CanyonBaby

And pretty soon you'll be reaching to pull the table to you, just so you can eat your meal WITHOUT it falling onto your lap, first! Loving it!

@@borg/assimilated And you are in a truly lovely place... the St. Croix has always been a dreamy place! Spent many a picnic there in my childhood! Canoed it many a time, as well. Write anytime, Love to hear MN news!

@@borg/assimilated Where in Minnesota are you from? I'm from Ely!

@@UK Cathy Well, we got through the third chemo ok, with a little nasty day of nausea, to be expected. We really think the supplements he takes are helping abate the side effects...YAY! Still no word on the PET scan, the oncologist said he is battling for it, and he claims the ethics of the person behind the denial is "questionable", so he is writing a formal letter to get another peer-to-peer consultation, with a different peer. The surgery is scheduled at this point in late August, after the six chemo treatments are completed. It seems to me if the insurance has approved the chemo, which they have, why they don't need a PET scan to verify WHERE the cancer is, and IF the chemo is needed at all. It is all being done "backwards", in my opinion. But he has really good spirits, and is trying hard to keep up his nutritional needs (after I had 2 chemo nurses ream him for being lax in that department!). He hasn't lost any more weight, but hasn't regained, either. He eats all day long, focusing on Protein and fats!!!! Opposite what we on this site should be doing, at least the fatty stuff! I'm tired. Have difficulty sleeping, get little of it. BUT, I don't work outside of the home, so I'm fortunate for that. I am able to take him where he needs to go, especially on chemo days and the bad days following. To all of his appointments, and to work, when necessary. But everything gets doe eventually, and we are in a peaceful state. I plan to give a large party later this month or in early August for Dave, with our church attending as well as coworkers and friends/neighbors. A potluck, to keep the work to a minimum. We hope to have some of the folks form church play songs and have a "jam" session of sorts, bluegrass music for the most part. Games for all ages. I hope it cools down a little by then! All of your prayers and concerns are much appreciated, and I KNOW the Good Lord hears them, and is answering them. I wish all of you could attend our party, it would be so much fun! I will have you here in spirit, at the minimum! Have a wonderful week, all, and God Bless YOU!!!!

Words to love or hate: LOVE. HATE. SHOULD/WOULD/COULD (DID/DIDN'T?) ALWAYS. NEVER. EVER. EVER! Did I miss any?

I'm passing my box of tissues onto you...and here's a hug, as well... Ask your surgical team if liquid Tylenol and liquid Mucinex is okay for you to take. My team okayed it, and it helped a lot. Because OF COURSE, you can ONLY get sick at the worst of times!!!!! Bless you and get well soon!

@@Inner Surfer Girl I'll take the hanky AND the hug....bless your heart!

And don't forget, due to reasons such as heredity (there go those darn genes, again, fighting everything...), your body is fighting with everything it has to hold onto it's resources (fat) JUST IN CASE there's a FAMINE in sight! So it's not just a mental battle we deal with, but a real, genuine physical battle, as well. Mind over matter (our bodies). You CAN do it, it just might take a little longer, and a little harder to fight, but PERSERVERE, my dear....we're here with you....

@@Daveo So it's time to bring things YOU can have, and share....maybe they'll get the clue...maybe not, but worth a try....

@borg/assimilated@Inner Surfer Girl Today is the one year anniversary of CanyonBoy's (my large golden retriever) passing...hard to get through the day. Then I see your responses. And see? Who says I'm strong? You all are so sweet, ...get me a tissue, please...

