Beating Cancer

“Ruby - My thoughts are with you and Jon.
~amy”

“Ruby,

The staging does not apply with a recurrence. Staging is used at the first presentation, but the implication of recurrence in the lymph node would be similar to a Stage III at presentation.

This website looks excellent.
http://www.melanomacenter.org/index.html

Help him live with all you have Ruby. Unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything.

My prayers are with you.

Survivorship Stories
last edited: 2/10/08 7:16:18 AM”

“Good luck to you and Jon. I sent a special prayer for both of you.”

“Ruby. My prayers are with you both. Best of luck with the surgery.”

“Thanks, Meangreen. Got your email.

And thank you, Pathman. That is just what I haven't been able to figure out yet regarding staging and nodal recurrence.


The surgery went well. Jon remains at the hospital, but may go home today. The nice thing about being at a military hospital is that there is no insurance company dictating how long he can stay there. The surgeon said that Jon is welcome to stay as long as he wants and may leave at this point if he feels up to it. He is at Martin Army Hospital at Fort Benning. I have been staying each night there with him. Since we never had a honeymoon after our wedding, we are jokingly calling the hospital the "Martin B&B." There may be no sex on this honeymoon, but the room service is always just a tug on the pull cord away!

The doc removed all his lymph nodes. They were sent to pathology; the results will be back at the end of next week. (Doc said there is only one pathologist at that hospital). She said there were a few other suspicious-looking nodes. We are eager to get the results.

I will remain here for a while longer then have to go home again without Jon. Hopefully within a couple weeks he will be released by the doctor to travel and can get the military transfer done so he can continue his treatment from home.”

“Ruby...keep us posted, we will be praying for good results.”

“thanks for the update Ruby.”

“Let me know if there is anything you need.”

“Prayer flags notified to keep up the good work...hoping for the best...stay strong, it's a day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute roller coaster...Love the idea of the Martin B&B...
last edited: 2/13/08 11:24:16 AM”

“A few days ago Jon had another appt with his surgeon. The preliminary pathology report was completed. All the lymph nodes from his left axilla were removed. Seventeen were benign (who knew there were so many lymph nodes in an armpit?). The large mass that was removed turned out to be many lymph nodes that had "glommed" into each other. The doctor said it was impossible to count them. Initially the mass was thought to be a single enlarged lymph node. That entire mass was malignant.

Jon feels well and is now dealing with just the daily care of the incision and the JP drain. I am no longer there to help him so it's a little difficult for him to change his dressings because of the location, but he is managing.

I have a question for anyone who might know. Is there any significance one way or the other that all the nodes were melded together?”

“Does that mean he doesn't have cancer?”

“Ruby,

It makes it harder to count the number that are involved when they are "matted" together. For staging purposes and prognosis is the same as having 4 or more nodes involved.”

“The oncologist will be able tell you more about how the node info will effect treatment plans. The surgeon may not know.”

“I'm still praying for both of you.”

“Thanks, Pathman, for your answer!

We appreciate your prayers, Nowslimmer. :)”

“Thinking of you and Jon. I'm sure your love and support make this awful situation a little better for him.

My prayers will join slim's.”

“Good luck, Ruby and Jon.”

“I need to check in on this thread more often.

Ruby I'm sorry you and Jon are having even more compounded difficulties on top of being separated. It sounds like good news though. Hey, maybe if he gets the doctor to write him a little note he'll get sent stateside?”

“He IS stateside, Nigel...he's at Ft. Benning, Georgia...

You and Jon are always in my prayers, Ruby...thank you for keeping us informed...hugs
”

“Ruby, best wishes to you and Jon.”

“Mata...that is too funny!!!”

“As i said on the other thread, sorry to hear, Ft Benning has some good docs. One good thing about the military they can do some incredible stuff. Hang in there.”

“LIVESTRONG DAY
LIVESTRONG Day is the Lance Armstrong Foundation's one-day initiative to raise awareness and funds for the cancer fight. LIVESTRONG Day 2008 will occur on Tuesday, May 13.
Here are three ways to be part of LIVESTRONG Day:

Organize a LIVESTRONG Day event

Register to host a LIVESTRONG Day event in your community to raise awareness and show your support for cancer survivors and their loved ones in your area.

Once we receive your registration, you will have access to ideas and materials to help you plan and execute your event. You also may connect with other LIVESTRONG Day event organizers from across the country to share event planning ideas, advice and support.

The deadline to register your event and receive a LIVESTRONG Day event kit is May 1, 2008. After May 1, event kits will not be distributed.

Participate in a LIVESTRONG Day event in your community

Many LIVESTRONG Day events are open to the general public. If you are unable to organize an event but still want to be involved, check out the event calendar to find a LIVESTRONG Day event in your area.

NOTE: The calendar will be available in March, so be sure to check back at that time for LIVESTRONG Day event information.

Wear yellow

Wear yellow to show support for cancer survivors. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.

Together, we're taking the cancer fight to the local level. Unite and fight cancer. Make plans to participate in LIVESTRONG Day today.

Do you have additional questions about LIVESTRONG Day? Read our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information.”

“Dang Sarge you are a really mean spirited person. Why??.”

“2008 LIVESTRONG Summit


The LIVESTRONG Summit will bring together delegates from across the country to be inspired, empowered and trained to lead community-centered efforts to help make cancer a national priority.

