Life throws me curve update 10/26 update January 30th
Things were going great in my life until my regular check up about a month ago. Next thing I knew I was having multiple tests and seeing multiple doctors. Cancer is a very scary word! I have always been very healthy and I still feel just fine but have been on roller coaster lately. One oncologist suspected late stage gall bladder cancer and thought if I responded well to chemo I might have one or two years left! We immediately hopped in our motorhome and went to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. They have a great system there if you are on site and will squeeze you in. Fortunately although they agreed I have stage 4 cancer they determined it while origin unknown was gyn in nature which is at least treatable. I am home now and will begin chemo next week with hopes I will be well enough to have surgery later. At least now I have a chance! My husband and I had lengthy discussions on whether we should keep Watson. We finally decided that we need the laughs he provides so will make it work. I will have him in doggie daycare once or twice a week to keep him socialized and for exercise.
Wish me luck Corgi family! Weird that I still feel perfectly fine with no symptoms except for a swollen lymph node! Hug your Corgis too. I am lucky to have very supportive family , friends, cats and Corgis to see me through this. Love the corgi community! 10/26 update....Had my first chemo yesterday and am feeling fine. So far so good! I am having weekly treatments for 18 weeks as long as everything still continues going well. Thanks for all your great wishes!
1/30 Finally really good news! I have responded so well to chemo that I am now a candidate for surgery. When we started this journey it did not look like I would be able to survive surgery. Not looking forward to major surgery but I understand this will greatly improve my over all prognosis. Currently I feel great because they have halted chemo so they can operate. My surgery will be February 9th. After the I will restart chemo. At this point it looks like I am in partial remission. I am looking forward to being well enough to resume Watson's training in the Spring. He continues to be a joy to live with while Izzy loves cuddling. Thanks to all of you for your positive thoughts and prayers.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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Hi Bev, I think how well you are doing now is the best indicator of how well you will respond to treatments. The Mayo Clinic is certainly an excellent choice, and Wally will do his part as laughter is always conducive to healing. We all love you here and are rooting for you!
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Permalink Reply by Natalie, Lance &Tucker on
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Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers!! Stay strong, you can beat this!! Remember cancer cells feed off of sugar too!!! Glad your going to Mayo for your treatments.
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Permalink Reply by Gwyneth Newcomb on
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Sending human and corgi hugs!!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Laura and Tommy Jefferson on
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Bev, you are in my thoughts and prayers ... hang in there ... you can beat this!
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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Thank you everyone! To be clear, the only reason I thought about returning Watson was because the initial doctor suspected a cancer that literally was a death sentence. Fortunately, although still pretty grim, it appears now that if I respond well to chemo this could be manageable. I am not receiving treatment at Mayo although they suggested the treatment plan. I am home in Michigan and start treatment here on Friday. Izzy is an incredibly mild mannered corgi and my husband is going to have his hands full taking care of me, the cats, the house and two dogs with one being an energetic 9 month old puppy. Watson is going to doggie daycare once a week which will help with his socialization. He continues to remind us to laugh while Izzy and the cats provide a warm fuzzy cuddle companion. Thanks again for your very warm wishes!
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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Hi Bev,
Being able to laugh at Watson's antic as well as the cuddling are both important:) Neither my husband nor my brother did their chemo at Mayo but my hubby had the Mayo doctors involved. It's good if you don't have to travel as we had to drive an hour each way for 35 rounds of radiation and the chemo...not fun in winter in MN but thank-goodness it was a mild winter.
Have a comfy area maybe with a recliner that you can relax and enjoy the world around you.
Good luck...
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Permalink Reply by Linda on
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Bev....what hospital will you be treated at? I have a several friends in MI from Detroit (she works in a hospital ER-Wyandotte) to 2 friends in St Claire Shores and another Nunica. I use to live in Marquette in the UP.
Please know my thoughts and prayers will be with you. Hopefully you can keep us posted on how you are doing or maybe your husband can drop in (during is spare time) to let us know.
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Thanks Jane! And Linda, I live in the Lansing area and am going to Sparrow Cancer Center. Thanks for all your support!
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We're here for you Bev...
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Permalink Reply by Vicky Hay on
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The Mayo doesn't seem to mind if you get the rads somewhere other than in their precincts. Like Jane, I also live an hour away from the Mayo. But learned it's OK to get the treatment elsewhere, even at the unrelated hospital that's almost within walking distance.
Sometimes you have to ride herd on one outfit or the other to be sure they send each other ALL the records of what shenanigans they get up to with you. They try, but though the docs are awesome, some of the hired help can leave something to be desired. :-D
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Permalink Reply by Stephanie on
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Will be sending positive thoughts your way. I know others who have successfully fought this dreaded disease. Your little Corgi's will be there for you. Give them a hug for me. You are going to one of the best places to help you. As my kids say, "Hang Tough and always be positive."
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Permalink Reply by Beverly Butler Redford & Tucker on
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Good luck. Watson will be more than just a source of laughs. He will bring you comfort and more love. Let him be the support of all of us. We will see a good outcome from this.
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