Anya and D,
Glad to hear this part of the trip is over. Doc sounds nice n reasonable and willing to listen. That's so helpful.

Go do something fun. I suggest watching the sunset at the ocean, sitting in the car, talking and having some ice cold tea or lemonade. Waiting on path reports is never a fun time, so , I go into hyper mode and overdo activities, and..insomnia.
:moonstars:
Best wishes, and keep in touch.

I LOVE this. Thank you for posting it. Jeano

I was so anxious about having my squamous cell cancer removed because for the last few years, everything medically that could go wrong: has.

This time, it was no different.

By this past Friday, a week after it was removed, I knew the surgical site was infected.

I went back to the doctor Friday morning. She cultured it and started me on antibiotics.

I went back today and found out it had cultured MRSA. She changed my antibiotic.

Now, I am petrified of getting C-Dif again.

Geeesh Anya, what a journey. Cancer is taken care of, but the side effects keep on comin~

Sure hope that new antibiotic kicks butt quickly, and C.diff stays out of the mix. Best regards, and I know you are drinking lots of water, getting lots of rest and ,well. ya know.

http://img4-2.myrecipes.timeinc.net/...dle-soup-l.jpg
Tommi

Life on the line
 

I decided it was time to terminate the experiment called "Waiting". Vacation over, back home, and still no news, or phone message from my tests.

I had watched the mail, waited for the little post card long enough, the one with check boxes:

Waiting for it to read, "negative findings, normal biopsy" with the little happy face drawn on by the nurse/tech, or "Please call to make a follow-up appointment. "

It had been long enough. I picked up the line and called the cancer center, extolled to the person on the phone I had waited over 3 weeks, for something that for nine years took a week...except when there was a recurrence last year, and ...well it was over 3 weeks to find out, then had to have 3 months of treatment and radiation and ..well...I was pissed.

Wait on the line while she looks up your chart....

Then, "Oh, everything came back Okay. Sorry we didn't let you know!" We stopped mailing out the cards, and expected you to call for the results. OMFG.

SORRY, not being good enough I let her know my true feelings, as I am sure many cancer survivors have done before...hoping that this time, they will get it....a sigh of relief and , back to life and wanting

POPCORN :rrose:

^5, Tommi!!!
 

Congrats, Clay! 5 years? Wow, that's the same schedule all adults over age 50 use, isn't it?

The rubber met the road when my sponsee was going through the chemo......but with the radiation she seems to be laying the rubber down. She is wiped out and it's only day 5 of a 28 day sentence. I am wracking my brain to think of things to lift her spirits. She is taking the treatments during her lunch hour and then going back to work. She is walking 4 or 5 nights a week to keep her strength up, making plenty of meetings and eating really well. The only think I've thought of so far is to feed her juvenile sense of humor......I will post the clip I sent her today, but if anyone has anymore dignified suggestions please let me know......if you have less dignified suggestions....I'll take those too, I really want to help her stay chipper.

LWF,
Sleep is nice.
Eat lotsa Banana popsicles, fudgesicles, save the sticks , tie them up and make little rafts to float down the street in the rain

Send her Something fun in the daily mail. A crayon a day with a blank piece of paper with a scribble on it. She has to turn the scribble into a picture.

Start a story about her journey, mail it to her, have her write a paragraph or page, and send it back to you, add to it, return it, etc.

Buy her 4 pairs of Funky socks.mix em up, send a mismatched pair one day, another mismatched pair the next week, then a match to one of them, etc.
Then her treatment will be over.

Wish her the best.

Caregivers deserve so much, and take so little.
 

For over a year, I have learned to really appreciate every single day, and the steadfastness of one hella- caretaker.

I went in for my 11 month post-radiation pelvic exam-follow-up exam at 7:30 AM. I found the 405 freeway roundtrip to be the most harrowing part of my day.

And, for my dear ones day to days. I have watched Alzheimer's steal the memories of the days and nights of her beloved Mom. The last few weeks getting more and more difficult with the daily routines of getting Mom to bathe, to dress and to eat. Her Dad in and out of the hospital over the last year for CHF and other ailments. Numerous agencies of daytime caregivers who come and go.

