Cancer, Chemo, Gluten Ughhh

[love2travel]

I'm still a little groggy but really wanted to catch up guys up. First the prepping was a lot easier thanks to the prayers and Lorazepam. I was still out when the doc talked to my family but this is what we know. The cancer is not in the ducts. There is a mass in my pancreas that is closing the ducts and why he reinstalled a stint. He has gone as far as he can with testing so now it's on to Shands Hospital for different tests or just surgery.

I will call the docs office tomorrow and find out how fast I can get to Shands. I may have to have a temper tantrum to get this moving along. I can't bear the lack of a definite diagnosis much longer. In my core I know this is in God's hands but God knows my weaknesses. Thanks for all your good thoughts and prayers.

Fran

Fran, you are amazing to go through all this and have the presence of mind to inform us on what is happening. I'm SO glad the prepping was better than you expected. We've been praying for that! Glad that cancer is not in the ducts.

You are right - this IS truly in God's hands, thankfully - the best hands you can get! But I also believe you need to push the process along if you can as others have said. Man, you are one courageous woman. I admire your fortitude!

Will continue to pray that this happen quickly.

[fran641]

I AM SO HAPPY...that sounds nuts but the GI Oncology Department of Shands Hospital called today and is seeing me tomorrow afternoon. YEAH They will get to the bottom of all of this quickly and I can be over and done with this.

I was supposed to start an IV maintenance therapy (every other month for 2 yrs.) for the lymphoma in May when that last PET scan came back with a problem. If all of this "stuff" with the pancreas gets cleared up I can get on with the other treatment that will hopefully keep the lymphoma at bay for a while. The form of Lymphoma I have is follicular Non Hodgkin and is not curable but it is treatable as I go in and out of remission.

I can't thank you all enough for all your support and good wishes. I did tell the nurses my one and only joke I know while they were trussing me up like a turkey. -an old lady wanted to kill herself but wanted to be sure to succeed so she called her doctor and asked where exactly is my heart located? He said directly below your left breast. She shot herself in the knee----

Have a laugh today or at least don't be too offended.

xo Fran

[IrishHeart]

Oh Fran,

--I laughed at your joke...thanks!

You're a real "pistol"--as we used to say in Boston!!

This IS great news--get in there, get it going and GET WELL!

Thanks for letting us know.

Prayers at work? maybe!! good!! Sometimes, when things work out all right, I don't question it, I just whisper.. Thank you.

best luck tomorrow, hon!

[fran641]

Irish, glad you had a laugh today.

I do believe that prayer does work and did say "thank you" right away. All the asking needs to have my thanks you's attached!!!!

Fran

[love2travel]

I AM SO HAPPY...that sounds nuts but the GI Oncology Department of Shands Hospital called today and is seeing me tomorrow afternoon. YEAH They will get to the bottom of all of this quickly and I can be over and done with this.

I was supposed to start an IV maintenance therapy (every other month for 2 yrs.) for the lymphoma in May when that last PET scan came back with a problem. If all of this "stuff" with the pancreas gets cleared up I can get on with the other treatment that will hopefully keep the lymphoma at bay for a while. The form of Lymphoma I have is follicular Non Hodgkin and is not curable but it is treatable as I go in and out of remission.

I can't thank you all enough for all your support and good wishes. I did tell the nurses my one and only joke I know while they were trussing me up like a turkey. -an old lady wanted to kill herself but wanted to be sure to succeed so she called her doctor and asked where exactly is my heart located? He said directly below your left breast. She shot herself in the knee----

Have a laugh today or at least don't be too offended.

xo Fran

Your relief is palpable and optimism contagious. I am SO pleased and thrilled for you! And your joke is cute.

My aunt was diagnosed with follicular NH nine years ago and is still working FT as a nurse. So, you can do this!! And I'm not just saying that...

[IrishHeart]

Irish, glad you had a laugh today.

I do believe that prayer does work and did say "thank you" right away. All the asking needs to have my thanks you's attached!!!!

Fran

I laugh every day, Fran...no matter how dark it has ever been in my life--I think humor saves our butts and our sanity, don't you??

I should be more specific...hope you don't think this weird, but when I whisper my thanks, it's to my beloved Dad for whatever he does "up there" on my behalf with the "Big Guy" I do " plead my case' directly to God when I am in need, but I figure He is quite busy with more important concerns than mine and so, it helps to have an "inside man".

Now, hopefully that made YOU smile.

Oh Fran, I do admire your spunk...I am really prayin for ya, hon!!

