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Susanna

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Hahaha whew, i almost got confused, lol. It was ok, but I woke up @2 am, permission to vent for just a sec...

Whaaaaaaaaaa and barrrrroooooo


How you doing? What time is it where everyone else is, I wonder.
How are you doing?

It’s still bedtime here. But you know, old hags rise when the sun is still sound asleep😁.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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First, thanks for tagging me. I really appreciate knowing the course of action, and what the doctors said. Oh my 5 days a week with chemo. And or radiation? Surgery, oh Magenta, soooo much. Wait, the surgery is down the road huh? Seems they would do that first, but you explained why. Oh my, hugs and more hugs. Praise the Lord about the encouraging news that the the organs shows no signs. Yes, Praise the Lord.

I so appreciate what you and your sister do @7 to honor healthcare workers.

I am so glad you have a strong support system. Yes, I will be lifting your precious family in prayer. 80miles@73 is just 🤯, holy moly!!!
Good morning, Renee :) Yes, the five days a week for a minimum of five weeks is the recommended radiation treatment, which would be accompanied by chemo... the radiologist mentioned pill-form chemo, which I could take at home, but I do not know much about the chemo side of it because my telephone appointment with the chemo doctor is to be this morning. The thing is, though, as I said, I am not keen at all at the prospect of having to go out for radiation treatments five days a week for over five weeks during this pandemic, as I am already immune compromised.

I think the chemo would be administered differently if I opt for the stronger doses of radiation over a shorter period of time. My sister (who has gone through cancer treatments twice) agreed with the shorter course of treatment for the same reason I cite. Even though the stronger doses over a shorter period of time is considered to be in the experimental phase, it has been studied fairly extensively and is showing positive results, and also significantly reduces the amount of time before surgery is performed. Even if errant cancer cells have escaped the tumor area through the breach in my colon wall, they will be killed by the radiation. If the breach had not happened, it is possible surgery could have been done first, but even so, radiation and chemo would have most likely followed.

Although the MRI that had been scheduled to precede radiation and chemo was indefinitely postponed due tot health and safety concerns, the oncologists have enough information to move forward with treatment with just the CT scan results, though I will need to have an MRI before surgery, and the tumor will have shrunk. From what I have been told, it does not sound very large. I mean I am sure we have all heard stories of people having something the size of a grapefruit removed from them, or even larger. Yikes. No, it is nothing like that.

Please please please please please, try not to worry yourself and do not think negative thoughts about all this. Whatever happens is in the hands of God, and we know He is merciful, loving, and just, and that all things work together for the good of those who love Him and been called according to His purpose. I know you are prone to ponder and wander in your thoughts into the darker recesses of your psyche from time to time, but the strength and fortitude you muster as a result of such travels shines forth so brilliantly in how you treat others with such incredible compassion and an ability to warmly articulate a broad spectrum of heart matters, which truly is an inspiration and comfort to so many people, including yours truly :)
 

CharliRenee

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Nov 4, 2014
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Good morning, Renee :) Yes, the five days a week for a minimum of five weeks is the recommended radiation treatment, which would be accompanied by chemo... the radiologist mentioned pill-form chemo, which I could take at home, but I do not know much about the chemo side of it because my telephone appointment with the chemo doctor is to be this morning. The thing is, though, as I said, I am not keen at all at the prospect of having to go out for radiation treatments five days a week for over five weeks during this pandemic, as I am already immune compromised.

I think the chemo would be administered differently if I opt for the stronger doses of radiation over a shorter period of time. My sister (who has gone through cancer treatments twice) agreed with the shorter course of treatment for the same reason I cite. Even though the stronger doses over a shorter period of time is considered to be in the experimental phase, it has been studied fairly extensively and is showing positive results, and also significantly reduces the amount of time before surgery is performed. Even if errant cancer cells have escaped the tumor area through the breach in my colon wall, they will be killed by the radiation. If the breach had not happened, it is possible surgery could have been done first, but even so, radiation and chemo would have most likely followed.

Although the MRI that had been scheduled to precede radiation and chemo was indefinitely postponed due tot health and safety concerns, the oncologists have enough information to move forward with treatment with just the CT scan results, though I will need to have an MRI before surgery, and the tumor will have shrunk. From what I have been told, it does not sound very large. I mean I am sure we have all heard stories of people having something the size of a grapefruit removed from them, or even larger. Yikes. No, it is nothing like that.

