Good news thread

TeddyandBears_Mom

Tamlen, CONGRATULATIONS! So

Tamlen, CONGRATULATIONS! So happy to hear your great news!!!!!!! Just right around the corner from that magical 5 year marker. :-) This next year will fly by.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

 

Maxster

Tamlen said:

3+ years NED

Hi, everyone -

I don't stop in as frequently as I used to, but I'm still here and check in to see how you're all doing. I just got the results of my latest PET scan -- all clear! It'll be 4 years since diagnosis in November for what ultimately turned out to be Stage IVB. Three years ago this month I was 2/3 the way through chemo and miserable, needing blood transfusions to keep me alive (chemo did a serious number on my hemoglobin and it was so hard to breathe I could barely walk across the room). That feels like so long ago now.

Just wanted to share my good news with you all.

Tamlen

Thank you so much!

I am so grateful for your good news.  So many people have recurrences and don't do so well.  It is nice to hear about successes!  It gives me some hope.  Lately I have been on a binge reading about serous cancer.  I joined a Facebook Group dedicated to UPSC.  I am not sure it is good for me to read about the difficulties others are having.  I know that sounds selfish and I don't mean it that way. Any suggestions from anyone on how to maintain a good balance between caring what happens to others and trying to remain positive about one's prognosis?

cmb

Good news

Tamlen - thanks for letting us know your good news!

TeddyandBears_Mom

Maxster, that's a hard one to

Maxster, that's a hard one to answer. And, it is a difficult balance. For me, I had to take a few weeks off the board after we lost several members in a very short time. It gave me time away from cancer and let me focus on just living. While I missed my daily "watch" during that time, it really helped me to center myself.  Time also helps. The first couple of years was the hardest. Every little pain caused concern. I even pushed for us to move closer to family so that my husband would not be alone if something happened to me. I am way past that point now. I look forward to the future and don't worry about the what ifs... Because, none of us know what the plan is for us. 

I think you will find your balance over time. 

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

els19

Protecting yourself

Maxster, I don't think it's selfish to not want to read about others difficulties. It's called protecting yourself. Sometimes I know it's healthier for me to not read certain posts. We are all at different stages and sometimes we all need a break. If reading about others just intensifies your fears then it's not supportive, it's harmful. I do have a great admiration for the wonderful ladies on this board that are so helpful. But sometimes I have to take a break. 

Tamlen

Agree

I agree with what the others have said. I have sometimes taken very long breaks from the board to orient my life periodically to one where cancer is not omnipresent. It still is there, of course, and at Stage IVB I think of it every single day, but I think of happy life too. It just begins to feel different over time, at least for me, there but not oppressively so. Except for a few weeks before each scan, when I begin to worry a bit

els19

Congratulations

Congratulations Tamien! I'm currently going through a recurrence and have good news too. After 9 chemos of Carbo/taxol, I've been on a three month break to build up strength. My recent CT scan showed only a slight increase in my tumors, just 2mm on one and 1 mm on the other. My CA125, which is very accurate for me, is back out of normal range but not by a lot. So, my break continues! The CA125 will be taken again in 6 weeks. I actually argued against a break but by the time it started I realized how depleted I was and how much I needed it. In the past three months I spent a week at a beach house, attended my granddaughter's high school graduation and had a wonderful day yesterday with family playing outdoor games and watching firework. I'm still wrapping my head around the idea of living with active cancer as a chronic disease but I'm getting there.

Tamlen

els19 said:

Congratulations

Congratulations Tamien! I'm currently going through a recurrence and have good news too. After 9 chemos of Carbo/taxol, I've been on a three month break to build up strength. My recent CT scan showed only a slight increase in my tumors, just 2mm on one and 1 mm on the other. My CA125, which is very accurate for me, is back out of normal range but not by a lot. So, my break continues! The CA125 will be taken again in 6 weeks. I actually argued against a break but by the time it started I realized how depleted I was and how much I needed it. In the past three months I spent a week at a beach house, attended my granddaughter's high school graduation and had a wonderful day yesterday with family playing outdoor games and watching firework. I'm still wrapping my head around the idea of living with active cancer as a chronic disease but I'm getting there.

I'm glad the break is

I'm glad the break is allowing you to build up strenght for the continued treatment, els19. And you've made such good use of it by doing wonderful things with family and getting out there to enjoy life. I think the emotional breaks are as important as the physical ones for our endurance and resilience in fighting the beast.

