I've Dodged the Big Bullet, Again! - SHARE Metastatic ...

SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

6,603 members8,139 posts

I've Dodged the Big Bullet, Again!

jersey-jazz profile image
63 Replies

One of my good friends came in to my hospital. room and said that I used another one of my many (nine) lives.

I'm not in the hospital, now. I am in my very comfortable home on a lake, hopefully getting better from the recent really scary diagnosis of acute liver failure. Even I was worried. The cancerous lesions in my liver have grown, multiplied and swelled so much that when I took in food it swelled to the point that the liver couldn't drain. Severe pain followed. My poop was ash colored and my pee was orange to brown. My skin was yellow to orange. I was given a few months if things did not improve. My oncologist said that she would try to reduce the cancer size with very strong intravenous chemo. No good practical advice came from the medical profession. In the hospital, my diet was "normal" so I did not eat. At home, Dr Google led me to the various websites of some cancer hospitals. The advice is to eat very small amounts of food each time and often and/or drinking fortified liquids, both of which I did, in very small doses.. On this past Monday, I woke up at 6am feeling like a human for the first time in weeks. I called my daughter and told her she could stop the worrying because I felt better! The crisis was and is over. Fingers crossed.

Before this latest crisis, I had invited alll my family to come and help me celebrate my eighty seventh birthday. They are all coming and so are two of my relatives from Scotland.

Happy spiritual season to all. May we rise above any negativity and embrace our precious gift of life!

Written by
jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
63 Replies
NPmary profile image
NPmary

jersey-jazz, your story is Amazing!Happy for you.

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to NPmary

Thank you, dear Mary!

Tolife_18 profile image
Tolife_18

What a scary experience you went through! I’m so happy that the crisis is over and you’re feeling better. Happy 87th Birthday! Such a wonderful family celebration with even relatives from Scotland coming to participating!

I admire how strong and resilient you’re! True inspiration to all of us!

I hope you’ll feel better and get stronger every day!

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to Tolife_18

Yes, I am amazed that they are all coming. We are not a tight knit family but spread miles apart. I think that they are coming in case this is their last chance before I check out. I have no intention of doing that just yet. Thank your the good wishes!

BluHydrangea profile image
BluHydrangea

Jersey— so happy to read this! I’ve been thinking of you and hoping for the best. Spring is here! Hope you can enjoy the sun and flowers!!❤️

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to BluHydrangea

Dear Bluehydrangea----I caught your good thoughts and they are helping me heal. Thank you!

BluHydrangea profile image
BluHydrangea in reply to jersey-jazz

you keep it up!!!!

Red1246 profile image
Red1246

So happy for you to read this happy ending. What an ordeal. And happy birth day! 🌺🌼🌷

All best to you. KS

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to Red1246

Thank you for the good birthday wishes! I think that for the most part, while our bodies get weaker, our mental strength gets stronger.

Lilywallytootsie profile image
Lilywallytootsie

Way to go. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Blessings, Hannah

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to Lilywallytootsie

Dear Hannah----Thank you for sending your blessings! They always help the healing.

AvidBooklover profile image
AvidBooklover

What a story!

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to AvidBooklover

You also have a few of your own. So far, we live to tell the tale. Yeah!

HelenWi profile image
HelenWi

You are such a hero! Happy Birthday! Enjoy it after overcoming such an ordeal. Hugs.

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to HelenWi

Thank you, fellow surviver! We have been through the mill and are still chugging along. Good for us!

whitebird2023 profile image
whitebird2023

God Bless You!!

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to whitebird2023

Thank you so much for the blessings. I truly believe that the blessings, prayers and good wishes that have been conferred upon me have taken hold of me and helped me up, out of the present danger.

bikebabe profile image
bikebabe

well done you. You didn’t panic, you just sorted it out. Respect!

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to bikebabe

Dear bikebabe--- I don't panic when a crisis is happening. It is afterward that I am in a crumpled pile or fetal position, sucking my thumb.

bikebabe profile image
bikebabe in reply to jersey-jazz

Let’s hope the thumb sucking isn’t prolonged because you’re doing well.

Four phases of stage 4

Pre crisis - getting the best out of life you can

During Crisis- fortitude / stoic and hope it’s a temporarily blip

After crisis - crumple and say a bundle of thanks that you got through it

Post crisis - picking yourself up again off the floor to be your wonderful self again

I often think it’s about hanging on to be alive for when that magic elixir arrives and if it doesn’t, to at least feel you’ve gotten the best you could out of the crap cards you were dealt.

You’re an inspiration too us all

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to bikebabe

I so agree with your decription of the four phases. Almost all of us on this precious forum do just that and good for us!

