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 ALCFās 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 Iām 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.
Prayers to you and your family.
Health issues are always very stressful. As we age they become more daunting. Luckily there are wonderful doctors and medical procedures to help get us through. A positive attitude also helps, which you and your family seem to have. My best to you as you navigate these trying times.
Prayers for your husband and you and your family. You seem to have a good support system of family and friends, which will come to mean everything. Know that others are thinking of you and wishing you better days too.
Thank you Deb
So sorry to hear about your husband. My husband had the same thing 3 years. He had a lobe removed and numerous lymph nodes. A couple came back positive so he had chemo 8 rounds. He would get a scan every 3 months.
Unfortunately this year they found some spots on his liver so the cancer has metastasized. He is now taking chemo again. Your life changes dramatically because of cancer but glad you have a support group. Prayers for you and your husband!
Oh no, I am so sorry Sharon. Lung cancer, any cancer is just awful!! I will keep you and your husband in my prayers. Hang in there! xx
Prayers are said for you both!
Blessing always accompany the tough times and I see your children are SUCH a blessing!
Stay strong and positive!
Big virtual hugs to you and your husband. The anxiety of waiting for results is the worst, and you both have had too much of that lately. I am so glad to hear that your family is with you to help. This is when you need to take the help offered by others to ease your stress. Let someone else get your errands done for you and stay close and safe. My daughter in law is the pickle maker, so will check with her and see if she has an easy one to send. Best to all of you.
Prayers for all of you ššš
First, let me send my heartfelt wishes for a full recovery to your husband as well as a speedy return of use to your poor hand. Next, let me say that my husband is currently in that “waiting” group, but in his case we are waiting on three fronts: waiting to see if his four lung spots develop beyond the shadows seen in January, waiting to see if his second aneurysm will behave and not dissect anytime soon, and waiting to see if his kidney function will remain at least moderately viable without dialysis. We are years into the aneurysm question, ten months into the lungs, and five months into the kidneys. Every few months he is fully reevaluated and June has seen a battery of tests again. Next month we meet with each specialist to update our battle plan. So I fully empathize with your worries, and will add your family to my prayers.
This time last year I was diagnosed with stage 4 non Hodgkinās lymphoma. We were in shock needless to say. I have had months of chemo and immunotherapy with good results so far. I am now in remission and hopeful for the future. Hang in there and stay positive, there are so many new cancer drugs.
Oh no, that is shocking. I will pray for your continued good health. We are so fortunate with the advances in treatment.
Sending hopeful thoughts and prayers.
My mom had part of her lung removed too…she lived to be 92! Keep positive thoughts.
Thank you, Jennifer and your husband, for your willingness to share your vulnerability. Although it is a frightening time for your family, your wonderful support system of knowledgeable and caring friends and medical teams will help you through to wellness. Stay strong!
Your children are beautiful, by the way. They definitely have you and your husband’s friendly eyes and smiles!
I know exactly how you are feeling. In May my husband found he needed pelvic radiation eight years after a prostatectomy for prostate cancer when his PSA started to rise. During the workup they found a small spot on his lung that they felt was likely post inflammatory but decided to needle biopsy it. It came back as prostate metastasis. Everyone was shocked as this is NOT where prostate cancer likes to go. Luckily that will obliterate it was more radiation when he finishes this first course, but now we live under the specter of something else popping up. This will be our new normal but we are grateful that he has tolerated everything well so far and there is currently no other evidence of spread. Here’s to us both finding some balance in our lives…you remain in my thoughts.
The treatments for lung cancer have come a long way, Jennifer – thatās the one good thing about being a common cancer – lots and lots of research – your faith, your family, your close friends will take you through whatever lies ahead, one day at a time – stay strong, stay safe and be comforted by the prayers of so many people, many of whom you have never even met! Your vulnerability on this blog is SO refreshing – I look forward to āJennifer daysā..
Thank you Jill. Mercifully, the research and targeted drugs for lung cancer is amazing.
Thank you for sharing what you and your family have been going through. I understand your hesitation in sharing but appreciate that you wrote this post. I think there are an incredible number of supportive people who read your posts and hope you will feel surrounded, or even uplifted at times by all the prayers and wishes being sent to you. I send best wishes of hope, patience, and healing. Be well, all of you.
Thank you so much.
Praying for your family during this stressful time. Sending love and light.
Oh, dear, Jennifer. It helps so much to have support during times like these and it sounds like you have a good team there. One of my husbandās best high school friends recently has gone into remission from stage four cancer and is doing great. Men donāt often seek support and it was equally good for my husband to provide it, sending him subscriptions to fishing and hunting magazines to help him through chemo. Stuff, I never would have thought of. Tell your husband thank you for sharing his story. Hugs and prayers to you and your family from Montana!
Sending prayers to you and your family šš»
My thoughts are with you both for healing and positive outcomes. Iām another person who doesnāt eat pickles, so Iām no help in that department.
Thankyou for sharing this very personal struggle that you and your family are living. Life is complicated and there are no guarantees but we can choose how we react. Jennifer, you keep showing us that we are stronger than we think.
We are not the only people struggling with cancer and I want others to know they are not alone.
Sending good wishes and healing thoughts to you, your husband, your family and circle of friends. Hoping for continued hopefule news!
I’m sending prayers from Connecticut for your husband’s medical team and peace for the two of you. Have a speedy recovery from the hand surgery and enjoy those pickles.
Love, hugs and prayers to your whole family and especially your husband in dealing with this news. Sounds like you have a great support system of family and friends which is great when life throws us these curveballs. Hoping your husband will have the best possible outcome!!
Praying for you and your family! I have been going thru 4 Ambulance runs and surgery In the last 2 weeks. The feeling of being out of control is very disconcerting ! Hope you get good results and a plan for recovery . I keep thinking I have a cruise in Paris next June. I find having something to focus on is very helpful for me!
Oh no, Deb. I’m so sorry, that is frightening. Praying things settle down for you very soon. Thanks for your prayers
Thank you for sharing, you will be in my prayers daily. We never know what life will hand us, but with faith we can get through it. You are a friend I look forward to hearing from each day.
Love and prayers to you and your family.
Thank you so much Violet
Oh Jennifer, so sorry to read this morningās post, but glad you felt you could share. I donāt think it is presumptuous to say that all of us who read your posts are sending support your way. Your family is in our prayers.
Thank you so much Jo.
Prayers to your whole family during this time. My God heal and protect you.
Thank you for sharing. Stage one or two is the best you can hope for. It sounds as if you are in good hands with your doctors and close friends. What a special bonus blessing to have your daughter at home helping you plus your son nearby. Stay chilling and healing!
Jennifer, sending you and your husband hugs and thoughts of healing, wellness and positivity. I am glad that you have family to surround you both with love and support.
I am soooo glad the kids are here to help and support us.
Dear Jennifer,
As you and your family face these health issues, I pray for God to grant healing, peace, and
happy thoughts during the days ahead.
May you bask in His love and care always.
Love,
Patā„ļø
Thank you Pat
Oh Jennifer. I’m so sorry you are dealing with all of this. Prayers are being sent you way for both your husband and for you. Please stay strong for one another. Keeping A positive attitude helps, but when hit with something line this, it’s not easy.
I’m so glad your kids are there helping out! Even with harvesting mini cucumbers. I’m no expert on pickling but thought I’ve seen some pickling packets with instructions. Don’t ask me where..(an online ad?). Maybe it was at William-Sonoma? Cannot recall. Sorry. Hopefully another FBI friend has some more home grown advice. Prayers and hugs….