What a Week!

We arrived at Dr. Brodish's office, late this afternoon, in the middle of a big, summer, thunderstorm.  All the plants around his office got a nice drink of water!  John soon had his drainage tube (from the lymph node surgery) removed/yanked out... (OUCH) and was given an A-OK on the incision to this point.  He will have the stitches removed next week.

Immediately afterwards, he had an appointment with Dr. Lee for a review of the MRI he had Monday and the biopsy results.  Thankfully, the scan of his head was clear.  That is a very good thing.  I had been so focused on his chest and lymph node that I didn't even think about it being anywhere else.  That's one of the fun things about cancer, it's like being in the Fright House at the fair.  Just when you least expect it, something else jumps out in front of you and yells, "BOO".  Just like the brain scan.....didn't know I even needed to be worrying about that.

The biopsy confirmed Dr. Lee's initial diagnosis, non small cell adenocarcinoma, or lung cancer.  There are many types of lung cancer.  This one is most always caused by smoking or second hand smoke.  I am not going to lecture on this, but I can't let the opportunity pass without saying, if someone loves you...please don't smoke.

I am so proud of John, he stopped smoking three years ago on my birthday.  It was the best present he ever gave me.  Who knows, if he hadn't stopped then, this could have happened even sooner.

Anyway, still have to get a PET scan done and it looks as if I might have to tangle with the insurance company over approval for a few other things he needs.  With all we have going on, it sure would be nice not having to deal with some of those issues.  But, I'll get that taken care of too.

On another note, Wednesday night, Greene County had a young law enforcement officer shot and killed during a call to a domestic dispute.  The officer was 31 years old and had two young children.  His daughter attends Greene County Schools.  Our wonderful staff has already gotten some things in place to help the family and provide a safety net for her when she returns to school.  Please pray for this young man's family, friends, and coworkers that they find peace.

Every day is a gift.

PCQ  

Busy Day

It's been a very busy day.  Got up at 5 this morning so we could be at the SurgiCenter for John's surgery by 6:15 as scheduled.  Saw a beautiful full moon still shining over the pond as we pulled out of the driveway.

We arrived with time to spare.  Just as we were checking in, our friend Joan came walking in.  I was surprised but happy to see her.  Always good to have friends around when you are waiting and hoping all will go well with surgery.  Soon Paula arrived with coffee and Boberry biscuits.  It was a full fledged party now.

John was called in a few minutes and off he went for prep.  Apparently, the doctor was running behind schedule because the 7:00 surgery morphed into a 9:00 surgery.  But, we got it done.  Met with the doctor, the surgery went well and the lymph node was removed.

When John was in the recovery room, Joan and I were allowed to go back and stay with him.  It was mandatory he wait for one hour to make sure all was okay before we could leave. Didn't take long for us to find him in the maze of curtains. John is a lot of things, but "quiet" is not one of them.  He was ragging the nurse pretty hard, and it seemed as though she was loving every minute of it. 

During that time, we got instructions for the drainage tube, medications, and other pertinent things we needed to watch for.

Before long, we had our wagon headed home.  Another item checked off the list and glad my baby is back home and on the road to recovery.

Pulling hard on my wagon!

PCQ

John

The first of June while visiting with friends, John was stung on his right cheek by a yellow fly.  Shortly thereafter, his lymph node on that side of his neck swelled. We thought it was from the bite and didn't worry about it too much, but after a few days, it didn't go away.   


So he went to Dr. Barrow, our family doctor.  Dr. Barrow gave him a round of antibiotics with the thought that his gland was infected.  Still, nothing changed, so Dr. Barrow referred him to a specialist, Dr. Lee.  Dr. Lee ordered a biopsy be done on the lymph node so off we went last Tuesday to Dr. Brodish, an Ear Nose and Throat specialist.  Dr. Brodish did the needle biopsy that same day and also ordered a CT scan.  The scan was done Wednesday morning.  After the CT scan was completed, we were instructed to get a CD copy of the scan and immediately take it to Dr. Brodish to get CT scan and biopsy results.

This is what we were told.  The lymph node is swollen due to a lung adenocarcinoma, more commonly referred to as lung cancer.  The cells are collecting in the swollen lymph node.

