Kathleen808...how are you, **** and the girls doing?

Lovekitties
Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member

Dear Kathleen, I was watching a show filmed in Hawaii and it brought to mind that I haven't seen you post much recently.

How are you, **** and the girls doing?  Well I hope.

To quote a friend..."Aloha"

Marie who loves kitties

Comments

  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    Bumping Up -

    Kathleen - we are looking for an update from you....

    Hugs - Tina

  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    hello my dear friends

    Hello my friends,

    You must have known I needed you.  As you know we are almost 5 years and 95 chemo treatments into this and we are trying to live a normal life - whatever that is.  That said, as you all know this is so not normal to live like this.  But, it is what it is.  We have been pretty good and **** has been dealing with side effects with the help of a naturopath.  That is kinda how our life has been.  Good times, chemo, deal with side effects, enjoy summer, chemo, side effects, take daughter to college, chemo, side effects, etc....  You know what I mean.

     

    Well, that said, a new side effect has popped up and I am not convinced that it is not cancer this time.  **** had a swollen foot about 2 weeks ago when dropping our daughter off at college.  He went to the ER and no blood clot.  Then it went away.  Skipped chemo a week and then had chemo again on Tuesday and then swollen food yesterday and tonight we noticed his thigh is swollen on the outside and a bit on his groin.  I am calm on the outside and terrified on the inside.  Please hold us in your prayers.  I'll keep you updated.

     

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member

    hello my dear friends

    Hello my friends,

    You must have known I needed you.  As you know we are almost 5 years and 95 chemo treatments into this and we are trying to live a normal life - whatever that is.  That said, as you all know this is so not normal to live like this.  But, it is what it is.  We have been pretty good and **** has been dealing with side effects with the help of a naturopath.  That is kinda how our life has been.  Good times, chemo, deal with side effects, enjoy summer, chemo, side effects, take daughter to college, chemo, side effects, etc....  You know what I mean.

     

    Well, that said, a new side effect has popped up and I am not convinced that it is not cancer this time.  **** had a swollen foot about 2 weeks ago when dropping our daughter off at college.  He went to the ER and no blood clot.  Then it went away.  Skipped chemo a week and then had chemo again on Tuesday and then swollen food yesterday and tonight we noticed his thigh is swollen on the outside and a bit on his groin.  I am calm on the outside and terrified on the inside.  Please hold us in your prayers.  I'll keep you updated.

     

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

    Dear Kathleen

    I am sorry to hear that **** is having this issue.  Sometimes the steroids often given with chemo can cause such swelling.  Did he mention the issue to his onc? 

    I would make a call to onc and let him know about the swelling he has now so that either a change can be made to chemo meds or that he can determine another cause.  This is very important since it has now occurred twice.

    Praying that it is a simple matter of changing meds.

    Love to you all,

    Marie who loves kitties

  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member

    hello my dear friends

    Hello my friends,

    You must have known I needed you.  As you know we are almost 5 years and 95 chemo treatments into this and we are trying to live a normal life - whatever that is.  That said, as you all know this is so not normal to live like this.  But, it is what it is.  We have been pretty good and **** has been dealing with side effects with the help of a naturopath.  That is kinda how our life has been.  Good times, chemo, deal with side effects, enjoy summer, chemo, side effects, take daughter to college, chemo, side effects, etc....  You know what I mean.

     

    Well, that said, a new side effect has popped up and I am not convinced that it is not cancer this time.  **** had a swollen foot about 2 weeks ago when dropping our daughter off at college.  He went to the ER and no blood clot.  Then it went away.  Skipped chemo a week and then had chemo again on Tuesday and then swollen food yesterday and tonight we noticed his thigh is swollen on the outside and a bit on his groin.  I am calm on the outside and terrified on the inside.  Please hold us in your prayers.  I'll keep you updated.

     

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

    Kathleen:

    This is a side effect I am not familiar with.  I do understand you fear.  Hang in there and hopefully some answers will come your way.

    Just wanted to stop in and say Hi and let you know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Hugs - Tina

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member

    hello my dear friends

    Hello my friends,

    You must have known I needed you.  As you know we are almost 5 years and 95 chemo treatments into this and we are trying to live a normal life - whatever that is.  That said, as you all know this is so not normal to live like this.  But, it is what it is.  We have been pretty good and **** has been dealing with side effects with the help of a naturopath.  That is kinda how our life has been.  Good times, chemo, deal with side effects, enjoy summer, chemo, side effects, take daughter to college, chemo, side effects, etc....  You know what I mean.

     

    Well, that said, a new side effect has popped up and I am not convinced that it is not cancer this time.  **** had a swollen foot about 2 weeks ago when dropping our daughter off at college.  He went to the ER and no blood clot.  Then it went away.  Skipped chemo a week and then had chemo again on Tuesday and then swollen food yesterday and tonight we noticed his thigh is swollen on the outside and a bit on his groin.  I am calm on the outside and terrified on the inside.  Please hold us in your prayers.  I'll keep you updated.

