tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69764820288669476172024-03-12T19:33:01.553-07:00STRONG AND CONFIDENT LIVER CANCER SURVIVORSSTRONG AND CONFIDENT LIVER CANCER SURVIVORS
Diagnosed in January 2010 every day after that qualifies us as liver cancer survivors.
/good days and not so good days - handling it by being strong and confident!mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-2570236534972875532012-05-24T11:05:00.001-07:002012-05-24T11:05:16.812-07:00the song has ended but the melody lingers on...Ed passed away May 17th, 2012. he was bleeding internally, his blood pressure was going very low, and he had a couple of seizures. my chest hurts from the pain <br />
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<a href="http://www.deyoungchapels.com/obituaries/tribute.html?url=http://stei-23726.tributes.com/show/Edward-Sanchez-Rosado-93851405">www.deyoungchapels.com/obituaries/tribute.html?url=http://stei-23726.tributes.com/show/Edward-Sanchez-Rosado-93851405</a> <br />
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that is left from this episode in our lives. I love Edward so much. <br />
<br />mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-53327453140702707092012-03-18T14:01:00.001-07:002012-03-18T14:01:28.769-07:00BBQ Tri Tip Sandwhichyes, the vegetarian phase is done. Ed craves the food that he used to eat and I told him that it was his choice to eat what he wanted to eat. On Thursday he had spaghetti and meat balls and on Friday he had the now famous BBQ tri-tip sandwich at Sizzlers. He actually looked and said he felt he had more energy on Saturday and he thinks that it was all the protein that he consummed. He says that he plans to eat meat about once per week but does not want to do more than that. I told him that I am still against eating animal and cannot cook meat. the plan is to eat meat only when he eats out which is not too often. I cook a lot at home these days. <br />
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My granddaughter, Faith, is now getting ready to go on dyalisis because her kidney transplant is failing. she was in the hospital last week and when she was released her kidlney levels were still pretty bad. they are thinking that they'll do dyalisis at home. this is more than a little sad. <br />
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I am not one to be thinking why me. but this past week has been one of those weeks and my whole chest hurts from all that is happening to my family. I am feeling pretty low and lonely. all i hear around me is sad news. mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-50340303079902633862012-03-03T10:00:00.000-08:002012-03-03T10:00:50.468-08:00Airforce vs Tumor<span style="color: #660000;">so the last scan shows that the little spec that was too small to identify is now growing..but not for long! The David Grant Medical Center at California's Travis Airforce Base is taking this tumor on and my money is on the US Airforce, what do you think? am I right that the Airforce will win. this tumor has no chance.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">Ed goes in to have it eliminated later this month. thankfully there are no "new" tumors just one that decided to grow and challange the airforce and the Rosado family. but no no no, this is not going to keep us down. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">yes, there are still days of lots of activity - one of those days Ed got the van working again, he cleaned and moved a very big fish tank that we have and had not been cleaned since he got sick. poor fish must've been shocked to be in clean water. but most days he is still in pain from ascitis and problems with digestion. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">there's a plan to put in a shunt to help with the ascitis because now he gets the fluid removed and it returns in less than three days. doctors are talking about the TIPS procedure for him and we are hoping that it works. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">he has had a little bit more of negativism but I am trying to get him on the path of positive thinking and back to praying and communicating with God. this really helps. haven' been to church yet but we continue to watch Joel Osteen on Sundays which is a great motivater for us.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">take care everyone. if you need to email me please go ahead <a href="mailto:mhrosado1@gmail.com">mhrosado1@gmail.com</a></span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-11395454330526790492012-01-22T11:13:00.000-08:002012-01-22T11:13:54.405-08:00Goodbye PaulSue has been posting regularly on the Cancer Survivor Network about her and her husband's struggle with liver cancer. Last week her husband Paul passed away. He went very quickly after the doctor told them to go to Hospice and the nurses began coming to see him. Don't misunderstand me, I am not saying he would've lived longer without hospice. I am just considering at this moment that he was ready to go and he did. <br />
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Allowing life and God to take control is also being strong. Sue did more than she could possibly do to keep Paul alive and well. But at the end we have no control of how long we are to live in this world. May God keep Sue strong and keep Paul in his care. Now Paul can watch and care for Sue from above. mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-7534524968787026392012-01-21T19:02:00.000-08:002012-01-21T19:02:57.970-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR!!<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">So, in a few days it will be 2 years since "the day"</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">the day that everything changed for Ed and for me. yes, two months turned to two years and here we are. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">We are not free yet. there is still a lot of pain and a lot of pain medication. Ed has pain in the pit of his stomach and the ascitis or retention of fluid is worse than ever. Yet, we continue. Some days Ed can't even get out of bed because of the pain and some days like today he gets up early and makes me breakfast:). He then continues working around the house, asks me to take him to Sears and to Harbor Freight where his step gets a little lighter and happiness is painted on his being. This is what makes me strong. This is what makes me happy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">He has an appointment next Tuesday to get the fluid drained and other appointments with his liver practioner and his oncologist but what we look forward to is the appointment at Travis Med Center, David Grant - it ce ever they are so efficient. He will go to Travis in March to get blood tests, a scan, and to meet with the doctor to see if tumors are still not detectable. I need to find out more about the spleen. the results say that there is something but it is so small that they can't identify it. We will see. and we will eat. Travis has the best cafeteria of all the VAs adn we enjoy eating there mostly because you get so much food for very little money.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">I hope that everyone enjoyed their holidays - I know that this coming year will be amazing. We will travel, eat, and enjoy every minute of the year. Keep a positive attitude no matter what happens I can handle it. If this is the last year, last month, last day, last minute with Ed it will be the best I won't settle for anything less.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">take care</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">maria</span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-6337994027108248752011-12-18T12:06:00.000-08:002011-12-18T12:06:59.094-08:00ALL IS BETTER..WHY NOT ENJOY IT?<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">taking pain medication around the clock did not work for Edward. We finally decided that he would take pain meds as needed because this is the only way that he is able to get up from bed and do things around the house and at times go out with me after I come home from work. </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">He had a scan at Travis in November that showed "no detectable" tumors!!!! He will go again this coming week to have another scan done to make sure. Ed is already talking about getting medication to treat his hepatitis virus and possibly moving on to a transplant. this is an incredible place to be considering the early predictions of not living more than 2 to 6 months. </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Ed had a birthday two weeks ago. 62yrs old. we celebrated at a pizzeria in Manteca with family and friends. </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">We continue to stay away from meat. Ed and I eat fish and eat cheese, eggs, grains, rice and pasta and try to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. This I think has made all the difference. He is right now on almost no medication with the exception of water pills, stool softners, multivitamins and a very mild dose of antidepressant. Of course, the TACE procedures are an important part of keeping Edward alive and confident of a good future.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Ed is wanting to enroll in Delta College to take a water color class. I will help him get enrolled. </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">my thoughts today are a little scattered. there are other things going on around our lives that are taking me from keeping my full focus on Ed. My son's friend is staying with us because his mom lost her apartment and he found himself homeless. I did not want to add to my plate but I couldn't leave him out in the cold so he is with us. I also feel a little behind with Christmas. our tree is up with lights but the ornaments are still in the box. My daughter does not call or visit her dad and that bothers me because I think that we did not do enough to install this type of caring when she was growing up. She has medical problems herself so it may be that she is not feeling well enough and is not saying. I feel that I need to get back in control of the situation because this is a very good time in our lives - post cancer- and I don't want to waste it feeling sorry for myself. Thanks for reading my blog. I hope all is going well for you and if i don't post before Christmas I wish you a very safe and peaceful holiday season!! Merry Christmas</span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-53760601346874832412011-11-09T06:22:00.000-08:002011-11-09T06:22:36.633-08:00When the Going Gets Tough ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The tough go to Sausalito!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's been almost a month since the chemo procedure and although Ed is starting to show a little improvement it is just very slow and he has more pain than I expected a month after the procedure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He saw paliative care at Mather and met his new primary care doctor. All is good but this were new health providers for Ed and first of all they were surprised that it's been 21 months since he was diagnosed. Secondly, and most annoying, both came in with the preimposed idea that they were going to treat someone who is dying. Ed and I did not accept that train of thought and we definitely let it be known that we were there to help Ed live a long life. So, they said how can we help you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What concerns me now is that the paliative care wants him to be on a regular and constent medication schedule. The pain medication is methadone. Ed was taking morphine when he needed it. Now they want him on pain killers 24hours per day. That just sounds like taking care of the pain while waiting to die. I hate that! they want him to try it for a week keep a log of pain and hallucinations and call next Monday. I hope this isn't the first step to death. Ed is not ready for this, so the plan is that if Ed is taking the pain pills as directed and he is spending all day in bed I am going to talk with him to make sure that he is aware of where this is going. As I've said to him a few times I am here to help you. If you want to be comfortable while you wait for death I can do that or if you want to fight this to the very end I can also be here to help you. He has always chosen to fight. Thank God because I am not ready to lose him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My work has been very understanding of the many appointments that we have and thankfully I am an exempt employee and with the use of technology I can do some of my work away from the office. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joel Osteen reminded everyone to be thankful for all the blessings in our lives. Monday I was feeling low because I felt alone I prayed and yesterday was a very calm and beautiful day blessed with people that made me see that I am a child of God and blessings sometimes come to me quietly. Having an open mind and heart allowed me to fully receive those blessings. there is nothing like praying. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">thanks for reading my blog. please keep strong and I pray that you have a peaceful and blessed day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">maria</span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-19279705076096140972011-10-16T00:02:00.000-07:002011-10-16T00:02:07.595-07:00Awesome David Grant Air Force Medical Facility<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">Ed just had his 2nd chemoambulazation this past Thursday. It was done at the Travis Air Force Base Medical Facility. Awesome people. The doctor said that it is very difficult to get all of the cancer in the liver and that if some little bit remains that it has to be watched and may need more treatment to get rid of it. You see how this diagnosis is so much different than what Dr Rossaro from UC Davis told him in January of 2010 and then last year in October when he said he should just go home not see the oncologist anymore because there was nothing else to do but to call hospice. But there is no use in looking back..except that I want to make sure that if you are told to give up that you don't. Please get a second opinion and when that doctor says that there is nothing else to do please get a second opinion on the second opinion. Don't give up that easily. As the song says Keep on Fighting to the End and Dr. Rossaro we have no time for losers like you. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">Ed is feeling the effect of the chemo from thursday he is in a little bit of pain and has been in bed most of the day. he was sent home with pain killers and antibiotics and should be fine in a couple of days. he was scheduled to return to get a scan next month which is very surprising because even when he had the very best insurance doctors would not do a scan until three months after the procedure. the air force is taking super good care of Ed and he is just enjoying the good treatment. Ed was in the military, Army, 101st Airborne Division, Vietnam and he has letters of commendation and a bronze star. He had asked that his last days be spent in the VA Medical facility but getting medical treatment from a military hospital that is extending his life is really making him happy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">take care and keep up with your good nutrition and positive thinking. Be strong and confident and live a long life!</span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-36643190645174592152011-10-15T17:54:00.001-07:002011-10-16T00:05:30.784-07:00keep fighting til the very end<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sing it with me..We are the Champions, We are the Champions of the World!</div>
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No time for loser Dr. Rossaro</div>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-54991674615279085242011-10-12T21:47:00.000-07:002011-10-12T21:47:29.878-07:00David's Article<span id="internal-source-marker_0.195505256930404" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Love and Support are Powerful</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Where would you be without the love of your parents? Where would you be without the love of your spouse? Where would you be without the love of your kids? What about your friends? There is one thing that is certain in this world: Love and support are very powerful.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />Cancer patients think the same thing. They, too, need people who love and support them, to help them make it through their condition. Fortunately, there are many </span><a href="http://www.inspire.com/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">cancer support groups</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> that are constantly filled with other people who know exactly what cancer patients are going through.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />These support groups have new cancer patients, patients in remission, friends and family of cancer patients, and people who want to learn more about a cancer patient's life and questions. Moreover, there are groups for all different types of cancers and conditions from the common cancers such as </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001911/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">breast cancer</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> to the rare cancers like </span><a href="http://www.mesothelioma.com/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">mesothelioma</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Every day there are people who wake up and drive to their job. They drink their coffee and talk to their coworkers. They go home to their family and watch TV and eat dinner, but behind the scenes, there are hurting people who need love and support. They need support from people who are going through the same thing. The doctors can only offer information and </span><a href="http://www.mesothelioma.com/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">treatment</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Their friends and family are sympathetic, but don't fully understand. However, there is truly something therapeutic about receiving a hug from another cancer patient.