Where do we go from here? On Monday, an MRI will be done to look for any other growth. Dr. Brodish will remove the swollen lymph node next Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. on an outpatient basis at the SurgiCenter in Greenville. John had all the blood work, X-Rays, and EKG done today in preparation for the surgery.  Once removed, they will be able to do a number of DNA tests on the cells to determine our next step of treatment.  


On Thursday, we met with Dr Lee again, John's oncologist with Physicians East.  Dr. Lee is requesting a PET scan also to make sure nothing is overlooked.  Once Dr. Lee has all the results from the scans and tests on the removed lymph node, then we can plan the treatment best suited for John's particular situation.  Dr. Lee said the most likely scenario will be chemotherapy to stop the growth and hopefully shrink it.  Chemotherapy should start the following week. 

Obviously, we are very concerned about this, but thankfully, John feels fine.  The only symptom of any trouble is the swollen lymph node.


After such a stressful day, it was nice to be back home.  Especially, when my dear friend and church circle partner, Gwen, brought over a cool dinner meal of fruity chicken salad, marinated vegetables, and warm blueberry cobbler.  The timing and visit were perfect.

We will keep you updated as we get additional information.  Please keep him in your prayers.


Got my Baby in my wagon and pulling hard!
PCQ

Please Vote: SNOW HILL ~ Tennis Town USA!

Snow Hill, our little town in Greene County, NC, is competing for the title of America's best tennis town in the USA and we need your help.  We are competing with nine other towns and cities in the U.S. to win the United States Tennis Association title.

Snow Hill, which has a population of about 1,700 people, is competing against places like Atlanta, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina - which is why tennis players in Snow Hill are asking for your help. We need people to vote for Snow Hill on line and help the town win $100,000 for more tennis courts and programs in the community.  $100K in Snow Hill is a big deal and will help so many of our young people learn a great sport and help us improve our courts.

Town officials say while Snow Hill may be small, around 11,000 people visited last year to do something involving tennis, whether with the schools, tournaments, or clubs. They also say Snow Hill boasts a tennis ball stamping factory (those tennis balls used at tennis tournaments all over the world, come from little ole Snow Hill) and has more USTA players per capita than any other town in the southeast.  Who would imagine?

Voting continues through Monday with the winner announced during the U.S. Open in August.

Click on the link below and watch the video about our tennis program, or JUST VOTE.  You can only vote once per email address so, if you have several email addresses, use them all!  

And, please send the info to your friends and get them to vote too.  We are like David going up against Goliath in our quest to win this honor!

http://www.besttennistown.com/

PCQ

Well....well....well....

I was putting away the dishes when I heard a newscast about one of the chemotherapy drugs I am on.  Seems the FDA may withdraw it from the market due to non performance.

SAY WHAT?

Non performance.....doesn't work?  I have been on this drug since March and since that time my blood pressure has been way higher than normal, one of the bad side effects of this drug.  So, what's a girl to do?  What is a doctor to do?   I will look forward to discussing this closely with my oncologist but I doubt that he will make any changes until he has had time to review all the information.  But it sure does make me question the whole drug approval process.

I'll keep you updated.

Pulling my wagon with stuff in it that ain't doing nothin' but sending my blood pressure through the roof!

PCQ

Hair Update

I have had several inquiries about my hair.  So far, I still have most of it.  Been keeping what has fallen out.  So, as you can see by the amount in my hand, some out and some still in.  Doctor told me it would come out after the second treatment which was last week.  So we will see.  But, I have decided, if it does get really thin, I am going to get a Mohawk! 

I'll keep you updated.

PCQ

Leaving the Beach

So much happened while we were at the beach.  Too many wonderful stories, and I am sorry to say, not all of them were written down so I could remember them and smile later.  Thankfully, some stories are not easily forgotten and bring an mental chuckle anytime I am reminded.  I'll try to write some of those for you later....they are just too good not to share.

Leaving the beach is always hard.  Having two weeks of intensive living with good friends and friends of friends and family of friends.... a constant turnstile of personalities on parade is so fine.  That's one of the best things about being there, everywhere you look, people are having fun.

