Linda's Battle with Cancer

Hello my friends , here is my scan from a couple weeks ago , ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I see my oncologist on Wednesday can’t wait to see what he has to say or what he is thinking, but I’m sticking to my guns no more chemo no more tivdak no more treatments unless something would show up in my any other scans, but I’m keeping positive and I got God on my side

NM PET/CT TUMOR IMG SKULL BASE TO MID

Not yet reviewed by care team.
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Results
Impression
1. No scintigraphic evidence of any recurrent or metastatic carcinoma at this time 2. No target or nontarget lesions by RECIST criteria. Stable sustained complete volumetric and complete metabolic response to treatment by RECIST criteria.
Narrative
EXAM: NM PET/CT TUMOR IMG SKULL BASE TO MID THIGH-SUBSEQUENT HISTORY: Personal history of malignant neoplasm of cervix uteri. Encounter for antineoplastic chemotherapy. Difficulty in walking, not elsewhere classified. Cervical cancer, assess treatment response. Monitor for progression. The patient reports being status post interval chemotherapy, most recently in December of 2023. COMPARISON: Most recent CT: N/A. Most recent PET/CT: 01/10/2024. TECHNIQUE: Following IV injection of 18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) and standard uptake period, a noncontrast CT scan followed by a PET scan were acquired along the length of the body from the skull base to the mid thighs. The noncontrast CT was used for anatomic localization and photon attenuation correction of the PET scan. FDG DOSE: 11.8 mCi, intravenously. ORAL CONTRAST: Isovue-300, 30 mL, p.o. BLOOD SUGAR: 92 mg/dL. UPTAKE TIME: 45 minutes. IMAGE QUALITY: Satisfactory. FINDINGS: BASELINE METABOLIC ACTIVITY Average mediastinal blood pool SUV (at aortic arch): 2.2 (SUV max: 2.4). Average hepatocellular SUV (right posterior hepatic lobe): 2.6 (SUV max: 3.😎. Standardized Uptake Value (SUV): Normalized to patient's body weight in kilograms. SKULL BASE/NECK: Normal and/or physiologic FDG activity in all soft tissue regions. Unenhanced CT images: No acute or new significant abnormalities. CHEST: Normal and/or physiologic FDG activity in all soft tissue regions. Unenhanced CT images: No acute or new significant abnormalities. A left internal jugular chest port, with its catheter tip in the superior aspect of the right atrium. ABDOMEN/PELVIS: Normal and/or physiologic FDG activity involving all soft tissue regions, including some physiologic gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary tract FDG activity. Unenhanced CT images: No acute or new significant abnormalities. An adequately positioned percutaneous nephrostomy tube of the left kidney. MUSCULOSKELETAL: Normal and/or physiologic FDG activity involving all skeletal regions. Unenhanced CT images: No acute or new significant abnormalities.

