Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[Sha]

Sorry I have been MIA for so long, but I've had a rough time for the past two months. I had to make a trip to the emergency room two months ago because of bleeding (can't say where on here). Turns out one of the tumors was pushing through the wall causing the bleeding. Had to go to the gyno for a temporary fix and then sent to the radiologist for more radiation to shrink the tumor. Was supposed to have 14 treatments but only made it through 8. Too many issues with vomiting and diarrhea and I was just too weak to continue. In the midst of this, I also had to have a drain tube inserted into my left kidney because it was becoming enlarged and the kidney doc said it was necessary to avoid renal failure. I was also put on oxygen 24/7 a week ago to help me with the shortness of breath issues I've been dealing with for the past few months. It's helping a little bit.

I have lost even more weight, but am starting to be able to keep down some food other than jello. I had chemo yesterday, which was postponed from a week ago because I wasn't strong enough then. I also had a blood transfusion yesterday after chemo.

I haven't been on the computer much, but I wanted to update you before the effects of this chemo start to hit. I will try to keep you in the loop a little more often in the future.

When I saw LMP, as she asked about you, I thought I was going to get a message out to you to see how you are. Sorry I hadn't. Miss you and keeping you in thoughts and prayers. I had thought that I would see if Meg was working but BTM was closed for the day they said when we came in.

Is the bleeding stopped? Drain like a nephrostomy tube for the kidney?

 

[Sha]

Yes, good question, MaryAnn, they will be living with her boyfriend's parents, in fact I think it may have been her idea, as of course they have no money.

I think it was very generous of his parents. She knows the difficulties they face. It will take a strong relationship. Getting to know each other better before jumping into marriage is wise, especially with the whole med school looming.

Great that you are going to go to Food and Wine, MaryAnn. i had a blast year year, especially since I got to spend time with Sha and her mom.

I hope I get to go this year but who knows? Where are you staying?

Am considering going again this year for food and wine. I have to check dates with a friend of mine, but I am going to be in NOLA for the walk on the 20th of October. Hope you can join in there Laurie. This way I should be able to spend some time with Ray too before the walk. Hoping he will participate too. May have my mom flown out and then drive back home... maybe.

 

[wdw4us2]

Is the bleeding stopped? Drain like a nephrostomy tube for the kidney?

Yes, it's a nephrostomy tube. I also had a stent put in the right kidney urethra (sp) tube during this time.

If any of you are looking for Meg, she is working Splash on Friday, Saturday and Sunday most weekends now that BTMRR is reopening this weekend. She will also be trying to pick up extra shifts during the week since she's not taking any classes over the Summer. Trying to save up some money for next school year.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Good evening all!

Here are some pictures from my recent trip to WDW. My boyfriend, Bob, and I ran into luvmarypoppins the day before we left. The first picture is me & Maryann at the Garden Grove at The Swan resort. The next 3 are of Cinderella's carriage that was on the Boardwalk one of the mornings we were there.

Good thoughts & prayers for all of you with your health issues.

Tuffcookie

 

[snappy]

Great pictures!

 

[Sha]

Yes, it's a nephrostomy tube. I also had a stent put in the right kidney urethra (sp) tube during this time.

If any of you are looking for Meg, she is working Splash on Friday, Saturday and Sunday most weekends now that BTMRR is reopening this weekend. She will also be trying to pick up extra shifts during the week since she's not taking any classes over the Summer. Trying to save up some money for next school year.

I wont get there until July I guess. This month is slammed on my weekends, unless I go today and I know how crazy that will be.

Have they said that the swelling has responded with the tube and stent?

Oh, if you have my cell number, send me a text as I have a new phone. Number is the same. Just say in the message who you are. LMP... was that your phone or your DH that you used when I saw you? I forgot to ask.

 

[snappy]

We did not many pictures of New Orleans, I am afraid. Everything was a whirlwind. I guess we scheduled too much for too short of a time period.

