The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

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Regan
Posts: 249
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 11:58 pm

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

Postby Regan » Wed Oct 11, 2017 11:01 am

He was such a bright spot. My DH has been gone now for 14 months. . . I am grateful to have had the colon talk during (and after) his four year struggle. Frenchie and SOOO many others from my daily time on here were truly helpful.

Just felt the need to tell you that.
DH dx 7/12
Stg IV RC liver mets
11/12 Hrt Attk by Folfox
1/13 Liver resct
4/13 LAR-Temp
NED
1/14 revrsal
4/14 Hrnia surg 4/14
1/15 local recur, liver, lung, aortocaval region of retroperitoneum, anterior wall of distal abdominal aorta
2/15 Irinotecan
1/16 Lonsurf (fail--just zapped. Strength)
Aug 10, 2016 at rest

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Maggie Nell
Posts: 1150
Joined: Wed May 27, 2015 1:57 am
Location: Central Highlands, Victoria, Oz

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

Postby Maggie Nell » Tue Oct 31, 2017 10:21 pm

Frenchie's Wife wrote:Hello Everyone,

Just me again.

After the celebration is done I will come back and share how it went with all of you.

Diane




G'day Just-me-again Diane,

The Great Pumkin wants to know............how did it all go?

Earworm alert.... :shock:


I remember you, ooh, you're the one
Who made my dreams come true a few kisses ago
I remember you, ooh, you're the one who said, "I love you too"
Yes, I do, didn'tcha know?

I remember, too, a distant bell and stars that fell
Like the rain out of the blue, ooh, ooh, ooh, hoo, hoo, hoo

When my life is through and the angels ask me to recall
The thrill of it all, then I will tell them I remember you, ooh
DX April 2015, @ 54
35mm poorly diff. tumour, incidental finding following emergency R. hemicolectomy
for ileo-colic intussusception.
Lymph nodes: 0/22
T3 N0 MX
Stage II CRC, no adjuvant chemo required.

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Frenchie's Wife
Posts: 959
Joined: Sat May 04, 2013 1:01 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

Postby Frenchie's Wife » Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:28 pm

Hello everyone,

Sorry it has been a while since I have posted any updates.

First the Celebration of Life for Ron was beautiful. It was a small group of mostly his immediate family and friends. We had a nice display of about 100 pictures with 56 of his favorite songs playing while the guests arrived. Once everyone was there Ron's oldest son Stephen took to the floor and gave a very funny walk down memory lane about his father. As he said, his dad did not want tears, so this was all about laughter. While he was going through 700 pictures he notices his father's different looks over the years, so.... he compiled another set of pictures of these - which were so funny. Imagine Ron in hot pink pants and shirt and dark blazer.....hahaha.
ma
He would have love it, it was perfect and no one (not even me) shed a tear.

I have been told that "firsts" are going to be hard. Well my "first" was when I had problems with my car. You know the first person you would talk to would be Ron, BUTT he is not there to give me advise. I have to deal with my dealership alone and they have a bad reputation. Anyway I reach out to my second stepson, my oldest son and our "adopted son" to finally get it resolved. Took two weeks BUTT.

Now to prepare for Christmas, Ron was not much into Christmas. We spent it alone just the two of us most of the time. My two sons went to their grandparents for Christmas Day. I have been invited to my best friend's house this year. She always told Ron she would take care of me so he did not have to worry.

I hope all of you are well and getting ready for another Christmas Season.

For those that have lost loved ones this year may they all be our angels guiding us on our journey through this life without them.

Diane
Frenchie's Wife
Caregiver to DH 59 yr, male, Stage IV at Dx
Dx Sept 2009
Liver,bladder mets, 5 surgeries
Lots of chemo
Inoperable lung mets nov 2013
Stopped all treatments in February 2014 due to QOL issues
I am in God's hands now !!
Feb 2015 - too many new mets to count !
At peace July 9, 2017

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

Postby Lee » Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:55 pm

Hi Diane,

So good to see your post.

