Far Guy and some bras

  Far Guy's Dr appointment with the Endocrinologist...the appointment went well, the two growths on his left thyroid have not changed in size in the past six months...The Dr said they are nothing to worry about only 4% of benign growths become a problem.  Come back in a year!  That was good news!

We stopped by a small place to eat called Hub 41 lakeside in Detroit Lakes.  Over the weekend they had a fundraiser (Skippin' and Sippin' Breast Cancer Walk) sponsored by the Lakes Area Parrot Heads ...we got to meet the gal in charge (Kathy) they raised $20,000 over the weekend.  They had one man that showed up as a breast cancer survivor.  Men get breast cancer too! Kathy was happy to meet Far Guy and encouraged him to show up next year the first Saturday in October.  He gave her a donation. 

Far Guy said he wished he had been there when all the bras were taken off!  In December he will have one year post breast cancer chemo, surgery and radiation.  He will tell you that once you have cancer it is never over...it stays with you forever.

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Health Happenings

 Our appointments UP North happened last week.  

Far Guy had a Pet Scan and blood work.   His Oncology Doctor said "My beautiful friend your breast cancer is cured!"   The thyroid nodule that is benign they are watching and it has not grown in size since the last Pet Scan.  Far Guy is to follow up with his Endocrinologist  in October.  So that was all great news!  We were truly blessed with an excellent Cancer Doctor and good treatment to have the breast cancer cured within a year!!

Meanwhile...I had a procedure with the Gastroenterologist.  Waiting on the results. 

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Dermatology

 We had Dermatology appointments.  Last year Far Guy's Breast Cancer diagnosis came about through a Dermatology appointment....for what he thought was a cyst. Anyways they are important appointments.

Far Guy got an all clear...see you in six months. 

I had two biopsies one on my leg and one on my arm...the one on my arm looks nasty.  We will wait for the biopsy report and go from there. 

The best part...going to Kentucky Fried Chicken for the Tuesday special.  So supper was easy peasy:)

Some Minnesota scenery. 

Minnesota weather: High 52F or 11C  Low was 35F or 2C 

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No place to go

 We are kinda lost on quiet days with no medical appointments.   No need to hurry and get up to be someplace. No place to go yesterday.  I slept til 9AM  Far Guy was up at o dark thirty...the hormone med ( Tamoxifen) that he has to take causes him anxiety which keeps him awake.  It is a conundrum. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen and stops cancer cells from growing.  Tamoxifen was discontinued during radiation and started again after radiation was finished. 

I am working on a very frustrating project...so I needed a time out. So I started some scrubbies to put in Christmas stockings. 

Christmas Tree at the Cancer Center

I put a pork roast in the oven we will have mashed potatoes, gravy and some baked carrots and parsnips for supper.  Comfort food on a very chilly Minnesota day.

Minnesota weather; High was 13F or -11C  Low was -9F or -23C.  Even Sadie says it is a tad chilly.

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Ringing the bell

 Radiation is over.  The 20 treatments are done.  

We are thankful to cross breast cancer off our list.  Far Guy saw his Oncologist and the spot on his scar that was concerning us is scar tissue.  Not cancer!  

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Reports

 First the snow report; it snowed twice maybe three times and this is what we have.  Granted some might have blown away.

Not much to complain about!

I am wearing my snow boots now...just too cold for Crocs even with socks.

Far Guy has one more radiation treatment on Tuesday.  Monday's appointment had a little glitch...as we have to see the surgeon again as a troublesome spot has appeared on his incision.  Is it a radiation burn?  A pocket of fat?  A stitch?  Something to worry about?  Something not to worry about?   The Radiation Oncologist says he is going to err on the side of caution and recommends that he see the surgeon. Needless to say Far Guy is discouraged. 

 I refuse to be discouraged until I know exactly what to be discouraged about.  What is one more appointment anyway...it is what we do. 

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Views

 I spend some time in parking lots near the Cancer Clinic and the Hospital.  

My view from where I sit in a pretty much empty parking lot while I wait for Far Guy to have his radiation treatment....some days the Valet Parking is available and sometimes not. 

This is backside of the hospital...the Cancer Center is the beige shorter building next to the brick building on the left. 

My view from another parking lot...Far Guy gets his weekly infusion inside the Emergency Department/Infusion Center.

I drop him off at the door...run my errands and then I wait in this parking lot for him to text me so I can pick him up at the door after his infusion.  When the wind is blowing and it is way below zero the drop off/pick up service will be appreciated!

Friday was day 15 out of 20 radiation treatments.  Far Guy looks like he has a sunburn now, I encourage him to lather on the radiation cream.  He is getting more fatigued everyday.  Next week he has three treatments due to Thanksgiving....so radiation treatments will continue on into December.  Hopefully December 2nd he can ring the bell that signals the end of treatments.  Fingers and toes crossed. 