Update for treatment 3....it went really well, Dave feels a lot better than for the previous 2 treatments, and he is carrying his pack around for the next 2 days. We found out he will have surgery around the end of August, after a couple of weeks off the chemo. Dave's sister is visiting relatives in Bath, England this week, and has discovered that 2 of their relatives on their father's side had colon cancer! AHA! At last a link and the "bad luck" reasoning is not the lone duck here! Scary for the rest of the family, though. The 3 reasons for the PET scan: To find out if the cancer is localized to the immediate tumor region in the colon. To find out if it has spread into the abdominal cavity. To find out if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body including but not limited to: lymph nodes, liver, brain, other organs... The oncologist is thoroughly disgusted with the insurance company representative who handles approval for these tests, and has requested another doctor with whom to confer. He has "plan B" ready to go, but won't tell us of it yet. Dave's bloodwork comes back excellent, and the doctor is pleased how he is handling this situation both physically and mentally. In the meantime, the chemo IS killing any and all cancer within, no matter where it may be located, so that is reassuring. We've found ourselves at peace about this, after much prayer. Something...has changed. I can't say what, but there is such a peace about all this now. While there is still frustration, we feel we're heading in the right direction, and the chemo should be doing what it is intended to do. We hopefully will hear about the PET scan soon, it should show where the cancers are, and if they have been killed. I have been "stuffing" Dave with all the supplements his dietician recommended, and I truly believe they are helping him to feel better this time through chemo. He actually has more to take than I do!!! I think I may take out stock on Vitamin companies!!! Again, thank you for your prayers and concerns, I can't believe how many are behind us on all of this...THANK YOU!! And God Bless You All.....

@@LipstickLady Well, that's about as nice as saying to a fella "Hey, I see the forehead is growing a little", regardless of whether it is or not. The point remains the same. And SOMETIMES, things like that need to be said for the point to be taken. Kinda like the forest for the trees... What IS important is your CONFIDENCE in yourself...don't let things that are said or done EVER affect it, you have fought long and hard in this battle. Victory IS yours....

@@VSGAnn2014 Physical exertion....hmmm....no shortage of that!!!!! Thanks for your help! Have a great day!

@@VSGAnn2014 Thanks for the advice! I was talking to Dave about your suggestions, and his main concern about the Marinol is him not being able to do his job. So we shall talk with the oncologist about it. As for the Lorazepam, he is already prescribed for that, and it does help the nausea. I will look into the Ambien for myself, for when I HAVE to get some sleep! Is it over the counter or prescription? And HEY! Chemistry is our FRIEND! At least in this respect!!!! Thank you again, and if you can think of any other ideas, I'd be most appreciative!

@@VSGAnn2014 I am sorry you have to be "experienced" in the world of cancer, BUT I am THRILLED that your husband is in remission!!!!! That is our goal, as well. Obviously! The days can be challenging, and the nighttimes sometime even more so. For both he and I. Once he has the PET scan, that should help, for it is the unknowing of the extent of his cancer that is so worrisome. He should have the test next week, I hope. I will fight for it, one way or another. They haven't seen me mad, yet, and I don't envy those who will see it. I don't do "mad" well! Yesterday's "play-day" was much-needed, and has given me some energy for awhile. I tried melatonin for sleep, and it didn't seem to phase me. I'll try it again another time. I don't like to take stuff for sleep, as I need to hear what is going on, especially Dave. But I get bits of sleep here and there, quickie-naps during the day when he is at work and the dogs outside. I am maintaining! I just bought a slushy maker that also makes shakes, and that is what he is craving...chocolate milkshakes. It makes a single serving for him, and he just stirs it until it is the consistency he likes. I hope he can get more calories in that way. I'm going to see if he can add Protein powder to it without it getting gross. He needs all he can get. He fights me sometimes on getting him to eat all he should (and drink, too). We have to get his body ready for the surgery and radiation that is to come. The healthier, the better! Was there any tricks you used to get more into your husband, and to help with weight gain? I think I'm going to gain weight just looking at all the fattening stuff he is supposed to eat!!! Quite a challenge keeping us both where we're supposed to be! Any tips or tricks you guys used would be much appreciated, in getting Dave through this challenge, the more the better! And again, thanks everyone for your continued prayers and support. With it we have EVERYTHING! Hugs to all!!!!

