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.
Jennifer, holding you and your husband in prayer for a full recovery for you both. Modern medicine has made such great advancements in early tracking and diagnoses. Time now to heal and relax with your surgeries behind you–and to look forward to the holiday season ahead, shared with precious family and friends. All the best to you and yours! Hugs for all!
Thank you so much, Andrea
Sending prayers for your husband’s recovery. Family support and a positive attitude are so important. You are blessed to have both.
Thanks you so much.
Dear Jennifer,
Thoughts and certainly prayers are with your husband and all of you! Recently here in the NYC area I have heard of several positive lung biopsies! They are from friends who also never smoked. You are in the best hands with your health care. It will bring great results…that’s the key…
Hoping your hand pain lessens in time.
Thinking of you! 💕Rory
Good thoughts and wishes for your family’s health, mental and physical. You will overcome!
Thank you so much Sylvia
I’m so sorry for your husband’s diagnosis. Prayers that all goes well and treatment can work well.
Also prayers to you. My husband has had trigger finger twice! Both surgeries worked well and he’s had no further problems.
Good luck with all of this.
Prayers for wisdom for your family and your doctors as you face this health challenge. Also prayers for strength to deal with each new situation as your husband recuperates and heals from surgery. I am a 7 year breast cancer survivor and I am hear to tell you there can be joy again after a cancer diagnosis and treatment. I pray your husband reaches that point of joy soon.
Wishing you and your family good results from treatment. Glad your children can be there.
I’m so grateful they’re here
Dear Jennifer,
I’m so sorry! It can be scary, stressful and somewhat lonely on this journey.
My husband had cancer surgery a couple years ago and my children’s support helped us out so much. They are our blessings.
Wishing you all good health.
Take care all! 🙏
Robin (glidingthrusixty)
Thank you Robin!
Oh dear! What a thing to hear! May God bless you all and hold you in the palm of His mighty Hand!
Prayers for quick and total recovery and God’s comfort to your family.
Thank you so much
I wish your husband all the best in his recovery! My mother had lung cancer 3 years ago at age 75 (& a smoker for 50 years!) Hers was also stage 1, but she had pneumonia as well which kept her in the hospital for 6 weeks over Christmas. They weren’t able to take the tumour out surgically as it was fibrous & wound around some organs, but she had some radiation & chemo, and is now in remission, and also hasn’t smoked since then (Yay!).
Sending good vibes & prayers your way.
Wow, sending prayers for her continued good health. Thank you so much.
I am sorry to read this. I am praying for you, your husband and your kids. My husband had radiation for stage one Lymphoma and his follow up endoscopy and PET Scan show no Lymphoma. He will have an endoscopy and CT scan every six months. We had many praying for us and I had coworkers who had gone through cancer themselves or with their spouse and am grateful for all of the prayers and support. We are praising the Lord!!! Praying for you all!!!
Sorry to hear this. It sounds like you have good doctors so that must give you some relief from the anxiety. I hope your husband has a full recovery and you both stay well in this crazy year!
Sending prayers to you and your family! What a scary time for all of you…but it sounds like you have good doctors and a good attitude – which makes a HUGE difference. My dear husband had prostate cancer and surgery 11 years ago…then this February a heart attack out of the blue at 66. When we chat about things he always says “nothing bad ever happens to us” and I say “hey, you had this, this, you need eye surgery, ” and he always says” and look how good everything turned out!” So keep smiling and know that many prayers are with you!
Thank you Ann
Wishing strength to you and your husband in this new health concern.
Sending all my positive thoughts to your husband and family, but most of all to you. I know from reading your blog what a strong, vital woman you are. Please remember,you are surrounded by a circle of love, long-distance, never met, but keeping all of you in our hearts. There is strength in numbers.
Best wishes;
Penny
Thoughts and prayers to your family. You are such a kind and genuine voice and have created a wonderful haven here. Wishing you and your husband healing and recovery.