Leave of absence :)

[Jackie07]

As the cranial pressure continues to increase due to the tumor (Central Neurocytomas - unrelated to BC) growth near the Third Ventricle, I will take a 'leave of absence' from this wonderful community.

Not that I thought anybody might notice my 'disappearance'... :)

I'm seeing the radiation oncologist on the 23rd, two days before Thanksgiving. The hospital acquired a Novalis Tx (a LINAC) in June and I'm pretty sure that's the new toy I'm going to try out.

So here's my early 'Happy Thanksgiving', 'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year' (Including 'Chinese New Year' in early Feburary :)

"I shall return!"

[StephN]

Dear Jackie -
So sorry to hear that you have another (older and recurrent) health condition to deal with in the coming weeks.

Please keep us updated after your rad onc visit on the 23rd. You are a valued member of this site and post some very helpful information.

Wishing you all the best for an excellent outcome of the next treatment. If you should find yourself up in the middle of the night due to being wired from steroids, give us a shout!

[Paty]

We will be waiting to hear back from you, and I will be praying that you come back soon. My prayers are with you hoping that your health condition will soon improve. Best wishes,

Paty

[michka]

Dear Jackie. I am so sorry you have to take care of that again on top of BC. I will be thinking of you and waiting for your posts. Sending strength and hugs. Michka

[Mary Jo]

Hi Jackie,

I hope all turns out well with your "issue" that is NOT cancer. That alone makes it "well," right?

Take care and look forward to your "I'm back" post!

Love and prayers,

Mary Jo

[Pam P]

Jackie - You are a valued part of this community. Your posts will be missed while you are taking your leave. You will be in all of our thoughts and prayers as you see the radiologist and tackle this treatment to relieve this pressure. May it be a great success in resolving the issues. Hurry back to this site as soon as you can. Pam

[whatz]

What do you mean we would not "notice your disappearance"...of course we would. Thanks for letting us know in advance. Good luck with the procedure and update us as soon as you can.

[ammebarb]

I'll be thinking of you as you do the required treatment---one that gets you back to us as soon as possible. Wishing you the very best...and hope to see you soon!

Barb A.

[KirisMum]

Jackie, I'll miss you! You were one of the first to comment on my posts and private message me, and I was grateful for your kindness and advice. Please try to keep us posted somehow. I will worry about you.
Sending hugs, love, and prayers for healing.

[Jean]

Jackie,
I will miss your posts!!!!
I will also be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Here is my early Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year
and Chinese New Year love and good wishes back to you.

Return fast...as you are greatly appreciated and loved.
(leave it to you to know about the Chinese New Year)!!!

Jean

[KitCat]

Jackie,

Your posts and many words of wisdom will surley not go unnoticed. I wish you best of health and hope that all goes well. Look forward to hearing from you again soon. Take care.

[Emelie B]

Of course your absence would be noticed by all of us. I know for sure your knowledge and support is valued by us all and we look forward to your return.
I hope everything goes well, and that you are feeling better and you can enjoy the upcoming holidays.
Best regards and well wishes for a terrific outcome,
Emelie

[LoisLane]

Hi Jackie Will be thinking of you. You seem like a very strong women and will continue to fight these medical problems. I always love reading your posts, you were also one of the first people to welcome me warmly to this site. You take care of yourself and we will hear from you when you are ready to return.
Wishing you are wonderful holiday season and "gung hay fat choy" Love Lois

[Kim in DC]

Good Luck Jackie! Happy Thanksgiving!

Kim

[ElaineM]

First let me say that we will miss you during your leave of absence. Is there somebody you can ask to let us know how you are doing during your leave?
I do want to wish you all the best. I hope everything goes well. I will certainly keep my fingers and toes crossed for you as you start on another health care adventure. Take good care of yourself, hang in there and keep putting one foot in front of the other at all times. Every step we take gets us closer to our goals of better health.

[Patb]

Wishing you the best and will be thinking of you
as you go through treatment.
patb

[Delaney]

Wishing you all the best as you go through treatment. I value all your posts, you have been incredibly helpful to a lot of us here. Come back soon. Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

[karen z]

Dear Jackie,
You will be very missed during your leave of absence and we can't wait for your return!! Take care and we will catch you later.