Primavera

Tamlen said:

3+ years NED

Hi, everyone -

I don't stop in as frequently as I used to, but I'm still here and check in to see how you're all doing. I just got the results of my latest PET scan -- all clear! It'll be 4 years since diagnosis in November for what ultimately turned out to be Stage IVB. Three years ago this month I was 2/3 the way through chemo and miserable, needing blood transfusions to keep me alive (chemo did a serious number on my hemoglobin and it was so hard to breathe I could barely walk across the room). That feels like so long ago now.

Just wanted to share my good news with you all.

Tamlen

Congratulations, Tamlen!

So glad you're doing OK. I had started to miss your posts. I've been busy with my breast cancer, but I still come here and check posts. Last check I had about the uterine cancer was in September, because I had to take care of the other one. Everything seems to be OK, though. Adriamycin did a a seroius number on my hemoglobin back in December, too, and I know the feeling about not being able to breathe. Taxol chemo was easy after that, no trouble whatsoever, but then came the mastectomy and lucky me got shingles the same day. Shingles made me forget about mastectomy, and I was completely miserable for five long weeks.

els19

Thanks

Thanks Tamlen, yes staying emotionally healthy is just as important as staying physically healthy and sometimes it is more challenging. I look for the joy in every day.

Harmanygroves

els19 said:

Congratulations

Congratulations Tamien! I'm currently going through a recurrence and have good news too. After 9 chemos of Carbo/taxol, I've been on a three month break to build up strength. My recent CT scan showed only a slight increase in my tumors, just 2mm on one and 1 mm on the other. My CA125, which is very accurate for me, is back out of normal range but not by a lot. So, my break continues! The CA125 will be taken again in 6 weeks. I actually argued against a break but by the time it started I realized how depleted I was and how much I needed it. In the past three months I spent a week at a beach house, attended my granddaughter's high school graduation and had a wonderful day yesterday with family playing outdoor games and watching firework. I'm still wrapping my head around the idea of living with active cancer as a chronic disease but I'm getting there.

The Break was Needed!

It sounds like you absolutely did need that break.

Because of my flavor of disease, I'm not needing the same treatments, but the word "break" resonates deeply, and what it means for you. I'm so glad that you are getting some rest and joy. 

Dak82

Not cancer news

I spent a great weekend visiting two of my kids yesterday in Denver; first time I'd seen my daughter since Thanksgiving. Two of my sisters are coming to visit at end of month. Except for my kids all my siblings live on the southeastern coast. I am still working so trying to manage my paid time off which also has to go for doctors appointments.

I had a decent visit with my med oncologist last week--she wanted to see me after the first dostarlimab infusion to make sure I'm really doing ok. Which I am. She also put in a referral  to urology to discuss removing my ureter stent which has been the bane of my current existence--constant stabbing pains in bladder, bladder spasms, and increasing incontinence. I measure my walks by the size Poise pad I have to wear! But overall the visit was the most positive I've had with her. Still have to wait 6-9 weeks to see if dostarlimab is having any effect; but even with my coughing and back/chest pain she said my lungs sounded clear. Even with X-ray that showed increase in number and size of lung nodules. Sigh.

Even though I don't know where this will end I am positive that everything possible is being done--and that's all I can ask for.

Curious if any of you have chosen to engage in y4c. Yoga for cancer. I am looking to gain some control over my situation and this looks hopeful.

Hugs to all,

Deb

Harmanygroves

Dak82 said:

Not cancer news

I spent a great weekend visiting two of my kids yesterday in Denver; first time I'd seen my daughter since Thanksgiving. Two of my sisters are coming to visit at end of month. Except for my kids all my siblings live on the southeastern coast. I am still working so trying to manage my paid time off which also has to go for doctors appointments.

I had a decent visit with my med oncologist last week--she wanted to see me after the first dostarlimab infusion to make sure I'm really doing ok. Which I am. She also put in a referral  to urology to discuss removing my ureter stent which has been the bane of my current existence--constant stabbing pains in bladder, bladder spasms, and increasing incontinence. I measure my walks by the size Poise pad I have to wear! But overall the visit was the most positive I've had with her. Still have to wait 6-9 weeks to see if dostarlimab is having any effect; but even with my coughing and back/chest pain she said my lungs sounded clear. Even with X-ray that showed increase in number and size of lung nodules. Sigh.

Even though I don't know where this will end I am positive that everything possible is being done--and that's all I can ask for.

Curious if any of you have chosen to engage in y4c. Yoga for cancer. I am looking to gain some control over my situation and this looks hopeful.

