Blessings mixed with pain

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Anji
Posts: 506
Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:07 pm
Facebook Username: pray for larry edge
Location: Kentucky

Blessings mixed with pain

Postby Anji » Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:13 am

Wednesday was our youngest child's birthday. He asked for us all to go to lunch together. That's what he wanted as a gift. So, we pulled together and Larry rallied and for the first time in almost two weeks Larry left the house. Levi got his wish! I don't know how Larry did it. He was in pain and unable to eat more than a few bites. But, he did it. Took some creative planning since our house is not wheelchair accessible but we got him down the steps and in the car. Getting him back in the house was interesting to say the least.....

As we were looking at the pictures later, Levi stated that he wanted a BIG copy of the one of him and Larry to hang in his room. I was a bit slow on the uptake and asked why. And my beautiful son said it best.....cause this will be my last birthday with Dad and I want to remember it forever.

Wow. That one caught me off guard. I mean I know it. I Knew it then. But to hear it from my child.... And even in the midst of this beautiful, blessed day, the pain hit. It was excruciating and took my breath away. But I too want to remember that day forever.....

Since then Larry's pain has increased and he had a tough night last night. Calling Hospice this morning to see about tweaking pain meds again. Even as I thank God for the blessing of Wednesday, I'm cursing she cancer and the pain and the progression that I can see.....it's like walking a tight rope. Only when I fall, I'm afraid I may never get up again.

Larry is so thankful and never fails to thank me for anything I do for him. Straightening his bed clothes. Helping him shower. Bringing him a drink. I can always count on hearing him say thank you babe I love you. I dread the day I no longer hear those words. And they make me feel so bad. It's not like I'm doing anything special for him. I love him and want him to be comfortable.....

Guess I don't have a point. Just rambling and checking in. We are here. Holding on, barely.

Anji
Anji
Wife to Larry, Stage IV Colon Cancer, with mets to liver
Diagnosed 1/10 at age 44
Folfiri + Avastin 2/10 to 7/10
Liver resection and ablation 9/10
Numerous mets to lung and liver 1/11
Folfox + Avastin 2/11 to 6/11
Folfiri + Vectibix 6/11 to ???

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Canadianmom
Posts: 603
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2010 6:29 pm

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby Canadianmom » Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:27 am

*Tears*
Anji,
You have such an amazing family. What a heart touching story. It is obvious that you have raised a wise and caring son. You are one strong lady; keep the faith friend.
Larry is blessed to have such a loving and devout family. I am always praying for you and your family. Hope hospice can get Larry's pain under control.
xo Wafa
30/09/10 Dx mCRC/ 39 yrs old
08/11/10 liver met; Stage IV
23/11/10 PET 2 lit LNs
25/11/10 RFA to liver met
13/12/10 Folfox 6 plus Avastin.
15/03/11 After 7 rounds. NED. No further tx. 2014 still NED
Praying for patience and strength.

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mysweetgrace
Posts: 318
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:15 am

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby mysweetgrace » Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:58 am

Anji, my heart breaks for you. I hope he gets some relief from the pain soon.

I hate cancer.
Dad diagnosed 10/11 (56 y/o)
Colon Resection w/ Temp Colostomy 10/11
Stage 2C t4b N0 M0
Xeloda Feb '12 - April '12
New mass 4/12
Folfox 8/12 - 2/13
Resection & Reversal 3/19/13
Clean Scan 7/13 & 10/13
http://reachingoutwheninneed.blogspot.com/

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dianetavegia
Posts: 2731
Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 8:47 pm
Facebook Username: Diane Weldy Tavegia
Location: Villa Rica, Georgia

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby dianetavegia » Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:01 am

Anji, that just broke my heart. Gosh, I wish.........
Stage III cc surgery 1/7/09. 12 tx FOLFOX
Stage IV PET = 1.5cm liver met. HR 4/11/12

14 years since dx and 11 years post liver resection.
Pronounced CURED and discharged by onc

“O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.” Psalms 30:2

vickitwo
Posts: 696
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:56 am
Location: USA

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby vickitwo » Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:08 am

My heart just aches for you. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Cancer is so cruel.
Vicki

DH Dx 1/2012 @ age 52
stage IV CC
transverse colon,omentum, cecum,liver,lungs,L5
9 rounds of Folfox, Avastin,
5FU/Leucovorin/Avastin
radiation tx to L5 and hips
Folfiri/Zaltrap
12/13/13 Folfox/Avastin
1/4/2014 passed away @ Hospice House- age 54

Surroundedbylove
Posts: 3126
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:43 am
Location: Seattle

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby Surroundedbylove » Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:31 am

Oh Anji,

My heart goes out to you. There are tears streaming as I read your post. Ramble and check-in as much as you want. We are hear to "listen."

My prayers are with all of you.

SBL
Surroundedbylove

Rectal Cancer @ 43, '08
Clinical: T3,N2a,MX (IIIB)
6 wks XELOX & radiation
LAR, colonic j-pouch, & temp ileo '09
Surgical: ypT3,ypN0,ypMX (0 of 20 nodes)
FOLFOX; XELOX
Ileo Takedown ‘09
LARS for 10 years before learning it is finally being studied
InterStim Sacral Nerve Neuromodulator 2019

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pollo65
Posts: 1564
Joined: Thu May 20, 2010 3:11 pm
Facebook Username: pollo2
Location: central valley, calif

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby pollo65 » Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:36 am