As someone who lost a parent in the Vietnam War, yes holidays can be "rough". So HAPPY to read, you will be with a friend. Please take up that friend offer. My family spent our 1st Christmas (with dad death) in a 2 bedroom house with 8+ people :shock: Believe me, I slept on a floor that x-mas eve and was happy for the love/support from everyone making sure all was good. Actually we did that for 2 yrs before we could do it as a family alone. Today that other "mom" is always welcome to my house, all expense paid.

Know that you are stronger than you realize. Sorry for the car incident. So glad to hear the memorial went well. Dear son sounds just like dear old dad. Wonderful sense of humor. Your Dh husband had it.

Thinking of you and one other person (who lost someone close recently) this holiday season.

Thoughts and prayers to you both,

Lee
Last edited by Lee on Sun Nov 19, 2017 10:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

bitchslapped
Posts: 1538
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:23 pm
Location: PNW/USA

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

Postby bitchslapped » Tue Nov 21, 2017 2:22 pm

Hello Diane,

This is Thanksgiving week here, national holiday on Thursday. One of the busiest travel times of the year. The "year of firsts" is very true, i.e. first Christmas, anniversary, birthday, etc w/o your partner. Car trouble...well, you can count on that to happen + maintaining a house. Had my DH known all I was capable of learning, I would have had a lot of extra jobs around the place. Fun stuff. :roll:
Holidays can be difficult & I'm all for throwing out traditions, changing things up year to year. Flexibility is an asset. :)

Glad to hear Ron's Celebration of Life was a reflection of how he lived his life, that is, with humor. He certainly shared that w/us here & his presence is missed on the forum by me; no doubt many others.

Thanks for coming back to share. I was wondering, hoping that Ron's memorial w/b a sharing, healing gathering of remembrance.

Best Wishes
BS
DSS,35YO,unresect mCRC DX 7/'14,lvr,LN,peri,rib
FOLFOX+Avstn 4 Rnds d/c 10/'14
Stent 9/'14
FOLFIRI+Avstn 10/'14
Gone From My Sight 2/20/15
Me:garden variety polyps + precancerous polyp, diverticulitis
Carergver x2 DH,DM dbl occupancy,'03-'10
DH dx 47YO mCRC,'04-'07, lvr, billiary tree fried x HAI
DM dx CC 85YO,CC,CHF,stroke,dementia,aphasia

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Frenchie's Wife
Posts: 959
Joined: Sat May 04, 2013 1:01 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

Postby Frenchie's Wife » Wed Jan 10, 2018 3:44 pm

Hello everyone,
I hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year. Ours was quiet as usual. Christmas has always be quiet here and this year was no different. Usually Christmas Day my boys would be here in the morning to open presents and then after lunch off to the grandparents. This year my oldest spent the day with me. My youngest went to visit his grandparents for the afternoon. It was not till the day after Christmas that I broke down due to missing Ron.

My ex mother-in-law is not doing so well and there was a possibility that she would not make it through Christmas. She is still with us at this time BUTT it does not look good for her, it is now just a waiting game for the family.

I am still without a job, which sucks as I need to have something to keep me busy. I don’t know how many applications I have sent out and still nothing.

One bright spot is that I have booked a 21 day vacation in March to visit a friend of mine in Australia. This is my chance to rest and relax for me. After the last year (Ron’s passing, the Celebration and just as the year was almost finished I got rear ended :D) I need to just let it all go for a bit and just rejuvenate. Hopefully when I get back the job search will go a lot better.

I think about all of you often and which you all a wonderful 2018!!
Diane
Caregiver to DH 59 yr, male, Stage IV at Dx
Dx Sept 2009
Liver,bladder mets, 5 surgeries
Lots of chemo
Inoperable lung mets nov 2013
Stopped all treatments in February 2014 due to QOL issues
I am in God's hands now !!
Feb 2015 - too many new mets to count !
At peace July 9, 2017

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

Postby Lee » Thu Jan 11, 2018 3:47 pm

Hi Diane,

Happy New Years to you. I hope 2018 bring you good things.

