Hi, I'm Tequila

[Deleted]

Greetings! I'm Tequila, and I was pointed to your boards by MaryAZ.

I've had asthma all my adult life, diagnosed refractory and thus got lumped into the COPD category which makes perfect sense to me. Refractory asthma essentially means that the obstruction doesn't really go away between asthma episodes.

I'm currently at an FeV1 of 40%, although I'm just getting over a bout of bronchitis, which was bad enough that it may bring that number lower.

Also, in September I was diagnosed with Stage IV esophageal cancer for which I have had chemo and radiation, and am now on Herceptin infusions every three weeks. It's inoperable, but hopefully controllable for a good, long time.

So that's my story; glad to be here and hope to be able to both learn and contribute.

Tequila in AZ
fearnotwoman.blogspot.com <-- my blog about the cancer

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Well Tequila; straight outta the gate and such an upbeat attitude considering what you're dealing with. I LOVE that

As for the recommendation from MaryAZ, may I say that she's a darn good woman and knowledgeable, with her own crosses and she's been around the block (as I'm sure you know) Anyway; if she's recommended you than we'll even throw some extra flowers in to welcome you!

You've got a double whammy between the cancer and the refractory asthma. And Stage lV no less... Sheesh.....

If you've not joined our main organization yet, I hope you'll consider it. It's open to e'one regardless of where they live. copdcanada.ca/sign_up.htm

And yes; we are certainly looking forward to your contributions and info exchange here...

My name is Jackie aka Blossom and I look forward to getting to know you better!

[susanny]

Welcome, Tequilla. I know of you from another forum and am so pleased to see you here with us. I've been following your blog every so often and am amazed at how you are so strong. God bless you! The others here will be lucky to have met you, too.

[John]

(Thats Mary 57's cat " Rosie" she likes to vist sometimes)

[chrisw]

Hi Tequila,
I am pleased to meet you here

I know where you are coming from both with the COPD and the esophageal cancer. My COPD is very severe with FEV1 about 24% pre bronchodilator and 29% post, not much bronchitis but need O2 for the emphysema side. I was diag. last June with supposedly stage 3 esophageal adenocarcinoma (although there was no visible metastases) and put on chemo and radiation - Knocked the c**P out of me, but seemed to clear up the CA - nothing on CT scan or gastroscopy at Christmas but last CT scan 3 weeks ago showed "something" and gastroscopy last week showed "thickening but "not looking like cancer" - he took biopsies and we are waiting for the results. Luckily I feel pretty good at the moment - but life does seem to involve a lot of "finger crossing"

Interesting about the Herceptin - it has only just been approved in Canada for breast cancer, and only then for certain strains that are susceptible to the drug.

What stage is your COPD and what drugs are you on for that?

Good to see you here - keep in touch

[maryaz]

WOW! Tequila, I saw your name and that you joined. I had to come in and welcome you. I had forgot that I told you about this forum. I remember now! Brain is on 'slow'.

You are very welcome here. These people are great. I just cannot keep up with them all anymore. I know quite a few. Jackie really works for COPD. She has done a lot of good in Canada, and of course, some of that trickles down. On a personal note, you don't find much better.

Jackie, I think you knew of the Cheshire Forum that used to be up. I met Tequila there the first time. BTW, I bought another liter meter the other day and got $2.00 off because of my membership. Didn't even realize it until was buying it.

Tequila, I just caught up last night on your blog. I have been having some problems and got behind again. Sorry about you going to work and pushing it too hard. Go slow.

Chris, I did tell Tequila about you. I didn't have all the particulars but I knew the diagnosis. I kept popping over to check on you and Gwen. Glad you and Tequila have met.

Tequila, Welcome to the group. I am so glad you joined.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Well Tequila; you've made a great impression andwe're looking forward to hearing more from you.

Mary; I do remember the Cheshire forum.... I use to participate. I remember some of the names but not all. Boy; that was awhile ago wasn't it?

[Deleted]

This forum has the same vibe as Cheshire, Mary; no wonder you love it so much.

Jackie, thank you for the warm welcome; it is MUCH appreciated!

John, your graphics brought a big smile, especially with Rosie the cat in there.

Hi, Chris! Yes, Mary had told me about you, and I had been meaning to jump in here, but as you can imagine, the course of chemo and rads was kinda.. not such fun.

I'm stage IV because of the size of the tumor; it takes up 60% of my lower espohagus, and it being inoperable, and I had two lymph nodes in my chest that lit up the PET.

I did have good results from both the chemo and the radiation. Onc had the pathology tested for the presence of Her2, which was positive and thus the Herceptin treatments. These just got approved for gastro-esophageal cancers in the US on 17 October 2010, so I was one lucky woman. I think I will get to see birthday number 53

And Mary, thank you again for steering me here! And for putting in the time on my blog. I know I write a lot, but it's good therapy for me... gotta keep a rein on those fears, or they will beat you up badly.

Chris, no one has said anything about staging for COPD, so I haven't a clue. I'm down as Severe, though. I take Singulair, Spiriva, Symbicort, an allergy med, lots of Nebs with Albuterol. I use O2, but only at night so far, as a bleed into my CPAP.

Thank you again to all for the gracious welcome!

[maryaz]

Nice to see you back Tequila. I want to add something here. Tequila is one of those people that you wonder how they can keep such a good outlook and attitude when things are such as they are. Just reading her blog shows it.

I do admire how she handles this. She reminds me a lot of of my niece that has been fighting a rare cancer for couple years now and with a similar frame of mind. At the hospital one time, they even asked my niece if she would talk with some of the other patients and inspire them.

My words may not be quite right but I think you get the idea. It's bad enough not being able to breath and then to fight cancer has to be tough.

Jackie, Wow, we have all been around here for a long time now. Where are the years going. Do you remember when the drug list was being put together (The various names). That does seem like a lot of years ago. Did you ever imagine that you would have been involved as you are today. Fun to look back sometimes. I sure miss a lot of people that have passed on.

Tequila, I got a little off there. Getting mushy. Tequila knows how to fix food too. There were a few people on that Cheshire Forum that I wondered what happened to them.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Well Tequila, we do have a recipe area for foods! We'd welcome your tried recipes!

And Mary; maybe ALL of us might benefit from a look back.... sort of reminiscing. When I see, look at the members here, I know from where many of them came, or tried to learn a bit about them since they joined; and you know.....

I always smile.

We all do that I think. Try to "get to know"

Also, many members have mutual friends.

Every member here has been, or is, involed with other folks, and other times, and, and.. But many of us don't talk about it too much for different reasons I guess. Some we know, some we don't. But memories can be good; they don't have to be bad.

You know; the; remember when's? or did you know, or...... I remember......

Maybe at some point we should start a post in Caring & Sharing.

(Tequila; don't mean to hijack your post so I'll leave it at that) TY for your patience.)