. Let me tell you about my story
2021 I had bleeding even though I was in menopause for many many years. I got a gynecologist they did testing ultrasound scraping came back, cervical cancer. Got into oncologist we did pet scans came back 3B cervical cancer along with thyroid cancer that was not related to my cervical. Got in radiation doctor. We did 35 radiation treatments and seven weeks of chemo after that I went to Pittsburgh hospital to do Breaky therapy on my cervix five days in the hospital up there. When that was finished, I felt great. I walked out on my own. Did another pet scan. Then a small spot on my stomach that was removed were done per my oncologist. It was metastatic reoccurrence of the cervical cancer went to Williamsport Hospital. That was removed very harsh chemo for six months, carboplatin, Avastin ,taxol, k-Trudy
Every three weeks eight hour days very sick from it lost all my hair down for five days at a time. Back for scan this time I lit up left breast lung and above my liver doctor would not do biopsies took my urologist to order a biopsy of the breast turned out I had cellulitis in the breast two breast. Doctors were convinced the reason the lungs and deliver deliver lit up, was due to the cellulitis in the breast oncologist doctor still decided to do tivdak this was every three weeks about two hours long ice pack on my eyes three special eyedrop’s not one time did I have a problem with my eyes even though they had to be every three weeks before chemo this chemo was very easy so I thought I did nine treatments complete on the seventh treatment, I started feeling weak in my muscles, falling and lots of neuropathy in my hands and my feet the eighth and ninth treatment did me in falling at least three or four times a week ended up with a Kane to a walker to physical therapy for three months plus,
Could not work 100% off-balance one from 235 pounds to 175 , doctor put me on gabapentin off-balance got worse, switched me to dulixtion within 2 to 3 weeks. Most of the off-balance went away at that time. I was still doing physical therapy. Neuropathy went away in my hands. It is not as bad in my legs, but still in my feet. I only use a cane when I go outside, appetite is still small. a scan on my seventh treatment nothing lit up everything was gone did eighth and ninth treatment got worse refused number 10. Last treatment was December 2023 went for another scan that scan came clean. at this point in time dr wanted to continue the dosage, but a lower dosage I refused and said no. I needed to work on my walking ability. Next scan is April 16. Fingers crossed along with everything else that this also comes clear so now my question arise did I have reoccurrence cervical cancer? in the breast, the lung in the liver or was it from the cellulitis and it drained into my lymph nodes one would know doctor would not do biopsies on my lung or my liver area, so do
Tivdak do it and take it all away we’re nothing lit up or was it not reoccurrence?
I am now back to work still walking slow having a few problems with steps in physical therapy, but doing my stuff at home in the morning and before I go to bed to continue to strengthen my muscles than that ladies the tivdak was not that bad to me. I could not walk anymore. Good luck to anyone out there that is on this chemo.
With the radiation, I did have to get a stent put in my ureter because it had closed the tubing multiple uti in sepsis in the hospital twice 11 days times two in and out all the time so they decided to put a tube in my back that goes straight into my kidney. I have a small urine bag very self cautious and didn’t like it , it’s not that bad. No one knows unless I tell them, I get that exchanged every 8 weeks. I live with that for the rest of my life, but I’m still here. I have lots of family and grandbabies that I need to be around and they need me , if you’re on this chemo and you’re neuropathy is starting to get really bad your legs are weak. Your muscles are sore. Trouble walking along with falling all the time please report to your oncologist ASAP. Let them know everything even if you think it’s the smallest thing. ❤️❤️
Now with the thyroid cancer that was removed the whole thyroid I had like 20 staples a drain tube out of my neck. All that is taken care of. I am on thyroid medication for that usually with thyroid cancer they just removed the thyroid just no treatment for it I had that surgery done Harrisburg hospital I was in for about four days for that one so it’s been one wild ride after another bump after bump. You’ve got to have a positive attitude to get through this and lots of love from your family and friends.

Update .. still getting chemo every three weeks , just had a treatment Friday the 11th 4th one of the new chemo , scan tonight at 8pm ( yes 8pm I know like wth ) so fingers crossed I will update when the report comes back

Another day with chemo

Update on Linda Smith…

Day 6 of being in the hospital with no discharge date set…

Started as a typical complication of her ureter stent causing an infection, but only this time, it wasn’t an infection. The kidney is getting tired and slowly shutting down and dying. This time when the stent was replaced, the hydronephrosis got worse and worse. She was given some options; which in turn turned to a family call.

In order to continue chemo, rather it be for her cervical stuff or whatever is going on in her chest, she has to have two functioning kidneys. Seemed her options were to either stop treatments & remove the kidney…BUT that wasn’t an option for her or for her kids…so she was down to one option…nephrostomy…drain out of her back from her kidney into a urine bag…

That procedure was done today & successful. Down side to this…they pulled a “strawberry milk” like fluid out of the kidney and sent it to the lab…right now, her bag is bloody. A nurse confirmed that it would have to be clear before she came home.

It is NOT what she wanted…she had repeated this in the past…BUT it allows her to continue her treatment & be here with her kids and grandkids as long as possible.

