again that we are to call them immediately.

Her oncologist believes the fever/confusion was a result of the bladder infection. Avastin also causes sinus infections and she has one of those as well. He said they will monitor her closely. They do a urinalysis every other week so they will check to see what that says. Finally, they gave her potassium because she's been having severe leg cramps and her's was very low.

Again, thanks to everyone who sent me messages and well wishes for my mother. The kind words and support you have offered mean the world to me!

04-10-2019, 12:17 PM	#1
Tommi Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Usually "Hello" Relationship Status: Married and Bound to Tommi's kaijira (Ts_kaijira ) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Suthun.... California that is. Across the ridge from Laguna Beach. Posts: 8,151 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,621 Thanked 21,338 Times in 5,970 Posts Rep Power: 21474861	Just for today I was diagnosed in March of 2004 with endometrial cancer. Had the radical surgery, and went on with life. In 2013, I had a recurrence, adenocarcinoma of the vaginal cuff (not identifying with that) , had internal and external radiation. Met the love of my life 2 weeks before that diagnosis. We married May 2, 2015. I realized that I no longer think much about cancer . Anniversaries, trigger me, like going in for my annual EXAM from hell. My wedding anniversary is next month, and I'll schedule my annual exam for sometime after that. So, Just For Today, I listen to the birds, enjoy the flowers in my yard, and am thankful for...today.

05-28-2019, 09:14 AM	#2
Teddybear Senior Member How Do You Identify?: by my name Preferred Pronoun?: He, him Relationship Status: single Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Here there everywhere. Posts: 2,097 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,620 Thanked 6,233 Times in 1,687 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Hello caregivers and survivors I wanted to give an update since I haven't been on much in the last couple of months. Here is a brief recap and update In September I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. I didn't just have one type of cancer but two different types. We were devastated to say the least. More testing to be done to find out if I had broken DNA. I do not one broken gene but two. I offered Norma a way out. We could call it quits if she couldn't handle this. We had been told I would be on whatever treatment the rest of my life. I am a fighter and told my doctor that I wasn't convinced he was. He proved me wrong I am so happy to say. I started chemo in October. It was killing me. Daily I prayed for strength and that GOD would show me the way. Norma wasn't going anywhere so I asked her to marry me. She agreed. I am sure she may regret that some days. Thanksgiving came and what do I get instead of turkey TWO!!!! blood clots in my lungs. Thank you LORD they were small and treated quickly. Christmas came and what we thought was a pimple turned out to be an infection that required surgery and 10 days in the hospital. Another week out of work once I was released. Norma became my nurse. I am so thankful for her and her courage during this time. New Year and a new treatment, but we had to fight for it and boy did we. I knew GOD was strong then cancer, stronger then anything the devil would throw our way. In the last month I have had my cancer markers tested they are now 58 verses the 312 in September and 900+ in December and before the new treatment started in February they were at 1395. My A1C is down to 7.4 verses the 17+ (of the chart) in September. I had my PET scan done the end of April which shows that my liver is now has less then 10% tumors verse 75-85% in September last year. My doctor told me that this is very rare and shows that the Keyturda is doing its job. I will probably be on it the rest of my life and I am ok with that if it keeps the cancer away. Wrangler and your Mom are in our prayers for treatment to be resumed and that she will get results yall are wanting. I am praying for each of us as we are on this journey for peace and healing and understanding if we are the caregiver that this journey can be overwhelming at times for even those who are not the caregiver. Thank you all for your support during this time. It has been a great source of peace for Norma and I __________________ I am ME take me as I am or leave me be..

07-13-2019, 10:54 PM	#3
rustedrims Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Northern Ohio close to Lake Erie and ice-cream places Posts: 445 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,125 Thanked 2,554 Times in 368 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	Had my 6 month scans the other day. Made sure I drank all that jacked up water they give me. The girls that do the pictures are good at what they do. Non threatening and safe. Feeling good and some light pain in my surgery area when I overdo a little. My thoughts are with everyone that is fighting the fight. __________________ I don't want to be perfect because if I was then I will loose the ability to learn.

08-16-2019, 09:49 PM	#4
rustedrims Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Northern Ohio close to Lake Erie and ice-cream places Posts: 445 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,125 Thanked 2,554 Times in 368 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	hello everyone Things are going well for me finally. Its been a long hard road. Saw my Doctors a few weeks ago. The pictures looked good. Nothing came back. Because of that I get pictures once a year now. So gratefull and thankfull for that. Thank you all for being supportive. We gotta fight this fight together.My thoughts and prayers go out to all of us. Thank you for reading and caring. s __________________ I don't want to be perfect because if I was then I will loose the ability to learn.

08-29-2019, 09:46 PM	#6
rustedrims Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Northern Ohio close to Lake Erie and ice-cream places Posts: 445 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,125 Thanked 2,554 Times in 368 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	Hello.. Been working my yards and I get tired easily.. Sometimes I need to stop and think what I went through.. My cousin called the other day.. He started the conversation off with I gotta tell ya something. Yeah he has it now.. Its pretty serious but things look good for him after surgery. This sh#t doesnt stop.. Some day there has got to be an end.. Thank you for reading and again caring.. __________________ I don't want to be perfect because if I was then I will loose the ability to learn.

08-28-2019, 10:37 AM	#5
Wrang1er Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Me, myself and I Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Here Posts: 1,526 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,112 Thanked 7,043 Times in 1,354 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	On August 5th, my mother had a CT scan that showed her cancer is shrinking. Her oncologist said 3 more cycles of chemo (which equates to 3 months) and then she'll get another scan. The downside is that due to the chemo Avastin she has a bladder infection and mouth ulcers. She is on two different meds for these two issues now. Yesterday after chemo we went to lunch. I dropped her off at the door of the restaurant and parked a couple of spaces down. When I get out of the car I see that she is all the way down at the end of the parking lot. I yelled for her a few times. I asked her what she was doing and she said she didn't realize she walked past the door. Then inside she forgot where the bathroom was. This is worrisome but I am going to chalk this up to chemo fog at this time.

09-03-2019, 01:01 PM	#7
Wrang1er Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Me, myself and I Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Here Posts: 1,526 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,112 Thanked 7,043 Times in 1,354 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	Mom was unable to get her chemotherapy today due to most of her numbers being low. Her CA125 has gone back up a bit. I updated them on everything that happened last week. Her temperature was normal. They told her if she ever has a fever again that we are to call them immediately. Her oncologist believes the fever/confusion was a result of the bladder infection. Avastin also causes sinus infections and she has one of those as well. He said they will monitor her closely. They do a urinalysis every other week so they will check to see what that says. Finally, they gave her potassium because she's been having severe leg cramps and her's was very low. Again, thanks to everyone who sent me messages and well wishes for my mother. The kind words and support you have offered mean the world to me!