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Vital Info

Name:
Kathysman (kathysman)

Member Since:
January 7, 2012

Instant messaging:
facebook: Blair Reinhardt

Location:
Jacksonville, 32218

Birthday:
November 14, 1960

Profile:
Loved One is a Cancer Survivor

Cancer Info

Name:
Kathy

Relation:
Wife

Type of Cancer:
Breast Cancer

Diagnosis Date:
April 10, 2011

Stage of Cancer:
Stage 4

Tumor Size:
07

ER:
Negative

PR:
Negative

Her2 Status:
No

Lymph Node Involvement:
No

Surgery:
Mastectomy

Radiation:
Radiation Therapy

Chemotherapy:
Cisplatin (Platinol, Platinol-AQ), Taxol (Paclitaxel)

What I Hate Most About Cancer:
Everything!

What I Have Learned From Cancer:
Question anything strange in your body

Things My Supporters Can Do To Help:
Pray, Pray, Pray!

Metastasized? Where?:
In the spine and skull. Bones, liver, lungs, both femurs, soft tissue and now the right breast

Cancer Center:
The Mayo Clinic

Tips for others on how to deal with the physical side effects of chemo/cancer:
Do everything your doctor tells you to do.

Tips for others on how to deal with the mental struggles of chemo/cancer:
Just keep thinking about the cancer being stopped

End of Treatment Date:
August 14, 2011

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects:

Radical Mastectomy of the left beast, 11/14/2011, 24 nodes removed, all showed no sign of cancer.

Radiation or Proton Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

Radiation was the hardest for Kathy a lot of little pains and soreness.

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

3 (months not sure of all the drug names. A/C and taxol i think. Round two,Cisplatin.

Hormone Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

We wish, Kathy is triple negative.

Clinical Trials:

Tissue donated for research.
Limphodiama study

Stats

Posts: 25

Photos: 1

Events: 4

My Supporters: 73

I Support: 108

Comments: 316

Blair's Cancer Blog

Update

Hello everyone, I hope all of you are doing as well as you’d like. I thought I’d give an update on my Lady.
It’s been 3 week since Kathy had the scan. Her Onc wanted to start the chemo again asap. The Bone Dr said her Femurs good enough that she didn’t feel the need to put in the rods, so chemo started the following Monday. Kathy missed 2 week because of the scan but is back on the 2 on 1 off routine. Her reactions are about the same, tired all the time for 3 days then a little better.
We thought her pain level was good enough to stop the morphine so 2 weeks ago she stopped completely. She backed of for 2 weeks then stopped. It had been a long time and the withdrawal was REAL bad. Sick as a dog for 4 days.Cold sweats, Constipation, Diarrhea, shaking, couldn’t sleep. That all started to ease off then the pain came back. Her arm and chest hurt very bad and were a little swollen. We saw her surgeon to check for lypmodiamia(sp). She said she didn’t see any. To her it look like a pulled muscle. She had no idea about the pain in Kathy’s leg. We see the Onc Monday before chemo so I guess we’ll look a little deeper.
The Pain in her leg is the same as it was in December so we’re pretty scared right now. Could this bastard be back this fast? Can it grow WHILE Kathy’s betting the chemo? She didn’t walk for 3 months, could the pain be from not being used? Can anyone think of anything that sucks more then cancer?

I’ve been here reading everyone’s posts but I’m just to worn out to do a lot of commenting, sorry. I really do wish the very best for all of you.

Posted on April 28, 2012 at 9:34:34 AM by Kathysman (Update, 13 comments, 599 views)

Deborah threw a punch at your cancer.

4 people sent you a prayer.

Karen, Kathyo sent you a hug.

OH Blair, I am hoping with all I have that the pain is just from not being used…am sorry to read about her withdrawal pains…maybe she will just have to return to the morphine and not worry about that; anything to make her more comfortable. XOXOXO

Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:03:04 AM by Private User

That kinda what I think, thanks Helen.