     

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

    Lovely to see your post....

    Not good to see there is something new!  I agree, could be the edema is caused by the steroids, something that can build over time....

     

    Are they checking his circulatory sistem?  Baseline heart stuff?  Some chemo can alter the heart function a bit.  BTW, watermelon helps with edema for my beau that struggled with congestive heart failure.  Also, ramping up on fluids...sounds backwards, but if the body isn't getting enough fluid, it starts hoarding it....another thing I learned from the heart team (he got a new heart 9 weeks ago...after 20 years of battling heart failure...doing well!).

     

    As always, check with his oncologist beforehand...but these simple things worked for us.

     

    Hugs, Kathi

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member

    hello my dear friends

    Hello my friends,

    You must have known I needed you.  As you know we are almost 5 years and 95 chemo treatments into this and we are trying to live a normal life - whatever that is.  That said, as you all know this is so not normal to live like this.  But, it is what it is.  We have been pretty good and **** has been dealing with side effects with the help of a naturopath.  That is kinda how our life has been.  Good times, chemo, deal with side effects, enjoy summer, chemo, side effects, take daughter to college, chemo, side effects, etc....  You know what I mean.

     

    Well, that said, a new side effect has popped up and I am not convinced that it is not cancer this time.  **** had a swollen foot about 2 weeks ago when dropping our daughter off at college.  He went to the ER and no blood clot.  Then it went away.  Skipped chemo a week and then had chemo again on Tuesday and then swollen food yesterday and tonight we noticed his thigh is swollen on the outside and a bit on his groin.  I am calm on the outside and terrified on the inside.  Please hold us in your prayers.  I'll keep you updated.

     

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

    I so hope it's not cancer!

    We love Hawaii, and every time I see your smiling faces I think of it.  You guys seems to embody that mahalo spirit.  Will they be scanning soon?  It seems like more information is needed at this point, and you shouldn't have to wait too long to find out what is going on.  I hope they can get **** in soon.  Keep us posted, we'll be thinking of you.

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member

    hello my dear friends

    Hello my friends,

    You must have known I needed you.  As you know we are almost 5 years and 95 chemo treatments into this and we are trying to live a normal life - whatever that is.  That said, as you all know this is so not normal to live like this.  But, it is what it is.  We have been pretty good and **** has been dealing with side effects with the help of a naturopath.  That is kinda how our life has been.  Good times, chemo, deal with side effects, enjoy summer, chemo, side effects, take daughter to college, chemo, side effects, etc....  You know what I mean.

     

    Well, that said, a new side effect has popped up and I am not convinced that it is not cancer this time.  **** had a swollen foot about 2 weeks ago when dropping our daughter off at college.  He went to the ER and no blood clot.  Then it went away.  Skipped chemo a week and then had chemo again on Tuesday and then swollen food yesterday and tonight we noticed his thigh is swollen on the outside and a bit on his groin.  I am calm on the outside and terrified on the inside.  Please hold us in your prayers.  I'll keep you updated.

     

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

    Hi Kathleen, I would more

    Hi Kathleen,

     

    I would more concerned about a heart issue rather than cancer.  I hate to sound like an alarmist.  Tumors emit toxins that take a toll on the heart.  Of course the chemo does, as well.  I would demand an echocardiogram etc...  Is he showing any other signs?  Is he more fatigued than usual?  Any changes with his appetite?

     

    Please keep us posted.  God, he has done tremendously well over the years.  Quite a success story.

     

    Try and stay calm.  I completely understand how you feel.  Insist they look at the heart.

  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    Chelsea71 said:

    Hi Kathleen, I would more

    Hi Kathleen,

     

    I would more concerned about a heart issue rather than cancer.  I hate to sound like an alarmist.  Tumors emit toxins that take a toll on the heart.  Of course the chemo does, as well.  I would demand an echocardiogram etc...  Is he showing any other signs?  Is he more fatigued than usual?  Any changes with his appetite?

     

    Please keep us posted.  God, he has done tremendously well over the years.  Quite a success story.

     

    Try and stay calm.  I completely understand how you feel.  Insist they look at the heart.

    Kathleen

    Hi Kath and **** and girls....gosh Kathleen...I hope this latest problem can be resolved...what next? so so many treatments **** has undergone...

    on a lighter note!!! college???/ gosh how did that even happen....that baby girl???/ oh Kathleen I can hardly believe it.  Who knows where the years have gone. 