[fran641]

Irish, I don't think it's weird to talk to your dad and give thanks for his intervention. Both my parents are gone and our house number was 506. Whenever I see that number on a clock, and it is often, I always talk to both of them and ask them to intercede on behalf of my family. Many years after they passed away I mentioned that to my little sister and she burst out laughing. She has done the same thing since they died.

Life is too short to not have a sense of humor. My oncologist (lymphoma doc) must have had his funny bone removed at birth. I often made remarks that just flew over his head. It would make me giggle when he didn't have a clue what I was saying.

Take care,

Fran

[IrishHeart]

Irish, I don't think it's weird to talk to your dad and give thanks for his intervention. Both my parents are gone and our house number was 506. Whenever I see that number on a clock, and it is often, I always talk to both of them and ask them to intercede on behalf of my family. Many years after they passed away I mentioned that to my little sister and she burst out laughing. She has done the same thing since they died.

Life is too short to not have a sense of humor. My oncologist (lymphoma doc) must have had his funny bone removed at birth. I often made remarks that just flew over his head. It would make me giggle when he didn't have a clue what I was saying.

Take care,

Fran

Ohmygosh, Fran LOL! when I see 6:12 on a clock --I think of my Dad (his birthday) !! so I get what you are saying!

Keep your sense of humor, Fran--it is obvious it helps you and that is a very good thing!

G'night! Best luck tomorrow. You are in my thoughts!

[cyberprof]

Fran, I'm late to the party and I didn't have time to post last night but I'm thinking good thoughts for you today.

[fran641]

Here is where things are today. Yesterday I had a CT scan at Shands and met the surgeon. While we were discussing the whipple surgery that would likely be done next Thursday the doc received a phone call. It was the GI doc from Tallahassee calling to let him know that there was one biopsy in the lab that would not be back for one week. It was a test for primary pancreatic lymphoma. So the surgeon will wait for that biopsy because if it is PPL it can be treated with chemo and radiation. The 3 of us (hubby, daughter and myself) had a sigh of relief at this possible option. With the holiday weekend involved this may slow things down with the labs. I'm not sure why I would relapse in 5 months, does that mean it's a more aggressive form of lymphoma? I'll be curious to see.

I can do lymphoma, I know that beast and I can do chemo and radiation. Looking at the alternative surgery I am really praying for the PPL.

The usual pancreatitis has kicked in from the last scope so I'll be glad for the break in docs and back to jello and icees.

So onward we go and I so appreciate all your prayers.

xo Fran

[ravenwoodglass]

Keeping my fingers crossed for you. You show a great deal of strength dealing with all this. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

[IrishHeart]

Fran,

It sounds like you view the "beast that you know" as easier to slay! Now, that's the wise warrior way of thinking, girlfriend!

Your relief tells me this possible alternative path for treatment is preferable to you for many reasons.

Try to relax, enjoy the weekend with your family, and I continue to hold you in my thoughts and prayers.

My Best, Irish

[Bubba's Mom]

Fran..I'm new here and just read through this thread. You are AMAZING!

My best wishes to you in your treatment. Im finding that getting diagnosed quickly and correctly means a world of difference.

I go in today to have a CT scan redone. The one I had in March showed enlarged lymph nodes. The Dr. is checking to see if I have intestinal lymphoma. Originally she was going to redo the test in July, but after seeing her on Tuesday and reviewing the biopsy report she made it sooner.

I had a colon/rectal cancer in 2003 with a resection surgery. It was stage 1 so no chemo or radiation was given. The word "cancer" causes my anxiety level to go into overdrive.

I guess when going through this..you just take one step at a time? With each new answer you say.."ok..what do we do about it?"..and then do it!

Whatever my outcome today...I want you to know you are an inspiration to me. good luck kiddo!

[fran641]

You picture looks so young to have already battled one cancer and facing the fear of another one. I pray it's not Lymphoma but it is certainly doable. Thanks for all your kind words. I have a grandson (we have 11 grands total) that we call Bubba.

Have a great day.

Fran

Fran..I'm new here and just read through this thread. You are AMAZING!

My best wishes to you in your treatment. Im finding that getting diagnosed quickly and correctly means a world of difference.

I go in today to have a CT scan redone. The one I had in March showed enlarged lymph nodes. The Dr. is checking to see if I have intestinal lymphoma. Originally she was going to redo the test in July, but after seeing her on Tuesday and reviewing the biopsy report she made it sooner.

I had a colon/rectal cancer in 2003 with a resection surgery. It was stage 1 so no chemo or radiation was given. The word "cancer" causes my anxiety level to go into overdrive.

I guess when going through this..you just take one step at a time? With each new answer you say.."ok..what do we do about it?"..and then do it!

Whatever my outcome today...I want you to know you are an inspiration to me. good luck kiddo!