Posted on April 28, 2012 at 12:00:10 PM by Kathysman

I’m with Marshall, sounds like not using it has caused muscle atrophy. Morphine at least will help with sleeping and withdrawal is too awful. Love to you both.
xoxo

Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:11:38 AM by Debbie

Blair, I can’t think of anything that sucks more than cancer. I’m sorry Kathy is experiencing all these problems with withdrawal. Let’s just hope that muscle atrophy is what’s causing her leg pain. I wish you both all the best and thanks for updating us. Hugs—
Martha

Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:22:25 AM by Private User

I am glad you posted. I was just thinking about you and Kathy and wondering how you both were doing. I am keeping you both in my prayers. Thanks for posting. Huge Hugs!
Linda

Posted on April 28, 2012 at 12:02:43 PM by Linda

much love to you both – thinking of you xx

Posted on April 29, 2012 at 12:58:28 AM by Private User

Blair,
You have your hands full caring for your wonderful wife. Thank you for the update. I’m sorry the withdrawal was so difficult. Sheesh.If the pain becomes intolerable, though, Kathy should do what needs to be done. There is no extra credit for suffering, for either of you. I so hope the leg pain is simple. Love and hugs to you both.
Andrea

Posted on April 29, 2012 at 8:44:56 AM by Andrea

So sorry to hear that things have gotten so hard for you and Kathy, Blair. I would second what others have said here…she should take whatever meds she needs to get through this in less pain. Pain steals away whatever quality of life we might otherwise have, and also impedes healing, so I think treating the pain is as important an issue as treating the cancer itself. Let us know how Monday goes. Hug to you both-Ann

Posted on April 29, 2012 at 11:08:45 AM by Ann

Johnny still takes a small amount of liquid Morphine for pain, even though he got a clean PET and good check-ups since. Cancer sucks, and it still hurts even after it’s gone. Guess it’s baby steps for that road back. God bless you both.

Posted on April 30, 2012 at 5:18:51 AM by John's Wife

Sorry about the pain and the withdrawls..they can be brutal..pain and pain tracks are complicated..hopefully it is just that she hasn’t used her legs in a while..plus..if cancer was there..maybe it takes a while for these things go heal..especially if she starts to put weight on it again..don’t know..I hope it gets better and it isn’t anything more than that..that little devil starts to talk to us again everytime we get scared..just smack him down until you know differently..hope things get better..thinking of you both and sending hugs and prayers for relief..Eileen

Posted on April 30, 2012 at 5:41:59 AM by Eileen

I would like to echo everyone’s comments here, Blair. I hope Kathy’s great team can help her put that bear back in its place.

Posted on April 30, 2012 at 12:19:15 PM by 1 Very Palpable Hit

Glad for the update. I agree with Helen. Big HUGS to you both (and the whole family).
You are quite a guy (and, of course, Kathy is quite a gal.) Hang in there.

Posted on May 1, 2012 at 8:09:06 PM by Carol

Hey there, thanks for the update, i log on here and there and you posted.
Sorry for the current pain she is feeling.
HOw did it go at the Dr Appt? I hope it turned out to be something simple.
THINKING OF YOU AND KATHY! Take Care of your wife and YOURSELF.

Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:00:29 AM by Lilsis

How are you doing? I hope things are starting to settle down. I hope nothing can replace your sister but I hope you are finding way to cope. The Dr says the pain is from stopping the morphine, so we started it again. I guess this is the way it’s going to be. Post when every you feel a need to vent about something. I’ve learned that once your part of the family here, your always part of the family. Stop by and say hello often.

Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:10:41 AM by Kathysman

Though I’m way behind in everyone’s blogs, I’ve been wondering how you and Kathy have been doing.
Damn, there isn’t much that’s worse than cancer.
I am always amazed at your posts, showing how Kathy and you are kicking cancer’s butt every day. And I love the gems that you leave on the blogs, always from the heart.
I hope the pain has left now that Kathy is getting morphine again.
Hugs, Nicole

Posted on May 12, 2012 at 12:57:07 AM by Nicole (Lady Of The Larynx)

PET/CT scans

I’ve been posting here for a little over 4 months. These have been dark times. I lost my job just before Christmas and then at New Years Kathys cancer started again and was out of control. That’ when I came here and started writing. I have never been so stressed, everything was going wrong. No job and my darling wife was stage 4 and going fast. I leaned on you all and my family to help me stay strong for Kathy. This is what I posted yesterday,

Jan 5th this year Kathy’s Onc told us that she had 18 months to live give or take a few. She had 7 tumors in her liver 3 in her lungs. Huge masses in both femurs, her skull, spine and other random soft tissue tumors. There were everywhere. The PET/CT lite up like a Christmas tree. Today Kathy was scanned again at 10am, we meet with her Dr. at 1:30. I knew there was progress but I NEVER in my wildest dreams thought that we’de get this news. Kathy’s Med Onc is the head of the dept for The Mayo Clinic here, he’s seen everything EXCEPT Kathy. After looking at the film several times, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! He was stunned. Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers. I’m so happy I can’t believe it!

We do understand That the cancer will, at some point come back. Kathy will still be going in for Chemo weekly for the rest of her life. She will be run down for the chemo BUT she will be cancer free! and that good enough for me! We will enjoy every second as long as we are together. We will be happy.

I would have posted this earlier BUT I started a new job today. This has been a very long week. I really don’t know what I would have done with out the support and love I have received here. You are the reason I didn’t give up, you are what kept me strong enough to take care of Kathy.

I will keep posting here and I will try to respond to everyone else. I wish I could hug each of you. I will do what I can to help all my friends.

Thank you for being here.I hope and pray that everyone does great in their fight. I can’t find the words to say what I really want to say, I hope you understand.

Blair, The proud husband of a great, strong, beautiful woman!

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 4:43:44 PM by Kathysman (PET/CT scans, 37 comments, 955 views)

8 people like this.

Danean sent you a prayer.

4 people sent you a hug.

Wow-a new job and great for results for Kathy all in one week! You must have some good karma built up, Blair. I’m glad you posted here, as I think good news like this will be much appreciated! Hugs-Ann

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 4:46:36 PM by Ann

If good things happen in 3s I would run out and get a lotto ticket.
This is such great news. I hope you two have a great Easter Weekend

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 5:04:48 PM by Dan

Happy NED day. I will pray for Kathy and you for many more. It is nice to hear good news it gives us all strength.
Bill

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 5:05:35 PM by Private User

NED when all seemed lost, and a new job, all in one week. Beyond awesome, Blair. I will have to stack superlatives here,because you and Kathy so deserve good things in life: fantastic, wonderful, incredible, amazing, etc etc.
Hugs for you both.
Andrea

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 5:20:44 PM by Andrea

This is such great news! I would do a backflip for both of you, if only I could! I am so happy for you two—for the blessings of clear scans and new jobs. Someone is definitely watching over both of you. Prayers answered, plain and simple. Bask in the light of this wonderful news!

Hugs to you both—
Martha

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 5:26:28 PM by Private User

Blair, I sit here crying tears of joy for you! I always tell everyone just keep the HOPE! Prayers are powerful and miracles do happen. I continue to keep you both close in heart and in my daily prayers! Peace & Hugs….Carla

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 5:40:41 PM by Private User

Since my treatment I’ve been a little more emotional but I can’t help but cry tears of joy for both of you! I mean it, tears are running down my face. Praise God for Kathy’s remission. I pray for continued improvement. So glad you have found a job. Things are certainly looking up for your family.
Thanks for sharing your encouraging news!

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 5:52:57 PM by Nanice

Pray the Lord! What wonderful news. I know that is more than you had dared hope for. I am so happy for you all. Congratulations on your job, but, more importantly, on the amazing news about your lovely wife. You have shown us here how strong your love is. Thanks for letting us know. Go out and enjoy life!

