I wish I knew.......

Somedays I feel so good, I find myself laughing for no reason. Otherdays, I feel very, very tired. I started to think about what happens when you've reached the last days of life. Don't get me wrong I will never give up, was just wondering.

Happy New Year 2012

Wow, I can't believe it's been 1 1/2 years since I've written. I guess I have a lot of catching up to do. I guess the best way to write this would be to start from the beginning.

I was diagnosed with cancer in May 1st of 2008. The cancer was located in my left breast, 11 lymph nodes, my spine, and my brain. I was considered stage four with aggressive cancer. I had radiation for as long as the doctors would let me. Then I was put on chemo, which I am still on. The only difference is I am no longer on liquid chemo where I have to be in the office to receive it three times a week. I take a chemo pill three times in the morning and three times at night. It basically has the same side effects as the liquid.

The doctors removed my breast, and all my lymph nodes. They are unable to remove any lesions in the brain as there are too many. They are unable to remove the lesion in my spine, which is in my fourth or fifth vertebrae. If they attempted to remove the lesions in my spine I could very possibly become a paraplegic. Later on, I was diagnosed with cancer in my liver. Since then it has disappeared. So at this time, I have no cancer in my breast, lymph nodes, or my liver. The two cancers, brain and spine, will probably never go away completely. I have to keep taking x-rays to make sure the cancer is not spreading or getting bigger. I have been lucky as they seem to be not getting any worse. I was then diagnosed with a herniated disc near the lesion in my spine. This causes me to have headaches. Excedrin seems to help.

As far as the medications I am on, I do have different side effects. To me they are minor as they seem to be working. I will do whatever it takes to be with my family and friends. I will not give up. As far as the symptoms, I have lost a lot hearing, eyesight, balance, and I'm still a little bald. I do suffer from exhaustion and tend to get tired easily. If I get a burst of energy I use it to my fullest advantage. I do get stomach cramps and nausea. My husband, Mark, does do the cooking. He does however forget that my taste buds have changed. I cannot handle any hot spiced food, and have difficulty with just pepper.

As of right now I feel I'm at a standstill. I am on the same medication and see my doctor once a month, he checks all my levels and my reaction to the meds. Every six months, I either have a mammogram (half off, get it? ), MRIs, or pet scans. I totally trust my doctor and his PA. My doctors claim I'm a miracle. The mastistic cancer and stage I was diagnosed with made them feel I pretty much was a lost cause. My doctor confessed to me he didn't think I would have become a survivor this long. But, I'll never forgot he told me we had lots of options. He claims there had to be intervention. I know that intervention he is talking about is with the Lord Jesus Christ. I know I need to think my family, friends, and their friends, and even strangers, and their friends, for all the prayers they have sent my way. Thak you all!!!

Overall, I have to say this is not an easy journey, because I think about it every day. I try not to worry, as the load I carry is not so heavy with Jesus Christ by my side. I look on the brighter side everyday and tell myself it could've been worse. I will try to keep up my blog and keep you, my friends, updated.


As of right now, I still deal wth the symthoms everyday, never knowing which one will present itself. I do like surprises, lol. I take my meds, eat right, get rest, and try to live each day to the fullest.


I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy, wonderful New Year.
I love you all,

