medic0020's Group - CLOSED--BUSTIN AT THE SEAMS (Page 44)
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Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() amy mutz - 2008-04-07 8:16 PM Greg- I have a daily prayer list of people needing blessing and I'm going to add Stephanie to the list. Julie-I agree, I LOVE THIS GROUP!!!!! Please do (and yes I love the group too!). We were at MD Anderson all day today and the news was worse than we thought. The doc showed us the CT Scans. There are multiple spots on her liver - not just one - and are clearly visible even to me. And there are many spots on both lungs - too many to count. They are all small, but there are a bunch. This doc who is usually very upbeat actually leveled with us on an "intellectual level," as he put it. Stef and I are very much realist. While not giving up, it's hard to not face reality. As long as her quality of life is good, she wants to try. She starts a new chemo tomorrow. She'll be at MDA for 8 hrs tomorrow and Wed, then back Thur and Fri for blood. Same thing next week. The next week she starts the 2nd chemo drug and has a 16 hr day followed by an 8 hr day at MDA. She'll stay with friends downtown. It's too far to drive here then turnaround and go back. I've got a lot of time alone with the kids coming up. That's hard too because I can't help but think, "so this is what is coming." I'll quit now. If you pray, remember us. Until there's a cure, Greg |
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Extreme Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Gregg, you and Stephanie are in our prayers. I understand that strange emptiness you speak of when you at home alone asking "is this what is coming?" Peg has survived five years. I was told she may not survive a week. She is doing well but I know that with her condition she could be with us another day, a week, a year, probably not a decade. We do not speak of it but another stroke would most likely kill her, she could have a killer blood clot tomorrow, I almost lost her to one in her leg in May of '03. I cannot and will not claim to understand the challenge you face and I admire you for it. But I know very well the uncertainty of knowing that one day I will be alone. I try not to think about it but your final sentence was a reminder of that. I live with that every day. So I live each day as the gift it is... because it is our greatest gift! Hug those kids, Hug Stephanie, those are the things that make life special. God bless you and your family. Your friend, Emerson |
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Extreme Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Today will be an intense work day for me so I won't be checking in again until later. Everyone have a great day!!!! Amy IN Let's all meet up at the pool later. ![]() Edited by amy mutz 2008-04-08 7:18 AM (swim.jpg) Attachments ---------------- swim.jpg (34KB - 18 downloads) |
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Extreme Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() amy mutz - 2008-04-08 5:07 AM Today will be an intense work day for me so I won't be checking in again until later. Everyone have a great day!!!! Amy IN Let's all meet up at the pool later. ![]() This looks like a good meeting spot! Sign me up... Off to a trail run... Emerson |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() etknowles - 2008-04-07 8:47 AM I second what Julie noted and Eric said.... I am still paying off Peg's medical expenses. It will be a long time before all the debt I racked up will be gone. Much of her therapy and none of the custodial care was covered... x3. Even with medical coverage, I still have had to lay out an astonishing amount of money. |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() mman - 2008-04-07 9:37 AM Maybe BT will help in some way too by putting them in their store online, or something.... Have you thought about ebay? I work with a non-profit group that sells donated items on ebay. There's a different pricing structure for non-profit groups. Also, BT recently had an online auction to benefit children who have been victims of sexual abuse. People donated items, and others bid on them. So yes, it's definitely worth talking to Mike and Ron about this. |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Girl Passing on Left - 2008-04-07 8:26 PM Check with supermarkets, too. Food Lion donated food platters to some of our functions. ![]() |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() etknowles - 2008-04-07 8:45 PM Julie, you make wonderful points. But, for the record, I think Dee is a survivor and I am a survivor too... Yes. I would have actually preferred to have KEPT my ovaries, to be honest. ![]() I laugh when women talk about going through menopause. I did it overnight. (And when I tell people, they invariably say, "Oh, I'm