Please keep her in your prayers as she isn’t out of the woods just yet, but working her way there. 🙏🏼❤️

As always, 💕

Keep my Linda in your prayers tonight! She’s being admitted to Carlisle for another infection possibly related to her stent. 🥺

Well my friends tomorrow is the big day third try with a diff chemo this one is Tivdak I sure do hope it works for me
Fingers crossed it’s not to harsh on me
They say lose of hair , just when mine was coming back 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️😢❤️
**kcancerlindastrong

Good evening my friends
Update on some things got the pet scan done saw the dr and there is activity in my lungs and something on my left breast, so mammogram and ultrasound in the morning same day as my chemo, so we’re going to do tivdak chemo every three weeks starting June 2 be every third Friday prior to this I have to get my eyes checked and then every time before each treatment same symptoms as the harsh chemo I had with tiredness, fatigue, bone pain, sick, diarrhea, hair loss not that I have any to lose along with more bloody noses and irritated eyes, redness, itchy, and a small percent of women have lost  her vision. So I will be on three different eyedrops and while having the treatments, I will be applying ice packs to my eyes for the whole treatment. Course blood work prior to the treatment this chemo came out in 2021 for women with cervical reoccurrence metastatic cancer. It’s to kill the tumor shrink it or stabilize It fingers crossed this works.
Heads up if you ever wonder why you have eyelashes, don’t take it for granted I’ve lost my eyelashes and eyebrows, and I can feel every speck of dust going into my eyes and it irritates them so your eyelashes serve a purpose. Have a great day everyone thanks for everything all your thoughts and prayers.
# f**kcancerlinda strong

Hello my friends quick up date

Britt and jerika daughter and daughter in law went with today course I was crying all I want is to live 10 more years to watch my little kasie graduate her and I are so close. They are going to start me on tivdak the response to this is if you didn’t have response with regular chemo this should either kill anything that lit up or stabilize them to where they can’t grow. Keeping my fingers crossed this works. Please pray for me. Love you all.

I hope you all had a great Mother’s Day …
Tomorrow is Dr. Day with cancer Dr. I’m hoping he got a plan in place , little nervous on what he’s going to say, even though I know the results. But I will keep pushing and fighting I need to stay around for at least 10 years yet. Plus some !! 💪❤️
**kcancerlindastrong

Hello my friends I hope it’s a good Friday for us. Scan was done yesterday. Needless to say there is activity in my lungs. I see my cancer doctor on Tuesday hoping he has a plan. Already made up for when I get there and not just go over the results. I’ve got lots of questions for him. Good vibes head up positive thoughts is what I keep telling myself.💪😢
**kcancer Linda strong

Good AM, keep me in your thoughts today as I have a PET scan today fingers crossed and prayers said that NOTHING lights up in my chest or any place else !! Then chemo dr on Tuesday to go over results ❤️💪
**kcancer Linda strong

Hello friends . Chemo was on Friday this was my Friday ewww slept all most all day Monday and today how can one person just sleep still very off balance as of now heading to bed again I guess we will see what the AM brings , from tired , bone pain , sleepy , dizzy , off balance , and sob wth else could go wrong 😢💪😢😢

hello my friends the update is a little behind , got some news but our fingers are crossed. My short of breath has been really bad this time , I had a dr appt Tuesday they sent me for a stat ct scan , got that and no PE great news but … they found some nodules in my lung , so dr said to do the 6th harsh treatment and a pet scan three weeks the , pet scan is may 11th fingers crossed that they are not active , then meeting with dr to see what the next step will be, who knows I just know I’m going to try and keep fighting , I got grandkids to meet and other ones to see graduation coming 🤦‍♀️💪😢❤️😢
**k cancer Linda strong

Good AM , just another Monday after chemo on Friday , bloody nose, bone pain , week , headache , little upset belly this time, head is foggy. Off work hope it don’t last long , thanks for all your thoughts
**kcancerlindastrong

Here it is Friday the 31st of March chemo day😢 hate this now 5 -6 days sick pre meds started chemo hanging , legs are going a like a rave horse Mile a min.
So Ativan to help slow them down.

