Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[BullDog]

Best wishes to you Katchen! Also to everyone else in this thread and others who are facing challenging health issues. I see so much strength, determination, resiliency, and grace expressed here. I admire all of you and wish you nothing but the best.

I have been extremely healthy all my life until the last several months. I have never been in the hospital, had surgery, broken a bone, or had any serious issues at all. Up until recently I hadn't been to a doctor in decades and didn't have health insurance - both of those are no longer true (thank god for the ACA). I have always known I was extremely fortunate and tried to never take my good health for granted. But don't be like Bully - you need regular checkups just like your car does.

I have been referred to go see a cancer specialist in Albuquerque at the end of the month. I've been quite sick and lost 100-150 pounds - probably closer to 150 - and I have been in a lot of pain (have meds to help with that now) and have a lot of strange symptoms. I have received good care so far and I am very impressed by the qualifications of the cancer specialist.

Best wishes to all. I will keep fighting.

[Kätzchen]

Today was real rough....my dearest, long time BFF revealed to me by text that she is moving back to our homestate to be closer to her grandkids. I was at the doctor office when i got her news and was devestated (sp?) And couldnt get control of my emtions. I was crying (sobbing) into the arms of a complete stranger and rescheduled to another week later this month.

But i just want to share back to Pynk and my long time friend in the community, Bulldog, that your comments of support help me so much, right now.

*Thank you* ♥️💜♥️💜♥️


I too have lost a ton of weight and my weightloss is related to my cancer.

I will know by late September what type of cancer i have and what types of treatment are available to me.

I will keep you all posted and thank you for the kindest of support!

~K. + big air hugs. : )

[clay]

Oh my, I am very saddened to hear this, bully!!!PLEASE, reach out here if you need to talk to a friend! Will be holding you close to my heart & in my thoughts!

You are so right....we must get checkups, maintain our bodily machines, as best we can. Am grateful to hear you got ACA.

And, it is always good when you have complete faith in your oncologist & team! This is NOT an easy journey, will be fraught with challenges along the way. It is of utmost importance to have a really great support team IRL & here! I so hope that you have that, Bully!!

Know you are always welcome at my door here!! Check your PM's. Myself & pynk are both nurses! We have both travelled the journey you are now on.

Big hugs, BD!!! Keep positive & keep fighting....I might need yer help to kick some azz one day...lol....Much love....clay

Originally Posted by BullDog

Best wishes to you Katchen! Also to everyone else in this thread and others who are facing challenging health issues. I see so much strength, determination, resiliency, and grace expressed here. I admire all of you and wish you nothing but the best.

I have been extremely healthy all my life until the last several months. I have never been in the hospital, had surgery, broken a bone, or had any serious issues at all. Up until recently I hadn't been to a doctor in decades and didn't have health insurance - both of those are no longer true (thank god for the ACA). I have always known I was extremely fortunate and tried to never take my good health for granted. But don't be like Bully - you need regular checkups just like your car does.

I have been referred to go see a cancer specialist in Albuquerque at the end of the month. I've been quite sick and lost 100-150 pounds - probably closer to 150 - and I have been in a lot of pain (have meds to help with that now) and have a lot of strange symptoms. I have received good care so far and I am very impressed by the qualifications of the cancer specialist.

Best wishes to all. I will keep fighting.

[BullDog]

Thank you so much Clay. Your support really means a lot to me, and I see you giving so much of it in this thread. You are a very kind soul. And thank you to my other friends who reached out and offered their support. It really means a lot to me.

Belated congratulations on your marriage Clay. I am so glad you have found happiness and your special lady to share your life with. I wish the two of you all the very best.

You're right Clay - I need to go conquer this so I can be at full strength to back up my friends and kick ass if necessary! Lol, I am on it.

[clay]

YVW, BD!! I truly am here for you! I will PM you my cell...if you need to reach out, dear friend!

Keeping space for you in my heart! Always.

Thank you for your kind words, Bully! That means a lot to me. I always try to treat others how I would want to be treated!!

We are each one day away from a challenge being thrown us. Esp now is when we need to be kind, supportive, & be present for those facing challenges!

Originally Posted by BullDog

Thank you so much Clay. Your support really means a lot to me, and I see you giving so much of it in this thread. You are a very kind soul. And thank you to my other friends who reached out and offered their support. It really means a lot to me.

