patio

[ken a.k.a OMK]

Patty, sorry to hear this. You know I'm praying for the best.

[kent]

May 23, 2012 11:16:00 GMT -5 lexxy703 said:

My SIL does the notebook too. Also if your doctor wants a scan or test & your insurance says they won't pay for it, fight them. They will give in. My SIL has used the line that it is her life & she will not die because they think they know more than her doctors.

Good point. When the doctor wanted me to have an MRI the insurance company said no. I contacted them by e-mail and asked for the name of the "NON" medical professional that made that decision. About two hours later I got an e-mail saying the MRI was approved and would be covered.

[autoguy]

I am wishing you all the best. I know what you are going through, I was there 7 years ago. Life stops, you live from one appointment and test to the next. Take a deep breath, and know you aren't alone. The notebook is a great idea-there are so many things going on in your mind, you won't remember what to ask, and what they tell you and what you hear are two different things. Please let us know what the doc says tomorrow. If you aren't satisfied with the answers you get, there is always the option of a second or third opinion. That has literally been a life saver for some people. Any thing I can do to help, feel free to ask. If I remember from the old boards, we may be in the same general area. I am wishing you all the best as you begin this journey.

[yummy2tummy]

Wow, just searching around looking for threads, saw this one and thought someone was posting about their Patio.

I am so sorry for your news Patio, I hope all goes well and wish nothing but the best for you. Surround yourself with those you love that will lift you up and stay positive!

[moon/Laura]

Rene,

I'm so sorry to hear the news. i will be thinking of you as well.. you're way too stubborn to let this get you, and we all know it..

keep us updated as you can.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

I don't know you, Rene, but I'm sending good vibes your way and I'll keep you in my thoughts & prayers. Try and stay postive, hon - it's much less taxing on your system than negative energy.

[domic]

Patio, you have been someone that others have leaned on for support in the past. Now you need some help so don't forget to just ask for it, you will surely get it. My brother-in-law had the same thing (sounds like) and went through some rough months, but came out ok. I know you are going to do well, you're stronger than you think.

[domic]

oh, also wanted to say cancer sucks.

[Cap'n]

I'm so sorry to hear about this pati. I wish you the best possible news as to the extent of the cancer and effectiveness of treatment. You will definitely be in my prayers.

[renegadepatio]

here I am with and update, i have stage 4 adenocarcinoma of the esphagus. The reason I am stage 4 is because some of the surrounding lynph nodes are irregular. I need to go in for a PET scan tomorrow, they want to see if it is anywhere else, i guess the PET will show better than the cat scan. I also have to go in for a MRI to see if I any cancer in the brain. They want to put in a feeding tube to get me so i can get my iron and other things back up. The will not due surgery at this time to remove the tumor. He wants to do chemo to kill off the cancer so it doesnt invade any of my other organs. He is talking about 75% beating it, and he said if we get the lymph nodes taken care of that later on we can go and remove the tumor. I would guess that chemo should shrink the tumor also. They will be dosing me witH Paclitaxel (Onxal) and Carboplatin (Paraplatin), i need to do one treatment every 3 weeks. After the first treatment I will go in for another PET scan to see if it does anything, if it does we will do another round of chemo, if it doesnt we wil try a different treatment.

I start 1st round june 4th.

[Deleted]

Not as good a news as I would have hoped for you, but 75% is good odds. Sending you prayers for strength, serenity and health patio.

[Deleted]

Hi Patty, you were my very first friend on any of the message boards, you made me feel ever so welcome, then 2 years ago when i caught cancer you were there for me, you rallied the troops around and treated me to a lovely Christmas with that box of goodies.
If only everyone was like you then there would be no wars and peace would reign.
Now i hear that you now have cancer as well, remember what i use to tell you that cancer is a pony and i smacked its ass so hard it headed for them hills. You are so strong in character and determined and now its your turn to smack that ponies ass and send it running. I send you all of the luck and well wishes that i can and i know that if i can beat it then you will have no wucking forries.

[mmhmm]

Hang in there, patio. It's going to be a rough ride, but you've certainly got the right attitude. Hugs!

[Deleted]

My goes out to you, Pati. I remember you from the old MSN threads and always admired your response to poster's being so original and not cookie cutter-ed. Your keen sense of seeing life from a multi-faceted perspective intrigued me though I never said so. Well, I am saying so now, because it's showing up even now.

You are a trooper and the trooper always wins, whenever faced with tough terrain to cross. Life trains the trooper to see the other side of victory long before he/she arrives.. Your hopes are positive and right!

Go get 'em!

Fromthe I will talk to God who heals, on your behalf.

[Deleted]

you will have no wucking forries.

[renegadepatio]

Thank you all for your good thoughts, prayers and well wishes. I shall be trying to kick asses and take down names.

[kapper]

renegadepatio, I know you from the invisapeeps board. I had no idea you were dealing with this. I want you to know that I will have you in my thoughts and that I hope that you kick the sh*t out of this cancer crap and show the reat of us how it's done!!!!!

[Peace Of Mind]

Patio, I'm sorry to hear this. (((Hugs))) Your attitude sounds so good and you read so brave! I know you don't know me, but you will be in my prayers that you do kick ass and take names. I agree with kapper - be sure to tell us how it's done!

Wishing you many blessings to come!

[Jaguar]

Patio I wish you many miracles, NAMASTE

[ktunes]

rene, so sorry to hear about your illness...my thoughts and prayers will be with you and yours thru the trying times ahead...