Cath

Summer is almost over

Well the tests came back. I have another lesion in my liver. I am back on the chemo, unfortunately with the side effects slowing me down. I have hand and feet syndrome where my hands and feet get red and very sore. I am unable to walk. I also get nauseous a lot more often. Because of the side effects, I have to go off the chemo for 3-5 days and then start over. The Dr. would like me to be on the meds for 2 weeks straight and then off 1 week. I'm lucky if I make it 5 days in a row.
I have been very busy this summer. I went to Ct. to visit my friend Alice. My cousin Carrie went with me. We had so much fun. I visited New York, it was wonderful, and surprising to many of my friends. the people were very friendly. In 3 weeks I will be joining my cousins, Vicki and Sue, for a trip to Hawaii. Vicki has time share she needs to use or loose. We can't let that happen now can we.
Jack started 1st grade. Its been difficult so far, he cries for mom. It just breaks my heart.
Ok, Friends and family, I need more prayers . 1st my son, Alex. I want him to change the facility he resides at. I am not happy with them. I cry when I see Alex, he looks so skinny. He shakes constantly. They don't return my calls. I want him out. Unfortunately, he is ready to leave but there are no facilities with openings. I would like him to be a resident of Clearbrook.
2nd, my friend and neighbor was surprised to be diagnosed with breast cancer 3 weeks ago. She is getting ready to begin treatment. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed yesterday with lung cancer. She is very scared. I want her to know her faith can carry her through the difficult days. Once she accepts the disease she will find it easier to cope. She needs to believe and be positive. She is only 30. Please pray for her to get the guidance she needs to believe she can beat this. I also pray that her family gives her the hope and care she will need during the coming months. I know all the prayers I've received from you all over the years has got me through some of the worse days and I thank you.
Enjoy the last month or so of summer and enjoy fall.
Love you all, Cathy

July 2010

Happy Summer Everyone
I am doing OK. I joined a new church and I am very excited about it. I am on the Chemo for the cancer in my Liver. It has alot more side effects than the IV. I am on it for 2 weeks and off 1 week. The week I am off the chemo I still feel the effects. To me, I feel, that means it has to be working or I wouldn't feel anything. I will have a cat scan on Thursday of this week to see if the meds are working or we need to switch to something else. Doctors say we have lots of options, so that's promising. I have been so busy this summer, I can't believe its July already. Jack and I haven't even been to the pool yet. He will begin school in one month, 1st grade. I will keep everyone posted.

March 31, 2010

Well, Mark and I just got home from a visit to my parents home up north. They kept Jack for an extra day and will bring him home on Friday. He loves it up there. I am going to enjoy the quiet at some point. We got home about 2 hours ago and I already picked up the land mines in the yard, painted 1/2 the shed and now I am doing laundry. I can't seem to stop. I will see the Dr. tomorrow afternoon. My glucose levels are all over the place. I will have a pet scan because some other levels are up there. (I can't remember which ones) They also something is in my hip. We are not too concerned as I have no symthoms or pains. I guess I am a candidate for hip surgery. Oh well we'll worry about that another day. Overall I feel pretty good. I appreciate all the prayers. But could I ask for a favor. Could you please pray for Alex. I had a hard time taking him home on Sunday. He cried like I never saw him cry. It broke my heart. I have been unable to cry since my diagnosis and yet when I left Alex's I cried like a baby all the way home. He didn't want me to leave and kept saying mama. omg was it hard. Thank you all. Hugs and Kisses, Cath

March 16, 2010

Well I had another blood test. Results show my cholestrol is still high so I am still on medicine. My gluclose was high so they sent me home with a diabetes blood check kit. I test it everyday and it's still high. My mamo was good. My numbness in my right side and back is back. The cat scan showed nothing. I also had 4 MRI's, 3 were good, 1 showed my herniated disk in the top part of my spine is worse. I also have another lesion. That's about it. I feel great. The lympadema in my left arm is better and I hardly ever wear my sleeve. I will talk to the Dr this week and find out what they have in store for me. I've been busy with Jack. He just turned 6and is playing soccer. I'm looking forward to spring. Thank you for the prayers.
Cathy

February 2010

Tuesday I went to my GP and had blood drawn for several tests. On Friday, I went for my physical. I have high cholesterol so I'm on medication. In 4 week I will go back and get it drawn again and they will check my liver (?). The MRI test looked ok to him. He didn't say good but he didn't say bad either. I'm stable.
As a person who believes so much in prayer I was hoping I could ask for another favor. Could you pray for my son Alex. He was placed into an adult facility in Skokie on Sept. 1st. He had issues with other residents and was placed in a different home, in Skokie. Only about 10 days later he was moved again and is living in a different home in Des Plaines. Alex needs things to be routine. He is not having much time to settle in and he is moved again. Please pray that Alex settles down, relaxes, and accepts his new home as much as he loved RocVale. I really need him to be happy. Your prayers worked for me, I pray they will help Alex. Love you all, Cath