sure you're mistaken. You're too young to have gone through menopause." Um, hello? Age doesn't matter. Having ovaries does....) Doctor following surgery: "Are you having hot flashes yet?" Me, in a drug-induced haze: "Huh?" Doctor: "Well, you will." It took about 4 days. Then I realized what she was talking about!!! Ah the memories! LOL Anyway, I've adjusted. (As far as menopause goes, anyway. I'm not as "well-adjusted" in other aspects maybe! LOL) ![]() And on that note... back to work..... ![]() Edited by D001 2008-04-08 10:44 AM |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() mman - 2008-04-07 10:02 PM She starts a new chemo tomorrow. I'm sorry to hear that she needs to go through this. My thoughts are with both of you.... |
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Master ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Listening to the stories I have heard from Eric, Emerson, and now you, Greg, have certainly put a perspective on life. I can't even start to imagine what life must be life, but it does add a new perspective to living life to the fullest each day. Stephanie and you are in my thoughts and I am sending some strength your way even though I know you don't need it...you are plenty strong. Have fun with the kids and give all our love to Stephanie....we are with you all the way! |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() etknowles - 2008-04-07 5:45 PM Julie, you make wonderful points. But, for the record, I think Dee is a survivor and I am a survivor too... By some odd coincidence, I think when we started this group we had four survivors... That is pretty many out of a group of maybe eight and it is now over half of who is left over.... I hope the Amys and Pam never have to face the issue, the money we all raise will make a difference so that the future will spare so many. I have met Amy of CA and what a great family. I get to meet Julie next weekend and maybe again in Carmel on the 27th. I hope to meet Amy of IN this summer. She can't be that far from Cincinnati. Thanks for all the support this spring. My next marathon is in less than three weeks and I am really psyched. I hope to run a 4:15 and still enjoy the whole day. Have a full and wonderful week. Now, off to a shower, dinner and a church meeting. sorry Emerson, and Dee...no disrespect meant! I guess I had no clue... see you in a few days! still not sure of my brothers race bib number and he said his time is not going to be half as good as the 12 hours he had anticipated for Florida...instead he said he may be walking much of the ironman...he has lost 10lbs and of course his mental psychy is not all there since he does not have the driving power Dorothy gave him! so he saying he thinks to be done around 14 hours! ;( Kills me to hear him soooo down! but I think when he gets this race behind him, he can move forward. He just called and was talking to a Real Estate agent...so that is good! He really needs to move out of that big A$$ home that he lives in by himself!! Beautiful, but time to move! way too much for just him.... |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() mman - 2008-04-07 7:02 PM amy mutz - 2008-04-07 8:16 PM Greg- I have a daily prayer list of people needing blessing and I'm going to add Stephanie to the list. Julie-I agree, I LOVE THIS GROUP!!!!! Please do (and yes I love the group too!). We were at MD Anderson all day today and the news was worse than we thought. The doc showed us the CT Scans. There are multiple spots on her liver - not just one - and are clearly visible even to me. And there are many spots on both lungs - too many to count. They are all small, but there are a bunch. This doc who is usually very upbeat actually leveled with us on an "intellectual level," as he put it. Stef and I are very much realist. While not giving up, it's hard to not face reality. As long as her quality of life is good, she wants to try. She starts a new chemo tomorrow. She'll be at MDA for 8 hrs tomorrow and Wed, then back Thur and Fri for blood. Same thing next week. The next week she starts the 2nd chemo drug and has a 16 hr day followed by an 8 hr day at MDA. She'll stay with friends downtown. It's too far to drive here then turnaround and go back. I've got a lot of time alone with the kids coming up. That's hard too because I can't help but think, "so this is what is coming." I'll quit now. If you pray, remember us. Until there's a cure, Greg Please tell Stephanie that I am going to be with her at MD Anderson in spirit and with prayer! I truly love the both of you! I went to Church this morning and will go again tomorrow! Will also try and find one in Arizona near the hotel...hope it helps! keep your chin up and remember how much she needs you now! know you will be there! as you are such the amazing guy! she is a lucky gal to have you! some husbands