Evenings after work, and on weekends she cooks full meals, setting down together to eat, and the chit chat of what is seen and heard. Knowing her elderly parents living with her, are safe, at home, loved, and cared for is a journey of true love and devotion. You don't know from day to day where this life journey carries you, just that we are along for the ride, and hope to have both oars in the water, steering as best we can, and enjoying the scenery

:pirate-steer: :rubberducky:

I'm so glad to hear this, Clay, Congrats!!!

This morning I called for results 12 days post tests.
 

I held my breath when the Gyneco-Oncologists nurse returned my call this afternoon.

"""Your test results from your Sept 10th tests all came back negative.""" Breathing again, I said thank you, and, see you in 6 months.

One year ago Today I was 1/2 way through radiation therapy for recurring endometrial cancer. �� which came back after a nine year absence. I had just met someone who stood by me night and day and It all okay.

2Nd time around, I feel privileged to call & not wait for that little note in the mail box. ��

I feel every day is a gift all wrapped up new and shiny.

my RickiRacer kitten Just brought me her curly pipe cleaner so I can toss it. She hockey pucks it across the hardwood floors, ricocheting and returning it for another toss. Life is good
Life is all good.

Ah, Tommi, so glad to hear, so glad to hear. Congratulations!

I delayed for a couple of weeks in calling to schedule my colonoscopy (I received a note in the mail). Finally made the call on Friday, but haven't heard back. This thread is a good reminder. I think I will call them again.

We all continue to be in this together, so I am glad when someone comes back to update. Congrats again.

Yay, Tommi!!! Thank you for the update.
My tests are coming up in December, when I will be 3 years post op cancer free!!!
As DB said, this thread is a reminder...for us all...we have come long journeys!!! And to keep those appointments! And to call..and ask! It is our privilege to know ASAP!

Yes. Keep it up..
To ALL Survivors, Caretakers, Caring Family and Friends We can all walk the walk and talk the talk together. This kind of sharing is caring.

A favorite saying from a favorite meeting.."Keep coming back, it works if you work it and it won't if you don't "...

Congrats on everything staying in the clear! :thumbsup:

Don't bring up drinking that prep, I have to do it next month! Ugh.

Hey Bro, It made my day to read your good news.

Just a lil note to say how thankful I am for this safe place and for every one of you in it.

I think that Miralex plus the original Gatorade is the ticket. The most important thing is to keep it cold. Personally, I like the original Lime for this event.

My process includes holding my nose while drinking, and after swallowing, take a drink of coffee immediately.

Everything was in the clear for me when I had my colonoscopy, by the way. Sorry I didn't follow up, guys!

Cancer, care taking and 60 years of love, One Day at a Time
 

Hello Everyone, I hope you are all well, and enjoying the wonderfullness of spring around the corner.

staying busy, and healthy and happy takes energy. L) :moonstars:

March of 2004 was my first diagnosis of endometrial cancer, followed by total radical hysterectomy, oopherectomy, and 16 lymph nodes surgery. Normal paps for 9 years, then recurrence , months of external and internal radiation therapy,MRIs , etc. Oct. 2013. Now, pap smears every 3 months to watch ***

All in all , it is a good year so far. Doc sgugested I can go to 6 months exams...after the results from last Weds come back. (Just had my follow-up exam/s those nasty pelvic examS ) going from every 3 months to every 6 months, checking for recurrence would be nice

So, on the happy side of life, it just keeps getting better.
We went to a fabulous 3 day mini vacation in a log cabin in the mountains and communed with nature, light snow, birds squirrels. and wonderful fireplace.

Looking forward. Biz trips to Montreal next week, then to Phoenix, then San Diego. Then first week in April, to Tampa and going to introduce the fiance to the bio-famiy. Then in May we are getting married. More Biz trips, then BFP Reunion, and Nov. her bucket list trip to Galapagos Islands. WE ARE GOING TO VACATION ON OLIVIA CRUISE TO THE GALAPAGOS.

