Is Mary Ann okay?

santefe55 said:

Improving
Mary Ann was discharged from the hospital Wednesday. Doing better, but remains in significant pain from numerous canker sores in the mouth and throat burns, a side effect of 35 radiation treatments. Thanks for all the words of support

so glad mary ann is improving, and back home


i sure hope mary ann gets to have her thanksgiving treats, even if a little belatedly. so glad to hear she's better, and is at least at home. we're all rooting for her, and hopefully in a little while, this whole episode will just be a bad memory. in the meantime, best love to her.
sisterhood
maggie

fuzzytrouble said:

Mary Ann
Thinking of you sending good vibes and wishing you to get better from the radiation treatment. Radiation treatment does a job on the body, so it takes a bit of time to come back and I know you will get there faster.
Hugs for you from Oregon

So glad Mary Ann is at home
Sorry to hear Mary Ann is having so much pain, and having canker sores. It sounds miserable. Since the radiation is completed, hopefully all that will clear up soon. Hope she can enjoy those cool smoothies. Did thy find the cause of her fever (was it all the inflammation in her throat?) Hope she feels better soon. In peace and caring.

Ro10 said:

So glad Mary Ann is at home
Sorry to hear Mary Ann is having so much pain, and having canker sores. It sounds miserable. Since the radiation is completed, hopefully all that will clear up soon. Hope she can enjoy those cool smoothies. Did thy find the cause of her fever (was it all the inflammation in her throat?) Hope she feels better soon. In peace and caring.

Mary Ann
Oh my gosh I've missed all this information. I hate to hear of any hospital stay, but so thankful she's doing better and at her own home.

Thanks again for keeping us posted...I'll keep checking in to see more updates.

Blessings to Mary Ann...
Jan

daisy366 said:

UPDATE
Well, this cancer journey certainly can be fascinating. Since last week, things are so much better. I guess this could be considered a research project since the one constant was my treatments - weekly carboplatin and daily radiation to supraclavicular lymph nodes.

10 days ago I was miserable, scared, anxious, in pain, chakras from the heart up were closed. The radiation was burning my throat and I worried about suffocating, not being able to eat, etc. Today I am pain-free, more confident and calm. Yet the daily radiation continued. I even questioned the techs if they lowered the dose - no was the response.

As the week progressed my throat felt better. Today, Monday, I can swallow without problem. What changed?? In reflection, many things:
1) I have eliminated many stressors - work being the biggest.
2) I took the words of my doc to heart "You are having these negative symptoms too early!!" and got off my pity pot and went to healing session, yoga and healing touch. I heard words that helped me be more positive and not give in to FEAR. Francesca talked about the connection between the sacral chakra (the source of "Chester", the name I gave the papillary serous uterine cancer) and the throat chakra (the area of recurrence and the area of my current pain AND one of my personal challenges, SPEAKING UP FOR MYSELF and BEING HEARD!!). How profound to hear of the connection. She said that if we give in to defeat than we have lost (I know this but didn't practice it) and to profess intention to succeed with confidence. I participated in partnering exercises and started feeling better - like a wilted flower drinking in water. My healing touch session immediately followed and Barbara opened up my chakras. Again, feeling better in my throat. I believe I shifted from FEAR to FAITH and TRUST.
3) I was a better steward to my throat. Instead of denying I had a problem (eating whatever I wanted), I started babying my throat - gargling regularly with salt and baking soda mixture, eating soft foods in small portions, drinking from straw, cooling down my throat after treatments with ice-cold smoothie (yum).
4) the xanax? Didn't help - maybe too weak a dose (.25). So I can't credit this!
5) chia seeds. Francesca fed me these and said "this will draw the cancer right out of you!". I bought some. They are a strong anti-oxidant, higher than blueberries. I need to discuss this with my doc today if I should take now. But after treatment, for sure these will be my friend. Who can argue with those words, "this will take the cancer right out of you!"
6) My nurse told me to take it a week at a time. So I set my sights small. I am at the halfway point of treatment now and I just need to get through Friday.
7) visualization. In the radiation machine, I envision being comforted by Mary and protected by God. Mary is cradling me and has her hand over my throat. We are both in the hands of God who only lets in the radiation directed at the weakened cancer cells. The rays hit the mark and Chester dies. I repeat this before sleep and in morning.

