I was a little scared to go to M.D. Anderson because for the last (almost a year) I have been getting CT scans instead of PET scans because insurance said the PET was not necessary. Well, we got it all switched back to where they did a PET and chest X-rays this visit. A PET shows every spec of cancer or is a lot more detailed. We flew in to Houston on Tuesday late afternoon, had supper at the Rotary House, and early in the wee hours, Pat was sick. Throwing up, belly ache...you get the pic. He thought he had food poisoning but he came home tonight and is still feeling a little rough. Let's hope he keeps it to himself. It made for a long day Wednesday with my chest x-ray at 8 am and on to the PET from there which is about 2 1/2 hours. We spent the rest of the day in the hotel as Pat felt horrible. That night, we ordered pizza and wings, and just chilled. Thursday is the longest of time until my appt. at 10 am.....but it was 11:30 before we were talking to Dr. Javle. When he walked in, he asked how I was doing. I replied back to him that it was his job to tell me how I was doing. DRUM ROLL PLEASE: Dr. Javle states my large tumor is dying, it is over 50 percent less active than a year ago. This is the part that got radiated a year ago and they didn't think it worked. Well...it did and there is a decrease in the tumor size and FDG avidity. The maximum SUV within the tumor is 5.3 in the current scan and it previously measured 11.1!!! Dr. Javle states my cancer is currently under control. I do have a small mass at the dome of the liver that is lighting up meaning it is cancerous although not very active. It has been there for over a year (approximately) but has not grown. He will take my case to review this Tuesday with his peers and they will discuss my case and any suggestions to get rid of that little booger of a cancer mass....I am to call and talk to Dr. Javle or Jackie (his P.A.) on Wednesday.
If you have been reading my blog since the beginning, I had radiation in Houston last spring for 28 days and it wasn't until I got home that it kicked me into next MONTH or maybe TWO MONTHS as far as no energy and just plum tired. So, after the radiation, I waited 6 weeks, then went back for a scan only to be told they didn't think it worked. Well, exactly where they radiated is where the tumor is dying. DR. Javle has already called Dr. Das who was my radiation oncologist, and he said the little mass is too close to the diaphragm and heart to do radiation again....so on to another plan, I hope.
When I heard all of this news, I just sat there.......I was good emotionally until I was telling my sister, Sarah the good news that I kinda choked up. Then I got my composure back together. Then, on the plane, I was thanking and praising God for ALL He has done for me and tears just came from nowhere. I turned my head so Pat couldn't see me but I was sobbing quietly while way up in the sky and gliding along like a bird dodging clouds. I have so much to thank God for...well...I have everything to be thankful for because of Him. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jesus!
I did meet another lady (probably 60) in the waiting room that also had intra hepatic cholangiocarcinoma....they told her she had less than 2 years to live. She has a different doctor. I am SO thankful I have the doctors I have. From local ones, to the ones in Springfield, Effingham, to the ones in Houston, they are all just great physicians. I am blessed! I am also blessed with the 100's of people, churches, friends that pray for me~thank you all and please keep praying. IT IS WORKING!
It's 11:03 and I am calling it a night. Just wanted to share the great news I had today. I couldn't have asked for much more. With this cancer, baby steps are even good...as sometimes you start taking steps backwards with this disease. I'm not going backwards if I can help it!!
HUGS and God Bless~~
Patty
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Houston bound this week.....again!
Three months sure do pass quickly when there is so much going on in these summer months. But this week is the week I will fly to Texas (T-TH) for my PET scan and visit with Dr. Javle. In months past, my insurance refused to let me have a PET scan and I was given no choice but to get chest x-rays and a CT scan. Dr. Dy in Effingham has already warned me to be a little careful as they will be comparing a CT scan from 3 months ago to a PET scan this week. The PET shows every little speck of anything suspicious but with a CT, it is not as clear or sophisticated. Dr. DY says they can compare the CT scan from 3 months ago to the CT part of the PET scan they do to make it more even in detail. But maybe I need to know about every little speck to jump on it now and fight it like a dog.....I dunno. I guess I have wanted this PET for so long (that's what I started with until insurance denied paying for them) because it is more detailed but now that I have gotten it approved, I am kinda dreading it. But God is right beside me and I keep telling myself that. It calms my nerves down and off we will go tomorrow to Houston!!
I want to discuss with Dr. Javle, the clinical trial that is being done at all the major cancer centers that is specifically for my two cell mutations. The clinical trial kills the bad cells before they make cancer so my body would quit making the cancer cells as this chemo would kill them off quickly. IF it would work-GREAT. If it didn't work, my cancer could grow. But this trial is just for MY TWO MUTATIONS. That's it.........so if it kills off all the bad cells before they have a chance to make cancer cells, then maybe it would start working on my cancer cells in the tumor??? I am not sure of all this but this is the way I understand it. I would like to ask Dr. Javle to print off (from PubMed) all the info so far on this trial. Both of my cancer drs' are BOTH impressed with the results thus far.....so my heartstrings are really telling me to take a chance here. I would have to drive to St. Louis ALOT as they are the closest one doing the clinical trial (this is about a 2 1/2 hour drive for me).....so it would make for some long days. But some long days in my life are better than no days left in my life.