She works full time in a high tech, demanding professional career...And as her parents Caregiver for over 10 years. cares for her parents from Friday night to Monday morning, has a lady with them in the day time. then comes home cooks dinner and spends the evening with the folks. .

kaijira's Mom, has slipped into the final stages of Alzheimer's, her dad , just hanging on watches TV 12 hours a day watching his wife of 60 years disappear before our eyes. They still toddle off to bed together every night after TV. Celebrated 60 years anniversary, and soon the Mom's 81st birthday/

So, I know this is just the place that I can post what's going on, and you all get it, as we do so , every now and then.

One day at a time, sober and clean for over 30 + years, I get my high from living life to it's fullest.

.

Have to get US of abdomen.......seems some blood levels are elevated! Of course, I am positive results will all be negative.....if not, I will don my gloves and make cancer my bitch should it rear its ugly head again! I got this! :praying:

Yes, what happened to her? She like dropped off the face of the earth (BFP) after you got well.

Holding good thoughts for you and awaiting your news my friend. Jeano

When are you getting this done?

Touching base
 

sliding into 3rd...base...

and Clay , what's the latest Bro?

Anyway, the Oncologist has extended my every 3 month recurrence check up ( you know the kind) to every 6 months for a year,. So, that is good news. :) then after that it goes back to Stirrups once a year. :police:

I have been sick as a pup for weeks. IN BED--* ALONE****with some kind of nasty germ that took me down,.Upper respiratory infection that was so bad I went to the doctor about it. Couldn't breathe , swallow, ribs felt like they were broken, coughed till , well, it was nasty.

Doc said, you probably caught some kind of virus while traveling ( flights to Montreal, Toronto, all over USA .MY BRAIN...screamed EBOLA...nope, just bronchial pneumonia kind of thing. and guess my immune system isn't what it used to be.

Hummingbirds chirping about their feeder, colorful landscape, , looking out the front window at my beautiful spring garden in bloom.

Wish you all well.

Hey Tommi......my US was all clear! Thanks for asking. Take care....

Checking in
 

Hey,guys.

Looks like I never updated you. In Jan 2015, I got my colonoscopy (I suppose it had been a year out since the last one), and I had a pretty big polyp. It was benign, but he was concerned how big it had gotten so fast. He said I needed to get another in six months. Sooo, guess what time it is? Yep, 6 months later. Fun. I am playing phone tag right now with scheduling

It is also time for my CAT scan so that is scheduled for the end of July.

I will keep you all updated.

I hope that everyone is healthy.

Hello to all,

I am thankful for being directed to this thread.

I have spent some time reading back learning of other peoples journeys and the support you offer each other.

I was very very happy to hear so many of you coming out the other side and living full, happy and healthy lives.

I will share a little of my own story later.

Wishing you all gentle days.

Daisy :bouquet:

:bunchflowers: Welcome Ms. daisy! Glad you came in to post! Everyone here has made journeys! The folks here are so warm & kind! You will receive a very warm welcome! Feel free to post as little or as much as you want! We are great listeners and give wonderful hugs! I am thankful to be meeting you...and offer a hand of friendship....any time! Sending you gentlest of hugs....take care beautiful friend! I am so happy you are here! Clay....:goodluck: next week!

Hello all, I wish each and everyone of you a healthy happy journey.

Cancer has to get dropped into the ocean bottom. I am too busy.
 

Wheeeee:pirate-steer: Life goes on.

We got married May 2, 2015. . No time for cancer. Time for each other, time to travel, time for her folks who are in the sunset of their lives. Time to blend 2 pet families, and households of furniture. What a wonderful woman, what an amazing two years since we met.

No time for thinking about that recurrence the month we met. Enjoying the sexiest apron clad cook that feeds me healthy stuff, and waits on me hand and foot, without even realizing how wonderful she is. I want for nothing but time, lots more time. :firetruck::fireman::fireman::fireman::fireman: