~Mighty Oak~A Little Inspiration For All....

[Believe51]

Besides the holidays and Mom's new diagnosis, we have been rather busy here in Rhode Island. Ed is tolerating the A/C treatment well, we started out with a few to see how he would handle them. He is scheduled for atleast 6-8 treatments, 9 max (standard is 4 depending on body mass). HE IS BACK WITH US and boy did I miss him so!! One night I looked up at him and said, "Welcome back Love, I missed you so. Thanks for the great fight and lessons about courage and BELIEF; Thank you for being everything I ever wanted from a husband and then some!!" The holidays brought us normalcy as far as listening to music and he started drawing again, we went for rides to check out Christmas lights, he even was able to prepare the shrimp for our Christmas dinner. Sounds simple but all of these little things are the reasons for that fight! I almost feel as good as I did BEFORE breast cancer tried to claim our lives!! I am floating on a cloud of hope and inspiration....and I am not even afraid of heights anymore. Like I have mentioned before, since breast cancer not many things do I fear!!

The recent Mugascan was at 75%...YES! Atleast we know that this treatment is working and we can continue to take it. It means we have bought some time. Speaking of which, as we sat by the tree and celebrated the holiday and memories past he asked "Where does the time go??" I promised God that if we got more time I would remember every second!! (smiling outloud)

On the 7th he has another brain MRI to show his continued progress, how is that for positive thinking?? Although the Tykerb had little to do with his last miraculous results, I am anxiously awaiting these new results. Hopefully he will not need to do the gamma or cyber knife procedures, please keep us in your ongoing prayers, we need all of them and then more!!

Tumor markers have been rising since March 2007 and are finally dropping. We have a long way to go before we add a 'N' in front of Ed (NED) but we can go on with revitalized hope. This poor man has fought this horrific Inflammatory Breast Cancer journey without one day of remission so far. Please God, Please give him some remission, not just for me...for him. Please reward him some time for this fight, give him the answer to the reason he is fighting. I beg!

He does NOT have prostate cancer too!! Worst thing is we have discovered some Blastic Lesions, which are bad enough. Lytic lesions are 'bites from the bone', Blastic Lesions are holes right through the bones, usually from other cancers one being prostate. We thought he had prostate cancer for a while because his PSA (prostate tumor marker) was elevated most of this journey.

So My Dears, I needed to take the time to rejoice with the people who can really appreciate it. For the Newbies I hope this has instilled some hope for your journey too. Keep fighting the good fight!! I love you all so much and could never do this without this site and my extended family here, you are the greatest gifts>>Believe51

PS: Have not got a chance to answer some posts but I am so happy for the good news being shared, busy members popping in....San Antonio information...etc....Lani has me very engaged in reading articles, Ed is happy with my silence..Tehehe!! Thanks again Lani!

and for those who are having difficulty....you are in our continued prayers today and always. I've got you covered in the prayers department even if I have not responded to your outcries!! (Just in case I missed one or two)

[tousled1]

Marie,

I'm so happy to hear Ed is doing so well. He certainly is an inspiration. May the A/C continue to do its job!!

[Mary Jo]

Hi Marie and Ed,

Thanks for updating us Marie. I always wonder how things are going and was so inspired when I read your post. My face broke out in a smile when I read you took a drive to look at Christmas lights and Ed was able to prepare the shrimp for your Christmas dinner. Oh Marie and Ed, such wonderful blessings.

May things continue down this healing path. My love and prayers I send you both.

Love,

Mary Jo

[charlotte]

I also wish to add my best wishes for Ed.. May he continue on this path to beating this disease..Thank you for sharing with us...This is a great blessing ... gives me hope to try and continue to fight on...

[kareneg]

Marie my love,

This thread made my Holiday's complete!!!!! I am so happy for Ed keep up the good work! I had a bit of normal this holiday. For some strange reason I had the energy I needed to do everything it was a beautiful holiday season! I love you my friend!

[Karen W]

What wonderful news.

I am sending more hugs, prayers and strength you way.

Karen

[lilyecuadorian]

thanks for share it make me smile w/this great news ....

[Bill]

Hi Marie! Glad you and Ed have been blessed with such good results and a great Christmas season. You guys keep on rolling! You made me hungry for shrimp,lol! Love, Bill

[wennydog]

Marie, I am so happy to hear that Ed is getting a positive response. Yes both of you need and deserve a remission. Pat has gone without a remission for well over a year and unfortunately I do not see much time left for us but I can smile and be very happy for Ed. Thank you for sharing the good news. Donna In Birmingham

Pat Bailey 55 yo
2001 DX DCIS, mastectomy & reconn
2003 dx mets to lungs, double thoracotomy for bx, herceptin, navelbene,carbpl,
2005chest wall reoccurrance, rads, repeat herceptin, navelbene,carbopl
2006more mets to chest wall, axillary and rt neck lymph system, Taxotere, herceptin
x 2 treatments, inflammtion to lungs,pneumonia, stop taxotere , rads
2007disease progression to small intestine, rt. axilla, lungs,epirub,5FU,cytoxan x 2 tx
disease halted but counts so low and so weak that chemo stopped.
July2007 disease progression, given 3 weeks to live. Began herceptin, doxorubicin
2 weeks later ready to leave hopitaland ambulatory with assistance. 1 week at home then
signs of lymphedema and epidermal skin rash returning. #2 dose of doxil given with no response.
Gemzar started while back in hospital with slow positive response. Back home but terrible weakness and stomatitis.
Stop doxil. Start Gemzar, tykerb and herceptin on 8/21/07
9/12/07 Diarrhea too devestating, Tykerb stopped. Gemzar every week still keeping cancer signs away.
11/07 Pat falls at home after trying to get up by herself. Hospital, home after a week and a half. Gemzar side effects- weakness too much.
11/07 One dose of Ixempra. Pat was very sick and weak with no quality time between doses. 12/10/07 Decision to stop all chemo. Continue Herceptin
Doctor says 1-2 months.<!-- / message --><!-- / message --><!-- / message --><!-- / message --><!-- edit note -->

[Bev]

Marie and Ed,

Awesome Muga. Hope you can get the blasts under control. Keep us posted. Best wishes, Bev,

[nitewind]

Marie, I was so happy to read your post, I smiled all the way through it! You and your Ed deserve nothing but the very best. Just want you to know that you and your hubby are our own miracles here. I never thought that I could actually love someone that I've never had the pleasure of meeting, but the two of you actually "own" my heart. I pray for you both always.
Love and Hugs
Susan

[TSund]

I have not been on in a while, but I am SO glad to read good news Marie.

Yahoo and Happy New Year!

Terri