Belated congratulations on your marriage Clay. I am so glad you have found happiness and your special lady to share your life with. I wish the two of you all the very best.

You're right Clay - I need to go conquer this so I can be at full strength to back up my friends and kick ass if necessary! Lol, I am on it.

[Canela]

Hey, Hi y’all,

I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma yesterday, actually. I’m in shock one minute, crying the next, then sucking it up and taking care of business throughout…I’ve made contact with MD Anderson in Houston. They’re dealing with the particulars…I’m grateful for that. I’m hopeful, trusting God to make a way for me and for all of you as well. I apologize for just throwing that out there all random. Thanks for the space to share.

[easygoingfemme]

Originally Posted by Canela

Hey, Hi y’all,

I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma yesterday, actually. I’m in shock one minute, crying the next, then sucking it up and taking care of business throughout…I’ve made contact with MD Anderson in Houston. They’re dealing with the particulars…I’m grateful for that. I’m hopeful, trusting God to make a way for me and for all of you as well. I apologize for just throwing that out there all random. Thanks for the space to share.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I was there myself 7 years ago. The initial diagnosis and "hurry up and wait" of putting together an action plan is relentless. I am sending you peace and positivity and "you got this". Please don't apologize for sharing and please keep us posted.

[Canela]

Originally Posted by easygoingfemme

I'm so sorry to hear this. I was there myself 7 years ago. The initial diagnosis and "hurry up and wait" of putting together an action plan is relentless. I am sending you peace and positivity and "you got this". Please don't apologize for sharing and please keep us posted.

Thank you so much. Your support and kindness mean everything to me. I appreciate you reaching out and I receive your peace and positivity, which I need so badly. Sending you hugs and celebrating your success over this horribly ugly thing. Thank you so much! 💗 🤗

[clay]

((((((((((((((((((Canela)))))))))))))))

You never have to apologize for posting here!

This hurts my heart to know you have this to deal with!!

Please know, I will send you positive energies, hold a space in my heart for you, and everyone else here, having to deal with this!

As my sweet friend, easy said, "you got this". We will be here for you & please keep us posted as you can!

Much love & support....clay

Originally Posted by Canela

Hey, Hi y’all,

I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma yesterday, actually. I’m in shock one minute, crying the next, then sucking it up and taking care of business throughout…I’ve made contact with MD Anderson in Houston. They’re dealing with the particulars…I’m grateful for that. I’m hopeful, trusting God to make a way for me and for all of you as well. I apologize for just throwing that out there all random. Thanks for the space to share.

[pynkkameleon]

I’m saddened by the recent updates here. Such a shitty club to find ourselves enrolled in. With that said though, I don’t think that you will ever find a more supportive and understanding group of people than those that have walked in similar shoes. Each journey is different yes, but the tools we all gather, the strength we gain and the trials that we go through, give each of us a unique outlook and sense of empathy that is hard to find elsewhere.
The days ahead will test you to your very core but you’ll find strength that you never knew you had. Also know though that it’s okay, and necessary, to be vulnerable too. Leaning on others for support right now is a crucial component to your health and overall well being and your health needs to be your primary focus right now. If there are days that you can’t find your strength, you can come here and someone will remind you. This space is to share both the good, the bad and the unknown. Ask questions, cry, vent, laugh or share something completely unrelated. We all understand, whether we have cancer, are waiting to hear if we have it, care for or have lost someone with it, cancer links us all together.

Thinking of you all. Here for you if you need an ear, a shoulder or a nudge to remind you of what a badass you are.

F**k cancer
Big love, Be good to you..
V

[Canela]

Originally Posted by clay

((((((((((((((((((Canela)))))))))))))))

You never have to apologize for posting here!

This hurts my heart to know you have this to deal with!!

Please know, I will send you positive energies, hold a space in my heart for you, and everyone else here, having to deal with this!

As my sweet friend, easy said, "you got this". We will be here for you & please keep us posted as you can!

Much love & support....clay

Aww Clay, thank you so much for your kindness. I’m so glad I actually posted about this and that you’re here with your effervescent spirit showering myself and everyone here with positivity and love. You’re amazing, you know that? I appreciate you holding space for me. You make me believe it’ll be easy… Thank you old friend, thank you 💗🤗

[rustedrims]

Hi to everyone...