We have always said there are no rules, but in reality, there are lots of rules.  Most new people don't realize they have broken "the rules" until, well, someone lets them know.  For instance, every morning the coolers are packed with ice and drinks for the day.  Certain coolers hold certain beer and a certain place in the cooler line up on the porch, and putting another brand of "skunky" beer in that cooler can cause a ruckus.  Plus, the beer must be organized a certain way, hot on the bottom, cold ones put back on top, all standing straight.  Coolers are designated as beach coolers, water/soft drink coolers, beer cooler, wine cooler, etc.  You get the point.  And they are all packed and lined up on the porch first thing in the morning, ready for the day.  Even the little ones know which cooler has fruit drinks and water and which cooler they can open and play in the ice.  So, big rule to learn, don't screw up the coolers and if you are gonna drink or get ice, make sure you are properly trained in the cottage cooler etiquette.

When we got up Thursday morning to pack, John and I started gathering all of our stuff.  Beach chair, towels, power cords, sunglasses, it is amazing how important items can be misplaced or moved when it's time for dinner or a game of dominoes.

Most of the others weren't leaving till Saturday, but our schedule this year was different.  I had my chemo pump on and it had to be removed around lunchtime that day, plus, John had an appointment too.  I knew leaving my friends would be difficult, it always is.  They had all been so kind to me during the past two weeks, not allowing me to cook, cleaning up after me and just making sure I was comfortable.  Like most of you would be, it is hard to accept help when you are usually the one that helps others, so I sometimes forget that I really do need to look after myself.  My body is struggling with the effects of the chemotherapy drugs and I must remember that.  Those same drugs that are hopefully tackling the cancer growth, are impeding the growth of good cells too.  It is like walking a tightrope, how well can you maneuver the obstacles before you lose your footing and fall?

After gathering all our things, my entourage carried all the bags down to the Tahoe for John's meticulous packing.  Then it was time to say goodbye.  I didn't want to leave.  Leaving meant an end.

Every year in the past when we left, I prayed that our dear cottage would be spared during hurricane season.  This year was different, I didn't know whether I would be spared.  Could I survive the storms on my horizon? Would I even be able to come back next year?  So, when I hugged everyone goodbye, the tears spilled out.  What a great time I had, wonderful fellowship and friends, great food, perfect weather, and more love than I could drink in.  And I was leaving it.  As the hugs grew longer, I looked at all the eyes with tears, tears for me and John.  They see the storms too.

So my dear beach friends, I say thank you.  You did all you could do to make my time by the shore absolutely grand!

PCQ

Trip to Duke

Left the beach on Thursday morning in time to drive directly to Greenville to have my chemo pump removed.  John had an appointment at the same time, so it worked out perfectly for us to arrive around lunchtime.  After my pump was removed (insert sigh of relief here), and I picked up the forms needed for Duke, we drove home.  So much to do, unpack, get a few groceries in the house. tend to plants and pups....and with me being so tired from the chemo and drive, I wasn't much help.  John, as always, the worker bee, getting it all done.  What would I do without him?

Friday morning I awoke from a good night's sleep.  Something about getting the chemo pack off that allows for a better stage of sleep and boy did I need it.  We left for Durham at 8:45.  My appointment wasn't until 11 but I never know how many times I may have to stop, so we allowed plenty of time.  Luckily, the trip was uneventful and we were at Duke by 10:30.  John's sister, Barbara, has periodic appointments at Duke and suggested we use the valet parking.  Given the heat, the distance, and my lack of energy, the $7 we paid (divided by two, only $3.50) was a bargain!

The area we had to visit was very easy to find and I checked in.  Had my vitals taken and again, my blood pressure was higher than I wanted.  Apparently, one of the chemo drugs I take has that nasty side effect. And...I have shrunk some.  The nurse measured my height at 5'7 1/2".  But with all that I have going on, it is the least of my concerns.

Dr. Starodub came in after a short wait. He was a handsome young doctor, tall, slim, and had a strong eastern European accent We discussed my current situation and had a review of my care.  We talked about the upcoming cancer treatment trial.  He told us the drug company was moving a little slow with the colon cancer trial there at Duke and he wasn't sure when the beginning date would be.  We talked about the treatment I am currently on.  His thoughts on my course of treatment, stay with the current treatment for now.  I am only on the second round of chemo with the new drugs and we have no way of knowing if it is working until another scan is done after treatment number 4.  "It is a very good regimen," he said.  Of course, I will say, one of the drugs I am on was perfected at Duke. But his advice, stay on the current treatment.