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" />Just writing or talking about your feelings is therapeutic, as well. The opportunity to express your anxiety to other people is a relieving experience. Additionally, these people can offer hope and advice in return. The advice they give is not something you can receive anywhere else. Your doctors can't give that kind of advice to you because they are not the patients.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />When cancer patients get together and share their feelings, the doors open for empowerment -- for courage. Suddenly, cancer patients can embrace their condition with confidence and optimism, which is very important for treatment and recovery.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />If you have cancer, you need to get plugged into a cancer support group. The love and support you receive from these groups is priceless.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">By: David Haas</span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-62078006612203112462011-10-09T23:19:00.000-07:002011-10-09T23:19:21.905-07:00Looking forward<span style="color: purple;">2nd chemoambulazation scheduled for next week at the Travis Medical Center. Happy that doctors are still willing to treat the cancer even if it is two tumors at a time. A lot happening with liver transplants and what once seemed to be the only cure now seems to be a bit of a chance because cancer returns even worse after the transplant and people are still passing away. we've decided to "live" with cancer and just get the treatment that is available prefarably chemoambulazation. </span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">I was able to coordinate and hold the Dia del Campesino event this past Thursday which turned out nicely and it was quite an achievement to be able to do it because it takes soo much time and energy. now we are looking forward to going on vacation to Seattle as soon as Ed feels better after the ambulazation. we will fly there and come back on the train. i hope that we are able to take the trip. it will be so awesome even if we have to stay in the hotel all day and night. Ed has his days and nights a little backwards because he sleeps until noon and then he stays awake until late afternoon, takes a short nap, and goes to sleep again after midnight. he is cleaning up the patio and getting rid of the stuff that he has acumulated so that haha buy some more! when we come back from vacation we will address our mortgage and the fact that we are upside down. taking one thing at a time has helped us deal with this complicated life. my daughter is not stopping by. don't know exactly why. i also want to get Ed involved with the VA group down the street so he can start building a social life and get a support group. </span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Hope all is going well with everyone. keep up the good work with nutrition and positive thinking and don't forget to pray. good night!</span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-48127983506972384922011-10-02T01:19:00.000-07:002011-10-02T01:19:34.643-07:00don't know what to title this onejust here. there is so much happening and I wish that it would just pass me by and ignore that i am here. it was a good day but at this moment i am feeling the hurt. i am going to go to bed and sleep now. tomorrow is another day and i should be alright. mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-5082115882953715602011-09-06T17:45:00.000-07:002011-09-06T17:49:02.836-07:00what does it mean to be strong and confident?I've had time to think about being strong and confident. Some of the friends that I have through the Cancer Survivor Network board are going through tough times and reading their posts helped me define what being strong and confident is for me.<br />
Being strong up to now has meant that I fight against the disease. That I do lots of research and know that I should not expect that doctors or pharmaucetical companies have all the answers. That listening and weighing the information is very important before taking action. It has meant that I do not let my husband die without making him fight the war of his life. <br />
Now I see that I have been doing the right thing. I should've been fighting, reading and researching, and standing strong to find him the best treatment possible no matter what. That was and is still a huge part of being strong and confident; but now, after much thought and consideration, I am also including being strong by standing by Ed when he decides that he is done fighting. I am not giving up and am not in any way supporting that he give up the fight, I am just saying that it is not up to me. That there are two more involved in this, Ed and God. And that when the ends comes I will stand strong by him and will be confident that this is what my role is. I will miss him so much. I will be so lonely for the rest of my life, but I will be ok because I will know that it is not up to me to interfere with what must be. <br />
I hope and pray that liver cancer does not hit anyone else in the world, that when someone is diagnosed is not too late, and that if they do get it that they have a strong and confident individual standing by them making sure that they get the best care possible and that when the end comes they will do what they can to make it a peaceful and loving passing. <br />