are not half as compassionate and caring! luckily I got one of the few like you! he is a keeper as you are to her! BE STRONG and remember you have a whole new family here in BT! love xxxxxxxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxo |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() etknowles - 2008-04-07 9:04 PM Gregg, you and Stephanie are in our prayers. I understand that strange emptiness you speak of when you at home alone asking "is this what is coming?" Peg has survived five years. I was told she may not survive a week. She is doing well but I know that with her condition she could be with us another day, a week, a year, probably not a decade. We do not speak of it but another stroke would most likely kill her, she could have a killer blood clot tomorrow, I almost lost her to one in her leg in May of '03. I cannot and will not claim to understand the challenge you face and I admire you for it. But I know very well the uncertainty of knowing that one day I will be alone. I try not to think about it but your final sentence was a reminder of that. I live with that every day. So I live each day as the gift it is... because it is our greatest gift! Hug those kids, Hug Stephanie, those are the things that make life special. God bless you and your family. Your friend, Emerson that is beautifully said Emerson! and ooooooohhhhhhhh so true! none of us can know what you are going thru!! just know we are here for you...if there is anything....ANYTHING AT ALL...please do not hesitate to ask. |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() amy mutz - 2008-04-08 5:07 AM Today will be an intense work day for me so I won't be checking in again until later. Everyone have a great day!!!! Amy IN Let's all meet up at the pool later. ![]() dang you can swim some laps to warm up...then head over the fence to go for that OWS! looks beautiful....where is that? |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() D001 - 2008-04-08 8:23 AM etknowles - 2008-04-07 8:47 AM I second what Julie noted and Eric said.... I am still paying off Peg's medical expenses. It will be a long time before all the debt I racked up will be gone. Much of her therapy and none of the custodial care was covered... x3. Even with medical coverage, I still have had to lay out an astonishing amount of money.
sorry Dee....never knew! I understand about the money thing! I am still paying out the nose! does it ever end! I feel like I have dragged this family down....and if it weren't for me, we would be so much more financially stable...but hey, I am here and I am healthy...so money! I can live with out it!!! |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() D001 - 2008-04-08 8:40 AM \etknowles - 2008-04-07 8:45 PM Yes. I would have actually preferred to have KEPT my ovaries, to be honest. Julie, you make wonderful points. But, for the record, I think Dee is a survivor and I am a survivor too... ![]() ![]() ![]() curious are you still having hot flashes...cuz MINE SUK! I am now getting them during the day! I hate this...and since I am a cancer survivor...I can not have the steroid drugs that they give others...because the drugs they offer for hot flashes, cause cancer to spread more rapidly! so, meanwhile one moment I am bundled in layers of clothing...the next sitting next to naked and fanning myself....last nite I was lying on top of the covers/bedspread and was burning up....when the DH got up to use the restroom, he got back in bed shivering and said what are you hot??? and then said man how can you be....it's freezing in here! poor guy has to sleep in a room with a box fan in the window pretty much year round and the ceiling fan is always on! DOES IT EVER END DEE????? please tell me yes! |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() D001 - 2008-04-08 8:45 AM mman - 2008-04-07 10:02 PM She starts a new chemo tomorrow. I'm sorry to hear that she needs to go through this. My thoughts are with both of you.... x2 but glad that you are still going for treatments...rather then throwing in the towel! good luck! tell Steph I said hi!!! and I am thinking of her alllllllll the time! |
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Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() The hot flash thing could be worse. Stephanie went into premature menopause after her first rounds of chemo in 2004. Then about a year later, the body started working again. So, if she makes it long enough, she'll go through it all again Yesterday, Stef was pretty disturbed by the news. Even if you know you are going to get hit in the nose, it still hurts when it happens. Same thing yesterday. But, like she always does, today she woke up, resilient as ever and headed out to slay the beast. She did some shopping, read in our daughter's class, then headed to MDA. I live with her and am constantly amazed.