But I do have a few of our family and the graduation.



The graduation in the Superdome:

Outside the dome, proud momma:

 

[snappy]

At the restaurant at the riverside Wyndham between ceremonies:

 

[snappy]

From the grad party Sunday:

My favorite of the graduate:

With her grandma (my mother-in-law) who took took care of her until she was ready to go to pre school:

My mom and DD16 at the

 

[snappy]

My friend's camel back house in NOLA:

I love my funky New Orleans room where in her house where I always crash:

And her Mardi Gras bathroom:

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Lisa - the one lady at our church also had to have the tube like you. She said it was very hard to sleep at night with it. She also had to have the wound vac machine (the one which I was fighting against them giving me), in addition to her chemo too. I pray you can be comfortable too. I dont know how you all manage that heat down there. I was getting so hot sometimes! Thank goodness for those misting fans we got from walmart.

Laurie - love, love the pictures.

Sha - yes, that was my phone, so you can put that in your address book etc

Cindy - thanks for posting the pics

Well I have to work on two trips at once: The trip right after Thanksgiving I am asking dh about. He wants to try new places. I am a creature of habit. I told him we might do Sanaa,Yak and Yeti or maybe the New Beasts Castle at the MK for dinner. With the Candlelight Processional I have to plan too. Tutto is out for us. It was terrible! I will do a dining report on that board of the dining reviews.

Now for the Food and Wine. Its costing too many miles for the Swan. I even try to put in the govt. rate., not working. I will have to look at several dates I guess. I know they have a big convention there for like 3 weeks in October? We shall see.

My eye is acting up. Oh I am def. putting this off for as long as possible. I am freaking out thinking of surgery again. I am putting off the inevitable as long as I can.

GAGWTA.

 

[Dancind]

Snappy, love the pictures. Your kids are all beautiful, and so are you.

My DD is trying to move to Boston early next year to be with her boyfriend. She needs to get one more promotion first, so she can make enough money to survive there. That will be very hard for me, she is my only.

This will be the first year in a while we aren't going to F&W. It seemed so expensive last year, so we booked Napa for October. Still hope to make it. If DD succeeds in her plan, we will meet in WDW next year for F&W.

I'm doing we'll, I'm happy to report. Have actually been doing more around the house than I expected. Should be getting drains out Wednesday. Then will need to figure out some camouflage for going out in public. Actually went to a movie today and wore a jacket.

LMP anf Tuff, glad you enjoyed your trip. Looking forward to your reviews.

I don't know what issues you are dealing with, Wdw4us2, but I hope they are resolved soon.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

GAGWTA, Ladies!

Just popping in to say I am thinking of you all!

Lisa, I am so sorry for everything you are having to endure right now. Sending hugs and well wishes to you! We will look for Meg this week.

Laurie, loved your pics! Call or text me - we arrive Thursday night. Going to be a crazy trip. I hate that we only have a week this time.

Sending healing vibes to those of you recovering from surgeries!

 

[Sha]

Love the pics Laurie... LOVE D's hair. Please tell her. You will be proud of me... I took an offered iPhone class that Verizon did. I can go back for more or just stop in and they will help me. I learned a lot of interesting things. Wish I could swing down and say hi.... but you know... we COULD meet on the road... or wave when we pass each other LOL

Sorry to miss you too JSK!

Dancind glad to hear you are feeling well!

Missing Candy too I know I have missed a lot though.

 

[snappy]

Thanks for the compliments on my photos. I took some grad day but was crazy busy at the party. Photography fell to DH and he does not change the settings enough.

Looking forward to seeing you Elizabeth if only for a few. Is your son done with exams yet. How did the latter part of the school year turn out?

I will tell DD16, Sha, thanks. It is a little longer now than when she first cut her hair in February.

