I'm Back

forme
forme Member Posts: 1,161 Member
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
Hi All,
So sorry that it took me so long to update. You are all so wonderful and caring..

This week has been very hard and being away from home was so difficult. My daughter was a great help, but I wish Keith had been with me. I have arrived home to sadness and so much more. Tomorrow will be the funeral for Delores.

Houston was a good choice for me. MD Anderson is amazing and I was very impressed. It runs like machine. I am still waiting for many test results, but needed to come home. This is what I know so far..
I will be followed very closly by the docs at Anderson. I will return in 8 weeks or sooner if the tests say that I should. They have found a tumor in my lung, but will watch and wait since it is small for now. Hopefully it will stay small and not need any treatment. If it grows then i will start chemo for that. My tumor maker is still rising , but the docs think it is still low enough to wait a little longer. Options are still very limited, but I am hopeful that the new tests will give me a better direction. I am okay with waiting, since I know that I am being treated by the best! I was told that I made the right choice in refusing to have more rads. The Dr said it would have done nothing for me except add to my total overall rad dose. He said that he would never have told me to do it!
I am still a firm believer in listening to my inner voice. So far it has guided me through just fine. If any of the cancer starts to show up big enough, then we will start ERT. Much more of a direct hit on the ca. So, now I am home to wait some more. Spleen is still enlarged but he was okay with still waiting. I guess I just needed to hear that it's okay to wait.
After tomorrow is over, I should be able to respond to all of you.
Thank you for all your warm and loving support, for me and for my family. You are the BEST!
Stay well and warm and peaceful healing always
Lisha

Comments

  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #2
    Wait and watch....
    Hi Lisha,
    So glad to hear from you! Sounds like the trip was worth going. Like you said...if the new doctors say it's ok to wait and watch, then at least you've been told to do it by the "best". I'm glad you have been re-tested and your now in the hands of doctors that truely know what they are doing. Once again...I'm so very sorry about Delores and I'll keep you and the family in my prayers. Much love to you Lisha...Sue
  • vinny59
    vinny59 Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #3
    a lot
    That is a lot to deal with, I'm really proud of you Lisha for taking control of your health, I also believe in that inner voice! Stay well.... Vinny
  • miss maggie
    miss maggie Member Posts: 929
    #4
    wait and watch
    Good morning Lisha,

    I read and re-read your post. My impression of the new you, you sound so re-assured. So much better and not so sad and worried. How wonderful you have finally found a hospital and its doctor's that you really trust. You can sigh a sigh of relief. One question, what is ERT?

    I look forward to reading your post on Monday. I realize part of this weekend will be very sad. Delores passed away knowing how much you loved her. You were there for her when she needed you.

    God Bless Love Maggie
  • yesyes2
    yesyes2 Member Posts: 591
    #5
    miss maggie said:

    wait and watch
    Good morning Lisha,

    I read and re-read your post. My impression of the new you, you sound so re-assured. So much better and not so sad and worried. How wonderful you have finally found a hospital and its doctor's that you really trust. You can sigh a sigh of relief. One question, what is ERT?

    I look forward to reading your post on Monday. I realize part of this weekend will be very sad. Delores passed away knowing how much you loved her. You were there for her when she needed you.

    God Bless Love Maggie

    Back Home
    Lisha,
    So glad your back home with the family and husband. I was very saddened to hear of your mother-in-laws passing. And I know how difficult this journey has been for you. You certainly are a trooper.
    I was very pleased that MDA was a good choice for you, and you were happy with the care and doctors. The wait and watch seems like a good plan at this stag. Although I'm sure that could be hard to do, probably impossible for me who always wants what I want right now, LOL.
    Take care, and blessings to you and your husband and family.
    Leslie
  • onlytoday
    onlytoday Member Posts: 609 Member
    #6
    You
    Lisha,

    Glad to hear of the good news about your new doctors. It sounds like you are on the right track and they are on top of everything. I'm happy for you, it is so important to have faith in our doctors! You sound at peace with it and I'm glad to hear that.

    I am very sorry for your loss of Delores. My prayers are with you and your family.

    Love,
    Donna

    NMZ NHL stage IV 05/10 REMISSION 01/11/11
  • truckingalong
    truckingalong Member Posts: 445 Member
    #7
    Blessings to you
    Thanks, Lisha, for letting us know how you are doing. I am in awe of your inner voice - yes, I knew you have a good sense of what should be going on and am so relieved to hear that you are in good hands of your treating facility. Hope this continues to work out well.

    Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time and may memories of Delores being you comfort.

    Liz
  • forme
    forme Member Posts: 1,161 Member
    #8
    miss maggie said:

    wait and watch
    Good morning Lisha,

    I read and re-read your post. My impression of the new you, you sound so re-assured. So much better and not so sad and worried. How wonderful you have finally found a hospital and its doctor's that you really trust. You can sigh a sigh of relief. One question, what is ERT?

    I look forward to reading your post on Monday. I realize part of this weekend will be very sad. Delores passed away knowing how much you loved her. You were there for her when she needed you.

    God Bless Love Maggie

    Thank you
    Hi Maggie,
    Thank you for your kindness. It has been a long a sometimes difficult weekend. But overall very loving and full of family.
    To answer your question, ERT is the same as EBR. External Radiation Treatment or External Beam Radiation.
    peaceful healing
    Lisha
  • miss maggie
    miss maggie Member Posts: 929
    #9
    forme said:

    Thank you
    Hi Maggie,
    Thank you for your kindness. It has been a long a sometimes difficult weekend. But overall very loving and full of family.
    To answer your question, ERT is the same as EBR. External Radiation Treatment or External Beam Radiation.
    peaceful healing
    Lisha

    EBR ERT
    Dear Lisha,

    You are very welcome. Thanks so much for your explanation of the above, EBR and ERT. It has taken me about 14 months to have some understanding of medical terms. Wish it wasn't so, but it is what it is.

    I read your post about your pain in the shoulder. I am so sorry. I agree, when will it end. You would think after surgery in May, you would be pain free. It just goes to show, how fragile we all are. I know after my small bowel was resected, I was petrified to lift anything more than a few pounds. Still am. I suppose we should all become vegetables on the couch.

    Look forward to your future posts. Please keep up your positive thoughts.

    Love Maggie
  • JoanieP
    JoanieP Member Posts: 573
    #10
    Glad you're home Lisha
    Glad you are home but sorry you came home to such sadness. Sounds like they have a plan for you. Somehow it helps I think when we know what is coming next. Take care of yourself.

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