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One down

One radiation treatment down and nineteen to go.  I think Far Guy can ring the bell on December 1st...we will see.  A little 93 year old lady rang the bell today.  Every Monday Far Guy will see the Radiation Oncologist after his treatment.  Since the radiation treatment is very specialized to spare his lung the treatment takes 13 minutes.  Far Guy says it seems like forever. 

We are mostly unpacked.  

Meals for tonight and tomorrow night have been planned.  Brats and potato soup tonight, BLT's tomorrow night.  I like to plan meals a week ahead of time...but with moody eaters I count two nights menus as a win!! 

I took this photo last week at a friends house, a very cute fall arrangement in an old wheelbarrow. 

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In a row

 Getting our ducks pumpkins in a row. 

Next week Far Guy begins specialized radiation treatments.  Twenty treatments. 

The Radiation Oncologist thinks that the specialized radiation can be done safely and Far Guy's lung will be spared injury.  With radiation there is a about a 2% chance the cancer will reoccur, without radiation a 20% chance it will reoccur.  So...we made the decision as a family that we wanted him to have radiation....because we want him to kick this cancer to the curb once and for all. 

June 3 he saw the Dermatologist Jess for what he thought was a cyst, she took a biopsy.

June 10 he was diagnosed with breast cancer from a biopsy taken at the Dermatologists Office

June 13 he was seen by a Oncologist in Grand Forks North Dakota. The next week he had a Pet Scan and various tests.

July 2 he began Verzenio and Letrozole  (blood tests and Dr visits every two weeks)

August 27 he had another Pet Scan and the tumor is now very small

September 8 he had a surgical biopsy of his Thyroid Gland (It is not cancer, it is thyroid and should be taken care of someday...no rush)

September 16 Verzenio discontinued due to side effects

September 25 Left Breast Mastectomy (biopsy results were good, no lymph node involvement, margins were acceptable concerning the tumor)

October 14  Switch in meds from Letrozole to Tamoxifen

October 22  he had a consult with the Radiation Oncologist

November 3 Radiation will begin in Grand Forks North Dakota

So there we are.  Men can get breast cancer too. 

Far Guy was the first breast cancer diagnosis for the Dermatologist.

He was the first male breast cancer patient for two of the Residents/Interns that were there for his surgery.

He was the third male breast cancer patient for his surgeon.  

I can truly say that we were treated by some very caring Doctors and Nurses throughout Far Guy's Cancer 

adventure.  The Doctor that did the thyroid biopsy was a bit of a turd...other than that we are very pleased that we chose The Cancer Center in Grand Forks for treatment. 

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Fantastic News!!!

There is no more Cancer!  The  pathology report came back after the Dr appointment...and the cancer was all contained in the breast tissue, the margins are clear and the lymph node showed that the cancer has not spread!! 

Far Guy got his drain removed on Thursday afternoon. The staples have to be in place for two more weeks.  

However he now has an upper respiratory infection and is on medications. 

Thank you so much for all the prayers over the past Summer!

We are safely at home in the woods, the car has been unpacked.  It  will take me a bit to get organized again..unpacking and groceries ordered.

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Update

 Far Guy is having surgery next week. He will have a mastectomy and a sentinel node biopsy.  The surgeon seems like a confidant young fellow, who had a decent bedside manner.   The oncologist had Far Guy stop the horrid Verzenio because the side effects were so bad.  He feels like surgery is a good option at this time and put in the referral immediately.  Luckily the surgeon saw us right away for the consult. 

Far Guy is very anxious and scared.  I keep telling him that this battle is almost over and the war with cancer will be won!  Moving forward is a good thing and moving forward faster than we thought is great! A month ago the Oncologist mentioned surgery this winter...so there ya go...things are moving along! 

I had a great mammogram report....nothing suspicious however the biopsy of a spot on my forehead came back with atypical cells ...so I will have a punch biopsy in a couple of weeks. 

Physical Therapy is going well and the sessions have been put on hold...I have all kind of exercises to do and walk walk walk.  I still have considerable pain especially after riding in the car. 

Minnesota weather has turned cooler and rainy.   High 67F or 20C Low was 58F or 15C.

Last night we did not cook supper, we ordered pizza when we were in town for Far Guy's infusion. 

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Gone to a dog

 Yes we are visiting this dog again!  

She will be happy to see us. 

We got good news on Tuesday; the areas around the thyroid are just thyroid and not a worry at this time, they have no connection to the breast cancer. Some time in the future his thyroid my need to be removed but it is not a priority now.  Since Far Guy is having such awful side effects from the cancer medication we are seeing the surgeon on Wednesday (today) for a consult for surgery.  It is our hope that the surgeon thinks that Far Guy is a good candidate for surgery and to get surgery scheduled ASAP. 

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No sleep or jelly

 Monday was a catch all day for me. Laundry and putting away "stuff."  Far Guy has slept very little in the last 48 hours.  It must be a side effect from the cancer meds.   I try to do quiet things just incase he is asleep.  