Anji, I am at a loss for words. You are an amazing family and I am so glad that Levi got his wish. I am praying for your family and I hope Larry's pain issues are soon relieved.
pollo 65
CC 1/6/09
r. hemi-colectomy 1/7/09
32Ln biopsied, 28 positive
met to aorta
chemo 12 rounds
done 9/09 3 scans clear
1/11 1 met to aorta
micro cluster to peritoneum
4/11 / 9/11 scan clear
4/12 scan clear
10/12 scan clear
Iri+avastin
chemo break

wifenurse
Posts: 164
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2011 4:05 pm

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby wifenurse » Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:55 am

Wow! What a story. It amazes me how intuitive and direct kids can be at times. Their brains are processing so much and I know with my own kids that they have a hard time expressing their thoughts and fears of the future. What an amazing son you have raised and this story shows what a great job you and Larry have done in preparing him for the future. My heart breaks for you and your family in this difficult time. You are in a place that none of us ever want to be. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Hoping for pain relief for Larry. He has accomplished some great things in the past few weeks. It is a testimony of how strong he is and how dedicated he is to his family.
Christy
Wife of Jayson, diagnosed Oct 2009 CRC - age 39
Radiation & Chemotherapy Nov-Dec 2009
Colon & Liver resection Feb 2010 - Stage IV
Folfox + Avastin X 12 treatments - finished Aug 2010
NED 10/10, 1/11, 7/11, & 12/11

lauragb
Posts: 899
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:25 pm

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby lauragb » Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:58 am

What a touching scenario you have shared. Sad, just the same. My heart goes out to all of you.
Light and Hugs all around.

Laura
RC 3B 7/2011 @ 53
Chemoradiation 5 weeks 8/11
LAR-Hysterect-temp ileo
pCR, 0/23 nodes
Folfox 1/12, Xeloda 2/12 to 5/12
Reversal 5/12
SBO,lysis of adhesions 12/12
NED 11/12, 11/13, 6/16

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pmterra
Posts: 599
Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2011 6:12 pm

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby pmterra » Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:11 am

Hi Anji,
What a beautiful thought and heartbreaking at the same time. I'm trying to swallow the big lump in my throat! I hope they can manage Larry's pain and bring you all some peaceful loving time together. What an amazing family you have and for you to find all the blessings at such a difficult time says volumes about the strength that you have and what a loving woman you are.
Love & Hugs,
Paula
caregiver to survivor husband
Stage 3C - Colon
surgery June, 2008
6 mo. chemo/FOLFOX & Avastin
June 2015 - 7 year survivor :)

lorrainem
Posts: 819
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:34 pm
Facebook Username: https://www.facebook.com/lorraineaminogue
Location: NY

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby lorrainem » Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:25 am

Thank you for sharing that moment with us. Children are so smart and don't get half the credit. I'm not sure if you realize the value of your sharing. As you touch me with the successes, milestones and patience; the sadness, the hardship and the pain, I wish to spend my end time as Larry has; surrounded by family and love (whenever it is, and whatever the setting.) A touching story of love and life.
Thanks Anji, I only wish I could give you a big hug for real.
Strong vibes and prayers for Larry to heaven via NY.
Lorraine
Chemorad/Surgery/Chemo
Stage II, no mets, no nodes NED 05/08 again 08/08 again 11/08
Ileostomy reversal 10/16/08

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lepperl
Posts: 389
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:17 pm
Facebook Username: slep22@gmail.com
Location: ohio

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby lepperl » Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:29 am

My heart goes out to you. You and your family are in my prayers.
8/11CRC Stage 4 Nodes KRAS+ Signet Cells
10/11xelox
irinotecan
Folfiri,avastin
10/12 xeloda,avastin
"It will be said that she stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, and surely it had not, she ajusted her sails" Liz Edwards

SMR
Posts: 631
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 1:20 pm

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby SMR » Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:35 am

Anji,
That was at once a wonderful and terrible story. I'm sending much love your way. I dread the day we are in the place you are now. I admire your strength and the strength of your family. Keep on loving each other... It's all we can do.
DH DX 10/11 st IV unkown prmry
FFOX 12/11
HIPEC 3/12
FFOX 5/12
7/12 FFIRI
12/12 xeloda
1/13 resection
2/13 FFIRI
4/13 5FU/Avastin
9/13 recurrence, failed surgery
Abdominal fistula
11/13 gemzar, heart attack
12/13 Carbo
2/14 Radiation
3/28/2014 passed

dj2158
Posts: 461
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:42 pm
Location: New York

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby dj2158 » Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:46 am

God Bless You Anji. What a statement such a young child had to make. I hate this disease so much. This should not be happening to your family.

I wish you strength to help Larry at this time. I thank my husband and tell him I love him every time he does something for me also. He is my hero and you are Larry's.

Much love, prayers and thoughts.

Donna
Donna
Dx 10/'07 age 54 3CC Sigmoid 1/25 nodes lap
Folfox 11/'07-4/'08
Vats Lung 7/'09 met
Vats Lung 7/'10 two mets, Irinotecan/Xeloda 9/'10-2/'11
Lung Resec, 3 1/2 rt ribs 4/'12
10-15 spots both lungs & 1.4cm nodule, 7/'12
xeloda & avastin 9/'12

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hopeful
Posts: 1372
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2010 11:43 am

Re: Blessings mixed with pain

Postby hopeful » Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:44 pm

My heart goes out to you and your family, Anji. Your post brings tears but also a smile because I can feel the love in that family of yours. You are living the moments to their fullest and making memories even when it seems like hope is gone. Prayers and blessings, Angi.
Caregiver to husband diagnosed 11/09 stage IIIb colon cancer
Surgery 11/5/09
12 rounds FOLFOX beginning 12/18/09
Folfox finished 6/3/10
Last scan Jan 2015
NED since Dec. 2009


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