Hugs to all,

Deb

Good Luck on that Stent being removed

...would be wonderful to resolve the situation with the "bane of your existence." 

I got a good chuckle out of the way you're measuring the walks--with the type of Poise pad. I have to be vigilant too, so I can relate to some degree there.

Yoga for cancer is definitely something I've considered. I just began working out at the most amazing facility today, and am very enthusiastic about it--excited and happy to have joined, and eager to spend more time there. The small workout I had today exhausted me, which is just fine. Baby steps to better health!

The weekend approaches, so enjoy your time off work.

Harmanygroves

zsazsa1 said:

So, after bragging

So, after bragging unashamedly about the 17 yr old son's getting into Harvard, the next piece of good news is that I finally managed to kick the brilliant 24 yr old son's butt through his associate's degree at the community college, and get him admitted as a junior to the flagship state U!  Now let's see if I can somehow manage to push him through to his bachelor's.  But hey, it's a milestone!

They are all so different : )

Congrats on getting the brilliant (albeit poky) 24-yo through his associate's and into state university. He is probably one of those who hates change, and once settled in, will now do fine at the big school!

thatblondegirl

So happy for you!!!

Way to go, Deb! You did it! And good for you still practicing and participating in the band! Hope your fatigue improves very soon!

❤️❤️❤️, Alicia

Harmanygroves

alicia2020 said:

So happy for you!!!

Way to go, Deb! You did it! And good for you still practicing and participating in the band! Hope your fatigue improves very soon!

❤️❤️❤️, Alicia

The Band....

Honestly, I've always been the booker of our gigs. Last year, we were booked to headline the county fair and rodeo, which is going to be a big exhausting ordeal for me.

If it weren't for the four very excited "old boys" in my band (we are all in our 60s), I would NOT be working as hard as I am to strengthen and firm up my resolve. Today I worked out again at the gym--ten minutes on elliptical, five minutes rowing machine, all the weights my PT put together, and ten laps in the pool. I felt great after, and did not need to sleep this afternoon!

We're practicing twice a week right now in preparation for 20 and 21 August, which also includes doing a LOT of heavy equipment moving. It should be a huge push. 

Then, the 29th, we are playing a big local festival. Again, while I love performing, if it weren't for my bandmates, well! I will work hard at building endurance between now and then. 

 

Thanks for your support! 

XXOO

Deb

Harmanygroves

Long Hike Today

Today was my first long hike --and I mean grueling long!--at the State Park where I volunteer as a Trail Ambassador. As I'm a teacher (semi retired), I was a shoe-in to get on with the State of OR Parks and Recs department as a volunteer. I hike with a backpack, dress in ranger gear and a hat, and generally cook on the trail as I hike up and down inclines and etc. It is a big workout for me. 

I was able to do a short loop, although with lots of incline / decline, and was on the trail for about four hours doing trail work and giving hikers directions. It is a good victory for me. Initially, I worried that I'd have a "need to use the restroom where none exists" issue, but I did okay. I was a bit dehydrated at the end of the day, but I've been hydrating since return and know that this is really good for me.

Small victories add up to better health, I think! Feeling optimistic. 

woodstock99

Very encouraging and

Very encouraging and wonderful to read all these posts.  So happy for everyone! 

txtrisha55

I reached my 10 year mark today (really Aug 22- date of last chemo treatment) but had my Gyn Onc Dr appointment today.  She said everything looked great and CA 125 test was 13.8 which is around what it has been the last 5 years.

Stage 3c1 Grade 3 Uterine cancer carcinoma sarcoma.  Surgery 8 April 2011 Total Adominal Hysterectomy removing eveything including the omentem.  Six chemo treatment of Carbo/taxol and no radiation.  Still here with no recurrance.

This is my good news for tday as I just had my dr visit for check up. Time to go another roman numeral V (5) on my tattoo. trish

jan9wils

txtrisha55 said:

I reached my 10 year mark today (really Aug 22- date of last chemo treatment) but had my Gyn Onc Dr appointment today.  She said everything looked great and CA 125 test was 13.8 which is around what it has been the last 5 years.

Stage 3c1 Grade 3 Uterine cancer carcinoma sarcoma.  Surgery 8 April 2011 Total Adominal Hysterectomy removing eveything including the omentem.  Six chemo treatment of Carbo/taxol and no radiation.  Still here with no recurrance.

This is my good news for tday as I just had my dr visit for check up. Time to go another roman numeral V (5) on my tattoo. trish

txtrisha55, what very good

txtrisha55, what very good news indeed! Congratulations.

Jan