Monday Musings- A Surprising Diagnosis
Happy Monday ladies. I hope you had a relaxing weekend. I spent mine chillin’ to avoid the 100+ degrees temps we’ve been having and wondering how to word this post. My sincere hope is that you find my blog informational, helpful, entertaining and that it inspires you to dress with confidence so you can live your best life. I never intended it to be a diary of my life but these musing posts seem to have turned into what’s up with me and a peek into my life. Most of the time it’s quirky things that cross my mind and often just new things I am loving.
Many of you have been reading and commenting for years, so you feel like friends I’d like to meet for coffee. We’ve created a community of smart, wise, and kind women here so I’ll just come out with it.
Lung Cancer
The doctors have been monitoring a small spot on my husband’s lung for the last two years. It looked weird (not their word:) so he’s been getting regular CT scans. Well, sure enough, the results in January showed it had grown and they thought it was lung cancer. Meanwhile, I had my health scares which blessedly turned out to be fine but they paled in comparison to his. This is his journey and he asked me not to share until we knew.
They would not risk bringing him in for the biopsy because they weren’t scheduling non-essential procedures during the height of COVID and he is in the highly vulnerable category.
So we waited and prayed. Last Thursday we got the go-ahead and he was admitted to U.C Davis.
He had a wedge biopsy that confirmed their suspicions and so they removed his lower left lobe along with 20 lymph nodes. A biopsy of the nodes will show if and how far cancer has spread and what followup he needs. We have peeked at the results online and think that it is a stage one cancer that has not spread! He was released 48 hours later and is home on the mend.
We’re cautiously optimistic but are waiting to talk to the oncologist next week. We do know that stage one and stage two lung cancer recurs with great frequency so this will never be over. Luckily, we are more than blessed to have a very dear friend Bonnie, who knows everything there is to know about Lung Cancer.
“The patient-founded, patient-first Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation was born in 2006 to advance innovative research, provide free education/support resources, and champion advocacy to erase stigma and advance early detection. One of ALCF’s first initiatives was an awareness program on buses and billboards across the country. Working globally and collaboratively, ALCF empowered patients, giving them a voice in conversations where leaders in medicine, industry and policy could make decisions that affect their lives.”
“In 2008 ALCF founded a second nonprofit organization, the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI), an international research consortium to advance innovative studies, including the first-ever study of lung cancer in adolescents/young adults under age 40.”
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women, making up almost 25% of all cancer deaths. More people die of lung cancer each year than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.
Now another statistic…Bonnie and her husband are part of our dinner group of 5 couples who have been meeting for over 30 years. In that group of 5 families, lung cancer has struck 4 of them. One is a 38-year-old daughter who is fighting for her life against lung cancer and she has never smoked!
Trigger Finger
I am typing this with two fingers, which takes forever because they’re both on my left hand. My daughter came down to be here for her Dad’s surgery and I’m putting her to serious work! Last week I had hand surgery to release a trigger finger and remove some Dupytrons lumps from the palm of my hand. Unfortunately, it’s on my right hand which makes doing most things almost impossible. 
My son and daughter have been a priceless blessing throughout this whole ordeal. At times like this, I feel more than blessed to have the love and support of family.
Pickling
I need some recipes ladies. Our veggie garden has gone crazy and besides being overrun with zucchini, we have a ton of mini cucumbers that I have no idea how to pickle. The label on the seed packet said pickles so I assume that’s what they are. Do you have a recipe to share? It’s likely that my daughter will be making these because we are all pickle hounds in our house. In fact, she introduced me to my first fried pickle on our family trip to Montana.
Be well, stay safe and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
So sorry to hear this news. Sending wishes to you both for a full and speedy recovery.
Jennifer,That is a lot on one plate! While your hand recovers,look into the “talk to text” feature on your phone. You dictate…your phone types. It is heaven sent that your buddy just happens to be a great medical resource. The pandemic means you can both take time to recover fully without missing anything. Medicine today offers so many hopeful treatments,and these scary journeys have the silver lining of instantly narrowing your focus to what is really important…the rest falls away. Have faith, feel love,accept support. You have everything you need Within you already.
Thank you Jennifer for sharing this it is not an easy thing to do. I don’t usually comment much to your blog even though I really enjoy it. But I want you to know that you and your husband are in my prayers, our God is great and nothing is impossible in his eyes. I pray that he will embrace you both and keep you under the shadow of his wings and heal this cancer in Jesus name.
Greetings from Vancouver BC
You’ve had no shortage of trials and tribulations. I’m glad you have a wonderful family and friends – and this community of reader-friends to provide support. Kindness, laughter and treasuring moments together is what gets us through such times.
Sending healing thoughts your way for your husband’s recovery and for you to keep strong. It’s a lot to handle.
