Hi Kikz (Karen)

lovesanimals
lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member

I was just wondering how you are doing and what's your doctor's game plan for you?

Kelly

Comments

  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    Hi Kelly

    Thanks for asking.  I have been MIA for a while because my cousin has been critically ill.  We are like sisters, eleven days apart, I am the older.  She had heart surgery in Feb, went well then had a couple of hospitalizations and ended up needed another procedure for her heart.  They went though the groin and a major artery was damaged in the process.  She had to go in for a second surgery the same day to stop the bleed.  I was there with her son, even spent Tuesday night in a chair in the waiting room.  She is stable now with a good prognosis but her mental state is not good.  She keeps telling us she doesn't want to live and is very matter of fact about it.  I lost it on Tuesday, got in her face and cried and begged for about ten minutes.  The next day she didn't even remember me talking to her.  (A wasted academy award-winning performance)

    I have been driving about 100 miles round trip almost every day and I am exhausted.  I take a day off here and there but I feel I need to be there for her as she was for me during my treatment.  Hell, we have been there for each other our whole lives.  I was panicked at the thought of losing her.

    At least this took my mind off my own troubles.  I had not received the results from the CA 125 I had on 3/28.  My onc has been calling me the next day for the last couple of tests.  I was convinced I was headed back to chemo so I was hesitant about making the call myself.  And with everything going on with my cousin, I wanted to concentrate on her.  I had even thought of asking my onc to delay chemo as long as safely possible if I indeed needed it..

    Yesterday I stayed home and decided I needed to know.  It turns out my count stayed exactly the same.  It is good news but I haven't taken Aromasin since the day 3/28 because I was waiting for the onc to tell me what to do.  She called me later and seemed perplexed as to why I had stopped taking it.  I reminded her that she had prescribed 30 pills because it was kind of a last-ditch try before chemo.  She was actually on vacation for two weeks so I think I got lost in the shuffle, although of course I should have called.  I feel sort of confused by the whole thing.  I hope not taking the pill for a couple of weeks doesn't have a negative impact.

    I am now living month to month.  I called my hairdresser and told her we could go ahead with the highlights when I get my hair cut next week.  I had held off in case I started chemo.

    Last night I dreamed I was holding a four or five foot long alligator.  I was calming it when it started to try to scratch or bite me.  I walked around with it, then sat.  It reared its head and when I soothed it, it sighed and relaxed.  It started to get harder to keep it calm and I wanted to get rid of it.  I woke up and remembered that I have had this dream before.  I try to interpret what my dreams mean.  I think the alligator is the cancer.  It's big and scary but I am trying my best to keep it calm and in control.  So much for amateur psychology.

    Thanks for hearing me out.  It has been quite a week, actually longer than that.

     

    Karen 

     

     

  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    kikz said:

    Hi Kelly

    Thanks for asking.  I have been MIA for a while because my cousin has been critically ill.  We are like sisters, eleven days apart, I am the older.  She had heart surgery in Feb, went well then had a couple of hospitalizations and ended up needed another procedure for her heart.  They went though the groin and a major artery was damaged in the process.  She had to go in for a second surgery the same day to stop the bleed.  I was there with her son, even spent Tuesday night in a chair in the waiting room.  She is stable now with a good prognosis but her mental state is not good.  She keeps telling us she doesn't want to live and is very matter of fact about it.  I lost it on Tuesday, got in her face and cried and begged for about ten minutes.  The next day she didn't even remember me talking to her.  (A wasted academy award-winning performance)

    I have been driving about 100 miles round trip almost every day and I am exhausted.  I take a day off here and there but I feel I need to be there for her as she was for me during my treatment.  Hell, we have been there for each other our whole lives.  I was panicked at the thought of losing her.

    At least this took my mind off my own troubles.  I had not received the results from the CA 125 I had on 3/28.  My onc has been calling me the next day for the last couple of tests.  I was convinced I was headed back to chemo so I was hesitant about making the call myself.  And with everything going on with my cousin, I wanted to concentrate on her.  I had even thought of asking my onc to delay chemo as long as safely possible if I indeed needed it..

    Yesterday I stayed home and decided I needed to know.  It turns out my count stayed exactly the same.  It is good news but I haven't taken Aromasin since the day 3/28 because I was waiting for the onc to tell me what to do.  She called me later and seemed perplexed as to why I had stopped taking it.  I reminded her that she had prescribed 30 pills because it was kind of a last-ditch try before chemo.  She was actually on vacation for two weeks so I think I got lost in the shuffle, although of course I should have called.  I feel sort of confused by the whole thing.  I hope not taking the pill for a couple of weeks doesn't have a negative impact.