To be considered for the trial, I would have to be off chemo for 28 days.  He didn't think that was wise to do until we know for sure the medications I am on are not working.  "Let's see how this treatment goes.  The trial is just another tool in our tool box and you have so many options.  But we don't want to dismiss what you are doing now to start something else until we know it is not working," he said.

We all agreed on his thoughts and said goodbye.  Soon I was checked out and the valet parking had our car ready in a few minutes.  Again, well worth the small fee.

So, we wait, wait to see if this works.  At least I know there are other options available, but the longer it takes to find a medication that can slap this cancer around, the more ground we lose.  And when you are dealing with cancer, it is like the camel's nose under the tent!

Wagon still rolling.

PCQ

Next Treatment

Had to leave the beach on Monday night after dinner to get home for my second chemo treatment on Tuesday.   Knowing you have a treatment coming up and you feel so good, can make for a little dark cloud in the back of your mind.  You try your best to live the 'right now', but it is hard knowing you will be spending the day having all the chemicals flooding into your body and the euphoria of feeling good will vanish.

When we got home, I watered my plants and tended to Nick and Holden, who were ever so excited to see us.  After the excitement died down we went to bed.  I don't know what made me reach up to rub my neck, but when I did, I felt the tube that runs from my port to my heart up over my shoulder blade.  It was kinked and sticking up.  I kept feeling of it and my first thought, oh no, I've got a problem.  I reached over to John and said, "Look at this, I think I have a boo boo."  He got up and turned on the light and looked at it.  All that was running through my mind was, I won't be able to have my treatment tomorrow and they may have to remove this port and put in another!  I was horrified.  Another one of those things that jump out and scare you....and you were never expecting.  John told me to stand up and see if it went away, it did, but when I got back in bed, there it was.  Oh well, I managed to go to sleep and by morning, it was gone.  When I got to the treatment room, I told the nurse about it and she felt around.  Everything seemed okay, but she inserted the butterfly needle and got a good blood flow, so all was okay, I guess.

My blood numbers were not as good as I thought they should be cause I felt pretty good, but they were good enough to get a treatment. Dr. Mahajan asked how I was doing and I told him I had been eating and sleeping well while I was at the beach.  He looked at me and said, "Go back." I was surprised with all I had been eating that I had gained only 1 pound.

I talked with Dr. Mahajan about my upcoming Duke trip.  I am scheduled to go to Duke Hospital on Friday to be assessed for a cancer trial they will be doing.  I had found out about it from an article John found in the News and Observer.  Apparently, Duke will be participating in a DNA trial for colon cancer.  Amazingly, my friend Tony's sister, Libby, was accessed for the same trial in California and started last week.  She has breast cancer and I found out she was joining the trial by accident when we were sharing our cancer war stories.

Anyway, I go to Duke on Friday, and I was asking Dr. Mahajan if he would check to see what the criteria was for the treatment so I wouldn't waste a trip to Durham.  He told me, "You need to go and get in the system.  Even if you aren't selected for this trial, the doctor may know of another one that you may fit in."  So, John and I will go to Durham and hope for the best.

I am back on the beach and my wagon's still rolling....
PCQ

Happy 4th of July!

What a beautiful day at the beach.  I can't believe we have had 4 days with an almost flat ocean.  The wind has shifted this afternoon, so I guess our tropical lagoon will disappear.  But, it certainly has been great while it lasted.

Hoping all of you have a safe and pleasant holiday.  We are blessed to live in such a wonderful country.

Here's a few photos of life so far.

Tony stirring up meatloaf.

The boys playing bocce.  Maybe they are discussing the rules of the game.

Time has gone by way too fast.

PCQ

Make Believe Tent and Having Fun!

It's raining this morning and we built a tent for make believe fun.  After it was finished and ready for play, I crawled under the blanket and went in.

"Oh-la-la!" I said, "what a wonderful tent, but if you let me play we are gonna have to make it bigger."  Caroline, granddaughter of my friends, Tony and Paula, jumped out and ran to tell her Pops, "We need a bigger tent Pops!"

Fun time at the beach!

PCQ