My drs say that I will not die from my cancer in a round about way of saying it....instead, I will probably die of liver or kidney failure from all the poison (chemo) being pumped into me. My numbers are holding steady in that area but it could all change in a heartbeat. Only God knows that answer!!
So, as I start my week, I ask for prayers for a safe trip (no plane crashes please), I ask for good news that I am stable or the tumor is shrinking. I pray it has not traveled to other areas of my body. And no matter what, I will come back, go on vacation in 3 weeks, and have the time of my life! God is good and He is in charge. I will accept whatever the news is and move on to fight the next fight on this journey of cholangiocarcinoma.
Life is all about TIME, so get out there and enjoy it while you can!!
HUGS and More HUGS!!
Patty
I want to discuss with Dr. Javle, the clinical trial that is being done at all the major cancer centers that is specifically for my two cell mutations. The clinical trial kills the bad cells before they make cancer so my body would quit making the cancer cells as this chemo would kill them off quickly. IF it would work-GREAT. If it didn't work, my cancer could grow. But this trial is just for MY TWO MUTATIONS. That's it.........so if it kills off all the bad cells before they have a chance to make cancer cells, then maybe it would start working on my cancer cells in the tumor??? I am not sure of all this but this is the way I understand it. I would like to ask Dr. Javle to print off (from PubMed) all the info so far on this trial. Both of my cancer drs' are BOTH impressed with the results thus far.....so my heartstrings are really telling me to take a chance here. I would have to drive to St. Louis ALOT as they are the closest one doing the clinical trial (this is about a 2 1/2 hour drive for me).....so it would make for some long days. But some long days in my life are better than no days left in my life.
My drs say that I will not die from my cancer in a round about way of saying it....instead, I will probably die of liver or kidney failure from all the poison (chemo) being pumped into me. My numbers are holding steady in that area but it could all change in a heartbeat. Only God knows that answer!!
So, as I start my week, I ask for prayers for a safe trip (no plane crashes please), I ask for good news that I am stable or the tumor is shrinking. I pray it has not traveled to other areas of my body. And no matter what, I will come back, go on vacation in 3 weeks, and have the time of my life! God is good and He is in charge. I will accept whatever the news is and move on to fight the next fight on this journey of cholangiocarcinoma.
Life is all about TIME, so get out there and enjoy it while you can!!
HUGS and More HUGS!!
Patty
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Let me share last week with you.
Thursday of last week was "The Beach Girls Day Out" and we had a fine day indeed (even if it wasn't a trip to the beach! We (Sharon Jones, Mary Crites, Sheila Stoltz, Debbie Weiler and I) headed to Salem, Il to meet my sister, Lisa. After grabbing coffee/Lattes? and taking a picture under the sign at the coffee shop, we moved on the The Rusty Nail which is a huge antique/primitive building full of good things! We all spent a wad there and then headed toward Fairview Heights where we shopped at Old Time Pottery. We had lunch at What A Lotta Creek and it was great food! We stopped at another antique store and I think we just about got kicked out...I found a set of drums and was playing Dinah Won't You Blow as I saw a lady out of the corner of my eye (it was the store owner people) and I very gently put the drum set to rest and scooted along. We left at 8 that morning and I arrived back at Suntone Road at 8:30 that night. It was a long day but a good time even if we didn't get any sand between our toes! We have taken a trip to the beach in the past....Ft. Myers Beach, Gulf Shores....somewhere warm. But since I got the big C word, we just haven't made the trip. I am sharing a few pics of our day trip. Enjoy.
Now, I will move to the weekend. Some of you don't have Facebook so I have to re-share my pics from this most memorable weekend I won't soon forget! It was the 5K Evansville Color Blaze and we headed out at 8 am to Evansville. The race started at 11 but we didn't want to miss out on anything....pretty sure we didn't! I was so pumped after getting on my tu-tu. Along came the Kauble mobile with a car load and one handicapped momma. They parked beside us and then everything got even wilder. There was cornstarch colored powder flying everywhere. We were covered before the race even started. Then came water spraying people, hoses spraying water, and more colored cornstarch right after the water so it stuck to you really bad! I was on a singing LOUD kick as I jumped around throwing chalk on any moving object. My song of the day was Louis Armstrong's What A Wonderful World. It has been a favorite of mine for a very long time.....God created a wonderful world for us but we sure have a way of making a mess of it. That's a story for another day.