Hello my friends .. so after 5 days in the hospital and to the OR 3 times within them 5 days I’m feeling better , I got to give a big shout out to Carlisle hospital they treated me great and gave me great care everyone was so nice !!! And heads up if you ever need a urologist go see Dr Dussinger !! He is the best just love him for all he does for me. This week was a good week just in time for chemo #5 , I get a little down the week of chemo cause I know what’s to come. But I got to take the bad with the good.
Thanks for all your thoughts and prays.
**kcancerlindastrong

Hello friends … still here at CRMC , another bump in the rd soon to head back to the OR some complications have sit in. Hopefully this will be a good fix and I can get back home in the next few days.
**kcancerlindastrong

Good morning still in the hospital now getting 2 units of blood feeling a little better took the catheter out last evening. Still on antibiotics IV fluids , first unite of blood Just hung , vital signs every 15 minutes , hanging tight my friends. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.
**kcancerlindastrong

Update , looks like I’m going to be hear little longer ct scan showed clots in bladder which started yesterday so catheter was placed with a flush running 24 hours a day anabiotic still running other fluids still running until the urine is clear clots are gone and I can go to the bathroom by myself without pain or blood. I will remain here. things are trying to improve at least no pain at this time, thanks for all your thoughts and prayers just another bump in the road to get over
**kcancerlindastrong

Update ::: still in the hospital today did a time study on my kidneys for draining wise test shows right kidney draining good left side is very delayed so tells them the stent is blocked , heading back to the OR here tonight to get the stent exchanged again errrrr and blood cultures are growing bacteria final results for them or not in yet, but hopefully the antibiotics are giving me through IV is the right ones I need
**kcancerlindastrong

Good morning still here in the hospital waiting on blood culture results CT scan today to determine if that will be removed and replaced for bags of antibiotics so far along with fluids pain is better, as long as it stays that way tells me the Antibiotics is working waiting to hear from the doctor. My accounts are even lower than they were when I came in on Sunday hoping my cancer doctor calls after he sees the report. Thanks for all your stuff prayers.
**kcancerlindastrong

NOT what I wanted😢😢

Hello my friends .. it’s Monday after chemo I didn’t make it to work , tired , run down , bone pain bloody nose, and this round I got a rash and some sores on my head , my head feels like it’s in a cloud , slept most of the Am. Setting and trying to push through this is so hard for me I’m use to be up and moving this is a real knock down for me. Trying to push ahead
❤️😢💪
**kcancerlindastrong

Good evening friends , here we go chemo was Friday daughter picked me up was very off balance , Saturday was ok slow but pushed through work for 4 hours ( even had my co worker call to check on me ❤️) today sunday yep tired , bone pain very slow head feels like I’m
In a cloud slept most of the day away.
❤️😢🖕🏻
**kcancerlindastrong

Hello my friends , here we go treatment #4 out of 12 pre meds hung chemo soon , long day they are going to slow down the taxol today due to last time I had a reaction. ❤️💪😢💪😢 baby ass bald
**kcancerlindastrong total of 5 bags hanging

Hello :: Dr apt went good today some sores on my head and in my mouth along with nose bleeds per dr this is all from the taxol but over all not to bad. As of now chemo is a go for Friday, blood work tomorrow AM, he did say it will be a longer day tomorrow due to he is slowing the taxol drip down so looking like 8/9 hour treatment and back on my pre med steroids. Scan after my 6th treatment , This will be 4 out of 12 treatments , counting them down.
**kcancerlindastrong

Getting ready for the stent exchanged

Hello friends, today is a pretty good day tomorrow need to be at the hospital at 830 for stent exchange at 1030 then next week Tuesday chemo Dr visit , wed blood work and then Friday chemo , treatment will be a longer one this time due to last treatment didn’t go as well as they wanted they are going to slow down the taxol from a two drip to a 3 1/2 hour drip and up my Benadryl with Ativan, due to the Benadryl, gives me restless legs. Thanks for all your support
# f**kcancer lindastrong