It is only my thoughts and actions that have changed! So, my friends. Take flight - like Claudia's goose, Gwendolynne - with confidence and faith. I am flying through this journey one day at a time.

Love and blessings to you all. Mary Ann

Thinking of you and sending positive energy
Mary Ann,
I haven't been on the site for a while and am just getting caught up on how everyone is doing and seeing the new women who have joined our "club". I am sorry to hear that you are fighting a reoccurance. You have been through so much! I appreciate your perspective in how you are managing yourself in light of all the suffering you are undergoing. Just know that there are sooo many of us who are praying for you and sending love and strength to you for your recovery. Glad to see that you are doing better.
God bless you and keep you and may his face shine upon you and give you grace...
Lori

california_artist said:

Mary Ann's feeling pretty chipper!
I called her yesterday and she seemed her old self, all full of vim? and vinegar. Her voice is a bit raspy, but other than that she is in high spirits.

Can't begin to say how wonderful it was hear how well she was doing. I know she is near and dear to the original crew and some of the later joiners here.

Good news,

Claudia

Thanks, Claudia, on the
Thanks, Claudia, on the update on Mary Ann. It is good to know she is feeling better and improving daily. We continue to pray for a speedy recovery.

Thanks for the good news,

Kathy

california_artist said:

Mary Ann's feeling pretty chipper!
I called her yesterday and she seemed her old self, all full of vim? and vinegar. Her voice is a bit raspy, but other than that she is in high spirits.

Can't begin to say how wonderful it was hear how well she was doing. I know she is near and dear to the original crew and some of the later joiners here.

Good news,

Claudia

Great news!
I am so happy to hear that Mary Ann is doing well. She is an amazing warrior and am confident she will continue to do well!

BIG HUGS to you, Mary Ann!

Karen

upsofloating said:

Somehow I missed Mary Ann's
Somehow I missed Mary Ann's unfortunate saga but am so glad to hear she is on the mend. Itwas such a rough treatment course; she is certainly a tough warrior!
(((Hugs))) Mary Ann, Annie

Thank you all so much
Ladies, I appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. It has been an experience, for sure. I wondered if I should post the truth of it all. For those who want to know, here it is:

My recurrence was in the supraclavicular (collar bone area) lymph system. Doc recommended combo of carboplatin weekly and daily radiation (35 tx). I managed to get through it all in pretty good shape besides a sore esophagus - some pain on swallowing. I assumed that once done - things would get better so I planned several fun things -concerts, etc. Iwas Only able to make 1 of the 3 things I planned.

Well, the throat pain doubled and I developed a fever days after completion. I needed to be hospitalized due to fever but all tests good. Then, I developed canker sores in the lower part of my mouth - super hell. Unable to eat except through a straw. After 5 days fever stopped and I left hospital in time to see Cirque du Soleil in Orlando ( 1.5 hours of joy!!!).

So now I am on the upswing. Mouth throat almost healed; I can eat soft foods again. Still very weak and have trouble with talking. But getting stronger.

What do we do, ladies, when our docs make these recommendations? In retrospect maybe 7 weeks was overkill - Chester has got to be dead after all that. This treatment took a big toll on my body. Thank goodness I was healthy and strong before. Again, the crap shoot theory - Docs really don't know how we will react and I guess they try to kill the cancer without killing the patient.

Ladies, it's good to be back. I am retiring from full=time work and plan to party my way through the rest of my days!!! Blessings and joy to all of us. Love, Mary Ann

daisy366 said:

Thank you all so much
Ladies, I appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. It has been an experience, for sure. I wondered if I should post the truth of it all. For those who want to know, here it is:

My recurrence was in the supraclavicular (collar bone area) lymph system. Doc recommended combo of carboplatin weekly and daily radiation (35 tx). I managed to get through it all in pretty good shape besides a sore esophagus - some pain on swallowing. I assumed that once done - things would get better so I planned several fun things -concerts, etc. Iwas Only able to make 1 of the 3 things I planned.

Well, the throat pain doubled and I developed a fever days after completion. I needed to be hospitalized due to fever but all tests good. Then, I developed canker sores in the lower part of my mouth - super hell. Unable to eat except through a straw. After 5 days fever stopped and I left hospital in time to see Cirque du Soleil in Orlando ( 1.5 hours of joy!!!).