Please please please please please, try not to worry yourself and do not think negative thoughts about all this. Whatever happens is in the hands of God, and we know He is merciful, loving, and just, and that all things work together for the good of those who love Him and been called according to His purpose. I know you are prone to ponder and wander in your thoughts into the darker recesses of your psyche from time to time, but the strength and fortitude you muster as a result of such travels shines forth so brilliantly in how you treat others with such incredible compassion and an ability to warmly articulate a broad spectrum of heart matters, which truly is an inspiration and comfort to so many people, including yours truly :)
First, yes good and wise advice. Trust Him, taking captive those thoughts that do not line up with His will. How is it you figure ppl out so well? Thanks for the encouragement and it was rewarding thinking I can help in some way bring comfort. Thank You Lord, for I know if it so it is all because of You. I will take heed to your God centered advice. Thank you.

Now about you, it has to be so helpful that your sissy has some personal experience. I like that they are getting positive results with the approach you think you are going to take. I also am encouraged to know that it is not too big. Soooo, we pray and then give it to Him. If I start to fret, dear Magenta, I will pray, doing just that, taking it to Him.

Thanks again for taking the time to ease me in the midst of your storm. A storm that He has completely in His hands. Thanks for leaning on Him and encouraging us all to do the same.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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First, yes good and wise advice. Trust Him, taking captive those thoughts that do not line up with His will. How is it you figure ppl out so well? Thanks for the encouragement and it was rewarding thinking I can help in some way bring comfort. Thank You Lord, for I know if it so it is all because of You. I will take heed to your God centered advice. Thank you.

Now about you, it has to be so helpful that your sissy has some personal experience. I like that they are getting positive results with the approach you think you are going to take. I also am encouraged to know that it is not too big. Soooo, we pray and then give it to Him. If I start to fret, dear Magenta, I will pray, doing just that, taking it to Him.

Thanks again for taking the time to ease me in the midst of your storm. A storm that He has completely in His hands. Thanks for leaning on Him and encouraging us all to do the same.
Renee! Oh my, oh, well, guess what? It is a bit of a standing joke with me by now in all this, as I tell people I am simply doing what I am told (how's THAT for a change? haha). Anyhow, I have gone with their recommendation of the longer course of radiation treatment, as there were concerns of a greater chance of recurrence with the shorter course, and also, my goodness, I am learning things I never knew, like, the colon is surrounded by a wall of muscle, that muscle is known as the rectum, beyond the rectum is a fatty layer, that is where the affected lymph nodes are, and beyond that fatty layer, and of of major concern, is the fascia. No way no how do they want my tumor getting into the fascia nor do they want the fascia damaged during surgery, hmmm, okay, why is it so important? Honestly I do not know, but the longer course of radiation will almost 100% for certain cause the tumor to retreat away from the fascia, and in fact I was told in some cases radiation causes the tumor to go away completely. I am not expecting that to happen, let us call it a miracle if it does :);):) So then a few weeks after the first course of radiation is done, an MRI, and then surgery, followed by more chemo. My chemo which will be concurrent with radiation is pill form and will not cause hair loss, however, chemo following surgery will be intravenous and that is the one that causes hair loss. My sister told me her finger nails all fell off during chemo as well. Oh no! Hair loss, hmmm, okay, that is to be expected, but I had never heard of finger nail loss due to chemo before. I guess we shall see :D

There were other things which influenced my final decision also but the details are a bit icky, so I will spare you :giggle: I was also informed that hospital parking has been made free during this pandemic and so that will be one less thing to be concerned about, and chemo will not affect my ability to drive while I receive my radiation treatments.



Thank you all for giving me a place to share this with my brothers and sisters in Christ here :)
 

CharliRenee

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Renee! Oh my, oh, well, guess what? It is a bit of a standing joke with me by now in all this, as I tell people I am simply doing what I am told (how's THAT for a change? haha). Anyhow, I have gone with their recommendation of the longer course of radiation treatment, as there were concerns of a greater chance of recurrence with the shorter course, and also, my goodness, I am learning things I never knew, like, the colon is surrounded by a wall of muscle, that muscle is known as the rectum, beyond the rectum is a fatty layer, that is where the affected lymph nodes are, and beyond that fatty layer, and of of major concern, is the fascia. No way no how do they want my tumor getting into the fascia nor do they want the fascia damaged during surgery, hmmm, okay, why is it so important? Honestly I do not know, but the longer course of radiation will almost 100% for certain cause the tumor to retreat away from the fascia, and in fact I was told in some cases radiation causes the tumor to go away completely. I am not expecting that to happen, let us call it a miracle if it does :);):) So then a few weeks after the first course of radiation is done, an MRI, and then surgery, followed by more chemo. My chemo which will be concurrent with radiation is pill form and will not cause hair loss, however, chemo following surgery will be intravenous and that is the one that causes hair loss. My sister told me her finger nails all fell off during chemo as well. Oh no! Hair loss, hmmm, okay, that is to be expected, but I had never heard of finger nail loss due to chemo before. I guess we shall see :D

There were other things which influenced my final decision also but the details are a bit icky, so I will spare you :giggle: I was also informed that hospital parking has been made free during this pandemic and so that will be one less thing to be concerned about, and chemo will not affect my ability to drive while I receive my radiation treatments.