..love and prayers!mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-41553575780598072512011-08-26T21:04:00.000-07:002011-08-26T21:04:23.003-07:00blood test results are good but transplant is not in the planSo what do we want first the good news or the bad news? Ed's blood tests results are really good he is actually very healthy except for the cancer!!! and i am not being sarcastic. all his levels for blood pressure and other tests are very good. His liver is actually better he is not jaundiced adn his ammonia levels are good BUT he has 6 tumors. he used to have 5. not sure if he always had 6 and drs only saw 5 or if he had 5 and now he has 6??<br />
So that is the medical report..but life is more than a medical report and with God's help we will continue trying to live a good life within our means and abilities. We are going to plan a vacation - we plan to go on a train ride up north hopefully all the way to Seattle. That would be amazing!<br />
I am concerned that some of my friends on the cancer survivor network who are caregivers for their husbands are having a very difficult time. I posted to try to get them to focus less on the sad and negative and to go back to seeing the glass half full - but i know what they are going through and it is definitely not easy. i'll leave it at that and come back and tell you how our appt goes with the Oncologist at Mather and the Radiologist at Travis. Ed will be evaluated for more chemoambulazation treatments. <br />
take care and be strong!mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-12122675935844393192011-08-11T17:49:00.000-07:002011-08-11T17:49:30.960-07:00Talk to the MountainLast Sunday, as almost every Sunday morning, Ed and I watch and pray with Joel Osteen. We love his message of hope. Sunday he said that if you are facing an obstacle that yes you should pray to have it removed but that also in faith you must act as if it has been already removed. He said talk to the mountain. the problem that you are facing maybe a personal, financial or medical problem, pray and then let your problme know that it is not stronger than you and it will not keep you from what God has in store for your future. Ed was very inspired by this message and he has been putting extra effort in keeping busy and not letting his health get in the way of doing what he wants to do. So he went back to going out once a day and is asking me everyday if there is something that he can help with. he is trying to install a fan in our bedroom and is almost done. Never underestimate the power of faith ..it is stronger than the mountain!<br />
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have a good night and keep strong.<br />
love and prayers to all my sistersmariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-53360975905940743032011-07-22T23:19:00.000-07:002011-07-22T23:19:43.700-07:00sooner or later but not without a fight<span style="font-size: large;">so even after a year and a half has gone by and Ed is doing considerably well with one or two episodes of abdominal pain per day and then goes about slowly cleaning house, taking care of the puppy, reading, and trying his best to enjoy his day, the doctors still insist that he is going to die. Well I guess if they say it long enough they will be right...sooner or later it is what happens to all of us, right?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's ok. I tell Ed not to let that get him down, they are only saying what they know to say. but if I was them I would get the message that they've been wrong this far with their predictions. His primary said the other day, "you have liver cancer ...but only God knows how long he wants you to stay around" pretty amazing for a doctor to say but I am no stranger to God's blessings as my son was given 6 monhs when he was a baby and here he is at 31yrs old. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let's not give up!!!! Only God knows how long he wants us or our loved ones around.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Have a good night.</span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-13843170752918725152011-07-12T19:46:00.000-07:002011-07-12T19:46:08.161-07:00HelloSo, it has been almost one year and a half...........we are still here!!mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-17727013080828222362011-06-18T10:55:00.000-07:002011-06-18T10:55:03.166-07:00On a path to healing<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I apologize for not blogging these past few weeks. I don't exactly know why I didn't. I know that feeling strong turned into feeling angry and that is not what I want. Anger is natural but in my opinion can turn into negative and that is not good for anyone. So today I begin to turn that around because I know that I can do better than that. So let me tell you what's been going on with Ed and our path to healing. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ed's leave of absence from work ended and we filed for disability retirement. This is a difficult task because it takes you from your I'm going to get better mindset to a mindset that your life as a productive human being is ended. I've had to help Ed not get stuck in that mode but to look forward to retirement. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week the father of my son's best friend passed away from liver cancer. That is weighing on all of us. He had been away from the country for a long time and just came home two weeks ago to spend his last days at home. We pray for him and for my son's friend. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anger is understandable. needs to be recognized, but that energy needs to be redirected to making progress towards getting better and winning the big fight!