    I am now living month to month.  I called my hairdresser and told her we could go ahead with the highlights when I get my hair cut next week.  I had held off in case I started chemo.

    Last night I dreamed I was holding a four or five foot long alligator.  I was calming it when it started to try to scratch or bite me.  I walked around with it, then sat.  It reared its head and when I soothed it, it sighed and relaxed.  It started to get harder to keep it calm and I wanted to get rid of it.  I woke up and remembered that I have had this dream before.  I try to interpret what my dreams mean.  I think the alligator is the cancer.  It's big and scary but I am trying my best to keep it calm and in control.  So much for amateur psychology.

    Thanks for hearing me out.  It has been quite a week, actually longer than that.

     

    Karen 

     

     

    Hi Karen

    Thanks so much for sharing.  I hesitated at first to ask about you because I don't want to be a buttinsky if you prefer to lay low but I had this feeling that I should ask.  You've certainly been through the wringer these past couple of weeks.  I'm so glad that the prognosis for your dear cousin is good.  As emotionally churning and exhausting as it was for you, I can tell that you were glad to be by her side and I'll bet you were grateful to "payback" the support that she gave to you.

    It can be so hard and scary to know what we're facing with our health.  You were very brave to "face the music" about your CA 125.  I am so glad that your number hasn't changed - that is terrific news!  I know this is easy for me to say but please don't worry or fret about not taking the pill for a couple of weeks.  I personally don't think that two weeks makes much of a difference.  Funny you should talk aboout dreams.  I think my dreams about tornadoes is my version of your alligator.  When I'm under a lot of stress, I tend to dream a lot about tornadoes baring down on me and my loved ones.

    Whatever is in store for you next, you can face it.  And you always have us teal sisters to talk to and vent to.  Sending good thoughts and prayers your way.

    Hugs,

    Kelly

     

  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    Karen

      So glad your ca125 stayed the same. I hope your cousin is doing better, you. and her are lucky to have such a close relationship. Just be careful not to get rundown , you can't help her if you get sick.

    Colleen

  • Alexandra
    Alexandra Member Posts: 1,308
    kikz said:

    Hi Kelly

    Thanks for asking.  I have been MIA for a while because my cousin has been critically ill.  We are like sisters, eleven days apart, I am the older.  She had heart surgery in Feb, went well then had a couple of hospitalizations and ended up needed another procedure for her heart.  They went though the groin and a major artery was damaged in the process.  She had to go in for a second surgery the same day to stop the bleed.  I was there with her son, even spent Tuesday night in a chair in the waiting room.  She is stable now with a good prognosis but her mental state is not good.  She keeps telling us she doesn't want to live and is very matter of fact about it.  I lost it on Tuesday, got in her face and cried and begged for about ten minutes.  The next day she didn't even remember me talking to her.  (A wasted academy award-winning performance)

    I have been driving about 100 miles round trip almost every day and I am exhausted.  I take a day off here and there but I feel I need to be there for her as she was for me during my treatment.  Hell, we have been there for each other our whole lives.  I was panicked at the thought of losing her.

    At least this took my mind off my own troubles.  I had not received the results from the CA 125 I had on 3/28.  My onc has been calling me the next day for the last couple of tests.  I was convinced I was headed back to chemo so I was hesitant about making the call myself.  And with everything going on with my cousin, I wanted to concentrate on her.  I had even thought of asking my onc to delay chemo as long as safely possible if I indeed needed it..

    Yesterday I stayed home and decided I needed to know.  It turns out my count stayed exactly the same.  It is good news but I haven't taken Aromasin since the day 3/28 because I was waiting for the onc to tell me what to do.  She called me later and seemed perplexed as to why I had stopped taking it.  I reminded her that she had prescribed 30 pills because it was kind of a last-ditch try before chemo.  She was actually on vacation for two weeks so I think I got lost in the shuffle, although of course I should have called.  I feel sort of confused by the whole thing.  I hope not taking the pill for a couple of weeks doesn't have a negative impact.

    I am now living month to month.  I called my hairdresser and told her we could go ahead with the highlights when I get my hair cut next week.  I had held off in case I started chemo.

    Last night I dreamed I was holding a four or five foot long alligator.  I was calming it when it started to try to scratch or bite me.  I walked around with it, then sat.  It reared its head and when I soothed it, it sighed and relaxed.  It started to get harder to keep it calm and I wanted to get rid of it.  I woke up and remembered that I have had this dream before.  I try to interpret what my dreams mean.  I think the alligator is the cancer.  It's big and scary but I am trying my best to keep it calm and in control.  So much for amateur psychology.