Thank you all for giving me a place to share this with my brothers and sisters in Christ here :)
Look at those nails. Oh man, news to me about losing nails. Ok making that call sounds wise. It is reccomended. I suppose that they are going to contain it as I can imagine how tricky and intricate it can be to remove once in the fascia. So yeah...I mean 100% chance of it retreating is really good news. Praise the Lord. So ok, deep breath. It helps to have a plan of attack if you will.

Hey good job finding the silver lining with regards to parking. I am so thankful too for this place to be able to share. I am even more thankful that you are allowing us into your journey. We are surrounding you with love and prayers, know this to be true!!!
 

BlessedByGod

Well-known member
Sep 28, 2019
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For anyone needing a good laugh about the quarantines or just life in general, for your viewing enjoyment😃!
Watch "😂 Stages Of Being QUARANTINED 😂 *FUNNY*" on YouTube
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,760
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Look at those nails. Oh man, news to me about losing nails. Ok making that call sounds wise. It is reccomended. I suppose that they are going to contain it as I can imagine how tricky and intricate it can be to remove once in the fascia. So yeah...I mean 100% chance of it retreating is really good news. Praise the Lord. So ok, deep breath. It helps to have a plan of attack if you will.

Hey good job finding the silver lining with regards to parking. I am so thankful too for this place to be able to share. I am even more thankful that you are allowing us into your journey. We are surrounding you with love and prayers, know this to be true!!!
Yes, they were not really happy that I was considering the shorter course but completely understood why, and were relieved to find I went with their recommendation despite my initial concerns of exposure while needing to go out five days a week over a period of time that exceeds five weeks. Doing it this way will also shorten the amount of chemo I will receive following surgery also, but we are a ways away from all that at this point. Now that they know my decision the doctors can put in the requisition and it may be a couple of weeks before treatments start :)

How are you doing during this time of needing to keep our physical distance from others? Are you and your family all following the recommendations? Are you finding it difficult at all staying home? Have you been able to get he things you need when you go shopping, and have you got enough supplies that you need not go to the store so often? Stores are some of the worst places o be right now....
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,760
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113
For anyone needing a good laugh about the quarantines or just life in general, for your viewing enjoyment😃!
Watch "😂 Stages Of Being QUARANTINED 😂 *FUNNY*" on YouTube
@ 54-55 seconds: "Everybody likes purple!" LOL :D:giggle::giggle::giggle::D
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,760
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It is hard for me to believe I have been off work for three weeks now! o_O:oops:

What have I accomplished in that time? :unsure::unsure::unsure:

Well, let's see... I have greatly reduced the umber of things I have not watched yet on Netflix :D

And greatly increased the number of siblings I have spoken to recently :)(y):geek:
 

BlessedByGod

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Sep 28, 2019
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@Magenta Just so you know, I have not had the time to adequantly respond to your post. Just didn't want you to think I did not apprechiate what you have shared or said. Just I prefer to make t
Sure there is both adequate time and brain power at the same time to respond to people well thought out and important messages to me.
@ 54-55 seconds: "Everybody likes purple!" LOL :D:giggle::giggle::giggle::D
I think one of my favorite part is when one of the chapters was "Actually Talk to People ". Kinda sums up much of society now a days. Funny, one of the good things I see happening is family are spending more time together. Another is, at one point people used to have pantries for emergencies, having extra food around just in case. A lady who is basically a sister to me, said more and more people are baking there own bread and gardening. Such beautiful Blessings, hope people keep them going after all of this. God Blessings Upon us.
 

BlessedByGod

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Sep 28, 2019
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Thank you very much, BBG :) I had my first oncology appointment by phone today, with the radiologist, who told me that the regular course of treatment, along with chemo, is five days a week for five weeks, and he tried to minimize the concern I have at this time about the risk of going out so many times over such a length of time, and it could actually be 28 and not just 25 sessions, so six and a half weeks of five days a week? Truly I am not keen on that at all during this pandemic. There is an alternative: five stronger sessions of radiation. I have more questions that can probably be answered tomorrow... but surgery is going to be for sure, approximately two months following all that, which is to shrink the tumor and kill any errant cancer cells outside the colon, for the tumor has breached the colon wall, and there are enlarged lymph nodes near by. I keep forgetting to mention that two polyps were removed when the colonoscopy was done. The good news is that the CT scans revealed that no other organs showed any signs of anything to be concerned about.

After my five telephone calls the other day, I made another one which lasted close to two and a half hours, and another telephone call followed that one as well. Am I setting any records here? Probably lol... at least, for me :) Three others of the seven total exceeded one hour in length, as well. The longest call was to my eldest brother and his wife, who had recently cut short their yearly visit to Florida to return home, so they were in the middle of their two week quarantine after returning to Canada, and welcomed the change from the monotony they were experiencing, since they are not allowed to leave their property when they are used to walking and cycling many miles a day. My brother, who will be 73 soon, said he cycled 80 miles in one jaunt, which to me is astounding.

They had recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary (y)

The day after we spoke on the phone he and I emailed back and forth a few times, because I wanted to show him some of my Scripture panels, and we had several lovely lines of communication going relative to our shared family of origin and childhood memories. My sister-in-law wanted to make sure she could follow my progress by checking in with my closest sister, as they know I talk to her far more often than I am in contact with any of my other nine siblings, and I said okay to that, so called my sister to let her know. I thought we might only be on the phone for a few minutes because she is often busy with her family, but she had a lot to say about what is going on in her house with her children continuing to work and socialize, and looking after her grand daughter, and her ex husband freaking out about it all. My sister is immune compromised and so is her youngest daughter who lives with her.

That was one of my hour plus long phone conversations the other day. She is a retired emergency room nurse of thirty years, and we have been on the phone more than once when the whooping and hollering and whistling and honking and clapping and clanging of pots and pans starts up at seven o'clock here, to acknowledge the health care workers who continue to put them selves at risk on the front lines during this pandemic. Seven o'clock is shift change time ;) She thought it was sweet. She is also a cancer survivor.

@CharliRenee my sister says thank you to you as well, and says it was very sweet of you :)

My daughter also continues to work at the animal clinic where she has been employed for six years, with sometimes six co-workers, and although the contact with the general public has been reduced it has not been eliminated. So for any who have read this far, if you could please also remember to keep my sister and her family and my daughter and her family/housemates (dad, aunt, and grand dad) in your prayers at this time, I would really appreciate it :) God bless you all!
Hey, I am so glad God is Blessing you with how your seeing things and going into and through this, with God's Grace, Truth and Love. Can't ask for much more than being held by the King Of All Creation and Everthing that is and ever was Good! Praise be to God for that and All his many Blessings!

It does my heart so much good to know you have such a good and Blessed relationship with your siblings and that they can be there for you and lift up your heart through this as well, truly Magenta.

May He continue his Good Works in you and Bless others as they watch you go through this (and all things) with a Peace and Love for He you Loved us first.
P.S., sorry for the delay, been very busy, so wanted to reply now that I had a moment.🤗
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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I think one of my favorite part is when one of the chapters was "Actually Talk to People ". Kinda sums up much of society now a days. Funny, one of the good things I see happening is family are spending more time together. Another is, at one point people used to have pantries for emergencies, having extra food around just in case. A lady who is basically a sister to me, said more and more people are baking there own bread and gardening. Such beautiful Blessings, hope people keep them going after all of this. God Blessings Upon us.
Yes, one of the things I stocked up on was flour and butter so I could make breads and cakes and such, and I had gone on a bit of a baking spree back in November/December so figured out then the logistics of it all after not having made anything like that for a while, since baking and living alone can be a dangerous combination. I am prone to experimentation and have long not been one to strictly follow a recipe, preferring to sort of make up my own as I go along doing it on the fly as it were..., as long as the basic ingredients are there, a lot of latitude is nice :)



^ ^ That is one of the ones from late last year :D Blueberry lemon ;):)
 

She_is_Legendary

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May 30, 2019
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Yes, one of the things I stocked up on was flour and butter so I could make breads and cakes and such, and I had gone on a bit of a baking spree back in November/December so figured out then the logistics of it all after not having made anything like that for a while, since baking and living alone can be a dangerous combination. I am prone to experimentation and have long not been one to strictly follow a recipe, preferring to sort of make up my own as I go along doing it on the fly as it were..., as long as the basic ingredients are there, a lot of latitude is nice :)



^ ^ That is one of the ones from late last year :D Blueberry lemon ;):)
We have a situation here y’all.... I’m drooling, and doing so over my baby in my arms sleeping..

gosh that looks absolutely delicious!! 🤤🤤🤤🤤
 

Magenta

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We have a situation here y’all.... I’m drooling, and doing so over my baby in my arms sleeping..

gosh that looks absolutely delicious!! 🤤🤤🤤🤤
Hey Lil' Bit! Little boy drools all over you, though, too, right? :unsure::giggle::giggle::giggle:

PS~ I baked five caked in one week and it did not end there :D:LOL::devilish:

From the original post where I showed off that cake:

That one went to my daughters' place, the next two to work during the week, last night's went to church this morning, and tonight's will go to a community group potluck tomorrow evening :)
 

She_is_Legendary

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Hey Lil' Bit! Little boy drools all over you, though, too, right? :unsure::giggle::giggle::giggle:

PS~ I baked five caked in one week and it did not end there :D:LOL::devilish:

From the original post where I showed off that cake:

That one went to my daughters' place, the next two to work during the week, last night's went to church this morning, and tonight's will go to a community group potluck tomorrow evening :)
Oh, eventually I will love to cook and bake... I just don’t have the heart or desire to do it or learn to do it right now... Where is that motivation they drilled into our heads in high school at?? 🤔
 

Magenta

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Oh, eventually I will love to cook and bake... I just don’t have the heart or desire to do it or learn to do it right now... Where is that motivation they drilled into our heads in high school at?? 🤔
I was born into a family of six older siblings and eventually had four younger ones as well... seven sisters and three brothers plus two parents made for a rather large household with endless chores and lots of baking and cooking and cleaning and sewing and laundry laundry laundry and the dishes from three meals every day that the girls were made to do LOL. The cooking did not appeal to me so much but I did take to baking and extra things like making fudge after work as a teenager on Friday night... I actually escaped the major weekly household women's work on Saturdays by volunteering (when I was eight) to work with my dad and three brothers without even knowing what it was they did once they departed the house Saturday morning :D That is something my oldest brother and I talked about, he called it our dad's fruit and vegetable business, because we sold those plus honey and maple syrup at weekly farmer's markets. The one we went to on Saturday had an auction yard that sold livestock and a huge barn that was like a flea market. My dad also made barrels and barrels of apple cider in the fall, and there were fall fairs we would go to to sell our goods as well that were a lot of fun and quite an adventure for the child I was :)

With two wee ones of your own it is no small wonder you do not have the energy or motivation to take up baking! It is a great way to help heat your house in the colder months as well :D But truly, making a cake is easy as pie :) I substitute apple sauce for oil and use cubed butter instead of melting it first, add any kind of fruit or even a canned pie filling and then reduce the sugar if I do that, splash in lemon juice... the main thing is to get the ratio of flour and baking powder right, after that, the cake takes care of itself as long as you bake it properly :D My dough is quite thick so I bake it for about an hour at 375 degrees :) In fact when I recall what boxed cake mixes look like when they are poured into the cake pan they remind me much more of pancake batter than what mine look like. So it is not a fluffy cake but more like a coffee cake or sweet bread with fruit and nuts and chocolate chips or whatever else you like to eat mixed together :):):)
 

BlessedByGod

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Yes, one of the things I stocked up on was flour and butter so I could make breads and cakes and such, and I had gone on a bit of a baking spree back in November/December so figured out then the logistics of it all after not having made anything like that for a while, since baking and living alone can be a dangerous combination. I am prone to experimentation and have long not been one to strictly follow a recipe, preferring to sort of make up my own as I go along doing it on the fly as it were..., as long as the basic ingredients are there, a lot of latitude is nice :)



^ ^ That is one of the ones from late last year :D Blueberry lemon ;):)
Ya, whether is cooking or baking (once in a while I have been known to bake, but like you said can be dangerous when your single, lol) I love to experiment too. Sometimes though, I have been know to be adding this, and a little of that, just goin to town. The problem is, later, when it is discovered how awesome it is, then I'm left doing the Sherlock Holmes things going on, so I added about this much in of that...type of thing so I can remember for another time, lol. Most times I can remember it, thanks goodness!
 

BlessedByGod

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Sep 28, 2019
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We have a situation here y’all.... I’m drooling, and doing so over my baby in my arms sleeping..

gosh that looks absolutely delicious!! 🤤🤤🤤🤤
Soooooo, it runs in the family then, not just with the youngins huh? Lol😁 . Hey S.I.L.!