[Ceesun]

Jackie, You are a shining example of courage and strength....you will get through this, as you teach us all how to keep going onward. Take the time you need for yourself. In friendship, Ceesun

[das]

Best Wishes to you for a speedy recovery!!

[flynny]

Jackie, I will miss your posts but it is important to take care of YOU! Please let us know how your upcoming appointment goes. I will be praying for you in the mean time. Best of luck!

[sassy]

Jackie,

Hope all improves--will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Is there someone that can keep in touch with us, or update us in your absence?

[Trish]

I will miss you very much and all the great information you provide. I hope your treatment goes really well and that that third ventricle gets clear- the new toy better do it's job well. All the best, will be thinking of you and looking forward to your return.
Trish

[Leslie304]

We all need a break from this now and then. You and I can fight our foggy brains for a bit and get back here soon. Best of luck, you are in my prayers.
Leslie

[Bill]

Hurry back, Jackie! Your posts will be missed. Take care of yourself and know that we are with you. We'll keep the fire burning and save a spot for you. Love, Bill

[TriciaK]

I always look for your posts, Jackie, and will be watching for your return. In the meantime, take care of yourself and know you are loved and missed, and you will be in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs, TriciaK

[harrie]

Oh Jackie! I wish you great results. I know for a fact you will surely be missed!! Your presence and support is such an impt part of this site.
I will you well and I hope we hear reports on you periodically.
Aloha,
Maryanne

[Lori R]

Dear Jackie,
I am sorry to hear that you have to deal with this previous health issue.

Hoping that the latest technology makes zapping that tumor painless with a rapid recovery.

Please let us know how you are doing and know that there are many cheering you on.

Lori

[Hopeful]

Best of luck to you with your treatment regimen, Jackie. We will miss you. Happy holidays, and hurry back!

Hopeful

[Joan M]

Jackie,

Take care! And I'm praying for a successful treatment.

Joan

[schoolteacher]

Jackie,

I will miss you. Please let us know how things are going.

Amelia

[lkc Gumby]

JACKIE,WISHING YOU A SPEEDY RECOVERY AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK " HERE" SOON!
hAPPY THANKSGIVING!

[caya]

Good luck with taking care of business! Of course we will miss you Jackie. Please try to check in when you can.

all the best
caya

[Karen Wheel]

Sorry I am a bit behind in reading - but you will be missed!

AND we expect to see you back here soon! Take care - Karen

[tricia keegan]

Hoping for good news on your return Jackie and wishing you a great response, please keep us posted when you can. xx

[Jackie07]

The radiation oncologist said that the vertigo I experienced last year was caused by the tumor located near Third Ventricle. Whenever I bend (eg. floor exercise last fall) my head, the tumor leans over and blocks the entrance of Third Ventricle. They are waiting for the Gamma-knife record (2001) from Dallas, so they can calculate the dose of the radiation. The radiosurgery will most likely be in January.

The side effect could include cataracts - which can be corrected by laser surgery. Any future problems can be relieved by a shunt. Because my neurological function has been 'superb', they don't want to do 'craniotomy' unless absolutely necessary.

I haven't experienced any problem (vertigo) this past year because I have restricted my activities drastically.

Glad there are many ways to control the tumor. How fortunate we are to live in this 'brave new world'!

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Trish]

That is all sounding very encouraging, Jackie. Thanks for letting us know.
Trish

[joletta]

Jackie,
I wish you the best of luck and you will be very missed. You are an incredibly knowledgeable & helpful person. Please continue to keep us updated.
Love and prayers,
Joletta

[MaryAn]

Sorry I'm late at this, but good luck and tons of prayers. Happy holidays

[bejuce]

Happy Thanksgiving, Jackie!! Wishing you success with your treatment and a speedy recovery so you can come back to the boards with full force. We miss you!