    Thanks for hearing me out.  It has been quite a week, actually longer than that.

     

    Karen 

     

     

    Dear Karen

     

    By now you probably have a new beautiful haircut and highlights.

    Your cousin is lucky to have you by her side. You are amazing to put your health issues aside to take care of her.

    You're probably right to interpret your dream. Cancer is our biggest fear. This is what "Dream Bible" says about it.

    To dream of an alligator represents a situation in your life that you feel is dangerous. Feeling that a problem has rocked your sense of balance or safety. Feeling shaken by something or struggling to contain a problem. Alternatively, an alligator may reflect a powerful fear you have. An alligator may be a sign that you need to put more effort into confronting your fears or speak to someone about your problems. An alligator may reflect the danger you feel from a job layoff, argument, or interpersonal problem. It may also reflect the threat of loss or feeling that a crisis may be at hand.

    I am not overly supersticious but I believe that universe is trying to communicate to us, warn us; sometimes through dreams, sometimes through subtle signs. You have to be open enough to see and hear those warnings. My late grandma dreamt of her teeth falling out twice in her life: the day before the WW2 and the day before grandpa passed away. For me when I start seeing number 11:11 more frequently than usual (clock, computer, microwave, phone, etc.) I know to be careful because something bad is about to happen.

    Many hugs - Alexandra

  • Glad to be done
    Glad to be done Member Posts: 569

    Karen

      So glad your ca125 stayed the same. I hope your cousin is doing better, you. and her are lucky to have such a close relationship. Just be careful not to get rundown , you can't help her if you get sick.

    Colleen

    Hi karen.  So happy about

    Hi karen.  So happy about your CA staying the same and your cousin is doing well...

    I think the same thing that happened to your cousin happened to my mom.  Back in November my mom had a heart attach (which she didn't even know she was having) and they went in and put a coupl stents in up through the groin.  All went well with surgery .  She was doing great and my dad left to go home for the night.  My dad got home and there was a call on the machine telling him that my mom had to go back into surgery.  So he returned to the hospital.  Well she went from being great to "we will do all we can to save her" in less than an hour.  They came in after my dad left to remove the catheter they used to put in the stents and when they were pulling it out the cath tore her artery in her leg.  She got rushed into surgery and when she came out of surgery they told my dad that IF she made it through the next 48 hours she would be ok.  They had her on a vent for 3 days to give her heart a rest and slowly weined her off the 3rd day. 

    I hope your cousin is doing great today

    Eileen 

  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    Thanks, ladies,

    for all your well wishes. 

    Happy to report my cousin has taken a turn for the better and is being transferred from Stanford to a rehab 10 miles from home.  This will make it easier on those of us who have been making the trip to Stanford every couple of days.

    It has been an ordeal.  I knew I loved her but the thought of losing her was more than I could bear.  She has been in my life always (we are 11 days apart in age) and has always been there for me.  I told someone that Marsha will always take my side, if I told her I had just robbed a bank, she would say, well, you probably needed the money.

    I hope she continues to heal and is able to have the quality of life she has been missing for a while.  She still has lung problems and will need oxygen.  She is down about that but hopefully if she feels better, she can tolerate that better as well.

    Here's to better days.

    Karen

  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    kikz said:

    Thanks, ladies,

    for all your well wishes. 

    Happy to report my cousin has taken a turn for the better and is being transferred from Stanford to a rehab 10 miles from home.  This will make it easier on those of us who have been making the trip to Stanford every couple of days.

    It has been an ordeal.  I knew I loved her but the thought of losing her was more than I could bear.  She has been in my life always (we are 11 days apart in age) and has always been there for me.  I told someone that Marsha will always take my side, if I told her I had just robbed a bank, she would say, well, you probably needed the money.

    I hope she continues to heal and is able to have the quality of life she has been missing for a while.  She still has lung problems and will need oxygen.  She is down about that but hopefully if she feels better, she can tolerate that better as well.

    Here's to better days.

    Karen

    Hi Karen

    I am so glad that your beloved cousin is doing better and that her rehab will be closer to where you all live.  We all know how important it is to have family and friends close by our side while we go through the healing process.  No doubt, Marsha is very appreciative of your loving support.  I am sending special good thoughts and prayers her way and your way and I hope that she has a smooth recovery.

    Kelly