Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[pynkkameleon]

I was too tired last night to add in my little bit of good news. My scans from last week show that the bone mets are stable, the mets near my lungs have resolved and all of the others have been reduced in size by half or more. There are a couple of teeny, tiny spots on my liver that we’re going to watch and revisit in 3 months when it’s time to run scans again. I’m tolerating the treatment well so far and that, coupled with evidence that it’s working to reduce the tumor burden, is very good news indeed. The only thing that made me grumpy at the appointment was being told that I need to lose some weight. As if I don’t already know that I have a bit of chonky going on right now. 😂 To be fair, it’s because she wants to prepare me for when the cancer becomes resistant to this first line of treatment. The second line is known to be harsher and cause diabetes, amongst other issues. So my first goal is going to be to get off of my cute, well padded derrière, walk a little bit more, eat a bit better and try to lose 20 pounds. If I can hit that goal, I’ll move on to a new one. It’s the right thing to do but knowing that I need to do something and being told that I HAVE to do something just somehow rubs me the wrong way every time. Even at 51, I apparently still have some rebellious teenager energy left in me.

I’m off the hook for appts now for the next 3 1/2 weeks. I’m looking forward to having this small break. In addition to the exercise, I also see lots of naps in my near future. This fatigue is hitting hard. Also, a big shoutout to TC for going to every appt with me, taking notes, asking questions and keeping me entertained every step of the way. I’m blessed to be loved by this amazing human being.

How’s everyone else doing? Kätzchen, how’s your tooth? Were you able to get the biopsy rescheduled? Canela, have you heard anything productive from MDAnderson? Incidentally, I’m up North in DFW and go to UTSW. Bulldog, I know that your appt is also coming up this week or next right?

Check in when you all feel up to it. Thinking of everyone here and sending tons of the good stuff out into the universe for each of you.

Big love 🖤 Be good to you

[clay]

That is indeed very good news, and much needed! Having TC is awesome and a great morale booster for you. That in itself is the BEST medicine!

I, too, just abhor anyone telling me I HAVE to do something. "chuckling"...

Glad you were able to check in & give a positive news update.

Naps are good. Rest is so essential to everything else.

Sends you & TC big hugs, my friend!

[BullDog]

Pynk, I'm so glad you got good news! Thank you so much for asking about all of us.

Yes, I see the Oncologist Specialist this Monday - the 29th. I'm glad I can finally see her. Hopefully, I will get more information on what I have and get the ball rolling on treatment. I feel I've been waiting around forever.

This week has been hard. My pain meds don't seem to be working as well as they used to. Most of the pain is in my legs. It hurts really bad. I had a big ordeal getting my meds re-filled so I'm just going to wait until Monday to see what the doctor says. I don't feel too bad today so far. I will check back after my appointment if I have any news.

I hope everyone has a good weekend and upcoming week and all my best wishes on your recovery.

[BullDog]

I had my appointment with the oncologist today. I like her and also her assistant. I feel I am in very good hands. I am having surgery on September 19 to remove a mass on my uterus, have a hysterectomy, and maybe a few other things lol. My doc said they won’t know for sure if the mass is malignant or not until it is removed and tested. But she said it is concerning and definitely needs to be removed. I agree. Never thought I would look forward to surgery but I want that mass gone. It is causing me a lot of pain.

It’s weird. September 19 was me and one of my ex’s anniversary. A very special love for me.

Thank you so much for all the support here and you have my support as well. Reach out anytime.

[clay]

Hey.......very happy to hear this news. Finally, moving toward having answers & hopefully, pain relief.

That is awesome you gelled with the surgeon and assistants. That is huge.....sends you positive energy vibes....YOU! GOT! THIS!!

Know I am in this with you, Bulley.....

Originally Posted by BullDog

I had my appointment with the oncologist today. I like her and also her assistant. I feel I am in very good hands. I am having surgery on September 19 to remove a mass on my uterus, have a hysterectomy, and maybe a few other things lol. My doc said they won’t know for sure if the mass is malignant or not until it is removed and tested. But she said it is concerning and definitely needs to be removed. I agree. Never thought I would look forward to surgery but I want that mass gone. It is causing me a lot of pain.

It’s weird. September 19 was me and one of my ex’s anniversary. A very special love for me.