Kcap430 profile image
Kcap430

Blessings on top of blessings! So glad you are doing better Happy Birthday!

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to Kcap430

Those blessings on top of blessings have pulled me out of the abyss. Thank you so much for taking the time to send those good wishes!

Bettybuckets profile image
Bettybuckets

so glad you turned a corner. Do you think it wa the strong chemo thst fixed up?

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to Bettybuckets

No, it wasn't the chemo. I started the chemo on Tuesday. It was Monday that I woke up feeling better. We have amazing bodies. We just have to work with them, respect them and listen to them. Last year before the I R slipped with the instrument and made a hole between liver and colon, I weighed around 126 lbs. I am now down to 94 lbs. Gone are my nice boobs, hips and muscles. Well, to tell the truth, the boobs were dismantled by the surgeon a few years ago but the leg muscles had helped me climb out of the bathtub with ease. I so miss my almost daily baths and have to settle for a chair in the shower stall. Maybe one day - - - -

Bettybuckets profile image
Bettybuckets in reply to jersey-jazz

That slipping with the instrument has really kicked things up but so glad that you won’t be Easter yellow this year for the holiday. The liver is amazing in that it repairs its self. Glad you feel better!

Shar313 profile image
Shar313

Wow! What an uplifting life story. The messages that my heart hears from yours is that positive thoughts affect not only our psyche, but our bodies. You gave yours space and grace to heal and she did just that. Thank you for sharing your story and I’m sending lots of love and healing energy your way. Namaste. 💕

Sharon

P.s. Happiest of birthdays 🥳

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to Shar313

Dear Sharon---Thank you for the love and healing energy you are sending and I am receiving.

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

So relieved you are out of the woods! Enjoy your recovery

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to mariootsi

Dear marmots----I seem to be out of the woods but the chemo is hitting me hard with lots and lots of pain. I just hope that this strong chemo is working to reduce the cancer to an acceptable size for the liver to work properly. This cancer is such a crap shoot. We win some and lose some , as long as it balances out. Tomorrow, I will feel much better, I hope. Thank you for your good words!

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi in reply to jersey-jazz

I pray that this chemo works. You are right. It is a crap shoot.

Totheriver profile image
Totheriver

Happy Birthday and have a great celebration! Glad you are feeling better💕

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to Totheriver

Thank you, dear Totheriver and happy Easter!

TNVol profile image
TNVol

Springtime and Easter! Seasons of renewal. So happy you've been renewed for another season of life. Enjoy your birthday celebration with those you love.

Manon

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to TNVol

Dear Manon---Yes, this is such a wonderful time of renewal. I am hoping for the pain to subside somewhat so that I can catch my breath and be thankful for our lives.

WhippetX2 profile image
WhippetX2

You are a true inspiration. Happy birthday 🎂

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to WhippetX2

Dear WhippetX2---How kind of you to write that. We older people are slower than the younger ones but we think that we know more and so we become such wise asses, in a hurry to impart "wisdom". The interesting thing is that we have experienced more of life and so it is probably our job to share some of what we have learned. Happy Easter!

CTGirl1962 profile image
CTGirl1962

God Bless you. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🩷

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to CTGirl1962

Thank you CTGirl1962 and God bless you too!

DinNorCal profile image
DinNorCal

What a journey you have been on. I found your story amazing and up lifting. I love your sense of humor and appreciate your positive attitude. Hoping you continue to get stronger and have many more days to enjoy your friends and family. Happy Birthday!🎈🎈🎈🎉❤️

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to DinNorCal

DinNorCal--Let me guess you name. Is it Dinah from Northern California? If we concentrate on the positive, thankfulness and try to be our very best person For me , things seem to balance out and send up upright. I really wish that those on this forum were all my age, not in early years with life ahead and youngsters to bring up.

DinNorCal profile image
DinNorCal in reply to jersey-jazz

Jersey. Close…I’m Debbie in Northern California 😀.

You are so right on staying positive. It’s difficult sometimes but a bit easier with the support of friends, family, this site and my faith.

Continue fighting with that great attitude. I pray your journey gets easier 💕

monkeygirl62 profile image
monkeygirl62

Happy Birthday Jersey-jazz!! So glad you are feeling better! Awesome that all of your family near and far are coming to celebrate your special day. 🤗 and prayers for continuing recovery from the latest episode of a health scare. Glad you can eat again in small amounts. Every bite counts!

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to monkeygirl62

I am so glad and somewhat overwhelmed. As of today, I am crying with gratitude. Yesterday, bad things happened and people came to my rescue yesterday and now, again, today. Thank you for your prayers. They help me so much.

