ChrislovesMinnie
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2000
Hi and thank you for taking the time to read this. I haven't been on the boards for several months but decided that it's time to get back to "normal" ways.
Now for my story, several months ago, my wife was preparing for hip and knee replacement. Going for prep work, tests and bloodwork, and "banking" her blood for the surgery. All was a go until a few days bfore surgery.
My wife started to have difficulty breathing and to amke a long story short, they discovered some fluid in the lung. They said they could remove it and she should be fine. Went to the hosptial and they removed the fluid. All appeared okay.
Two weeks later, bleeding from the mouth and nose and it was determined dangerously low platelets. A week in the hospital cleared up that problem.
Another month passes and difficulty breathing once more. Can't take more that a few steps and out of breath. Back to hospital for a fluid tap.
Now for the shocker. After the procedure, doctor tells me doesn't look good. Probably cancer and tests will have to be done. I almost died right then and there.
After a week of tests, they discover cancer of the breast (lumps) and spread into lungs. "Stage 4" they tell me. I couldn't believe it. (Wife had mamogram just two months earlier and does self exams. Nothing showed prior.)
Doctors recommended that chemo start with they best doctor they know. He actually treats one of the doctors that is helping my wife.
Now I break it to my wife and my son. Being strong. (Trying to look strong at least. For my wife and son). Told them both that "this is just a speedbump in the road of life" and we can deal with this.
Mediport implanted.
We start chemo treatments. Everything goes good. No nausea or sickness. Doctors happy and continue hittting it with strong chemo weekly.
Several weeks go by. My wifes breathing starts to get better. They take her off oxygen 24 hours a day to nothing. Starts walking better with out shortness of breath.
More time goes by and sent to hospital for mri's, cat scans and other tests.
Chemo continues. At doctors office, they are amazed that she is not sick and handling chemo with no problems. Does breast exam and can't feel tumors. Xrays and tests show dramatic reduction of lumps to almost nothing and no re-occurence of lung fluid. Chemo continues but reducing dosages.
I feel that we are very blessed that even though this is a life threatening disease, maybe, just maybe we are in that small range of numbers that can beat this or if not beat it, knock it out of the ballpark and monitor it and reduce the problem?
I live every minute worrying for my wife and my teenage son who by the way helps me cope through all this with his positive attitude and feelings. Our son Chris is the greatest and helps both of us in this trying time.
What should I do, especialy when the holidays roll by? In the back of my mind, I think will there be more together? What will next year hold? What should we be doing now? My mind races 24 hours a day.
My wife has gotten better the last few months so dramatically that I am scared somewhat. We have gotten over the shock of the disease and coping with the chemo resulting hair loss. She looks fantastic and so cute in the wig.
I love her so much and love my son so much, I just don't know how to deal with this and if I am doing the right things.
Thanks for listening.
Now for my story, several months ago, my wife was preparing for hip and knee replacement. Going for prep work, tests and bloodwork, and "banking" her blood for the surgery. All was a go until a few days bfore surgery.
My wife started to have difficulty breathing and to amke a long story short, they discovered some fluid in the lung. They said they could remove it and she should be fine. Went to the hosptial and they removed the fluid. All appeared okay.
Two weeks later, bleeding from the mouth and nose and it was determined dangerously low platelets. A week in the hospital cleared up that problem.
Another month passes and difficulty breathing once more. Can't take more that a few steps and out of breath. Back to hospital for a fluid tap.
Now for the shocker. After the procedure, doctor tells me doesn't look good. Probably cancer and tests will have to be done. I almost died right then and there.
After a week of tests, they discover cancer of the breast (lumps) and spread into lungs. "Stage 4" they tell me. I couldn't believe it. (Wife had mamogram just two months earlier and does self exams. Nothing showed prior.)
Doctors recommended that chemo start with they best doctor they know. He actually treats one of the doctors that is helping my wife.
Now I break it to my wife and my son. Being strong. (Trying to look strong at least. For my wife and son). Told them both that "this is just a speedbump in the road of life" and we can deal with this.
Mediport implanted.
We start chemo treatments. Everything goes good. No nausea or sickness. Doctors happy and continue hittting it with strong chemo weekly.
Several weeks go by. My wifes breathing starts to get better. They take her off oxygen 24 hours a day to nothing. Starts walking better with out shortness of breath.
More time goes by and sent to hospital for mri's, cat scans and other tests.
Chemo continues. At doctors office, they are amazed that she is not sick and handling chemo with no problems. Does breast exam and can't feel tumors. Xrays and tests show dramatic reduction of lumps to almost nothing and no re-occurence of lung fluid. Chemo continues but reducing dosages.
I feel that we are very blessed that even though this is a life threatening disease, maybe, just maybe we are in that small range of numbers that can beat this or if not beat it, knock it out of the ballpark and monitor it and reduce the problem?
I live every minute worrying for my wife and my teenage son who by the way helps me cope through all this with his positive attitude and feelings. Our son Chris is the greatest and helps both of us in this trying time.
What should I do, especialy when the holidays roll by? In the back of my mind, I think will there be more together? What will next year hold? What should we be doing now? My mind races 24 hours a day.
My wife has gotten better the last few months so dramatically that I am scared somewhat. We have gotten over the shock of the disease and coping with the chemo resulting hair loss. She looks fantastic and so cute in the wig.
I love her so much and love my son so much, I just don't know how to deal with this and if I am doing the right things.
Thanks for listening.