So good to see your post, I was thinking about you over the holidays, glad to hear you were with your kids on Christmas. We had the usual suspect at our house that we have every year. Kids and a neighbor and his mother.

I'm sorry to hear about your ex mother in law. I hope she is not suffering, that her days are peaceful.

Have a wonderful time in Australia with your friend. Good for you, you deserve it!

Don't be a stranger,

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

bitchslapped
Posts: 1538
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:23 pm
Location: PNW/USA

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

Postby bitchslapped » Mon Jan 15, 2018 11:50 pm

Hello Diane, Sometimes a change of scenery & a good friend is a recipe to refresh & renew the inner self & something to look forward to. Certainly getting your car rear ended was the icing on the cake to finish off the year! I hope not too much damage resulted from this accident, yet a huge inconvenience for sure. A quiet Christmas & a few tears...well, that's ok. No doubt makes you thankful for your sons. I have come to appreciate low-key, low-stress holidays after so many years of walking the malls, shopping. Avoid it all like the plague now & what I don't need is more STUFF, so we keep it simple.

Best wishes in your job search, continued healing.
BS
DSS,35YO,unresect mCRC DX 7/'14,lvr,LN,peri,rib
FOLFOX+Avstn 4 Rnds d/c 10/'14
Stent 9/'14
FOLFIRI+Avstn 10/'14
Gone From My Sight 2/20/15
Me:garden variety polyps + precancerous polyp, diverticulitis
Carergver x2 DH,DM dbl occupancy,'03-'10
DH dx 47YO mCRC,'04-'07, lvr, billiary tree fried x HAI
DM dx CC 85YO,CC,CHF,stroke,dementia,aphasia

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Frenchie's Wife
Posts: 959
Joined: Sat May 04, 2013 1:01 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

Postby Frenchie's Wife » Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:11 pm

Hello everyone,

I see it have been almost 4 months since I popped in here to see how everyone is doing. I hope everyone is fine and doing well.

I finished 8 out 10 of my grief therapy sessions and I am so glad that I did this. I was so helpful and enlightening for me. There was a video called Seasons and I still have to see the final season called Summer but this was so interesting as it makes so much sense in regards to our grieving process.

I have been home a month now from my 3 week vacation to Australia and it was fantastic. I enjoyed my time visiting my girlfriend and re-acquainting myself with her area and hanging out at the beach. On a whim I decided to take a side trip and to go Ayers Rock (Uluru) and some other sights in the area. It was a 3 day camping excursion which was amazing!!

Ron was with me the whole time as I filled up a small vile with some of his remains and took him with me. I just could leave him behind.

Then a week ago after 8 months of no work, I sent out some resumes and BANG I got a two calls, did two interviews and this last Friday got hired at Costco!! It may be only part time but there is always room to advance.

Things are moving along here in a positive way and I believe that Ron has been looking out for me as I move along this new path without him here physically.

I will see about posting some pictures on here soon for you to have a look at, till the next time.

Take care my friends,

Diane

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Caregiver to DH 59 yr, male, Stage IV at Dx
Dx Sept 2009
Liver,bladder mets, 5 surgeries
Lots of chemo
Inoperable lung mets nov 2013
Stopped all treatments in February 2014 due to QOL issues
I am in God's hands now !!
Feb 2015 - too many new mets to count !
At peace July 9, 2017

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Robino1
Posts: 463
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 12:09 pm
Facebook Username: Robin.lawthers
Location: Florida

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

Postby Robino1 » Mon Apr 30, 2018 4:44 am

Diane!

Thank you for stopping in to let us know how you're doing :)

I'm sure Ron is watching over you and enjoying your adventures with you.