@MrsSugarbabe@Swampdoggie You guys are so awesome, you have no idea how you all bolster me so! I just try to keep so busy I don't think about things, you know? And yes, the popcorn prayers help pull me through, and today's devotional adds to that by reminding me to constantly be THANKFUL, no matter my circumstances. And thankful and grateful I am, in spite of what comes down the line, as I am learning to appreciate what and who I have so much more than I have in the past, even the more unpleasant aspects of each situation. Each day is SOOOO valuable, each moment SOOOO precious. I don't know what the future holds, but if I look at each second of every day individually, it becomes more than just a second, but a LIFETIME! One that I treasure, even if it is filled with bad things, it is part of the tapestry of my LIFE!!! And all is interwoven to make one beautiful experience IF I choose to see it that way, AND I DO!!! This is a good week, no chemo until next Tuesday, so we're getting a lot done, including some awesome Harley rides! It is supposed to get in the hundreds this week, so more indoor activities are the agenda. Keep cool, everyone, this too, shall pass!!!

All of the above. I guess I'd smile and say "thank you, I've really tried to change my life for the better. And with WLS, I have. Now the hard part comes, and I sure could use your support - how about it?" Who knows? Maybe you'll get him on board, too! Maybe he'll consider WLS for himself. Maybe he'll see you as a great mentor who can inspire him to greater goals. Change is more than outside images, it comes from within; and if he has a hope of changing himself, you are a great resource! Good for you for all you have done for yourself...keep your chin up and that gorgeous smile on your face...it can be catching!!!

@@gigito2 Thank you so much, if I could reach into this internet thing I would give each and every one of you a hug...you all keep my spirits high...thank you.....

So it sounds like it may be time to wear more fitted clothing, if you want to show your new "slimness" - is that a word?! You deserve compliments, and here's mine: Yay! You look AWESOME!!! Well done! Go buy yourself an awesome outfit, that shows all you want to show...and strut your stuff!!! Have fun with it!

Awesome!!! Pictures, please!

At about month 3 mine started falling out, and it lasted about 2 months. My nurse practioner suggested Nioxin shampoo (made for chemo patients) as a stimulant for the hair follicles. Now, I can't say it works for that or not, but the hair HAS stopped falling out, and it is the same texture now as before, and it is gorgeously shiny and healthy. No split ends, no frizz, no oily, greasy hair, and I don't need to wash it but once every 3 days or so. The "baldier" spots seem to have filled in, so I assume it is growing back, and those spots are not nearly as visible now. Now I alternate Nioxin with a regular shampoo, just to see what will happen. Been doing that for about 2 weeks, and still no more loss. Now that my diet has "normalized", I am attributing that to the ceasing of the hair loss. I think the shock of the surgery is over for my body (it's been over 6 months since the surgery), and everything seems to be leveling out. Miss Mac said it straight...it has to be the luck of the draw, as I, too, have been very good about biotin, all my vitamins and protein from day one. Good luck to all, and remember, it is just temporary!

@@Teachamy What can it hurt to talk with a plastic surgeon about it? Maybe having the TT, with the pulling-down of the abdominal muscles, will actually strengthen your muscles supporting your spine...it may just help you out a little. And getting rid of extra weight in the front DOES help the back! I would just suggest talking with a couple of surgeons about it, so you get differing (or the same) opinion about your particular situation. And while you're there, ask about others who may have similar situations as yours, for their experiences. You deserve the best, you've had a hard enough time of it. But beware, TT's are not painless procedures. And recovery can be lengthy. As yours is a unique situation (aren't we all unique?!), research the surgeons before you see them, get the best you can. And ask EVERYTHING you can possibly think of....start writing down your questions NOW, so you don't forget about them. And the best of luck to you, sweetie, God Bless.....

DON'T shoot the messenger, but my surgical team has informed me this will more than likely be PERMANENT. So give her/him a name and let it defend itself!!!!

I really like the Spenco flipflops, and orthaheel/Vionic sandals. They have the soles built on an orthotic-type bottom. I have severe flat feet, and I can wear these all day without my heel spurs acting up. I try to only wear them one day at a time, though, then wear the normal sneaker-shoes with my orthotics in them, so my feet don't get any "great ideas"!!!!

@@Shustar Thanks for the suggestions! My podiatrist has suggested the same brands of shoes you did, so I guess great minds think alike! And I agree with the cotton sock issue, they sure don't stay dry, and definitely can cause blisters! Thanks again!