Had my treatment yesterday at 10am. Did 2 hours in the chair. Ya know if I gotta go through this stuff I am very grateful it is with these people. They are good to me and make sure I am ok or need anything. They are all nice and caring nurses. However there is 1 nurse that I feel a little tension from. Don't know what I did or said to her for her to be like that to me. In the early times my sister or sister-in-law would go with me to my appointments. That nurse didn't stop talking to them. I tried to get in the conversation and she would talk around me or through me. My sister-in-law saw it to. She gets me checked in when I get there. I just follow her and do not talk to her. I feel the tension and I know she does also. Chatting with the nurse getting me hooked up I asked her if she got a chance if she could look up my last treatment. She looked it up and said it was October 17th 2023. Yeah couple more weeks.

Now the parking lot....
The the last 4 times I have pulled in the parking lot for my treatment I have to look for a spot to park with my choices of 2 or 3 spots. When I first started going I had the pick of parking spots. I always park in the spot farthest away from the door and get there 15 minutes early so I can sit quiet and listen to the radio a few minutes before I go in. I see people going in and coming out with bags. They are treatment people that have gotten or getting treatments. The bags have snacks drinks and puzzle books. My time is close to going in. After this song I gotta go in. Now I am 1 of those people caring a bag in the building. The longest walk of the day.It just makes me sad to see the increase of people that need help since I started going for my treatment.
Prayers for us all. We keep fighting together.

Thank you for reading and caring.

s

[Kätzchen]

Well... I just want to express my heart felt thanks to members here who have supported me all these years with friendship online and liking my posts.

You all have a very special place in my heart of hearts.

I see my physician tomorrow. She referring me out to an oncologist.

My cancer is both affecting my female organs and my bones in female organ areas. I won't know the extent of damage my cancer is causing until I get a bona fide result on another particular test... but up until a phone call reminder today, I have been taking a naturopath type medication which is produced locally at a certain pharmacy. It is a CBD/THC product which is mixed at a 1:1 ratio. I also take a strict CBD medication for the way my body hurts, constantly.

I am also cutting all my hair off, soon. I promise to look as sexy as I can during this extreme struggle for survival.

Yours truly,

~D.

PS/ lightning struck outside right now. It is rather odd to have a thunderstorm with lightning in October.


PS (again): Thanks for all the love and support. I heart you all. XOXO

[GeorgiaMa'am]

As I recently posted in another thread, the boi has lung cancer. We went to the first appointment with his pulmonologist today. The doctor showed us the x-ray; the mass is 10-15 cm in diameter, in hys right lung.

I went for moral support and also to take notes. My sister took notes for me at all my appointments when I went through cancer, and I found it extremely helpful.

We're just getting started with all the rounds of appointments and tests. They don't yet know the type of cancer or the stage. They will determine these after some more tests and then will develop a care plan. The boi is impatient; hy wants answers now, and has no idea how long and complicated a process this is going to be. I tried to give hym an idea, but I don't want to overwhelm hym.

This is all so familiar, and not in a good way. I want to be there to support hym, but it sure is bringing back some bad memories.

[clay]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaMa'am

As I recently posted in another thread, the boi has lung cancer. We went to the first appointment with his pulmonologist today. The doctor showed us the x-ray; the mass is 10-15 cm in diameter, in hys right lung.



This is all so familiar, and not in a good way. I want to be there to support hym, but it sure is bringing back some bad memories.

((((((((((((((((((((((((Georgia))))))))))))))))))

This IS a hard thing to see happening to a loved one, and yes, it DOES evoke one's own memories/experiences/diagnosis.

Just try to take it one step/day at a time. The visits initially are fast & furious, as it tantamount they get the stage then put a plan together. While we want them to "hurry up"...there are so many variables to consider for each person, as their "cancer" is unique to them. So, "specifics" are very important to create that plan. Patience is key, as you & I know. BUT I also know how scared one can be, with a whole spectrum of other emotions, going on. Hearing the C word scares the crap out of folks. I withdrew to myself for a week when I was diagnosed 12/2009 and told NO ONE.I had to ride that rollercoaster of emotions, thoughts, feelings....acceptance/denial/projection/etc etc and over again. IN NO ORDER!

I will stand with you from afar & offer gentle hugs, encouragement, support, a shoulder/ear.....just know you are NOT technically alone in this. We here will be with you. I know I will.

Allow yourself the time to absorb, digest, and come to terms with this as well. IT won't be easy, but you are NOT alone. Gentle hugs for you & the boi!!