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Extreme Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I'm also in the "hot flash" club....yikes!!!!!!! We still had the window open at night when it was 38, and we keep the house at 59 degrees....anybody want to visit? ![]() Just a few thoughts for the day. 1. Don't sweat the small stuff, and remember, most stuff is small. 2. The most boring word in any language is "I." 3. Nobody is indispensable, especially you. 4. Life is full of surprises. Just say "never" and you'll see. 5. People are more important than things. 6. Persistence will get you almost anything eventually. 7. Nobody can make you happy. Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be. 8. There's so much bad in the best of us and so much good in the worst of us that it doesn't behoove any of us to talk about the rest of us. 9. Live by what you trust, not by what you fear. 10. Character counts. Family matters. 11. Eating out with small children isn't worth it, even if someone else is paying. 12. If you wait to have kids until you can afford them, you probably never will. 13. Baby kittens don't begin to open their eyes for six weeks after birth. Men generally take 26 years. 14. The world would run a lot smoother if more men knew how to dance. 15. Television ruins more minds than drugs. 16. Sometimes there is more to gain in being wrong than right. 17. Life is so much simpler when you tell the truth. 18. People who do the world's real work don't usually wear neckties. 19. A good joke beats a pill for a lot of ailments. 20. There are no substitutes for fresh air, sunshine, and exercise. 21. A smile is the cheapest way to improve your looks, even if your teeth are crooked. 22. May you live life so there is standing room only at your funeral. 23. Mothers always know best, but sometimes fathers know too. 24. Forgive your friends and your enemies. You're all only human. 25. If you don't do anything else in life, love someone and let someone love you. |
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Extreme Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() So what I'm hearing is Stephanie is an inspiration to you and to many...she is teaching people hope, endurance, tolerance, motivation, courage and love...what a valuable lesson we all have learned, and it would not have been possible without Stephanie. What a blessing she is... Have a wonderful evening. Amy IN |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() amy mutz - 2008-04-08 1:03 PM I'm also in the "hot flash" club....yikes!!!!!!! We still had the window open at night when it was 38, and we keep the house at 59 degrees....anybody want to visit? ![]() those are some great quotes!! thanks Amy...I needed to read many of those!! |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() amy mutz - 2008-04-08 1:53 PM So what I'm hearing is Stephanie is an inspiration to you and to many...she is teaching people hope, endurance, tolerance, motivation, courage and love...what a valuable lesson we all have learned, and it would not have been possible without Stephanie. What a blessing she is... Have a wonderful evening. Amy IN x2 Hey guys...will be signing off til next week....I will be bringing a lap top, but really intend this trip to be all about the family and do not want to get caught up in trying to inspire, log and all that stuff! so, it is a good bye from me til Tuesday! be thinking good thoughts for my brother who seems to be doubting himself as to if he can finish this race....he has lost weight since losing his wife and said that he just doesn't have the stamina he did for the Florida race....we consider him an ironman already! but know the medal means a lot to him! If any of you who read this are in the Dallas area, he has had all kinds of new stations and local newspapers contacting him to do a story about this race. OK...gotta go, did get in a ride today! not very long, but a ride! Hope everyone else is getting close to reaching some of their short term and long term goals! GO TEAM MEDIC!!!! will try and let you know how Mike does! have a great day/week/weekend...and will catch up soon with all of you! Greg you have my cell number...please let me know if something comes up! I will be praying for your entire family while away....hang in there buddy!! Edited by Girl Passing on Left 2008-04-08 4:55 PM |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Girl Passing on Left - 2008-04-08 2:13 PM D001 - 2008-04-08 8:23 AM etknowles - 2008-04-07 8:47 AM I second what Julie noted and Eric said.... I am still paying off Peg's medical expenses. It will be a long time before all the debt I racked up will be gone. Much of her therapy and none of the custodial care was covered... x3. Even with medical coverage, I still have had to lay out an astonishing amount of money.
sorry Dee....never knew! I understand about the money thing! I am still paying out the nose! does it ever end! I feel like I have dragged this family down....and if it weren't for me, we would be so much more financially stable...but hey, I am here and I am healthy...so money! I can live with out it!!! Ovarian. Coming up on 2 1/2 years now. |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() mman - 2008-04-08 2:52 PM The hot flash thing could be worse. Stephanie went into premature menopause after her first rounds of chemo in 2004. Then about a year later, the body started working again. So, if she makes it long enough, she'll go through it all again. I went through it via surgical menopause 2 1/2 years ago. As a result, my bone density dropped dramatically. After being diagnosed with osteopenia, my doctor gave me an OK to go on low-dose hormone replacement. However, she doesn't like that I'm on it. Eventually, I'll have to stop it, which means that I will deal with menopausal symptoms for a second time. I hope that Stephanie gets to go through it a second time too, and that it occurs many years from now. |
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