Wellness

[HappyDaze]

I wonder how Cocoablue is doing. I've been thinking alot about her, especially during the Holidays. I hope she is doing okay.

[wagirl]

wismiss--I'm sure all of us here have gone thru alot of those stages after a personal dx or that of a family member or friend. I can only say that for me, I went thru anger. depression and sadness but not so much denial as I KNEW what I had because of the trust I had in my medical team and their findings. I certainly regretted alot-- you know---what if I had found this lump 1 month sooner or 3 months sooner or what if I had ignored it altogether. I accept that this has happened to me and I accept what my life is now but I'm not sure what my life will be next year at this time or 5 years or 20 years or even next week and I can live with that. I am so glad you and your siblings are so close. That is a huge positive thing for your brother. He is very lucky to have both of you!!!

All the best!

PAM

[rizzos2000]

I am so sorry that some are in pain right now. I start second round chemo tomorrow. My oldest daughters boss let us use his cabin in tahoe this past weekend. We had a great time and she got engaged!!! Slight snow. Everything looked beautiful I know those socked in with snow are not loving it right now! They have been together 5 years and talked about marriage for 2. Now we have a goal to get to. Prayers and hugs to all. Pattt

[Lyn08]

My cousin came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. He had an appointment late this morning with the oncology nurse. Because he is so weak, and is still coughing, they have decided to hold off starting his chemo until next week.

My cousin ordered the Xeloda, to be sent directly to the oncology department, and paid with his credit card. He said it was around $480.

Thanks to f1, I've been making phone calls and checking websites. I did call our insurance company (since we have the same policy and drug coverage), and the woman I spoke with was very helpful. She did say that this is a very expensive drug; and even with insurance coverage, he would have to pay $480/month co-pay, as it is a Tier 4 drug.

He would have to meet certain financial criteria to quality for assistance from the pharmaceutical company. I did send him the PDF file with the company's website information.

In the meantime, I'm hoping his club will do a fund-raiser to help raise money to cover some of the cost of the drug.

[F1wilder]

On 1/12/2015 rizzos2000 said: I am so sorry that some are in pain right now. I start second round chemo tomorrow. My oldest daughters boss let us use his cabin in tahoe this past weekend. We had a great time and she got engaged!!! Slight snow. Everything looked beautiful I know those socked in with snow are not loving it right now! They have been together 5 years and talked about marriage for 2. Now we have a goal to get to. Prayers and hugs to all. Pattt

Woohoo! Great news for your family, rizzos, and something for you to look forward to and plan for. Good luck with your 2nd round and visualize being at that wedding!

[F1wilder]

Just a little tidbit, wismiss - don't let that "Stage 4" thing get you. I had stage 3 Melanoma-skin and lymph nodes in '98, then stage 4 Melanoma-lung and brain in '13...and as of November I am completely clear. It sounds like your brother may be a bit like I was, treating the issue very matter of factly, just doing what needs to be done. Of course, I waited til after my treatment to fall apart physically and emotionally. I'm sure he's been there for you throughout your medical issues. Now it's his turn.

BTW, my MRI was completely clear. YEAH!!! My adrenal system isn't kicking in on its own so I've got to up my hydrocortisone. At least my "moon face" has self-injected wrinkle fillers.

[wismiss]

Even though I have not been posting here very long, it is wonderful to hear positive things--an engagement with upcoming wedding, F1's MRI being clear. And, Lyn08, your brother is so fortunate to have you.

F1, thanks for letting me know about the stage 4 thing. That had really bothered me. It sounds like you have had many challenges, and yet you come here to post and share, inform, and help guide people. Thank God for you.

[F1wilder]

On 1/13/2015 wismiss said:

Even though I have not been posting here very long, it is wonderful to hear positive things--an engagement with upcoming wedding, F1's MRI being clear. And, Lyn08, your brother is so fortunate to have you.

F1, thanks for letting me know about the stage 4 thing. That had really bothered me. It sounds like you have had many challenges, and yet you come here to post and share, inform, and help guide people. Thank God for you.

Thank you for your complement, wismiss, but I get so much more than I could ever give, from these wonderful people here.

[JackieHN]

F1 fabulous news about your MRI. That cortisone is going to do a number on your blood sugars so don't get too crazy over it. Cyber drink!!

Lynn you'll find someone who can help your cousin financially with his meds. Keep trying.

Rizzo good luck with your second chemo. We're all here for you. Something wonderful to look forward to with the upcoming wedding.

Wismiss, nurses are very cunning. I'm sure your brother did all of his research before he embarked on this treatment. You need to take care of yourself since you have so many medical issues of your own.

Hey Pam, there is a lot of flu and killer cold going around here. So far so good. Maybe these mushrooms are really helping. I also alternate with Andre Lessman's ultimate anti-oxident extracts. It has everything but the kitchen sink in it. Either it will help or kill me. One of the two.

Stay warm folks.

Jxx

[rizzos2000]

lost the first post - trying one more time. On the way to chemo today they called to cancel. My white cells were too low and also the platelets were too ow. I have to be home bound for a week until Tuesday, Any idea you ladies might have on what to eat to help the white cells? I am very bummed right now. We were offered the use of a cabin and the family went up and my oldest daughter got engaged there!!!!!!!(Hope I did not mention this already Chem brain is real thing!!!