New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Today begins another new journey for me in the cancer connection. The PET/CT and MRI showed tumor involvement with the brachial plexus nerve, causing the pain and numbness in the shoulder, neck and chest. I am fortunate that at this time, the 2 masses are pressing and not entwined. Gemzar was stopped today, and I will have mapping for radiation tomorrow. I will remain on Herceptin through rads, and will go back to the 3 week dose. Since I am not showing active systemic disease at this time, only local disease, it seems like perfect timing to try to blast the nodes and masses.

I am NOT looking forward to the 7 weeks of 150 mile a day trips to Chicago, but in the cancer world we do what we must.

After radiation, the oncologist said I will resume chemo.

When my journey began almost 10 years ago, I had 2 goals, to live 10 years, and to reach 60....well both will occur in the next 2 months, time for me to reset my goals and plan for 10 more years and 70! I refuse to go out without a fight!

Any tips on neck radiation are welcome, or radiation in general.....hoping I dont get too tired as I will be driving myself.....
I would appreciate prayers and positive thoughts for a successful journey ...I dont know how I would have gotten this far without all the love & support from those on this site!

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

I will pray for you, Sheila.

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Dear Sheila

I know you will be able to get through this new hurdle and win a gold medal. I will and always do keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Fry those tumors and nodes to obilvion

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Why limit yourself to 70 ?? Go for 80,90 and beyond.
Personally I am planning to live to at least 90. Please join me.
Good luck with the radiation. I am in your cheering section and I will keep my fingers crossed for you.
Take care and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Sorry to hear this but glad you are renewing the 10 year plan!
Is there any relief for the driving? I know our local hospital/cancer center has a hotel sort of facility where you and family members can stay inexpensivly while receiving treatment to avoid long drives. Or is there a transportation service?
Keep the faith.

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Hi Sheila
Will certainly pray for you as you embark on this new journey.Really glad to hear that there is no further systemic disease and I hope these rads will lead you to NED.
Good luck
Ellie

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Sheila,

From the moment I first joined this forum, YOU have been my hero. I'm so sorry that you have more (as Brenda would say it), Crap on a Crapstick!! I agree with Elaine - go for 90 as a long term goal!

I do have a wonderful and delightful cousin that lives in the Chicago area by herself. Let me know if you are interested at all in staying in Chicago part of the time instead of commuting.

Love YOU!!

Alice

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Hi Sheila,

I have had to go to a larger center twice in the last 2 years for radiation treatments; once for 6 weeks and once for 4 weeks. Both times I actually moved there for the duration because it would have been 600 km roundtrip each day. I looked into the Cancer Lodge where I would have had to pay $40/night (however there was a $50/ night extra charge if someone were to stay with me) and meals were provided, a local inexpensive hotel for $50/night, or a short term rental at a condo (good thing it was the off-season) which equalled the cost overall of the hotel. I decided on the condo because it was like home and I could have visitors and family stay with me. Yes, it was expensive and we had to use our savings, but I have and will be adding it to my income tax expenses and I didn't really have a choice to drive that far everyday. The Cancer Agency where I went also had a list of accommodations but I basically found out the short-term rental idea because of someone I knew from my area; the Cancer Agency didn't have condos as an suggestion.

In the long run, it was less stress on me; treatments were at different times of the day and I was a five minute drive from the centre. I had alot of company that would be my support and I actually spent time with my 3 sisters for the first time in 4 1/2 years. One came from Ottawa (across the country), one from Calgary (eight hours away) and one from my area. I call those times my radiation vacations because so many people helped to make the time easier for me and because for the most part my radiation treatments have been the only time I've gone away.

Caroline

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Sheila, hope this new treatment works well. You could be NED soon!

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Sheila,
Well yes, get that next 10 year plan in place! I know you've been waiting so long just to get answers about what's going on, so you could know what you're dealing with. You were correct in your guesses - and now you can move forward.

