news from Jean at Hospice

jeancmici

Can you imagine. They just got a computer a few days before I got here (Arrived Sunday) but it wasn't set up for any real use. Today I now have access to the internet - Hoorah!!!- and as usual the other seven patients are long asleep - but not me!

Still have not started the xeloda - was to be last Monday - Rx was correct. Now have new doctor here ( this is assisted living section ) just opened in April - and the care and concern of the staff is A++++. My new female doctor discussed my dilemna of 'do I or don't I' take the new chemo three days in a row - she is superb and even better, knows my primary care doc who was her mentor in medical school as a resident.

She put me on low dose - bid- methadone since Tues (?) and I don't seem to need the oxycodone now. Also take a Celebrex - otherwise all the same meds for the heart failure, etc. and my Ativan and Prozac.

There is only one person here on chemo in her 40's - has her own SUV and drives out of here every day - only clue to illness is no hair. I am surprised she is here.

Volunteers always bake in the morning and p.m. - coffee and tea always available and ice cream cups fill the freezer.

I think you gals will read this and think I'm nuts but I have had pleasant days, appetite back with good food - have no complaints about the place at all. Did a lot of research before coming to this site ( google )- and found methadone is in favor in such places as M.D. Anderson and Sloan-Kettering etc.

I think I am going to put a few pounds on if possible and give the old body a rest and maybe then consider the xeloda which will only add some months at most. If I can't have cure, at least this little 8 bed unit is as close to homey as possible. You can't imagine - unless experienced - the kindness of all the staff - chaplain nice too.

I was pleased to read your kind responses since I had been off line all week. Some of the new posts were heartbreaking - divorce - hysbands leaving etc. May God help and bless all of us.

Love to you all,
Jean

DeeNY711

Here we are, the two night owls, up at the same time again! It is so wonderful to hear that your new space in a gentle pleasant relaxing one. It is even more great that you have found a wonderful doctor! What a find! Thank goodness the new computer arrived in time for your use.
Love and hugs,
Denise

hummingbyrd

DeeNY711 said:

Here we are, the two night owls, up at the same time again! It is so wonderful to hear that your new space in a gentle pleasant relaxing one. It is even more great that you have found a wonderful doctor! What a find! Thank goodness the new computer arrived in time for your use.
Love and hugs,
Denise

HOORAY for you! Now does God answer prrayers OR what? I'm sooo glad you have settled in so nicely. My 'mimi' went to assisted living and I was like "can I get a room here?" LOL
Oh Jean, I am so happy for you! I just can't help but feel good things are in store for you!
God bless, luv ya girl, (((HUGS)))
hummingbyrd

EllenM6246

So glad you have settled in a nice place...perhaps this is the first of many good things to come. Keep in touch and let us know how it goes. Ellen

judiek

EllenM6246 said:

So glad you have settled in a nice place...perhaps this is the first of many good things to come. Keep in touch and let us know how it goes. Ellen

Jean,

So nice to hear from you...glad your feel at home. I pray that the xeloda does more for you than you anticipate. Keep your chin up Jean, were praying for you

Warmly,

Judie

tlmac

Hi Jean, So good to hear you're settled in and surrounded by such caring people. Wonderful news about the computer access. I'm praying the Xeloda gets the job done and will look forward to your updates.
terri

seeknpeace

(((((Jean)))))) So glad that you are finding comfort, peace and hope in this most wonderful of places. My own experiences with Hospice has been so wonderful. You are a brave soul who inspires us all. Please keep us posted and I send all my love and best wishes to you. Jan

inkblot

Hi Jean:

You have clearly made a great choice with this accommodation. This is all good news and I'm happy to hear about the great level of care you're receiving. That has to be reassuring and comforting knowledge. It all sounds so nice and they must have read your mind and knew that you REALLY needed a computer! BONUS!!!

I don't think you're nuts at all in saying you're having pleasant days! You're in a pleasant environment and likely feeling more relaxed than before. Even though you had great friends to help out, you now have benefit of "professional" assistance night and day, while maintaining a semblance of "home" and it must be reassuring to realize what an exceptional living arrangement you've chosen. Thanks to their great timing, you're able to "hang" here with the rest of us without missing a beat, and since we're also a bit "nuts", we're all in the very BEST of company, don't you think? LOL I mean that in the most sincere and complimentary
manner.

It sounds as if they're onto something good with the Methadone approach and it's wonderful that it's working well for you.

Your new doc sounds very good and that she has a connection with your primary is a big plus. Another stroke of good fortune. WHAT were the odds of that happening???

I wanted to let you know that while having my onc. check up last week, I mentioned Xeloda to her. She said that she has seen this drug do some amazing things. She went on to say that most side effects are typically not severe and are easily managed. I thought I'd pass her opinion on to you. It's just her personal opinion/experience, of course, and she IS an oncologist but someone whose opinions I've always respected. As I've mentioned to you in the past, she is unusual in her openess to new ideas, complementary treatments (which she stays educated about) etc., and has always remained respectful of my thoughts, opinions and preferences. She takes whatever time is necessary to discuss concerns, questions and issues, and so, in her typical fashion, took the time to discuss Xeloda. For whatever her opinion may be worth, I wanted to pass it along to you in the hopes that it may be useful to you as you make your decision about the drug. Another 2 cents worth, as it were.

Well, the mystery lady with the SUV has certainly piqued my curiosity. Am wondering where it is that she goes every day? Now that you've told us about her, you know you'll have to keep us posted! LOL

Hoping to see news/updates from you soon and often Jean. Keep the faith and know that you're in my heart and thoughts and that all of us here are pulling for you mightly!

Love, light and laughter,
Ink