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Monday Musings- A Surprising Diagnosis

Happy Monday ladies. I hope you had a relaxing weekend. I spent mine chillin’ to avoid the 100+ degrees temps we’ve been having and wondering how to word this post. My sincere hope is that you find my blog informational, helpful, entertaining and that it inspires you to dress with confidence so you can live your best life. I never intended it to be a diary of my life but these musing posts seem to have turned into what’s up with me and a peek into my life. Most of the time it’s quirky things that cross my mind and often just new things I am loving.

Many of you have been reading and commenting for years, so you feel like friends I’d like to meet for coffee. We’ve created a community of smart, wise, and kind women here so I’ll just come out with it.

Lung Cancer

The doctors have been monitoring a small spot on my husband’s lung for the last two years. It looked weird (not their word:) so he’s been getting regular CT scans. Well, sure enough, the results in January showed it had grown and they thought it was lung cancer. Meanwhile, I had my health scares which blessedly turned out to be fine but they paled in comparison to his. This is his journey and he asked me not to share until we knew.

They would not risk bringing him in for the biopsy because they weren’t scheduling non-essential procedures during the height of COVID and he is in the highly vulnerable category.

So we waited and prayed. Last Thursday we got the go-ahead and he was admitted to U.C Davis.

He had a wedge biopsy that confirmed their suspicions and so they removed his lower left lobe along with 20 lymph nodes. A biopsy of the nodes will show if and how far cancer has spread and what followup he needs. We have peeked at the results online and think that it is a stage one cancer that has not spread! He was released 48 hours later and is home on the mend.

We’re cautiously optimistic but are waiting to talk to the oncologist next week. We do know that stage one and stage two lung cancer recurs with great frequency so this will never be over. Luckily, we are more than blessed to have a very dear friend Bonnie, who knows everything there is to know about Lung Cancer.

“The patient-founded, patient-first Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation was born in 2006 to advance innovative research, provide free education/support resources, and champion advocacy to erase stigma and advance early detection. One of ALCF’s first initiatives was an awareness program on buses and billboards across the country. Working globally and collaboratively, ALCF empowered patients, giving them a voice in conversations where leaders in medicine, industry and policy could make decisions that affect their lives.”

“In 2008 ALCF founded a second nonprofit organization, the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI), an international research consortium to advance innovative studies, including the first-ever study of lung cancer in adolescents/young adults under age 40.”

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women, making up almost 25% of all cancer deaths. More people die of lung cancer each year than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.

Now another statistic…Bonnie and her husband are part of our dinner group of 5 couples who have been meeting for over 30 years. In that group of 5 families, lung cancer has struck 4 of them. One is a 38-year-old daughter who is fighting for her life against lung cancer and she has never smoked!

Trigger Finger

I am typing this with two fingers, which takes forever because they’re both on my left hand. My daughter came down to be here for her Dad’s surgery and I’m putting her to serious work! Last week I had hand surgery to release a trigger finger and remove some Dupytrons lumps from the palm of my hand. Unfortunately, it’s on my right hand which makes doing most things almost impossible. My son and daughter have been a priceless blessing throughout this whole ordeal. At times like this, I feel more than blessed to have the love and support of family.

Pickling

I need some recipes ladies. Our veggie garden has gone crazy and besides being overrun with zucchini, we have a ton of mini cucumbers that I have no idea how to pickle. The label on the seed packet said pickles so I assume that’s what they are. Do you have a recipe to share? It’s likely that my daughter will be making these because we are all pickle hounds in our house. In fact, she introduced me to my first fried pickle on our family trip to Montana.

Be well, stay safe and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.

 

 

223 Comments

  1. Jennifer, I’m so glad your husband’s health is being closely monitored and that it looks like the lung cancer has been caught at a very early stage. I’m sure both of you are dealing with a lot of stress right now, and I’m really sorry that you are going through this. It’s good that you have had the surgery on your hand. My husband has the same problem on his palm. As for the pickles, garlicandzest.com has a recipe called Quick Pickled Cucumbers that you might want to try out. I haven’t tried it myself, but it looks quick and easy.

    1. My hand surgery is much worse than I expected but I am very glad it’s behind me.

  2. Nancy Hopkins says:

    Prayers to your husband for timely and complete recovery. Look up lime pickle recipes (they use pickling lime, not the fruit – I didn’t know that years ago when I decided to make these!). The pickles are crisp, sweet, and delicious.

  3. Doris Harding says:

    Indeed sorry to read of you and your hubs’s health problems; troubles often seem to come in bunches! At times it seems to me that the whole world has gone crazy, (not to make light of your personal difficulties) but several families in our immediate circle are experiencing grave difficulties right now…

    Stay strong, and know that you are in my prayers!

    1. I find health problems cluster in cycles too! I’m ready for the black cloud over our family to move on. Thanks for your prayers

  4. Prayers for your husband and family. Hopefully you will have good news to share.

  5. Joyce Reardon says:

    Prayers and hugs for your whole family. Thankfully you now know what’s goi g on and can make a plan. I’m one of a few people that doesn’t like pickles, so I have no idea!

    1. Prayers for your husband and you, and a lot of love too.

  6. Sending prayers for your husband’s and your recovery from the surgeries. My Aunt had a similar surgery to your husband’s with the removal of a lower lobe of the lung at Stage 1. She did not need Chemo or radiation (this was many years ago at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD). Afterwards, she stayed cancer free for almost 20 years. She was a heavy smoker until this diagnosis and quit cold turkey. Best wishes for healing.

  7. So glad that your husband’s surgery went well. Now let’s all hope for a clean bill of health from now on. I know the feeling of shock a diagnosis of cancer can be. My husband passed in 2008 with brain cancer. It shook me to my core. It sounds like everything is under control and I am happy for you. Life has its ways of throwing you a curve ball now and then. My thoughts are with you and your family.