[renegadepatio]

I can only say how much it means to me the well wishes, prayers and good thoughts coming from new and old boardies. I know that so many wonderful people have touched my life.
thank you all, it keeps my sprits up.

[mmhmm]

Glad to hear that, patio. We've got a great group of people here, and they obviously care about you. Hope you're feeling well. You seem a strong woman. I've got faith you'll beat this because you're strong and have a "can do" attitude.

[Deleted]

Morning Patio..

[renegadepatio]

My first chemo is next monday, honestly I am scared, just scared of the whole process. i know that they have come along way and chances are that everything will work out. I was reading up on my cancer sad thing about it is that by the time a person figures out that something is wrong it is to stage 4, because you seem fine until you start puking, and puking comes from the esphogus being blocked and by the time the tumor is big enough to block some of the esphogus, it has moved to lympth nodes.

I did manage to eat oatmeal, a hotdog and the topping of a piece of pizza yesterday and it stayed down. I am trying to drink some of those protien shakes, those are staying down but dont taste so well. I know the doctor said i can get some pills to make my appitite come back but not ready i guess, he also gave me two scripts for pain, one is a patch that i replace every 3 days and one is a morphine based liquid. So far tylenal is doing ok for the back pain when i get it.

[Deleted]

My first chemo is next monday, honestly I am scared, just scared of the whole process. i know that they have come along way and chances are that everything will work out.

Pati, if you weren't afraid I'd think something was really wrong.. It really is okay to be afraid and still remain "in" the process of becoming whole and healthy once again.

I know the following suggestion will prove difficult for you to do, but if at all possible, try not to read all about it.. Way too many extra extra reading all about it, and more than you may need to know. Information is good to a point, but not to take all of them in consideration.. Some of that reading is just plain scary like you mentioned.. See yourself in the best condition ever, Pati and believe it so.

Glad to hear you are able to keep food down.. That is a plus.

Please please please keep us posted..

[Deleted]

May 28, 2012 4:08:09 GMT -5 renegadepatio said:

My first chemo is next monday, honestly I am scared, just scared of the whole process. i know that they have come along way and chances are that everything will work out. I was reading up on my cancer sad thing about it is that by the time a person figures out that something is wrong it is to stage 4, because you seem fine until you start puking, and puking comes from the esphogus being blocked and by the time the tumor is big enough to block some of the esphogus, it has moved to lympth nodes.

I did manage to eat oatmeal, a hotdog and the topping of a piece of pizza yesterday and it stayed down. I am trying to drink some of those protien shakes, those are staying down but dont taste so well. I know the doctor said i can get some pills to make my appitite come back but not ready i guess, he also gave me two scripts for pain, one is a patch that i replace every 3 days and one is a morphine based liquid. So far tylenal is doing ok for the back pain when i get it.

I'm glad you managed to get some food to stay down. You are gong to need fuel for the marathon you are about to run. I wish I lived closer to you, I'd bring you some healthy shakes that taste good and are so good for you. Energy, you're gonna need it girl.
How about trying to mix a cold boost drink with some sort of milk shake?
Chemotherapy is a mixed bag of unknowns and its very normal to be apprehensive about it. Your particular chemo regime will be different from others as it is tailored to your needs.
I hope you are taking the notebook with you and not just writing down what the docs say but also your feelings. It helps some people to deal with the fear and anxiety this way.

Its super important to keep your energy up so I'm going to send you some shake recipes and other ideas. And remember, believe, believe, believe.

[domic]

Patio, I have tried several different protein shake powders and found a few at max muscle that taste good and help with muscle spasm and feeling better, but it looks like the nearest one to you is in Lakeville on Kenwood trail. If that's not too far away, check em out. I have a coworker who has gone through over six months of chemo ending a few weeks ago and it was rough for her for a few days after each treatment, but she made it through and is not as strong as you are so you will make it.

[autoguy]

Patio, it is a good suggestion to not do too much research online. You will find every side effect someone ever had. That doesn't mean you will get the same side effects. That first chemo is frightening. You expect the heavens to open up, the earth to rumble, but nothing really happens other than you sit there getting your meds. This isn't a journey to do alone, if your friends and family offer to help, take them up on the offer. We are brought up that needing help is a sign of weakness, but there are times when asking is actually a sign of strength. You may find that something as simple as Carnation Instant Breakfast is tolerable. It's great that you are eating, and a lot of times it's easier to eat many small meals than a few large meals. You will find that the chemo nurses are wonderful. They are also a great source of information. Don't be afraid to ask them questions, and let them or the onc know if you think something doesn't seem right.
Okay, enough advice. I am thinking of you and wishing you all the best. Oh, one more thing-chemo can actually be boring. Bring along something to do, and also chemo can make you cold. You may want to bring along a sweater, or they may have blankets available.

[renegadepatio]

Another update, Thursday i am going to get the feeding tube placed and they are going to do a MRI also so i will be busy at the hospital in the morning. I think I am just taking the whole day off so i can go home and chill after. The nurse said i cant use the feeding tube for 24 hours after it gets placed but after that i am good to go.

i wonder if i can puree a burger and put it through the feeding tube ok i am just kidding but i would kill for a mcdonalds burger that comes in a kids meal.

[trudyml]

Dude, kick its ass. Don't make me come there and do it for you. Stay strong!