When we lined up at 11 am (Amy Kirby, Jill Weiler, Debbie Weiler, Lisa Corcoran, and myself)....along with Dave and Logan Kauble and a couple other rug rats that came with the Kauble's. We also ran into the Amy Kincaid family from Olney. So we didn't feel totally like aliens.
I would say they ended up with about 1500 people in the 5K. We were in the second lot of people they released to run/walk. Like dogs in a horse race, we all paced ourselves as the first quarter mile was all uphill. I was thinking....boy, this is going to be a loooong journey. But, it was easier as we topped that hill and moved on to flatter ground. It was 90 degrees at 11 and HOT! There were sprinkler hoses to wet you down as you walked over them only to have a couple people with another box of colored cornstarch to throw all over you again. Atlast, I could see the finish line...and then my niece, Rachel Yockey came running up along side me. I forgot she said she might come down. It was a great end to finish with her. I was hot, thirsty and full of cornstarch rainbow colors all over my bald head. Then I had sweat coming off my head and it looked like a cracked earth up there....with hair growing for grass. We were all just pooped!!! After two showers and a pool swim, we all pretty well got the dye off of us. Then came some much needed shopping and supper at Madeleine's where I treated myself to a Filet Mignon, Asparagus, and Mashed Russetts (potatoes). I also had the best French Onion Soup ever!! I think we were all in bed by 10 ish. The next day, I sang for the crew again with my Louis Armstrong song. We shopped a little more...made a Macy's stop after an IHOP breakfast. As we headed home, it started to sprinkle, then it just got worse the closer we got to home. It was a weekend FULL to the brim with laughter, hugs, and just downright good clean fun! I had to turn my head a couple of times as I could feel a tear coming in the corner of my eye. Just to stop and look at us...all full of energy, the vision of walking over the FINISH line....feeling so healthy when I knew I still had that big C word inside of me. I feel God is working through me in ways I sometimes don't even realize or understand. To feel so good most of the time and also know my prayers are answered every day...that there are so many people praying for me and it truly is why I am still here. I am just an ordinary person that finally woke up and realized I wanted God front and center in my life. I can't even describe the joy I feel inside of me...the peace I feel that calms my day and lets me sleep at night. Here are a few pics from the Color Blaze:
Back row: Jill Weiler and Amy Kirby
Front Row: Patty Corcoran, Linda Burgener (our coach) and Debbie Weiler.
A HUGE HUGE THANK YOU AND MANY KISSES TO PAT FOUST FOR HELPING WITH OUR TU-TU'S AND HEADBANDS. LOVE YOU TO PIECES, MY FRIEND!!!!!
It is Thursday evening, and I have 1/2 of a day left at a place I also consider home. My workplace. Time is ticking as I leave my job Friday at noon. As Mark Allen (a local tv anchorman who is retiring the same day I am) says...it is bittersweet. Packing boxes of memories into boxes at my office this week has tugged a little at my heartstrings.....I will miss my job with all my heart but I will love the sweet moments with my husband, my mother, sisters and brothers, my children and grandchildren. My friends who ARE my family.....I look forward to spending time with all of you.....and with most importantly, God.
As I read my Bible almost every night, I soak it all in and then as I pray, I thank God for all he has done, gave up, and gave to us all here on earth. I thank God for all of you who read my blog and pray for me, I thank Him for allowing me to stay so stable and to share my cancer story and that God is the reason I am still here....I still have a lot to share of this journey I am on.
I plan to bike to town more often....maybe on Thursdays to meet with the prayer group at Ophelia's.....they are not Catholic like me, but God loves us all...and we all love the same God, so I don't think God will mind at all if I devote some time to pray with some great Christian ladies! I will close for now as I could ramble on and on. If I haven't said it before, I will now. I love you all, my brothers and sisters. There it is...I put it out there on the line for everyone to see. Oh, WhAt A wOnDeRfUl WoRlD!!!!!!
Hugs and Love to you all,
Patty
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| Moi, Lisa Syfert (my sister), Mary Crites, Sheila Stoltz (my sister in law), Debbie Weiler, Sharon Jones. |
Now, I will move to the weekend. Some of you don't have Facebook so I have to re-share my pics from this most memorable weekend I won't soon forget! It was the 5K Evansville Color Blaze and we headed out at 8 am to Evansville. The race started at 11 but we didn't want to miss out on anything....pretty sure we didn't! I was so pumped after getting on my tu-tu. Along came the Kauble mobile with a car load and one handicapped momma. They parked beside us and then everything got even wilder. There was cornstarch colored powder flying everywhere. We were covered before the race even started. Then came water spraying people, hoses spraying water, and more colored cornstarch right after the water so it stuck to you really bad! I was on a singing LOUD kick as I jumped around throwing chalk on any moving object. My song of the day was Louis Armstrong's What A Wonderful World. It has been a favorite of mine for a very long time.....God created a wonderful world for us but we sure have a way of making a mess of it. That's a story for another day.