So now I am on the upswing. Mouth throat almost healed; I can eat soft foods again. Still very weak and have trouble with talking. But getting stronger.

What do we do, ladies, when our docs make these recommendations? In retrospect maybe 7 weeks was overkill - Chester has got to be dead after all that. This treatment took a big toll on my body. Thank goodness I was healthy and strong before. Again, the crap shoot theory - Docs really don't know how we will react and I guess they try to kill the cancer without killing the patient.

Ladies, it's good to be back. I am retiring from full=time work and plan to party my way through the rest of my days!!! Blessings and joy to all of us. Love, Mary Ann

Good to hear from you
Dear Mary Ann,

You certainly have gone through a awful lot. Thanks for sharing your experience and, as importantly, your uplifting attitude in spite of the effects of your treatment.

You can't look back. Hindsight is 20-20...we make our decisions believing they are the best for us at that time.

Congrats on your retirement from full time work. I retired on November 19th as a NYC middle school teacher.

Rest up, recuperate and live on...that's what we all need to do, even though it is easier said than done at times. Plan Chester's funeral...he is a dead man!!!

Peace and hope, JJ

daisy366 said:

Thank you all so much
Ladies, I appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. It has been an experience, for sure. I wondered if I should post the truth of it all. For those who want to know, here it is:

My recurrence was in the supraclavicular (collar bone area) lymph system. Doc recommended combo of carboplatin weekly and daily radiation (35 tx). I managed to get through it all in pretty good shape besides a sore esophagus - some pain on swallowing. I assumed that once done - things would get better so I planned several fun things -concerts, etc. Iwas Only able to make 1 of the 3 things I planned.

Well, the throat pain doubled and I developed a fever days after completion. I needed to be hospitalized due to fever but all tests good. Then, I developed canker sores in the lower part of my mouth - super hell. Unable to eat except through a straw. After 5 days fever stopped and I left hospital in time to see Cirque du Soleil in Orlando ( 1.5 hours of joy!!!).

So now I am on the upswing. Mouth throat almost healed; I can eat soft foods again. Still very weak and have trouble with talking. But getting stronger.

What do we do, ladies, when our docs make these recommendations? In retrospect maybe 7 weeks was overkill - Chester has got to be dead after all that. This treatment took a big toll on my body. Thank goodness I was healthy and strong before. Again, the crap shoot theory - Docs really don't know how we will react and I guess they try to kill the cancer without killing the patient.

Ladies, it's good to be back. I am retiring from full=time work and plan to party my way through the rest of my days!!! Blessings and joy to all of us. Love, Mary Ann

Wonderful to hear from you, Mary Ann
Mary Ann,

You have literally been through the wringer! The throat pain sounds miserable and then for things to flare up when you were DONE with your treatment! What a bummer!!

But of course, you handled this whole episode with grace and a positive attitude....

I am glad to hear that you are retiring from full time work....that will give you more time to heal AND to have fun.... Start partying!!

So glad you are back!!

Karen

Ro10 said:

Mary Ann it is good to see you posting again
I have been very concerned about you. I am so glad you are recuperating. Sorry the throat pain got so bad, but is improving . Your body did quite a toll. You are right that we do what the doctor recommends, and then wonder if they were right. I hope you are finished with treatments forever. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We need to know the good and the bad.

Glad you plan is to party on. Sounds like a good plan for you. Keep the positive attitude, and keep up the meditation, yoga and other things to take care of yourself.

It is great to have you back. In peace and caring.

Loicee
The lymph node in neck area recurrence was discovered by me. I noticed a small lump and brought to attention of doc who kind of pooh poohed it initially. He did order it to be surgically removed and biopsied. Chester was resistant to leaving my lymph system. After about 5 months of surveillance another PET revealed Chester was hanging on - hence the chemo and radiation. In fairness to my doc, he did start out with all options, with "doing nothing" as one of them.

Your radiation story attests to the fact that we all react differently. Docs probably recommend based on the norm and research, of course.

I hope your neck problem is nothing. I have some cracking and popping now and again and think this is my aging bones. But I would definitely bring it up to your doc - maybe even a call to alert him/her now would ease your mind.

You are one of my role models. Are you still teaching?

God bless, Mary Ann