Would love to meet you but I might get static from the troops. We left about 4 am and had a busy week, exams for DD16, moving DD21's stuff home on Saturday. Everything went well it was just too many irons in the fire. When I planned this trip I never dreamed DD 21 would be leaving for NJ during the middle of it. I have been so preoccupied with graduation, the slideshow and all of it, that the fact of her leaving hit me like a ton of bricks last night. After a good cry in bed DH comforted me and I released it.

I am happy for DD21. She has a lot to look forward. I knew it was the end of an era having her close by in NOLA for college but I did not see NJ coming.

Dancind, I feel your pain. Boston is far away as well. And DS 23 remains close in NOLA, DD16 is still in high school. I have much to celebrate.

 

[snappy]

We just stopped in Pensacola!! We are in Florida! Yea!!!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thanks for the compliments on my photos. I took some grad day but was crazy busy at the party. Photography fell to DH and he does not change the settings enough.

Looking forward to seeing you Elizabeth if only for a few. Is your son done with exams yet. How did the latter part of the school year turn out?

I will tell DD16, Sha, thanks. It is a little longer now than when she first cut her hair in February.

Would love to meet you but I might get static from the troops. We left about 4 am and had a busy week, exams for DD16, moving DD21's stuff home on Saturday. Everything went well it was just too many irons in the fire. When I planned this trip I never dreamed DD 21 would be leaving for NJ during the middle of it. I have been so preoccupied with graduation, the slideshow and all of it, that the fact of her leaving hit me like a ton of bricks last night. After a good cry in bed DH comforted me and I released it.

I am happy for DD21. She has a lot to look forward. I knew it was the end of an era having her close by in NOLA for college but I did not see NJ coming.

Dancind, I feel your pain. Boston is far away as well. And DS 23 remains close in NOLA, DD16 is still in high school. I have much to celebrate.

GAGWATA!

3 more days of exams to go. Tomorrow he has to go to orientation for an online summer class, then take his History final. Wednesday he has to make up an exam he missed last week (he was horribly ill and missed 2 days - the only days he has missed all year), take his English final, and go to an Orientation for his summer apperenticeship. Thursday he has his Chemistry exam and then we are off to the airport. This final marking period seems to have been a bit better, and he passed all of the sections of the state test.

Hope everyone had a realxing long weekend. Of course I have been cleaning like a madwoman to get ready for the pet sitter.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Diana and slg - sounds like you are both healing. One day at a time

Laurie - hope you were not caught in the terrible weather I saw on tv. Safe travels and enjoy your trip

Sha - I posted a while ago that I sent Candy a text. She had 2 deaths in her family, one a tragic murder. Also her computer was broken. She sends her love to all the sistas.

Elizabeth - so happy to hear your ds finished the year well. I am sure he is looking forward to the vacation too. I know he is quite the seafood lover! Enjoy your trip. I always enjoy your trip report and photos

Lisa - thinking of you and sending you my thoughts and prayers

Well if anyone is interested, I finished my dining reviews. You can go to the thread and read all about it. Sorry no pictures.

Now I have to answer a Disney Survey I said I would do for them. Does anyone know what they do with all your comments etc?

Ds22 did the bbq for us for dinner yest. Turned out well. Its summer when I eat corn on the cob!

GAGWTA. Have a great day everyone., Blessings to you.

 

[PatsMom]

Laurie, your pictures are awesome. You must be so proud of your daughter!

Hope everyone is doing well. Its actually been fairly quiet here for a change. Doing physical therapy for a foot problem. Dealing with the ongoing anemia. And dreading my next checkup. I always do! But it seems worse now because there is a nationwide shortage of the primary immunotherapy agent used to fight bladder cancer, as well as the first choice for chemotherapy. So if there is a recurrence, not sure how to deal with it other than the radical cystectomy. But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!

GAGWTA!

 

[Sha]

Sha - I posted a while ago that I sent Candy a text. She had 2 deaths in her family, one a tragic murder. Also her computer was broken. She sends her love to all the sistas.

I do remember that. Just has been awhile. If you text her again... tell her I said hi. Thanks