When we lined up at 11 am (Amy Kirby, Jill Weiler, Debbie Weiler, Lisa Corcoran, and myself)....along with Dave and Logan Kauble and a couple other rug rats that came with the Kauble's. We also ran into the Amy Kincaid family from Olney. So we didn't feel totally like aliens.
I would say they ended up with about 1500 people in the 5K. We were in the second lot of people they released to run/walk. Like dogs in a horse race, we all paced ourselves as the first quarter mile was all uphill. I was thinking....boy, this is going to be a loooong journey. But, it was easier as we topped that hill and moved on to flatter ground. It was 90 degrees at 11 and HOT! There were sprinkler hoses to wet you down as you walked over them only to have a couple people with another box of colored cornstarch to throw all over you again. Atlast, I could see the finish line...and then my niece, Rachel Yockey came running up along side me. I forgot she said she might come down. It was a great end to finish with her. I was hot, thirsty and full of cornstarch rainbow colors all over my bald head. Then I had sweat coming off my head and it looked like a cracked earth up there....with hair growing for grass. We were all just pooped!!! After two showers and a pool swim, we all pretty well got the dye off of us. Then came some much needed shopping and supper at Madeleine's where I treated myself to a Filet Mignon, Asparagus, and Mashed Russetts (potatoes). I also had the best French Onion Soup ever!! I think we were all in bed by 10 ish. The next day, I sang for the crew again with my Louis Armstrong song. We shopped a little more...made a Macy's stop after an IHOP breakfast. As we headed home, it started to sprinkle, then it just got worse the closer we got to home. It was a weekend FULL to the brim with laughter, hugs, and just downright good clean fun! I had to turn my head a couple of times as I could feel a tear coming in the corner of my eye. Just to stop and look at us...all full of energy, the vision of walking over the FINISH line....feeling so healthy when I knew I still had that big C word inside of me. I feel God is working through me in ways I sometimes don't even realize or understand. To feel so good most of the time and also know my prayers are answered every day...that there are so many people praying for me and it truly is why I am still here. I am just an ordinary person that finally woke up and realized I wanted God front and center in my life. I can't even describe the joy I feel inside of me...the peace I feel that calms my day and lets me sleep at night. Here are a few pics from the Color Blaze:
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| This is me BEFORE the Color Blaze even started!!! |
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| Jill Weiler, Amy Kirby, Moi, and Debbie Weiler |
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| POOPED after The 5K Color Blaze in Evansville, Indiana |
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| Lias Corcoran (Pat's sister) and Moi |
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| Amy Kirby, Moi, and my niece Rachel Yockey at THE FINISH!!!! |
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| Why do I always get the CAUTION tape? I was just playing around!!!! |
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| All Purdy....before the race started. |
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| We earned every bit of that cornstarch dust!!! It was truly the best time!!! |
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| OH MY.......Now I see why I got the caution tape!!!! |
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| I MUST SAY WE CLEAN UP NICELY....... |
Front Row: Patty Corcoran, Linda Burgener (our coach) and Debbie Weiler.
A HUGE HUGE THANK YOU AND MANY KISSES TO PAT FOUST FOR HELPING WITH OUR TU-TU'S AND HEADBANDS. LOVE YOU TO PIECES, MY FRIEND!!!!!
It is Thursday evening, and I have 1/2 of a day left at a place I also consider home. My workplace. Time is ticking as I leave my job Friday at noon. As Mark Allen (a local tv anchorman who is retiring the same day I am) says...it is bittersweet. Packing boxes of memories into boxes at my office this week has tugged a little at my heartstrings.....I will miss my job with all my heart but I will love the sweet moments with my husband, my mother, sisters and brothers, my children and grandchildren. My friends who ARE my family.....I look forward to spending time with all of you.....and with most importantly, God.
As I read my Bible almost every night, I soak it all in and then as I pray, I thank God for all he has done, gave up, and gave to us all here on earth. I thank God for all of you who read my blog and pray for me, I thank Him for allowing me to stay so stable and to share my cancer story and that God is the reason I am still here....I still have a lot to share of this journey I am on.
I plan to bike to town more often....maybe on Thursdays to meet with the prayer group at Ophelia's.....they are not Catholic like me, but God loves us all...and we all love the same God, so I don't think God will mind at all if I devote some time to pray with some great Christian ladies! I will close for now as I could ramble on and on. If I haven't said it before, I will now. I love you all, my brothers and sisters. There it is...I put it out there on the line for everyone to see. Oh, WhAt A wOnDeRfUl WoRlD!!!!!!
Hugs and Love to you all,
Patty
Friday, June 14, 2013
Floating along.......
