I'm Back!!!!
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Hi folks! I'm back! Had an absolutely wonderful time in Europe but I sure did miss you guys. Since I'm still kind of "out of it"...jet lag and all :-), and I return to work tomorrow, I gave up on trying to read a month's worth of posts but will catch up as I go along. I'd sure appreciate if someone would fill me in on the highlights....I can't believe how much this board has grown.
Well, our 3 1/2 weeks stay in Europe went by much to quickly, but it was wonderful. It did Bert a lot of good to see his mother and brothers and we did a lot of touring, like we do every year, on our own. Weather was great...a little on the cool side, but that's the way we like it. Living in So. Cal. with pretty much constant warm/hot sunny days, believe it or not folks, does get old after a while. The first week, Bert was very tired, in part due to jet lag and mostly because we were literally up for 24 hours by the time we got there. But then his energy kicked in and we were go, go, go, and he gained quite a bit of weight...could not stop eating...food tastes so great over there. Of course, it helped that he had a chemo break. But reality does set in as soon as one returns, doesn't it. Monday (tomorrow) he goes for his 8 week CT/Pet scan. His onc is doing it every 8 weeks because of Bert's CEA continuing to stay above the normal range yet all scans up until now shown no evidence of disease, including last colonoscopy done in April. Results will be in on Thursday (I'm scared, as always) and onc will probably put him back on chemo....for how much longer, we do not know yet. Other than that, all looks good.
As an added note, when I returned I took my mom in for her results of scans that she had done while I was gone. The clinical trial chemo of MAC-321 is working!!!! She is responding well and her two lung nodules are shrinking...but of course (there's always a but, isn't there) at a price. She is experiencing much aching in her joints and extreme numbness in feet and fingers. She was supposed to have her 3rd treatment last Friday but onc said let's wait another week until the numbness settles. Other than that, which all remains quite managable, she too is doing all right.
That's about it. I have a favor. I would like to ask each of you for your prayers that Bert's results are good this coming week. I am very grateful to God for all the blessings he has given my family over the last year and I feel, in my heart, that your prayers and good wishes have helped greatly. Bless you all and more later.
Hugs,
Monika
Well, our 3 1/2 weeks stay in Europe went by much to quickly, but it was wonderful. It did Bert a lot of good to see his mother and brothers and we did a lot of touring, like we do every year, on our own. Weather was great...a little on the cool side, but that's the way we like it. Living in So. Cal. with pretty much constant warm/hot sunny days, believe it or not folks, does get old after a while. The first week, Bert was very tired, in part due to jet lag and mostly because we were literally up for 24 hours by the time we got there. But then his energy kicked in and we were go, go, go, and he gained quite a bit of weight...could not stop eating...food tastes so great over there. Of course, it helped that he had a chemo break. But reality does set in as soon as one returns, doesn't it. Monday (tomorrow) he goes for his 8 week CT/Pet scan. His onc is doing it every 8 weeks because of Bert's CEA continuing to stay above the normal range yet all scans up until now shown no evidence of disease, including last colonoscopy done in April. Results will be in on Thursday (I'm scared, as always) and onc will probably put him back on chemo....for how much longer, we do not know yet. Other than that, all looks good.
As an added note, when I returned I took my mom in for her results of scans that she had done while I was gone. The clinical trial chemo of MAC-321 is working!!!! She is responding well and her two lung nodules are shrinking...but of course (there's always a but, isn't there) at a price. She is experiencing much aching in her joints and extreme numbness in feet and fingers. She was supposed to have her 3rd treatment last Friday but onc said let's wait another week until the numbness settles. Other than that, which all remains quite managable, she too is doing all right.
That's about it. I have a favor. I would like to ask each of you for your prayers that Bert's results are good this coming week. I am very grateful to God for all the blessings he has given my family over the last year and I feel, in my heart, that your prayers and good wishes have helped greatly. Bless you all and more later.
Hugs,
Monika
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Comments
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Dear Monika and Bert,
I'm so very, very happy that you had a nice vacation. Needless to say, YOU BOTH DESERVE IT!!!
It's also great to hear that your mom is doing well. Tell her to keep up the good work! Try not to be too nervous about the scan (I know, I know, easier said than done. Not too mention the fact that I should practice what I preach! When CT time comes around, normal Andrea is replaced by this unrecognizable obsessive, neurotic, catastrophizing lunatic. Very unpleasant for all concerned!) I'll keep you both in my thoughts and close to my heart. I'm sure all will go well.
Be well and happy,
Andrea0 -
Monica,
Glad you and Bert are back. I'm sure you had a wonderful and well deserved vacation and break. I was in Europe the same time as you and Bert!! It would have been great to catch up with you two. Maybe next time!!
You are Bert are in my prayers for a great CT/PET scan. Let us know how you all are doing.
Rest up - the jet lag stayed with me for about 1 week before I felt back to normal - but after chemo, I think I forgot what normal is supposed to feel like - so I guess it doesn't really matter. Ha!! Glad you had a great time.
Kerry0 -
Hiya Monika---hey--bout time you got back--seems like you n Bert bin gorn 4 ages!!!Sounds like yu had a well deserved trip.kerry said:Monica,
Glad you and Bert are back. I'm sure you had a wonderful and well deserved vacation and break. I was in Europe the same time as you and Bert!! It would have been great to catch up with you two. Maybe next time!!
You are Bert are in my prayers for a great CT/PET scan. Let us know how you all are doing.
Rest up - the jet lag stayed with me for about 1 week before I felt back to normal - but after chemo, I think I forgot what normal is supposed to feel like - so I guess it doesn't really matter. Ha!! Glad you had a great time.
Kerry
Hiya Bert---all the best for the scans buddy--Jen's sendin a huggie for yah m8.
Gunna do some talkin to tha man "on high" for you guys , just so long as you keep 'ol kanga in mind tomorrow mornin---got a date with the ultrsaound specialist--had bloods done today.Have changed gp's so now have a lady doctor--she handles needles better--lol
by guys--kanga n Jen0 -
Hi Monica and Bert,
Glad you had such a wonderful, busy trip. Your right, though, the return to reality can stink a bit. Great news for mom! and I'll be thinking of you and Bert as he goes through this round of screening. I chuckled at Andrea's comments about turning into an obsessive catastrophizing lunatic when her tests are due...can see slipping into that role myself. Four treatments left for me, then on to the "waiting room"
Hang in there, I'll have to look to you and Kerry for suggestions for my own Grand Tour, hopefully next spring. Regards, J0 -
Monika,
Bert is in our prayers from the east coast....I can only imagine what you are going through, but will be doing it for the first time myself next month after my first 6 rounds of chemo (12 weeks of folfox 6 and avastin). My palms get sweaty and my heart races just thinking about it and it is a month away!!!!
I am so glad you and Bert had a great vacation and that you have so many wonderful memories in your mind. Think about them this week and things will turn out just fine. Hugs and butterfly kisses to you both from North Carolina.
Lisa P.0
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