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Thread: Cancer Update

  1. #1
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    Cancer Update

    So the last chemo was done on 8 October, about 2 weeks later I began radiation, and it was all finished by the end of November. I had to wait a couple of weeks and then got my port removed (they have to do it in the OR for some reason... go figure) and now the only treatment is the daily pill (an “aromatase inhibitor”). I am told that the side effects of the pill can be bone decalcification (so I’m taking a bunch of Ca2+ daily) and maybe severe joint inflammation that can happen after I’ve been on it for several weeks or months. The hair is growing back in. That’s the good news. The bad news is it looks like I have hair that would look about right on a silver wired hair terrier. Oh, well... it’s better than the skin-head look I had going there for a while.

    During the drag of chemo, I kept telling myself that my “treat” for getting through it all was to to go south to warmer climes and spend time training my dog. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’ll head out on the last week in January and be in TX by the first days in February. I plan to stay around 2 months. Crazy old lady in a tiny little trailer with three big labs. It should be hysterical. But it beats the heck out of sitting in a chair feeling sick as all get out.

    I’ll get back around April, keep training with my local group, run one or two HT’s and then... I’m off to IRELAND for 3 weeks. This is the trip that had to be canceled last year when the cancer was diagnosed. So far the plans are to spend a few days in the Wexford area, then drive to Belfast, next to Adara in Donegal where we’ll spread a few of Bill’s ashes in the church yard and say a few prayers, then Galway... and then... we’re still making it up from there.

    THEN... when I get back from Ireland, the final surgery to reconstruct the lost parts, so to speak and while I’m at it, I’m getting a face-lift. Yep. New lease on life and all of that. I thought, heck... I’m in the OR already, the plastic surgeon is there... let’s just make the most out of the situation.

    When that’s all done, I hope the dog and I will be on a roll and stand a chance of picking up some orange ribbons at some HT’s. If we aren’t, I guess we’ll be busy training until we can run with the big dogs.

  2. The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to TuMicks For This Useful Post:

    Charlotte K. (01-02-2019), coopersmom (01-03-2019), janedoe (01-02-2019), kimbersmom (01-02-2019), Labradorks (01-02-2019), Macy (01-04-2019), Mollysmomma (01-03-2019), POPTOP (01-02-2019), Snowshoe (01-03-2019)

  3. #2
    Senior Dog IRISHWISTLER's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TuMicks View Post
    So the last chemo was done on 8 October, about 2 weeks later I began radiation, and it was all finished by the end of November. I had to wait a couple of weeks and then got my port removed (they have to do it in the OR for some reason... go figure) and now the only treatment is the daily pill (an “aromatase inhibitor”). I am told that the side effects of the pill can be bone decalcification (so I’m taking a bunch of Ca2+ daily) and maybe severe joint inflammation that can happen after I’ve been on it for several weeks or months. The hair is growing back in. That’s the good news. The bad news is it looks like I have hair that would look about right on a silver wired hair terrier. Oh, well... it’s better than the skin-head look I had going there for a while.

    During the drag of chemo, I kept telling myself that my “treat” for getting through it all was to to go south to warmer climes and spend time training my dog. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’ll head out on the last week in January and be in TX by the first days in February. I plan to stay around 2 months. Crazy old lady in a tiny little trailer with three big labs. It should be hysterical. But it beats the heck out of sitting in a chair feeling sick as all get out.

    I’ll get back around April, keep training with my local group, run one or two HT’s and then... I’m off to IRELAND for 3 weeks. This is the trip that had to be canceled last year when the cancer was diagnosed. So far the plans are to spend a few days in the Wexford area, then drive to Belfast, next to Adara in Donegal where we’ll spread a few of Bill’s ashes in the church yard and say a few prayers, then Galway... and then... we’re still making it up from there.

    THEN... when I get back from Ireland, the final surgery to reconstruct the lost parts, so to speak and while I’m at it, I’m getting a face-lift. Yep. New lease on life and all of that. I thought, heck... I’m in the OR already, the plastic surgeon is there... let’s just make the most out of the situation.

    When that’s all done, I hope the dog and I will be on a roll and stand a chance of picking up some orange ribbons at some HT’s. If we aren’t, I guess we’ll be busy training until we can run with the big dogs.
    Yahooooooooooooo ! So happy for ye animist respectful for all that ye have handled with the utmost grace and courage.. Good on ye and enjoy the Emerald Isle. Some great pubs and TRAD music in Dingle 👍.

    Cheers Lass,
    Mikey 🍀🇮🇪🇺🇸
    TEAM TRAD PRO STAFF
    DUBLIN DUCK DYNASTY

    Joanie Madden, Mary Bergin, Adrea Coor, and Nuala Kennedy, each an Irish whistle goddess in her own right.

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  5. #3
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    I'm glad to hear you've gotten to this point and still retained your balance and sense of humor...having something big to look forward to most likely helped.

    I worked with a woman whose chemo ended up creating total hair loss and the type of regrowth that you mention. Her hair looked so good that way...it just took her a while to appreciate it (with a new style to show it off better than the way she'd been wearing it before). Her hair finally reverted to the way it had been and she was so disappointed.

    Many good thoughts going forward!

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  7. #4
    Senior Dog SamsonsMom's Avatar
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    Great update. I hope your time in the warm climate of TX treats you well. Nothing wrong at all with little trailer life. I bet you and the pups have a great time. Can't wait for the updates of your adventures.

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  9. #5
    Senior Dog Jollymolly's Avatar
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    Great update. You keeping yourself nice and busy. I really hope you don't get the side effects. I have a great combo aroma therapy soak that helps with inflammation for a few hours. If you need or want the recipe send me a pm. Not sure where in Tx you will but Molly and I would be happy to come spend a few hours with you if its not too far.

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  11. #6
    Senior Dog labsnewfy's Avatar
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    Wonderful update! Your travel plans sound so exciting.
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  13. #7
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Wow, I love your approach to your health challenge- having so much to look forward to that your treatment seemed more like a step on the path. A big, huge, challenging step, make no mistake, but a step. I'm glad to hear things are continuing to move forward as we enter the new year!

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  15. #8
    Senior Dog Charlotte K.'s Avatar
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    Thanks for the update. Wow, your plans are wonderful! Enjoy!

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  17. #9
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    I'm very happy to hear about your progress to date. Having watched my wife go through everything you are, and will be going through I applaud you for your courage and positive attitude towards your situation. My wife's hair came back very curly, and has remained the way, so you kinda never know what your going to get!

    Have fun in Texas and I know you'll have a great time on your trip to Ireland!!!!!!!!

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  19. #10
    Senior Dog JackK's Avatar
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    Great update! It's great to hear you rescheduled the Ireland Trip. Way to take back your life!

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