It has been an extra hard time emotionally for me over the past few weeks as another CC patient had complications with a surgery and passed away June 9th. This family is the All American family with so much love, hope, faith, and inspiration that you could ever dream of. They were all right there for each other through it all. My prayers will continue to go out for this family. I truly believe Lauren didn't die, she moved to a place where there is no pain, no sin, no enemies. Just God's love....so I know Lauren is in good hands. It still doesn't make it easy for her family so everyone please pray for her family to have peace in their heart knowing Lauren is with God in His kingdom. Even though I haven't actually met this family, we Facebook back and forth a lot and are always reading each others blog and giving encouraging words. I feel like I have known them for a long time....and I hope to meet them real soon!!
My first grandson (my only grandson so far) turns one today. He is so easy going, so loving, and just a happy little fellow. Tomorrow we will celebrate his Birthday with food, cake, and gifts!!
At chemo on Monday, my dr pushed on my tummy and I had a spot on the left side that was a tad bit tender...then, throughout the last few days, it has still been there. So Thursday, I went to Effingham and got a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis. I was worried about it spreading to my pancreas....call me paranoid but when you have cancer, you are paranoid (or I am) even if my nose itches. I called and talked to the nurse and she said the report states all was clear except for a couple cysts in my spleen but they have been there every since I started this cancer journey. I am relieved all sounds ok. I will get a PET scan in about 3 1/2 weeks at MD Anderson, so we will have a better picture then. The nurse said I had a CT scan two years ago in June and the tumor has actually shrank 2 cm. according to their findings compared to the scan this week. I'll take that!!
Pat and I, along with Samantha, Chris, Jennifer, Amy & Braeda had lunch at the park today. I like those informal days when you can come dressed as you please and just enjoy each other's company.
We will hopefully have more picnic lunches in July after I resign June 30.
Jenn, Amy, and Braeda went to Chicago with their Grandma Cummins to visit their Uncle Chris, Aunt Teri, and kids. They also went to shop at IKEA. Jenn came home with a baby bed, dresser, I am not sure what all she got but I think the baby's room is about set! I always wondered after I found out I had cancer if I would be alive to see her and Bart have a child. Well, Jenn is into her 6th month of pregnancy and I believe God is going to grant me the great honor of meeting my next grandchild.
I was in a 5K last Saturday and plan to go to Evansville for a 5K Color Blaze next weekend (June22). Jill Weiler, Amy Kirby, Debbie Weiler and I plan to be the people to meet with our great attitudes and loud cheering!!! And LOTSA chalk!! Linda Burgener will be with us cheering us on from the sidelines!! Yeah Linda! I thank God for giving me the energy, the health, and the will to walk in this. All proceeds benefit The Ronald McDonald House. I will post pics but please no comments if they are bad....many surprises to come in those photo's. That I AM SURE OF!! Stay posted!! We are spending the night and having a girls night dressing up for supper (like important people do....phewy). We are eating at a place called Madeline's in Evansville. A big thank you to Pat Foust for helping with our outfitting for the 5K.....you know she is famous for making costumes...so as I said, stay tuned for pictures. :-))
So, as I try to wrap up this post, know that I am floating along....like a butterfly trying to take in everything possible as far as life experiences with friends and family. Most (not all) butterflies die each year as we enter winter. They flutter, they fly, they are more than beautiful to watch all summer....floating from one flower to the next...full of life and color. Then they die. I hope as I flutter and float along in this cancer journey, I keep flying from one memory to the next. That death is still very far away from me. I thank the Almighty God above for everything and everyone in my life...you all have been brought to me as I have floated along for a reason.
Peace be with all of you as you enjoy the summer.
HUGS!
Patty Corcoran
My first grandson (my only grandson so far) turns one today. He is so easy going, so loving, and just a happy little fellow. Tomorrow we will celebrate his Birthday with food, cake, and gifts!!
At chemo on Monday, my dr pushed on my tummy and I had a spot on the left side that was a tad bit tender...then, throughout the last few days, it has still been there. So Thursday, I went to Effingham and got a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis. I was worried about it spreading to my pancreas....call me paranoid but when you have cancer, you are paranoid (or I am) even if my nose itches. I called and talked to the nurse and she said the report states all was clear except for a couple cysts in my spleen but they have been there every since I started this cancer journey. I am relieved all sounds ok. I will get a PET scan in about 3 1/2 weeks at MD Anderson, so we will have a better picture then. The nurse said I had a CT scan two years ago in June and the tumor has actually shrank 2 cm. according to their findings compared to the scan this week. I'll take that!!
Pat and I, along with Samantha, Chris, Jennifer, Amy & Braeda had lunch at the park today. I like those informal days when you can come dressed as you please and just enjoy each other's company.
We will hopefully have more picnic lunches in July after I resign June 30.
Jenn, Amy, and Braeda went to Chicago with their Grandma Cummins to visit their Uncle Chris, Aunt Teri, and kids. They also went to shop at IKEA. Jenn came home with a baby bed, dresser, I am not sure what all she got but I think the baby's room is about set! I always wondered after I found out I had cancer if I would be alive to see her and Bart have a child. Well, Jenn is into her 6th month of pregnancy and I believe God is going to grant me the great honor of meeting my next grandchild.