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 5:55:58 PM by Kellye

Blair and Kathy, there is nothing to say but YAAYYYYYY, and much love from way out west. I hope you won’t mind that she is dancing with NED! Keep On Dancing!

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 6:21:24 PM by Private User

PS, Blair, for today and maybe many more days, this post is what I will be grateful for. How beautiful.

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 6:23:15 PM by Private User

Wow…I literally got chills and tears when reading your great news! I’m so happy for both of you. I hope things continue to look up from here on out!

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 7:05:47 PM by Private User

How wonderful! I’m not the “praying” type, but I do believe all things happen for a reason. 1 year ago my husband was diagnosed with liver cancer and had a transplant. I thought it was the worse thing to happen – until I got diagnosed 2 weeks ago with breast cancer! I think both of these issues have brought me and my husband closer. You and Kathy are dealing with this together as a team and thats POWERFUL medicine! Hugs.

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 7:24:44 PM by Deborah

I’m so sorry about your Dx but they advances in the treatments is amazing and they get better every day. I’ll be praying for you too.

Posted on April 6, 2012 at 4:53:24 AM by Kathysman

OMG I am so happy for you both! There are miracles….I hope and pray that the miracle keeps going for all of you.

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 7:38:40 PM by Private User

You made my day. I couldn’t be happier, I needed to hear this so badly. Thanks be to God! Of all people you definitely deserved a break. Best of luck on the new job. You are one in a million, So, so happy for your family.

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 7:46:34 PM by Sharron

This is proof that miracles do happen as this IS a miracle. Reading the beginning of your post was so dire and all seemed hopeless. By the end of your post I was smiling. This is verification that prayer is powerful medicine and no one should ever, ever give up.
Happy Easter!

Linda

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 7:47:38 PM by Linda

I am just speechless if there is a god somewhere he stopped by to visit with her and then went on to the lottery winners Kathy was far luckier and I pray she stays that way for many years to come. Enjoy every minute of every day for the gift they truly are …... There are documented “miracle” stories like this for every disease known to man hopefully she will be ours to talk about God Bless and please keep us posted and most of all enjoy your time together….

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 8:11:12 PM by Mike Rada

Oh, Blair, I’m streaming tears of joy for you and Kathy! I thank God for these miraculous results! This is such fabulous news, I want to stack superlatives with Andrea – Fantastic! Awesome! Miraculous! Fabulous! Thrilling! Most of all, Inspiring! I was thinking about you two so much the last couple of days, hoping you’d post soon.

Please give Kathy a Gigantic hug for me! WOOHOO!

Love and hugs and prayers of thanksgiving!

Danean

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 8:23:13 PM by Danean

Blair,
I am so happy for you! Wow..I love good news and bfac has had a good week..maybe because it is right before Easter and other religious holidays? Maybe the Divine wants us to remember..I a, not sure because there is always bad news too..but let’s just ow our heads and just say thank ou! Love to you and your wife..she is a force to be reckoned with! Love, Lori

Posted on April 5, 2012 at 8:58:47 PM by Lori

Blair, I’m awestruck by your post.
I remember when you first came here, in a world of bleak clouds and no promise.
Team Kathy is amazing, powered by that super high octane love, all the way to the NED prize.
What a fantastic Easter gift you’ve posted Blair, hope and triumph for all of us.
Hugs, and congratulations on your new job!

Posted on April 6, 2012 at 12:20:47 AM by Nicole (Lady Of The Larynx)

Wonderful news – testament to the power of true love, prayer, community and hope – congratulations on this leap into remission for Kathy and your new employment – happy easter! much love. xx

Posted on April 6, 2012 at 2:33:06 AM by Private User

Blair, Absolutely wonderful news! Makes me tear up when I read your blog! So So So So happy for you both. What a miracle! and a testament to love and strength despite adversity. So happy for you and your new job! Things are looking up! Through your darkest moments comes this beautiful ray of light and hope! So happy to hear the news and please keep us updated and enjoy every moment! Love you!