  8. Ann Truemper says:

    I just found you yesterday so this post is my first to read of yours. You have one more person to pray for your husband, your children and you! I know cancer affects the whole family and puts you all on an emotional roller coaster. I will keep you in my daily thoughts!!!!

    1. Welcome Ann, and that you so much for your prayers. You will see that this is not my usual type of post 🙂

  9. Glad the surgery is behind you and praying for all things good from here on. Glad you r blessed with a wonderful support group and loving children. Will be praying for u both.🙏🙏🙏

  10. Priscilla Shoulders says:

    My goodness! My prayers are with you and your husband for complete healing. I enjoy your posts so much. God bless your family.

  11. Lezlie Davis says:

    So glad you shared this news. I’m praying for both of you to heal quickly and completely. ❤️❤️❤️

    1. Wow, they look amazing! Thanks Cindy. My hand is a mangled mess right now but I am glad to have it behind me.

  12. Fingers crossed for your husband’s appointment next week. The waiting for results is very stressful. Lung cancer is very common, but not talked about as much, as some people are unfairly (and unkindly) judgmental towards those diagnosed with it. Often, when a person reveals they have it, the first question is, ‘did you smoke’ and if they did (or do), empathy can quickly evaporate. (I write this as an Oncology nurse for many years). Luckily, you have a great group of friends and wonderful children for love and support – and doctors you trust.

  13. Jennifer much good thoughts your way for you and your husband. 2020 really has been stinky.

    We get the flowers of our squash, pull out the pistol and “clean” (gets rid of any insects) the fill the flowers using a baggie Of goat cheese and herbs. Cut the tip of the baggie to squeeze in. Dip the stuffed flower in a bowl of flour and beer mixture and in a frying pan of hot oil, just lay them in the hot (must be hot) oil, brown, turn and voila, easy delicious stuffed squash flowers. You’ll fall in love!

  14. Susan Kelley says:

    Glad he is over the surgery and home. Try to stay positive. YOu seem to have a good support team to help you. Do everything the drs. tell you to do and it will go well. Stay safe. Prayers. (Keep picking that zuchinni! MOre will grow!)

  15. Sending positive vibes your way! I have just started following you not to long ago and I feel connected to your stories. Take care, you are more resilient then you think!

  16. Faith Mattison says:

    I was touched by your sharing this morning. At this stage in life my husband and I feel blessed to be here, but are acutely aware of health challenges. Will hold you and your family close as you navigate these uncharted waters.

  17. Praying for both of you. One of the most difficult things is when you can’t share with people for the longest time. Bless you both and you’ve kept your blog going always so upbeat! An inspiration! God bless you and your family! 🙏

  18. So very sorry to hear of your husband’s diagnosis! What a stressful few months you and your family have had! You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Do y’all like sweet pickles? I have a family favorite recipe but it takes some time, 7 days in fact. I’ll be happy to share if you think you would like them.

    1. I would love to try them, We have a zillion cucumbers and we need to do something with them.

  19. Oh gee, Jennifer, when it rains, it pours. Hoping for the very best news for your husband and wishing you and your hand a speedy recovery.

  20. So sorry to hear about your husband, and I am sending him healing thoughts (and you as well for your hand surgery.)
    Zucchini relish is great – I usually just google a recipe (zucchini, peppers, onions). I dice the zucchini. I also shred zucchini and freeze in ziplock bags (usually 2 cups in each) so I can pull out a bag to make zucchini breads (just be sure to drain the defrosted zucchini before using – I cut off a small corner of the bag as it defrosts.)
    With cucumbers, I can dill and bread and butter pickles. Here is another recipe I found, and these are so delicious. They say they stay in the refrigerator for two months, but we have some from last summer, and they are still crunchy and delicious. http://www.lesleycooks.com/canning/cathyscucumbersalad.htm
    Enjoy!

  21. Leslie Hauk says:

    Prayers for healing to both you and your husband. You are always a bright spot in my day and your positive outlook helps me focus on my blessings. My husband suffers from Pulmonary Fibrosis so I know well the impact of lung disease. May God bless.

    1. Lung disease is horrific. Sending prayers for your husband and you!

    2. …wishing for a speedy and full recovery for you both.

  22. Sending prayers and healing thoughts your way..

  23. Linda McCormick says:

    Prayers for you all as you begin this long journey toward recovery.

  24. Angela Grafe says:

    Dear Jennifer, “gute Besserung” really hope best for your husband and all of your family!
    Thinking of you!
    Yours Angela
    Reinbek, Germany.

  25. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Best wishes

  26. You certainly have a full plate. Your positive attitude amazes me. Just keep on keeping on. Hugs and prayers.

    1. That’s sort of all I can do. I do have down days, we all do. Thanks for your prayers

  27. Oh my goodness Jennifer, what a stressful few months you’ve had. Sending prayers and best wishes for you and your husband’s recovery.

  28. Rebecca Sharp says:

    I used to make zucchini relish. It was a family favorite. Basically the recipe just uses a bread and butter brine recipe with grated zucchini and diced onions. I loved using it because we always had access zucchini and it always seemed to ripen at the same time.

  29. I will pray for your husband. Just a note of encouragement. In 2001, at the age of 52, I was also diagnosed with lung cancer. They removed the two lower lobes of my right lung along with many lymph nodes. It was adenocarcinoma that had not spread beyond the lung. I had a lot of fear that the cancer would return, but it has not returned so far. There is hope of long term recovery if the lung cancer is caught early as mine was. I will pray this is the case for your husband as well.

    1. Thank you, Jeanette. I pray for your continued good health.

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