I was in a 5K last Saturday and plan to go to Evansville for a 5K Color Blaze next weekend (June22). Jill Weiler, Amy Kirby, Debbie Weiler and I plan to be the people to meet with our great attitudes and loud cheering!!! And LOTSA chalk!! Linda Burgener will be with us cheering us on from the sidelines!! Yeah Linda! I thank God for giving me the energy, the health, and the will to walk in this. All proceeds benefit The Ronald McDonald House. I will post pics but please no comments if they are bad....many surprises to come in those photo's. That I AM SURE OF!! Stay posted!! We are spending the night and having a girls night dressing up for supper (like important people do....phewy). We are eating at a place called Madeline's in Evansville. A big thank you to Pat Foust for helping with our outfitting for the 5K.....you know she is famous for making costumes...so as I said, stay tuned for pictures. :-))
So, as I try to wrap up this post, know that I am floating along....like a butterfly trying to take in everything possible as far as life experiences with friends and family. Most (not all) butterflies die each year as we enter winter. They flutter, they fly, they are more than beautiful to watch all summer....floating from one flower to the next...full of life and color. Then they die. I hope as I flutter and float along in this cancer journey, I keep flying from one memory to the next. That death is still very far away from me. I thank the Almighty God above for everything and everyone in my life...you all have been brought to me as I have floated along for a reason.
Peace be with all of you as you enjoy the summer.
HUGS!
Patty Corcoran
Monday, June 3, 2013
Does It Really Matter What Day Of The Week It Is?
As I sit here at almost 5:15 p.m., I sit with a heavy, worried heart. A fellow Cholangiocarcinoma patient is fighting for her life after having her tumor removed from her liver. She is appr. 27 years old. Her mother, Pam Kunklier, writes a blog to keep everyone up to par on her daughter's (Lauren) health status. I have been following the blog for about a year and have posted back and forth with Pam. They live in Uniontown, Ohio....but it seems I have known them a lifetime. When you have this rare cancer, you kinda all pull together and you are a family. The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation lets you talk to a lot of people (through their blog) and you can learn about their "walk" through this monstrosity of a disease (and share your story). Please keep this wonderful family in your prayers.
I had chemo Monday and every once in a while, I jokingly ask Dr. Dy if I will be around for another year. He said "oh yes...of course" I said..."No, really..I want to know" His response was..."I don't lie...I will tell you if I think you are going in the wrong direction health wise....I do think you will be here in a year. OK....made me feel better but really.....how does he know. Lab wise, physically, he might think I will be but he is not God and he doesn't have the date stamper for my foot! I thank God so many times in a day for letting me be apart of this wonderful place he has made....and that I ask for more time with my family if it is in his plan. If it is not, I will see them later in a better place. I have seen a lot of rainbows posted on Facebook lately.......it makes me smile and thank God for each one of them.
I am on the countdown status of resigning from my job on the last Friday of June. Gonna have to tighten the old belt financially but Pat does a great job of budgeting. I could sell my liver but...oh well...who'd want it and even though I have a monster inside my liver....I still need it right now. This is kind of a boring post but just wanted to let you know I am stable....chemo is going fine although it took 5 needle pokes before getting a good vein for chemo. Not including the 2 sticks for blood.
Every month, I give myself 66 shots, and no, that doesn't include all the chemo sticks. But you know what, I am living. I am going to walk in a 5K June 22 in Evansville, Indiana (minus Michelle Kauble....you clutz :-)). Hugs to you, Michelle as you continue to recover.
I thank God for my family, friends, and even people I don't know who pray for me. I don't want to wait until I am on my deathbed before I tell everyone I appreciate them and I love all of my friends and family. I have heard talk people think I am quitting my job due to my cancer getting worse....do they know something I don't? All is calm....and I go to MD Anderson in July (9-11) for tests and to see Dr. Javle. I do this every 3 months.....so let's all pray for more stability for a looong time.
Pat and I babysat Leslie's two kids Saturday from about 7:30 am to 10:30 p.m. as she had a wedding she had to do hair for (she used to be a cosmetologist). Then she went to the wedding and we had them a little longer....they left Sunday for church and Pat and I were exhausted. Today, I watched Braeda so Amy & Rylan could mow....just an hour or so. Then came home and am dog sitting for Jenn and Bart. The pay is good.....in memories.
One more thing, as I was getting out of my car at work this am at about 8:02......there was a young girl with a backpack sitting in the parking lot along the curb. I smiled and started to walk towards my workplace when something told me to turn around and see if she needed anything.