Oh my goodness, my friend. I am so sorry to hear this although I also see some wonderful news. It sounds like you caught it early enough. Fingers crossed as I do know you’ll always have to be mindful after treatment. Your children are beautiful. Such a blessing to have them with you. It’s so odd how many cases of lung cancer there are in your group. My Dad was a serious smoker. He died of emphysema but never had lung cancer. He smoked packs and packs every day. I’m amazed that he didn’t get it and non smokers do. Sending you good thoughts. Looks like you have a beautiful army on here to support you. I’m here if I can do anything. Big XO ❤️
Thank you Catherine! I am very blessed. Lung Cancer strikes without rhyme or reason. Xx
Sending loving, healing thoughts to you and your husband. I’ve heard of a lot of success stories about lung cancer treated early. Stay strong, we are here for you! 💜
Prayers ascending for you and your husband.
Jennifer, I’m so sorry you and your husband are having to go through this. It’s great you have such a close family, what a help that will be. I’m a lung cancer thriver. Just three years after having my lower right lobe out and chemo. Stage 2B. That’s great they caught your husbands so early. Radical Remission by Kelly Turner, is a book I found uplifting and helpful.
Thanks also for sharing this. It’s been really hopeful for me to read the lung cancer survivor stories from your readers in the comments.
I send prayers and healing thoughts to you and your husband. And remember that those dire statistics are just statistics. Your husbands case and how he takes care of himself and a zillion other factors make his prognosis his own… not subject to the statistics forecast…I tell myself that all the time😀
Thank you so much Kate! I’ll look for that book. The treatments for cancer have progressed so far! I’m happy to read all these wonderful stories too. Sending prayers for your continued good health!!
Oh gosh, my friend’s husband just had the same lower lobe removal just as the Covid quarantine was happening. His recovery was not the quick easy journey the doctors lead him to believe. He did heal, but it took him a while to gain his strength and he’s an otherwise healthy guy (65). So be gentle with yourselves. Scary stuff, but it sounds like you’re in good hands. Prayers for you both.
Thanks so much Vicky. This is harder on him that he expected because he’s used to pushing himself.
So many of my friends and acquaintances have or had cancer in some form in the last year…My own brother was just diagnosed with esophageal cancer…
So I will add your dear husband to my prayer list and sending lots of hugs your way too.
Sending prayers to you and your husband. I would like to hear more about your Dupytrons. My mother’s hands are crippled from it. It seems like Dupytrons was very rare about 35 years ago when my mom was having surgeries to keep movement in her hands. I have lumps in my hands but they are not needing surgery yet. Did you try any injections to dissolve the dupytrons?
My dad had this in both his hands quite badly and he had to have surgery on them…one at a time. He recovered completely and it restored his normal hands. He’s about 10 years past the first surgery and he has full movement still! It was horrible to see his hands all crippled up before we found out what was going on.
I did not try any injections. The hand surgeon didn’t think they would help because I’d had my lumps for so long.
Oh, Jennifer, I’m so sorry to hear this! I will be praying for you and your husband. I’m so glad that your daughter is able to be there with you right now.
Thinking of you both. Nothing else to do during the pandemic, might as well recover from surgery. My husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a year ago, had major surgery and then chemo and is now trying to regain strength. I’ve looked forward to your interesting posts through It all. Be well and carry on!
Jennifer – like all the other commenters – I am so sorry to hear about this. It will be a journey and a battle but you have wonderful friends and family to help support you both. And of course it is a battle that you both will be fighting (and your family, of course). Don’t worry about oversharing with your blog readers – we are not youngsters for whom this is something brand new – we have all dealt with losing parents, friends, spouses and other loved ones and we can help, even if only on the periphery. Take the help and support from whatever source it comes. Know we are all holding you and your husband and family in our prayers and offering our best thoughts to you all.
Sending my best wishes and prayers to you, your husband and family for a speedy recovery
My thoughts are with you and your husband. It sounds like you have it under control and you have great resources. Sending you lots of love, healing and pickle recipes. Really thinking about you both. Wishing you all the best.
God bless you and your family – hoping the second half of 2020 is better for you all! Sending hugs and prayers from NC
Praying for you, your husband and your family.
Well of course we all suspected something. And let me say that cancer sucks. However, your husband and a outcome sounds promising. I’m very sorry he had to go through this… the diagnosis, the fear of the unknown, surgery. But you will get through this. I just know this will be conquered. UC Davis is a great place. My husband had cancer surgery 15 years ago at Stanford. Always go with the big school/med centers for the best care. My husband is well as yours will be. Hang in there.
Thank you so much Karen. I totally agree about being treated at the big hospitals. They just know more because they’re training young doctors. Glad to hear your husband is well.
Sending hugs and prayers for you and your entire family!
Thank you Pat
Jennifer, I’m so sorry to hear this and will pray for your husband … and your family. What an eye opener that lung cancer is so prevalent … I had no idea. Thank goodness, his was caught in an early stage and I know you both will be hyper vigilant going forward. It’s been an interesting year for the two of you … your positive outlook and good humor always inspires. What a blessing that your children can be there for you and provide much needed support. I hope you and I can arrange a lunch soon. I may be heading to Sparks to check on my dad in the next couple of weeks and perhaps I can stop on the way. Best wishes. xo