Thank you so much for all the support here and you have my support as well. Reach out anytime.

[nina03]

I had thyroid cancer last year, which was successfully treated with surgery and radioactive iodine. I'm past due for my year scan, let alone my six month scan which I missed. I feel frozen about it. I'm usually so proactive about health stuff, and I've just been putting it off. My Dr has messaged me twice now to get my ass in gear. How do you overcome fear- based inertia regarding cancer care? I KNOW that I need to get on this. I know if it came back catching it early is key to effective treatment, but somehow my brain and my fear aren't communicating about this one. Thanks for any advice or thoughts you might have.

[clay]

Hi nina03......

It is always a challenge when faced with or facing a cancer diagnosis.And each person handles this in differing ways. I know I was scared to death when the dr called me to say I had both uterine AND colon cancer. The DR also told me I would have to have concurrent surgeries...a long, arduous one at best. My gynie did my total hystero first while the second team stood by to follow with my colon resection, appendectomy, & couple other things. As I prepared for that, I kept my thoughts positive (having to work hard at that) because my mind tried to instill negativity in me.

Our minds are a terrible force of energy sometimes. Perhaps you could discuss with your partner, ask for support positively, & talk to your support group??!!

I will send you positive energies that you will align mind/heart to go for your follow ups. Others will chime in here also, and offer sage advice.

Tell yourself you HAVE to do this for your own health, have "talks" with your mind that YOU are alpha & are going to face this & get them done.

All of us have had many different types of cancer here, & following up is a challenge most of us face or have faced. BUT we always have each other's back, rallying behind those affected, & just being resent for anyone who comes in here.

There are no magic answers, just kind compassion & words of encouragement. You will do this when you are ready, on your terms. I believe in you!!!

Gentle hugs, nina......am here if you need me.....clay

Originally Posted by nina03

I had thyroid cancer last year, which was successfully treated with surgery and radioactive iodine. I'm past due for my year scan, let alone my six month scan which I missed. I feel frozen about it. I'm usually so proactive about health stuff, and I've just been putting it off. My Dr has messaged me twice now to get my ass in gear. How do you overcome fear- based inertia regarding cancer care? I KNOW that I need to get on this. I know if it came back catching it early is key to effective treatment, but somehow my brain and my fear aren't communicating about this one. Thanks for any advice or thoughts you might have.

[nina03]

Originally Posted by clay

Hi nina03......

It is always a challenge when faced with or facing a cancer diagnosis.And each person handles this in differing ways. I know I was scared to death when the dr called me to say I had both uterine AND colon cancer. The DR also told me I would have to have concurrent surgeries...a long, arduous one at best. My gynie did my total hystero first while the second team stood by to follow with my colon resection, appendectomy, & couple other things. As I prepared for that, I kept my thoughts positive (having to work hard at that) because my mind tried to instill negativity in me.

Our minds are a terrible force of energy sometimes. Perhaps you could discuss with your partner, ask for support positively, & talk to your support group??!!

I will send you positive energies that you will align mind/heart to go for your follow ups. Others will chime in here also, and offer sage advice.

Tell yourself you HAVE to do this for your own health, have "talks" with your mind that YOU are alpha & are going to face this & get them done.

All of us have had many different types of cancer here, & following up is a challenge most of us face or have faced. BUT we always have each other's back, rallying behind those affected, & just being resent for anyone who comes in here.

There are no magic answers, just kind compassion & words of encouragement. You will do this when you are ready, on your terms. I believe in you!!!

Gentle hugs, nina......am here if you need me.....clay

Hi Clay,
Thank you for your endless kindness. I appreciate it so much. I never joined a support group when I was diagnosed. I didn't even tell many people about it, including most of my family. My sister and I talked about it and decided that given our parents' health challenges it would be better for them not to know, but it ended up isolating me. I didn't share it with many of my friends, either, though my partner's family knew.

I think I'm going to set goals to get this done. First, I'll do the blood work, then I'll schedule the scan. The scan takes more than a week of prep. I have to be on a low iodine diet for a week before the scan. I just need to get it done. It's better to know what's going on. Thank you again for your kind response. I'm also here and glad to be a support to anyone who needs it in this process.
Nina