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ed still has good days and not so good days. For a while there he was in super good spirits and had lots of energy. He has lost a lot of weight and now weighs one pound less than I do. I'm not skinny but I never thought that I would be the "heavy" of the two :)! Normally, he gets up, helps clean the house, naps, and then waits for me to have dinner. We are still not eating beef, chicken, or pork. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recommend that you read The China Study. I really think that the American diet is toxic and it is responsible for the progression of the many chronic illnesses that we suffer in the West. Try to eat a vegetable, grains, and natural foods diet for better health. We include fish and are limiting our intake of milk and substituting with soy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ed is being treated by the VA. We visit the doctors less frequently and blood tests are less frequent also. this was challenging to accept but when you think about it, Ed's health is more dependant on what he does at home than what the doctors do for him. He is scheduled to the VA liver clinic in July and his primary in Sept. He had a sonogram last week and the results were not alarming. We will wait until the liver clinic appointment to hear if anything has changed. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far it is managing the emotional well being and nutrition that has really made a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">thanks for listening and please stay strong and hopeful.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">maria </span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-43752340676583485912011-04-01T20:44:00.000-07:002011-04-01T20:44:51.484-07:00Not Sure What's Going on....Ed looks skinny and weak. He has been sleeping a lot and his blood pressure was low yesterday. We think that the bp went low because of the diuretics that he is taking for the fluid retention and because he is not eating salty foods at all. <br />
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He does not like it that he is sleeping a lot. I asked him why he was upset and he said that he was mad at himself because he was tired of staying in bed. Our son is now staying with us and that has helped a little. At least now he has someone else to talk to besides me. <br />
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I was frustrated a couple of days ago when I asked him what he ate and he just pointed to yogurt. I told him that it was not fair that he wants to get better and is not trying. He did get up and ate and has been trying to do a few things around the house. Today he wore jeans again! we went to get his blood test done and then stopped to get strawberries. He wanted to go out this evening but got tired. We will try tomorrow.<br />
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He has an appointment with the liver specialist next week at the Livermore VA. I am not as cheery as I should be .. it has been 14months now!! Ed had a major procedure just a few days ago and it is understandable that he is tired and sleeping a lot. I will talk to myself and get in a better mood.<br />
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Thank you all for reading my blog. I hope to have better news for you next time :)mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-59741760887720631842011-03-23T18:58:00.000-07:002011-03-23T18:58:14.817-07:00We'll See in a Month<span style="color: blue;">Yeyyy! Just came back from San Francisco. Ed had his chemoambolization treatment yesterday and was released to go home today. He is in good spirits. It may be too early to say that the side affects are mild since I suppose that you have to give the chemo time to do its work. He is taking a nap but before that he was asking if I am going to make dinner...so far..sooo good. I'll keep you posted. Please keep praying and we will keep strong and confident. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">thank you</span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-83024858597609867732011-03-18T21:33:00.000-07:002011-03-18T21:33:32.709-07:00Good Nutrition and a Team of Good Doctors<span style="color: purple;">Bilirubin went down again..from 3.7 to 3.1!!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">UCSF team decided to do chemoambulization and they want to do this quickly so we are going there next week. The Chemo will be sent straight to the tumors and hopefully reduce the tumors in size or get rid of them completely. Ed will be feeling ill for a week or two after that as the tumor shrinks and releases toxins that will have to removed from his body mostly by the liver. So please say a prayer or two for him. Hopefully his liver is able to handle this and it all turns out well.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">We are stronger than ever. Can't give up now the best is yet to come.</span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-6171204257594742202011-03-06T12:45:00.000-08:002011-03-06T12:45:10.683-08:00NEXAVAR BAD SIDE EFFECTS...BE GONE!Although we are grateful that our oncologist was willing to try the chemo therapy when all the research and other doctors said it wouldn't work, after 3 weeks of treatment the liver was quickly getting worse. The bilirubin went from 4.1 to 5.6 which is very very dangerous. The Chemo was stopped and Ed has been without treatment since the end of January. The tests this past week showed that the bilirubin is now 3.6!!! The liver recuperated from the effects of the chemo and that is such good news. Yes, 3.6 is still not a good number but the fact that the level went down gives us such hope.<br />
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We went to see a primary doctor at the VA clinic in Stockton to begin the process of transferring Ed's care there. Dr. Morgan is an interesting person. A mixture of good guy and, excuse my language, bitchy doctor :) but this far I think we will be fine with him.<br />