    Sending love.....mags

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member

    hello my dear friends

    Hello my friends,

    You must have known I needed you.  As you know we are almost 5 years and 95 chemo treatments into this and we are trying to live a normal life - whatever that is.  That said, as you all know this is so not normal to live like this.  But, it is what it is.  We have been pretty good and **** has been dealing with side effects with the help of a naturopath.  That is kinda how our life has been.  Good times, chemo, deal with side effects, enjoy summer, chemo, side effects, take daughter to college, chemo, side effects, etc....  You know what I mean.

     

    Well, that said, a new side effect has popped up and I am not convinced that it is not cancer this time.  **** had a swollen foot about 2 weeks ago when dropping our daughter off at college.  He went to the ER and no blood clot.  Then it went away.  Skipped chemo a week and then had chemo again on Tuesday and then swollen food yesterday and tonight we noticed his thigh is swollen on the outside and a bit on his groin.  I am calm on the outside and terrified on the inside.  Please hold us in your prayers.  I'll keep you updated.

     

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

    prayers and positive thoughts
    I hope its nothing serious but understand your worries. Please let us know.
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    Thank you

    I just love you folks.  You are family and you always let me know that you care.  Thank you!  **** will be scanned next week, on Friday.  I will keep you posted.  Since the swelling is going up and down I am thinking edema, lymphedema.  I hope it is not cancer related even though all the side effects are caused from fighting the darn cancer the actual cancer seems scarier. 

    I'll be checking in with you all this week so I can stay grounded.

     

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    KathiM said:

    Lovely to see your post....

    Not good to see there is something new!  I agree, could be the edema is caused by the steroids, something that can build over time....

     

    Are they checking his circulatory sistem?  Baseline heart stuff?  Some chemo can alter the heart function a bit.  BTW, watermelon helps with edema for my beau that struggled with congestive heart failure.  Also, ramping up on fluids...sounds backwards, but if the body isn't getting enough fluid, it starts hoarding it....another thing I learned from the heart team (he got a new heart 9 weeks ago...after 20 years of battling heart failure...doing well!).

     

    As always, check with his oncologist beforehand...but these simple things worked for us.

     

    Hugs, Kathi

    Kathi

    I have not been checking in as often as before.  I am so happy to hear your sweetie got a heart transplant.  That is beautiful news.  I hope it is going well. 

     

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member

    Thank you

    I just love you folks.  You are family and you always let me know that you care.  Thank you!  **** will be scanned next week, on Friday.  I will keep you posted.  Since the swelling is going up and down I am thinking edema, lymphedema.  I hope it is not cancer related even though all the side effects are caused from fighting the darn cancer the actual cancer seems scarier. 

    I'll be checking in with you all this week so I can stay grounded.

     

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

    Someone mused about this one a while back....

    We that have been touched by the beast, cancer, have a different perspective than most...

     

    My three:  Permanant hip damage?  At least it's not cancer....

                     Tinitus?  At least it's not.....

                     Toileting issues?  It's better than the alternative....

     

    *grin*.....

     

    I am NOT poking at you, my darling Kathleen....just noting that we, who have faced a very large menace can shrug off some stuff that otherwise 'normal' people would be hyperventilating about....

     

    LOVE you LOTS!!!  Hugs to both you and ****....In my best mom's voice: PLEASE check in every once in a while......we worry!!!!

     

    Hugs, Kathi

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Update

    Thank you for the update but sorry to hear that he is having other issues.  Keeping you all in prayer.  Hope scan goes well and he will be able to find out exactly what it is that is making him swell.  Sounds like it could be an issue with his treatments.  Thanks for the update.

    Kim

  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    maglets said:

    Kathleen

    Hi Kath and **** and girls....gosh Kathleen...I hope this latest problem can be resolved...what next? so so many treatments **** has undergone...

    on a lighter note!!! college???/ gosh how did that even happen....that baby girl???/ oh Kathleen I can hardly believe it.  Who knows where the years have gone. 

    Sending love.....mags

    mags

    Mags,

    Now is one of those times I'd love to chat with you in your little cabin with a cup of tea.  It just sounds so lovely.

    You are so very right that the years have marched on.  Our girl was a freshman in high school when **** was diagnosed and now she is a sophomore in college and she recently transferred to the college she really wanted to attend.  I could not get away so **** moved her in.  It was a very special time for both of them.

    I'll stay in touch.

     

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    geotina said:

    Kathleen:

    This is a side effect I am not familiar with.  I do understand you fear.  Hang in there and hopefully some answers will come your way.

    Just wanted to stop in and say Hi and let you know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Hugs - Tina

    Tina

    Tina,

    Thank you for keeping in touch with us.  You are so strong and you help meto  keep going forward.  I'll let all of you know the scan results.  He is having a scan on Friday.

     

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

  • dorookie
    dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
    Hi there

    Sorry to hear that more issues have reared up, sure hope it's nothing major, keeping you, **** and the girls in my prayers!!!!

    love

    Beth