Congratulations on the job!! :D
At 54 2014 1st colonoscopy colon cancer detect
Colon resect margins clear. No chemo Stage II
2017
Distend abd, pain in intestines.
CT scan seeding & Ascites
Lap diag - cancer on the omentum
CEA 217; 219
FOLFOX started 6/17
CEA 202
8/29/17 CT melting of tumor.
Latest CT scan shows 2 new tumors and return of ascites.
CEA: (2017)9/30 -109; 10/12 -99.1; 11/4 -90.7; 11/30 -70.7; 12/14 -83.4; (2018)1/4 -73.3; 2/1-84.2; 89.2; 89.8; 88.5; 81.8: 93.5; 107; 119
BRAF V600e

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CRguy
Posts: 10472
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

Postby CRguy » Mon Apr 30, 2018 11:45 am

Thanks for visiting Diane

Continued Love Peace and Harmony
On the Journey my friend

CRguy
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

Dionca
Posts: 48
Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2017 2:04 am

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

Postby Dionca » Mon Apr 30, 2018 12:33 pm

Hi Diane

I know Frenchie was a legend on here, so it must have left a huge hole in your heart when he departed. I love that you "took him with you" to Australia and that his presence continues to be with you, in many ways. Now that you have this new job, it seems as if all the pieces are slowly coming together, which is very good to hear.

I don't post much, but it was so nice to hear your update. Very best wishes to you.
stage 3b T3 N1b MX 2/27 nodes (surgery 4/2015)
moderately differentiated
PNI - positive
LVI - positive
Folfox 12 sessions (w/out oxi for 11 & 12)
Neulasta with 3-12 due to low WBC count
CEA at diagnosis 8.6
CEA after surgery 1.2
CEA during chemo 4.6 / 3.3 / 2.3
CEA after chemo 1.5 / 1.2 / 1.2 /1.2 /1.2 / 1.4 / 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.9 / 1.3 / 1.6 /1.4 /1.5
neuropathy
recurrence in left lung (surgery May 2020)

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ANDRETEXAS
Posts: 661
Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2014 11:01 am
Location: Austin, Texas (University of Tennessee alumnus)

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !!

Postby ANDRETEXAS » Mon Apr 30, 2018 1:57 pm

Diane - Thanks for stopping by and giving us an update. So happy you are doing things that please you and that you enjoy. Looking forward to the pics. Keep us posted when you can. Andre
2/10/14 - Colon resect
2/13 - DX- Stage IIIb
6 of 18 lymph nodes cancerous
3/7 - Port placed
3/11 - FOLFOX (12 rds w/full oxi)
8/14 - Chemo finish
8/25 - CT- Inc
9/5 - clean PET
12/10- clean CT

3/2/15 - Clean colonoscopy & port removed
3/4 - clean CT
9/21- clean CT

3/23/16 - clean CT

2/22/17- clean CT

3/21/18 - clean CT
4/1 - clean colonoscopy

3/11/19 - clean CT
9/23 - Five-year release - Annual visits now !

4/13/23 - clean colonoscopy

ONE DAY AT A TIME !

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CRguy
Posts: 10472
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !! Post details Quote ANDRETEXAS

Postby CRguy » Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:33 pm

pictures added above !
Cheers
CR

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Robino1
Posts: 463
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 12:09 pm
Facebook Username: Robin.lawthers
Location: Florida

Re: The Grim Reaper took another swipe at me !! Post details Quote ANDRETEXAS

Postby Robino1 » Mon Apr 30, 2018 9:40 pm

CRguy wrote:pictures added above !
Cheers
CR


Thank you for helping Diane out with those pictures!


Oh my! That looks amazing!!
At 54 2014 1st colonoscopy colon cancer detect
Colon resect margins clear. No chemo Stage II
2017
Distend abd, pain in intestines.
CT scan seeding & Ascites
Lap diag - cancer on the omentum
CEA 217; 219
FOLFOX started 6/17
CEA 202
8/29/17 CT melting of tumor.
Latest CT scan shows 2 new tumors and return of ascites.
CEA: (2017)9/30 -109; 10/12 -99.1; 11/4 -90.7; 11/30 -70.7; 12/14 -83.4; (2018)1/4 -73.3; 2/1-84.2; 89.2; 89.8; 88.5; 81.8: 93.5; 107; 119
BRAF V600e


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