Marcia

[tfabre]

Jackie, I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! I will miss your posts...your info and comments are very helpful to us all. As far as the Novalis, I was a procedure nurse at a local cancer hospital, and am very familiar with it. I prepared and monitored patients with brain tumors that were receiving SRS (stereotactic radiosurgery). It's amazing to watch the doctors, dosimetrists and physicists working together to prepare the "plan" for the patients for treatment. The machine is amazing..You will do well! Looking forward to hearing from you, soon!

Hugs!

[imdavidson]

Jackie, I am very grateful to you for the help you've given me in this forum. You're a very kind person and I hope you feel better soon.

[Laurel]

I would have noticed your absence, Jackie! You are so faithful in your responses to those who post. I have long admired your willingness to do research for the one who has inquired. It has not gone unnoticed. In fact, I have been grateful to you especially in recent months when it seemed some of us, myself included, were too busy or burned out to respond to the many questions and concerns posted by new and old members of this site.

I hope your experience with your newest "toy" goes well and you are back and posting diligently in short order! All my very best wishes for a quick recovery. I think you are tops!

[schoolteacher]

Jackie,

Hope you are feeling better today.

Amelia

[Jackie07]

Thanks, Amelia (and everyone as well)

Had an MRI with contrast today. Bumped into the R. oncologist in the hallway on our way out and she mentioned that there will be a CT-scan scheudled for me next week.

From the record/film they got from Dallas (Presbyterian Hospital) the tumor needs to be treated is not one of the three tumors that had been Gamma-knifed in 2001. So there's no problem for it to receive more radiation there.

Guess that's considered a good news. :)

[Mary L]

Hello Jackie, That is great news! I'm so happy for you. Good news in time for the Holiday Season. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. I think I enjoy the true meaning of Christmas and the serenity more than any of the other stuff. I love to sit in my livingroom with no lights on other than my tree. Now that is serenty!! Best wishes. Mary L

[Jackie07]

Forgot to include 'Hanukkah'.

Happy Hanukkah!

http://family.go.com/food/hanukkah-recipes-pg/

[Mary L]

Good morning Jackie. Sorry about that. I wish you a wonderful holiday season and Happy Hannuka. MaryL

[Jackie07]

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/30/stories/2002093001480300.htm

[Barbara2]

Hi, Jackie, How unfortunate that you have to deal with this on top of everything else. I am so sorry, but you have had a bit of good news recently, and I believe the news will continue to be good for you. Praying your treatment will be successful so you can get back to your normal routine and back to us here at the Her2 support board. Your messages and thoughtful advice are so appreciated.

You take care, try to stay positive, and enjoy the holidays!

[schoolteacher]

Jackie,

So glad to hear from you. Please keep us posted. Hope you have a good weekend.

Amelia

[WolverineFan]

Jackie,

Hoping you are doing well, and looking forward to your return to this board. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Jackie07]

Was about 5 minutes late for my CT-scan appointment. Past experience tells me that I might get bumped down the schedule, so I just took it easy drinking some water from the cone-shaped paper cup and watching 'Regis and Kelly' on the brand new 'LG' TV hanging off the wall.

Haven't even got a chance to sit down, the receptionist informed me that the radiation oncologist wanted to see me. So I called hubby on the Cell to hurry back from the dining area where he was getting himself some coffee.

Dr. Thawani found a small room and explained to us that becuase the Third Ventricle is surrounded by the Thalamus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thalamus which involves lots of vital functions of the brain-body connection, and the MRI taken last week did not show any change from the one taken 2 months before; they are going to take a watch and wait strategy and schedule me for another MRI in 4 months.

Hubby was so relieved he called his Father right away.

Guess I'll just continue to use my skin medicine (got a refill the other day), sleep on my right side, and try not to do anything strenuous... :)

[Barbara2]

That's great news, Jackie, and I am thrilled and happy for you and your family. Wow. Take a deep breath and relax now, for a while, and have a wonderful Christmas.

[schoolteacher]

Jackie,

I am so glad to see you on the board and hear your good news.

Amelia

[tfabre]

That's great news, Jackie! Have a wonderful holiday...whichever you choose to celebrate!!!!!

Hugs,

Toni