See the dark berries?  Those are Chokecherries the local bear may get them sooner or later.  Just did not have it in me to make jelly this year....I do have a few jars left over from two years ago.  The brighter orange leaves are Virginia Creeper growing up the Chokecherry shrub/tree. The yellow leaves are the Chokecherry leaves. 

Minnesota weather: High 80F or 27C  Low was  60F or 16C.   Today (Tuesday) will be our last really warm day then we cool off a bit and it may rain. 

Supper was Hobo dinners again...what can I say it is easy with minimal cleanup. (Hamburger, Potatoes, Carrots and Cheese)

I finished the book I was reading in between Book Club reads.  Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz.  I started the book a number of years ago and never finished it. So I read the whole book again.  I give it a 7 out of a 10.  Not usually the kind of book I read but nice for an inbetween book. 

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Waiting

 I waited for Far Guy to have his Pet Scan.  They have these cool cubbies/pods/whatchamacallits with outlets and a charging port.  The Pet Scan took over two hours.  I read my book.  There were several different waiting areas and I was all alone in the area I chose. 

They have a robotic floor scrubber that was having troubles staying on course.  Finally someone showed up with a phone and moved it out of the area. 

Anyways...Far Guy had his Pet scan and blood work. 

We saw the Oncologist yesterday for the report.  Great news on the breast cancer...it is under control and almost gone comparing the June Pet scan to the August scan!!  The Doctors says he considers it a Stage Three now not a Stage Four...good news!!  

We are awaiting an appointment for a biopsy of Far Guy's Thyroid.  It has nothing in common with the breast cancer....so it is NOT a metastasis as the Dr originally thought.  It is something else...and the biopsy will tell the story.  So we wait for an appointment and then after that we wait for about two weeks for the biopsy results.  Then the Dr and Far Guy can decide what the next plan will be. 

We are very thankful for the good news and thankful for everyone that has been praying for Far Guy!

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News all good

 This is a week of medical appointments...six of them.  Three were accomplished on Monday and Tuesday.  We made the drive Up North (2 1/2 hours) for a blood draw for Far Guy on Monday.   During the night a horrid UTI made it impossible to sleep...so I went to Urgent Care as soon as they opened...got meds and I will recover.   Tuesday Far Guy saw his Oncologist Dr B and the tumor has shrunk by 50% !!!  The cancer medication is being decreased in the hope that the side effects will be tolerable and it will still work at decreasing the size of the tumor.  We see Dr B every two weeks, he is very encouraged by the progress in just the last two weeks. We drove back home to the woods after the appointment.

Sadie was happy to see us, Jen and Andy made supper for us on Monday night...burgers and corn on the cob and then Andy made lunch for us before we left.  Andy and Jen are so good to us we are blessed to have them in our family! 

We also got to see Maddie and Baby K for a bit! 

The Clinic where Far Guy had his blood draw. 

Keep praying for Far Guy as all the prayers are working!! He has been so sick the past ten days.

The three remaining appointments this week...two are virtual and then on Thursday Far Guys usual Infusion appointment. 

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Pool day

 Wednesday was pool cleaning day and Sadie helped. 

I stepped outside long enough to get a photo. 

Far Guy went to his Pet scan…results will not be known until late Thursday. Far Guy is feeling scared, I cannot blame him as I am scared for him too. 

I am still having some numbness on my left side (buttock,hip,leg and foot)and some pain from the incision.  I have deep stitches and the a whole bunch of glue holding it all together. The glue is supposed to flake away during the first month. No sitting in water…so no pool for me. I can take a shower…with help. I am walking often. 

Jen and Far Guy think I am doing great. 

Baby K had the procedure that unties the tongue tied. Now she may gain some weight. Maddie said the procedure went well. 

I will be back as I am able.

Far Side

Chest cancer

 Let’s go back to a few weeks ago. 

Far Guy had a funny (not ha ha funny)looking spot on his chest.  We had numerous conversations about it…make an appointment soon.  He refused to have it looked at until I had a date for spine surgery.  Once I had a date…he had a biopsy.  He thought it was a cyst, I hoped it was a cyst. Results would take 7-10 days.

As I was coming out of surgery last Tuesday June 10th Far Guy’s phone rang.  It is CANCER. CHEST CANCER/BREAST CANCER.  Far Guy and Jen are together when they get the news. They decide not to tell me right away…good decision as I have to have the simplest of things repeated many times. They shoulder the news alone but together. Decisions are made when and where to see Doctors. They made decisions exactly as I would have.

Grand Forks ND is a no brainer as Jen and Andy live close by. The Oncologist can see Far Guy on Friday. We head North. We met the oncologist on Friday June 13th, he seems like a kind man…Dr B.

The CHEST CANCER/BREAST CANCER is Stage three because it has come through the chest wall.  More testing will be done this week on Wednesday and Thursday with a Dr B appointment on Thursday afternoon…to make a plan.

Prayers are appreciated. We trust that God is in charge. BUT it is still hard. We are scared, discouraged and mad all rolled into one emotion.

I will return as I am able.

FarSide