As I walked up to her, she kinda looked the other way as if to hide from me. I asked if she needed something...if she needed me to go get her some food for breakfast...she said no, she was working at The Salvation Army (I am assuming juvenile hours she has to work for doing something wrong). I told her they didn't open for another hour and if she needed a warm spot-to go inside where I work and I'd even get her some coffee or chocolate milk. She turned me down. She couldn't have been over 17. I pray working the hours at the SA helps her realize there is more to life than making BAD decisions and to find better ways to donate back to the community BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO and not because she is in trouble.
As I close, one thing I know for sure...God is there. He is in my heart, he is in every rainbow, every good deed you might do. My heart overflows with faith....and the fact that I will never die, I will move on to the best place a person could ever be. Yes, I still ask for more good time on this earth to be with my family but if I start to head in the wrong direction....let me run to God with his arms open for me. Let it happen swiftly and without pain for me....and for my family. Because, let us remember, God is great....ALL THE TIME no matter what day of the week it is!!
Hugs and prayers for Lauren!!!!
Patty
I had chemo Monday and every once in a while, I jokingly ask Dr. Dy if I will be around for another year. He said "oh yes...of course" I said..."No, really..I want to know" His response was..."I don't lie...I will tell you if I think you are going in the wrong direction health wise....I do think you will be here in a year. OK....made me feel better but really.....how does he know. Lab wise, physically, he might think I will be but he is not God and he doesn't have the date stamper for my foot! I thank God so many times in a day for letting me be apart of this wonderful place he has made....and that I ask for more time with my family if it is in his plan. If it is not, I will see them later in a better place. I have seen a lot of rainbows posted on Facebook lately.......it makes me smile and thank God for each one of them.
I am on the countdown status of resigning from my job on the last Friday of June. Gonna have to tighten the old belt financially but Pat does a great job of budgeting. I could sell my liver but...oh well...who'd want it and even though I have a monster inside my liver....I still need it right now. This is kind of a boring post but just wanted to let you know I am stable....chemo is going fine although it took 5 needle pokes before getting a good vein for chemo. Not including the 2 sticks for blood.
Every month, I give myself 66 shots, and no, that doesn't include all the chemo sticks. But you know what, I am living. I am going to walk in a 5K June 22 in Evansville, Indiana (minus Michelle Kauble....you clutz :-)). Hugs to you, Michelle as you continue to recover.
I thank God for my family, friends, and even people I don't know who pray for me. I don't want to wait until I am on my deathbed before I tell everyone I appreciate them and I love all of my friends and family. I have heard talk people think I am quitting my job due to my cancer getting worse....do they know something I don't? All is calm....and I go to MD Anderson in July (9-11) for tests and to see Dr. Javle. I do this every 3 months.....so let's all pray for more stability for a looong time.
Pat and I babysat Leslie's two kids Saturday from about 7:30 am to 10:30 p.m. as she had a wedding she had to do hair for (she used to be a cosmetologist). Then she went to the wedding and we had them a little longer....they left Sunday for church and Pat and I were exhausted. Today, I watched Braeda so Amy & Rylan could mow....just an hour or so. Then came home and am dog sitting for Jenn and Bart. The pay is good.....in memories.
One more thing, as I was getting out of my car at work this am at about 8:02......there was a young girl with a backpack sitting in the parking lot along the curb. I smiled and started to walk towards my workplace when something told me to turn around and see if she needed anything.
As I walked up to her, she kinda looked the other way as if to hide from me. I asked if she needed something...if she needed me to go get her some food for breakfast...she said no, she was working at The Salvation Army (I am assuming juvenile hours she has to work for doing something wrong). I told her they didn't open for another hour and if she needed a warm spot-to go inside where I work and I'd even get her some coffee or chocolate milk. She turned me down. She couldn't have been over 17. I pray working the hours at the SA helps her realize there is more to life than making BAD decisions and to find better ways to donate back to the community BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO and not because she is in trouble.
As I close, one thing I know for sure...God is there. He is in my heart, he is in every rainbow, every good deed you might do. My heart overflows with faith....and the fact that I will never die, I will move on to the best place a person could ever be. Yes, I still ask for more good time on this earth to be with my family but if I start to head in the wrong direction....let me run to God with his arms open for me. Let it happen swiftly and without pain for me....and for my family. Because, let us remember, God is great....ALL THE TIME no matter what day of the week it is!!
Hugs and prayers for Lauren!!!!