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We received a letter from the San Francisco Doctor that checked Ed. No recommendations yet, except for the fact that he thought that his Ascites needs to be controlled with medications and less or no fluid removals because of the chance of heavy bleeding and infections. A letter is to follow with his recommendations for the care of the liver cancer. <br />
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We continue to work with nutrition. no meat and lots of vegetables, grains and fruits. tried the meatless meatballs from Trader Joe's with their organic marinara sauce and it was amazingly yummy!!mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-27449351705056404882011-02-26T09:59:00.000-08:002011-02-26T09:59:42.912-08:00Un Dia Bonito..en San FranciscoFebruary 23rd!!! Hope that you remembered. <br />
Ed and I went to his appt with Dr. Bissell of the UCSF Liver Clinic. We took 2 DVDs of the scans that he had done recently. There was also a very large questionnaire that we completed before getting there. <br />
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We were early to our appointment. When we arrived and were parked at the garage I was worried that the long drive had taken a toll on our van and when I tried to restart it the van would not start. Ed said open up the hood and got it to start for me. This is the first time that he works on a car in more than 4 months. <br />
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The doctor actually went through the whole questionnaire with us asking questions and making notations. He noticed that Ed was retaining fluid in his abdomen and legs and mentioned that getting that fluid removed the way that we've been doing is not a good idea because of the high risk of infections. He said that he would prescribe medication and adjust the one he is taking now so that the fluid retention can be controlled this way. He also said "you are on a no salt diet, aren't you?" well, no. Our liver doctor in Sacramento doesn't really care and had not mentioned it. Although I admit it seems only logical..duh why didn't I think about that sooner? but I am not a doctor or a nutritionist. <br />
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He examined Ed and then said that he and his team would look at the scans and the information that we provided and that he would make recommendations and send that to Ed's primary doctor and to us. He mentioned that treatment may involve the radiologists and he needs their opinion. Ed mentioned that we may be going to the VA for treatment because insurance is running out. The good doctor said that it was a good plan. The VA is doing some good things and we can take his recommendations with us.<br />
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We left satisfied that at least this doctor didn't say go home and die. Ed wanted to walk through the Haight-Ashbury District which is right around the corner from UCSF. We did and enjoyed ourselves. <br />
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The next morning Ed woke up and made himself 2 pancakes and 2 eggs for breakfast!! good sign of well being!<br />
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Thanks for your support and prayers.mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-36517681970127369822011-02-13T18:46:00.000-08:002011-02-13T18:46:56.134-08:00Still Strong and Confident....<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Went for a blood test today. Ed's arms are all black and blue from all the needle pokes that he's had from his weekly blood draws. Today they drew blood from his hand. The tech was very efficient and got it on the first try. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Afterwards we went to Denny's for a late breakfast. Ed's appetite is back and he enjoyed his large breakfast of eggs, french toast, a strip of bacon. This is the first time he eats meat in a few weeks now. We walked off the calories at Old Town Sacramento. By the time we got home his legs were very swollen. He is resting now. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I went back to work last week and he has been staying home trying to stay busy. He seems more alert and less jaundiced. It may be that his body is getting rid of the affects of the chemo. I will call for lab results next week. The visit to San Francisco is coming up soon and we can't wait to hear what the doctors there have to say. For now Ed continues to battle the disease with absolutely no treatment except trying to eat healthy and lots of prayers. Yesterday we were visited all day by family members and that picked up his spirits quite a bit. Please continue to pray and send your good vibes our way. </span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976482028866947617.post-48340500639933415062011-02-03T15:27:00.000-08:002011-02-03T15:31:17.560-08:00sick of being sick<span style="font-size: large;">Well, it is more than a cold, it turned out to be pneumonia and believe me I've had enough of it. breathing hurts, head hurts, it is just miserable. I'm hoping that the antibiotic does its work and I will be feeling better tomorrow. I've never been so sick!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ed had good news and not so good news. his last labs show that blood counts and all those important things are good, but his liver function is suffering. His bilirubin went up considerably, which is what the onconlogist was worried may happen if he was given Nexavar (chemo). He was told to stop the Nexavar and the doctor will continue looking for treatments for him. So he is now fighting the disease on his own with your prayers. Hopefully UCSF has some other ideas,,,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A note about prayer, last night feeling sick and over whelmed I asked for help and help just showered on me this morning!!!!</span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379624605006941938noreply@blogger.com0