The LIVESTRONG Summit will take place July 24-27, 2008, at the Ohio State University campus in Columbus, Ohio.

Through an application process, the LAF will identify 1,000 current and potential leaders who are willing to champion the cause in their communities.

To attend sessions that best suit their interests, delegates must choose one of three concurrent tracks: Grassroots & Advocacy, Grassroots & Elections or Grassroots & Fundraising.

Anyone affected by cancer – from those recently diagnosed through post-treatment, to caregivers, family and friends – is encouraged to apply to attend the LIVESTRONG Summit. Apply today – because once we have identified our 1,000 delegates, the application will close!

The Foundation will offer travel scholarships for delegates in need of financial assistance. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance and scholarship status by May 9.

Apply for the Summit

Learn about Columbus, Ohio.”

“

LIVESTRONG”

“Sorry I missed all this, Ruby. You and Jon are in our prayers. Hang tough.”

“Livestrong does so much more than I ever imagined for cancer patients, from great literature to one on one counselors, to financial support. It's an amazing foundation. Very worthy of our support.”

“Ruby, i'm sending good thoughts your way!! If you need some company I'm off work all week, give me a shout if you'd want to hang out.”

“The doc wants to keep him around for a couple more days. Sigh. Maybe he can come home this weekend. But Georgia weather is probably better than what we have going on here today.

If you missed it before, the short version is that Jon was medevaced out of Baghdad to Landstuhl in early January. After determining that the lump in his armpit was malignant, they sent him to Fort Benning where he has remained since then.

He had surgery last week to remove all his lymph nodes in that area. Some were benign; some malignant. It is melanoma. He will need to undergo radiation and immunotherapy yet.

I have spent three of the last four or five weeks down there with him, but am home again now.”

“I really hope it all goes well for you guys Ruby. Hopefully you'll have him home soon.
I'm sure you are the wonderful support he'll need in the weeks and months ahead.”

“Ruby, I think you and Jon came after my earlier time on here. None-the-less I too offer my prayers and support. Jon can beat this!
last edited: 2/20/08 8:40:04 PM”

“Yay!!! My husband is finally home. His surgeon allowed him to leave Fort Benning on the condition that he have an appointment set up with a surgical oncologist next week. I was able to make that happen with a doc from UIC so Jon drove home and arrived yesterday morning.

His JP drain is still in place and a new complication has arisen. There is gunk blocking the tube at the insertion point. I am not able to strip the tube that's under his skin where the blockage is. As a result, nothing is draining into the bulb anymore; it is dripping out the tube incision site and making a mess. Hopefully, no infection will set in and we can get this taken care of tomorrow. As of tomorrow the drain has been in place for three weeks.”

“Great news ruby!!! I am sure its a huge relief to have him home after sooooo long. I imagine that he will recover far faster now that he is home. Thanks for the updates”

“Good news.

Your both on my good thoughts and prayers list.”

“Great news! I'm glad to hear he's making progress and is out of the hospital.”

“Shortly after my first post this morning, the blockage released. My messing with it broke it up even though it hurt Jon as I stripped the tube. So that worry is alleviated.


It's so good to have Jon home again. The weather is mild today so we are heading out to Lake Michigan to walk along the beach. It'll be good for all of us I think”

“I'm glad for you both that he's home.

I'm always relieved when I open this thread and find that it was good news that made it pop up.”

“That's awesome, Rubes!
VERY good to hear :)”

“Ruby I am so glad that your sweetie is home. All seems well...and even better you were able to enjoy a lovely day!”

“Wonderful! Long distance nursing sucks...may the gods smile on you both...”

“Great news Ruby. I am happy that you guys are finally together.”

“Good stuff, Ruby.”

“I was watching the news this morning and heard Patrick Swayze underwent chemo for pancreatic cancer. What a miserable disease this is. The cancer centers seem to be more crowded than ever. One good thing I've noticed at the center that I go to, is that I'm not seeing many children being treated there. It's bad enough when adults get cancer and even more heartbreaking seeing a child have to go through it.”

“RichB-let's fire up the cancer thread...sounds like you need it although you're probably too tired and feeling too sick to write why don't you describe the side effects..it might help someone else...

It's tough...I know...what exactly is this round of chemo supposed to accomplish? You have been through a lot already...my heart goes out to you...I know what that feeling of exhaustion can do to your morale...

I'm worrying about you....and praying for you...you are so much stronger than me...I've always admired your fighting spirit...it is not you that wants to give up, it's your body which is being poisoned...don't lose YOU!”

“Chemo sucks donkey nuggets. Hang in there RichB.”

“I am going into the hospital in a few minutes...doc wanted to send me there straight from my clinic visit but I decided to come home first as I had things I had to do first. I am really not doing very well...hopefully, they can get a handle on things in the hospital.

I won't be online for awhile...pray for me...”

“We'll be thinking of you MHH :) Let us know how things go.”

“Thoughts are with all you guys!”

“Hey all. Missed this for a while, been busy organizing a BikeToWork, Wear Yellow for LIVESTRONG Day. www.schaffnerfamily.com/BTWLD.htm

My prayers are with you Mata and all the TT'ers who are survivors or lost somebody to cancer, probably too late for you to see this before you go to the hospital.”