There is good news in there tho. Good news that systemically things are still under control. Good news that you can now blast the local crap and get some relief. Good news, I think, that you can take a break from the Gemzar and hopefully regain your strength (and some of those darned "counts") or at least hold your own with the rigors of radiation.

I REALLY like the idea of getting a place to stay up there. I know you hate being away from your family - they are so much your lifeline - but to do that commute daily in the winter sounds nasty, especially if you are not feeling well. I assume there is public transportation to Rush, so there might be many options. With gas, wear and tear on your car, you might not be that much more out of pocket.

You know you would be welcome at my sister's house, but the Yorkie (and moody 15 year old!) might just push you over the edge!

Let me know if I can help you in any way. You know you are in my constant prayers.

Stamps, magic and miracles to you my friend!
Chris

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Sheila,

You're awesome!!! Here's to 10 more years! And good luck with all the logistics getting to the Windy City. Maybe you can stay up there for the 7 weeks? Any sisters here willing to let you stay with them?

Many hugs,

Marcia

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

I am loving all the suggestions and positivity I am getting from all of you! As far as staying in the city, probably not possible...my husband begins 6 weeks of mandatory 12 hour days, six days a week next Monday, so he will be gone from 6am to 8pm.....I have 2 loving black labs that would not be happy to be alone that much...I just calculated my miles for taxes from last year....7800 to Chicago.....if things get to be too much, I will get help, if it means getting my Dad to stay here so I can stay up there....I just hate to ask him...he will be 88 this year, and his get up and go has gotten up and gone...

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Sheila,

Oh goodness, your Dad is 88- gosh yes, shoot for 90! I read through your history and all you've conquered and been through and I feel like you will certainly get through all of this somehow too. I've felt like my dreams of becoming a grandma some day are rather pie in the sky since I'm 44 years old- but heck a 10 year plan suddenly sounds good to me!

Thanks for blazing the trail for the rest of us! Sending lots of prayers and light your way!

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Sheila,
How cute are those dogs! There's lots of incentive to get home to them I'm sure! I love your going for gold attitude. Good luck with the radiation I hope the travelling goes smoothly for you and that you get at least a couple of stop overs near the centre to rest up too.
Take it easy and be careful with that driving
Jenny x

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Sheila I found rads tiring but I would'nt want to leave those beautys either, sending good wishes and know I'll be thinking of you and willing you the luck of the Irish!!:)

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Love the dogs! I hope you figure out a plan that won't be too taxing. We're pulling for you!

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Hi Sheila, good luck to you, hope it all goes well, amd please let us know your plans for the next 10 years and beyond! Your dogs are so cute, little flakes of snow on them!
Dawn

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

I TOTALLY LOVE YOU. Walt sends his love and he thinks you will be hitting that 70 mark along with your sisters. I agree. You are a magnificent fighter and if I can be half the woman you are, Sheila, I shall be blessed.

My bet is that your Dad would be honored to help you. Naturally, you cannot leave your two furry children. I completely understand your position, and if we are honest our pets give us so much to live and fight for. How can that be, I wonder, and yet it is so very true.

Guess we will have to plan on a meeting in San Antonio next year for a short term goal!

Re: New Plan, New Chapter for progression
 

Sheila,

I have to echo Laurel...I TOTALLY LOVE YOU also. I have been eagerly awaiting to hear about your tests...boo hiss to the results. But Sheila, if there is anyone that can whip those tumors into oblivion it is YOU. You are so brave and strong and unsinkable….and at the same time so tender and loving and caring to those of us fortunate enough to call you friend.

Okay, those precious babies…I LOVE THEM TOO. I wouldn’t be able to leave them for a minute!

How can I help you? I will drive from Detroit to take you to your treatments…and you can sleep on the way back. You can even drool and I won’t tell anyone. Or I can stay with the 4-legged babies. I wish I could scoop you up and safely deposit you to the end of March when your rads worked and you are free of the beast and mapping out the next 30 years.

Love you, Sheila

Maureen