Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Every once in awhile there is a tiny snag.....


Hello to all, and thanks to all of you for your continued support. I always get a thrill when I realize how many of you are out there checking in on me !!!!


I'm just now getting through the "worst" days post chemo (I had Myocet/Cytoxin #7 last Friday). I've begun the GSCF shots (Neupogen) and generally the remainder of the cycle goes smoothly.


However, I have hit a bit of a snag this week. For the past week or so I have been struggling with extra pain in the area of my collapsed lung. I've been trying various things to get it under control, but it hasn't really been working, and unfortunately, I was not aggresssive enough with my morphine. So I had a little pain crisis of sorts this week, and have really had to get back on track to get on top of that pain.


There is nothing (additionally) wrong with me, and in fact, my scans and physical exam in my lungs are good. But I still have pain, and so I have been getting help from my homecare nurse and my doctor. Hence, you may have noticed (both on this blog and in "person") that I have been sort of quiet. (Pain really sucks) But, I am getting on track - this basically means that I have to take more morphine. I am improving, and I'm hoping that we'll have this all sorted out in the next week or two...... At any rate, it is NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT....... Every day of living and managing a dynamic and life threatening diseasae can bring new challenges, that's all..... sometimes it's easy to forget that!


Otherwise, my family is also "stable" !!! Michelle and Craig are thick into mid-terms and assignments.... Brian continues to do well in Grade 11. Gord is taking some courses for the next little while, but he also continues to enjoy his job here in Regina. And my mom and dad help keep our operation running, I'm not just sure what things would be like without them, but since we do have that amazing level of support and love, we are able to just keep on living, and living pretty darn well too!


Cheers to all! Joanne

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello, Joanne. Thank you again for writing, especially with the 'snag' of a recent pain crisis. We'll take heart that the worst of the chemo is over, and that the increased morphine is letting you again enjoy the activities of family life. Hope this note finds you even more improved. Prayers & good wishes, as always,
Pat(Sinclair)

Anonymous said...

Hi Jo,
Thanks so much for the update. So sorry about the increased pain - I hope that it will be quickly under control.
We are thinking about all of you and hoping that the rest of the cycle is uneventful.
Take care,
Kelly

Anonymous said...

Hi Joanne, sorry to hear about the extra pain. Keep your chin up and I hope the rest of the cyle gets better. Take care Judy

Anonymous said...

Hi Jo,
thanks for the update. I too am sorry to hear about the increased pain and hopeful that the management approach will improve things for you.
Your attitude continues to inspire us all.
Darryl

Anonymous said...

Hi Joanne,

Thanks for writing. Hope your pain is more under control now. Glad to hear that your family is doing well. Take care! With thoughts and prayers,
Dana and Family

Anonymous said...

Hi Jo and all, Dont be a marter and try to take less than you need. Drugs are good in your life and your body is getting tired of the toxic stuff called chemo,so take what they recommend.Your mom tells meyou have a great home care team,and a very good doc. We have had a very warm Oct but the wind is a big reminder of what is around the corner The Farahs left for Seattle this am. Kath said there were a few tears from the sisties, as Peg has been back in Van. for 8 years and Kath will realy miss her, however they look forword to unpacking and getting settled. Peg will not be working but will be taking the rest of her classes and theises.They have a 2 bedroom apt rented.Nothing else new in the T.J. clan.Hope you are comfortable again now! Keep up the good fight,and GO RIDERS GO on fri night also God help the Rockies. love and Hail Marys from our house to yours Aunt L.M.

Anonymous said...

Hi Joanne,
Hopefully your pain is lessening daily as you adjust your medication and that the time elapsed since your chemo is combining to have you feeling better each day. We had our first snow fall this week - it had been 21 degrees in the afternoon and by late evening the wind blew and the snow swirled like it was January! Busy time for the university-goers - glad to hear that your family is doing well. Looking forward to the Riders game tonight! With continued prayers we send our love to you and yours! Nick & Lorraine

Anonymous said...

Good afternoon Joanne and all:
Thanks for keeping us informed of your progress. Sad to hear you have so much pain - hopefully that subsides soon. Keep up the fight young lady - we're passing along all our thoughts and strength.
P & G

Anonymous said...

Joanne:
So sorry to hear about the pain....I'm hoping drugs have kicked in at this time.....surely to goodness we have some technology to help? I hate thinking about you in pain.

My prayers and thoughts continue to be with you always,
Love Janice
PS: Have never left a message here before but wanted to try!

apprentice said...

Hey there missus.

I'm sorry to log on and find you've been in pain.

I'm glad you have such wonderful support home and away and hope the next few days are a bit more bearable.

Don't tell Gord, but I just got my first ever speeding ticket in 25 years of driving. I'm hanging my head in shame ;)

Anonymous said...

Joanne:
Please do what they say and take care of yourself with that pain medication. A snag seems like something so small for you when there has been so much worse to overcome. Take care. I know you have a wonderful team of family and friends from which to draw support. Thinking of you often.
Carla

Anonymous said...

Hello Joanne, Thanks so much for your posting. I trust that you and your team will be able to put the pain in it's place. With the good reports, I am sure this "snag" is frustrating for you. Your spirit and determination is truly inspiring. Glad your family is doing well and able to support you. Love and prayers - Claire

Anonymous said...

Hi Joanne

I am very glad to here that your scans said that you are stable. Sorry to hear about your pain and having to go readjust your meds. I am sure that it is not easy, our thoughts are with you.

Midterms, tell Craig and Michelle I wish them well. I just say them both on Facebook. It is hard to keep up with this younger generation. They looked great and so did their friends.

All our best

Kathleen and Rudi

Anonymous said...

HI Joanne, I am so sorry to hear that you are experiencing more pain. I know how much you look forward to the "feel better" days. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and I hope that things improve soon.
Lots of Love and Hugs, Loretta

Anonymous said...

Oh Joanne,
You are amazing. Your positive attitude and gratitude shine right through that letter. That's pretty amazing.

I wish you didn't have this snag to deal with. I'm glad you are taking care of yourself though and getting on top of things. Hope things are better today. Thinking about you.
Patti

Anonymous said...

HI Joanne,
Sorry to think about all the pain you're in. You are unbelievable in your ability to tackle hardest of things. We all miss you so much and just wish that we could share your everyday life with you. It would so nice to drop by and give you all a hug and a kiss. Miss you alot!!!
Dawn