Patty
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Funk Wedding
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| Rehearsal with four flower girls!! |
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| Uncle Jon Cummins walking Leslie down the aisle |
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| My husband, Pat, and Leslie |
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| My brother, Larry, and I |
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| Hoovie, my daughter, Samantha, and Kinnick Funk (the ring bearer) |
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| The warming of the rings. Immediate family members held Leslie and Rhett's rings and said a small prayer before passing them on. Then, Rhett's mom and I handed them to Pastor Jerry Bush. |
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| The marriage nuptials..... |
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| Six Bridesmaids |
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| Lil Braeda....She lost one shoe as she started down the aisle so she had one shoe on and one shoe off. Didn't bother her a bit! |
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| Not their first kiss and I am sure it won't be their last!! ;-) |
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| Mr. & Mrs. Rhett Funk |
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| Kate Corcoran and Anthony |
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| Leslie, a very tired Kinnick at the dance, and MOI! |
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| Samantha Cummins and McKenna Grace Funk |
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| Some of my favorite friends...Jill Weiler, me, Debbie Weiler, and Sharon Jones |
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| Trying to light the fire at the end of the night....everyone was winding down! I was pretending to be a queen....lol!! |
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| Jennifer Cummins-Zuber and Bart Zuber (and baby is hiding in Jenn's belly for a while longer til he is big and strong) |
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| Jennifer, me, and Samantha |
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| Dancing with my favorite man, Pat |
I have had three of the five girls in the Cummins/Corcoran house get married, and each one is the most beautiful bride I have ever seen.......it helps when they are already beautiful in my eyes. Each dress fits the brides personality to a tee. That's what makes them over the top beautiful. The rehearsal dinner was upstairs at The Gypsy and we had great waitresses who were on the spot with serving people beverages/water. Susie Trupiano catered the event and it was SO daggone good. AND very reasonable. We just finished up the lasagna tonight. She also had baked mostaccioli and fetticcini alfredo served with garlic breadsticks and salad.
The only other vendor I want to mention is Ivy's Cottage. I truly believe in shopping locally for as much as a person can when your town is small and local businesses struggle to keep afloat. Ivy's is one of my favorite local flower and gift shops. We might have paid a little more but dang was it beautiful. I didn't have to drive out of town or take a day off of work to worry about it, we just gave Sam the reins and he hit a home run on the flowers!! Emily Combs did the photography and I have only seen one picture of Leslie and McKenna but if they are all that good, we are gonna have a hard time choosing. This blog is suppose to be about me BUT my family is all about us as a whole so I just wanted to share the above with you.
I am feeling wonderful. My bloodwork is good. Dr. Dy in Effingham is amazed and delighted that I am still doing so well on the Irinotecan. It is still working well, as far as keeping me stable with no bad side effects.
Sometimes I pinch myself and tell myself mentally I shouldn't feel this good. I remember the day at Mayo Clinic when there was a dark cloud over my head. I never would have believed I would get up this morning and ride my bike 10.5 miles with a good wind for most of it. God is good to me. After my brain bleed, I never doubted I would get back to a normal life, but when I first came home, I couldn't get off the couch without assistance or get off the toilet by myself. Little by little, I pushed a little harder, and was back at work in three months. God is good to me all the time. I never have doubted this and I believe that is one of the reasons I am in as good of health that I am today. I am thankful daily for my family, friends, and cholangiocarcinoma friends that I am slowly meeting in person. When Lauren Kunklier gets better from her struggle after her surgeries, I am driving...hitch hiking, somehow.... going to meet her and Lisa Salem Craine (who is also a CC fighter that lives about 30 miles from Lauren). Then on to Memphis to meet Becky Couture who just started treatment not so long ago for this ugly cancer.
A HUGE shout out to our own Relay For Life that was the same day as Leslie's wedding. Our team came in third for money raised. Not too shabby for not even being there that day. They do a wonderful job and I so wanted to go out and run around the track in my mother's dress........ They called it the streak......yibba dow yibba dow........ Does anyone remember that song? I just giggled thinking about me doing that and that song being played as I ran "the lap". I'd have waved my queen wave and everything!!! Sometimes I dream the craziest stuff up in my head and I laugh so hard I pee my pants......and there is no one else laughing with me!! I think the chemo is eating my brain cells!!
As I sit here this evening at dusk, I look at the Oklahoma tornado that has taken lives in seconds. Not only do I ask God to be beside these families, but it makes me realize for a sick person, I am so lucky to be here today. Every day that a person is on this earth is a blessing....or maybe I should say....a gift from God. Life in itself is a miracle....then to add a family or spouse. Everyday life.....it is all such a huge gift from God. When I hear people complain about "the little stuff in life", I just wanna shake them. I guess I just want you all to be thankful for your life. If you have God and good health......everything else will fall into place if you let it........Yes, there will be bumps on the journey of life, but it makes you stronger and will draw you closer to God for strength. Whether you die from cancer, a heart attack, from a disastrous tornado.....life comes and life goes. It's the "in between" that counts. The dash~
Like I said, I feel great and no complaints at this time. Pastor Jerry Bush said....If I didn't know that you had cancer, I wouldn't know you did. You look completely healthy. I'll take that!! :-))
God be with you!!
Hugs and butterfly kisses~~
Patty
Monday, May 20, 2013
Time with Mckenna
Just a really cute picture of McKenna taken on our bridge across the creek. She is drawing with chalk. Such a joy in our life on Suntone Beach!!
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