Posted on April 6, 2012 at 3:57:47 AM by Eileen

This is wonderful news! I am so happy for you and your beautiful wife! It’s so refreshing to see miracles happen in today’s world, and delightful to see it happen to you guys. You guys continue to be in my prayers:)

Posted on April 6, 2012 at 5:44:02 AM by John's Wife

Jumpin’ Jimminy! It doesn’t get any better. Every once in a while, along comes a post that should be Required Reading for everyone with cancer, and this is one. It’s why we don’t give up or give in, why there’s always hope, and why standing strong and standing together is the best medicine we can share. Thank you for caring for Kathy and sharing this news with us! Woo-hoo! B

Posted on April 6, 2012 at 6:32:11 AM by Bill Curry

Wow, how incredibly amazing! It brought me to tears reading this and I had to share the story with my husband too! Best wishes to the both of you moving forward- you are both incredible people!

Posted on April 6, 2012 at 7:04:40 AM by Shannon

Blair, I am SOOOO happy for you and Kathy. It seems the dark times are giving way to light for many of us. Enjoy it, celebrate it, revel in it—- be in the now as much as you can. You both deserve this happiness and I hope it goes on and on and on….
Hugs to you both!

Posted on April 6, 2012 at 8:41:59 AM by MIchelle

You know how I feel, Blair. The news is truly amazing. I am especially happy that you have a new job. Nothing like it to make you feel whole. Now you have your love to hold for what will be a wonderful long life for both of you. Awesome, simply awesome…
xoxoxoxo

Posted on April 6, 2012 at 9:08:58 AM by Debbie

So happy for Kathy and you. Enjoy the moment!

Posted on April 6, 2012 at 11:01:19 AM by Paul

Hi Blair;

Wow, I just can’t believe it, what good news.

Thanks for spreading such positive news, as I was told I had 18 months to live last June..and then I here something like this!? What a miracle! I am so happy for her, and you. You are both very lucky to have each other, makes me very happy that you have been so strong for each other. There was the “Miracle Man”, (whose loves still lives for Ruth) and now we have our “Miracle Couple.” Blair and Kathy.

All my Love to both of you.

Barbara

Posted on April 6, 2012 at 12:12:35 PM by Private User

wow, this is fantastic. Love all the good news. Keep the ball rolling.

Posted on April 6, 2012 at 1:31:17 PM by Blogforacure

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I just LOVE NED….he is my favorite man! I am so happy for both you! And congrats on the new job!

Posted on April 6, 2012 at 7:54:50 PM by Private User

Awesome news about being NED! and of course the job, I hope things continue to get better for you both!
Take Care,
Jeff

Posted on April 8, 2012 at 11:37:56 AM by Jeff

I am grinning from ear-to-ear! Praise God! A clean scan for your beloved wife and a new job for you. I was just praying for Kathy, specifically yesterday or today (my short-term memory is shot). I often pray while driving to work. Anyway, I am so happy for you all. Keep us posted. We care! :)
Carol

Posted on April 8, 2012 at 6:32:12 PM by Carol

I’m so happy for the beautiful news. No cancer and a new job. You deserve a hug and your such a good person to always hang in there no matter how horrible it was.

Posted on April 9, 2012 at 11:47:12 PM by LC

HOT DAMN! THAT IS GREAT NEWS ON SO MANY LEVELS!
MANY CONGRATS TO YOU AND KATHY, CHEERS TO YOU BOTH! SIP

Posted on April 17, 2012 at 10:05:43 AM by Lilsis

Hi I miss reading your posts. How is your job going and how is Kathy: Write when you can.

Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:11:34 PM by Private User

I’m sorry,I’ll update everything this weekend.

Posted on April 27, 2012 at 5:22:56 AM by Kathysman

I too can not help but have tears of joy. I am so excited that the two of you have been blessed with the gift of time! Your joy here is every one’s joy here! Hugs and love

Posted on April 27, 2012 at 7:46:35 PM by Private User