Tmbj profile image
Tmbj

Happy Birthday 🥳🎂 I am so happy you're feeling better xx ☺️ enjoy your time celebrating with your family xxx and good luck with your new treatment sending positive vibes and love xxx 🤗🤗🤗

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to Tmbj

It is going to be great. I've been offered superior help from my amazing cleaning lady who is more than that. She is rearranging her time with helping her aunt during a three day weekend elsewhere and is showing up for this family event. She tells me today that she knows that her help will ward off possible difficulties with family members. I personally don't foresee any difficulties with family members but I was worried about how I am going to carry it off when I need to lie down exactly when I need to. That is when she jumps in and serves anyone who needs something while keeping the kitchen devoid of any dirty dishes. She is amazing.

monkeygirl62 profile image
monkeygirl62 in reply to jersey-jazz

Oh that's wonderful that you have an amazing cleaning lady/friend, I bet she's more like family to you. It'll make things so much easier for you when everyone is there and you won't feel overwhelmed. You get to be the Queen 💖 and just sit and rest when need be. Prayers and hugs 🤗💗.

Tmbj profile image
Tmbj in reply to Tmbj

Kudos to the cleaner great she's got your back xxx Hope you.had a great time with the family and all the best fir your treatment xxx sending positive vibes and lots of love xxx 🤗💖🥰

13plus profile image
13plus

What a fabulous come back! I'm so glad to hear you pulled through it! Happy Easter and Happy 87th!!

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to 13plus

Thank you so much! Easter was very nice with boy friend and then son and family. The birthday will be much more than that. Thank you!

Aprilfoolz1 profile image
Aprilfoolz1

fantastic !! I'm so thankful and very, very happy for you .

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to Aprilfoolz1

Why April fools! If it is your birthday, Happy Birthday! If it is not, please use it when it is. Thank you for your empathy. I feel it. Thank you!

Aprilfoolz1 profile image
Aprilfoolz1 in reply to jersey-jazz

Yep - I'm an April fool and turned 60 yesterday :) thanks for the birthday wishes . So happy to be 60! When I was dx as stage IV at 56 I thought I'd only have 2-3 years left . I feel much more hopeful these days !

golfing21 profile image
golfing21

l just have to say something as you are so -encouraging. You have a great attitude & it helps the rest of us cheer up & keep going Lou Anne

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to golfing21

Dear Lou Anne. We all make choices about how we live. Let us hope that we pick ones that are positive, grateful, graceful and make us our best person. Thank you for your words!

Taurus28 profile image
Taurus28

Happy Birthday! Sending you hugs and prayers to ease the pain you are currently enduring.🙏

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to Taurus28

Thank you Taurus28! I send you hugs and prayers back to you. We can all use them, all the time, those that are on this forum.

mudakurag profile image
mudakurag

Congratulations and happy upcoming birthday❤️

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to mudakurag

Dear mudakurag, thank you for your good wishes! Good wishes and hopes for a good outcome for you too, on your journey. This trip with the dragon cancer is a truly tough one. We never know what is next.

SoulJourney profile image
SoulJourney

wow thank you for inspiring all of us.

May you continue your journey and your birthday is absolutely a wonderful and soul filling day, one that inspires you the way you have inspired all of us 💜

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz in reply to SoulJourney

Dear SoulJourney, I am humbled by your comments. All of us on this forum are on the same train. We all understand each other and we all feel for each other.. Prayers for an easy journey to all of us!

Shafight profile image
Shafight

I’m so happy you are better. I just started Enhertu with bone and liver mets

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz

Dear Shafight-----I'm doing heavy duty chemotherapy to reduce the cancerous lesions in my liver but taking a break from it for this week. I'm anxious to start targeted therapy but the oncologist is waiting until my blood results are better. After the big event on Saturday, I may push the oncologist hard to change her mind and let me at the drug that is designed attack my particular body. Good luck to you with Enhertu! I hope that it does the trick for you.

You may also like...

Big decision. Met surgeon today - he wants to do liver resection. Is this recommended or too risky?

met in my liver. I met a liver specialist today who feels I am an ideal candidate for liver...

Should I bother buying something big?

reasons you all can appreciate. I know, I know, embrace the “now”, but I feel like this will all be...

Another bump in the road

lost 13-Lbs & can't really eat. This other procedure will put a very small tube in from the abdomen...

I'm sad, new pills again!!

for Verzenio and the pharmacy or hospital won’t take it back! It’s very expensive med and I hate to...

Big meeting with two heart surgeons. postponed from 9 January to this coming Thursday, 12 January.

much to me and helped me enormously that you all came to my rescue and that we are always here for...