Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[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

[clay]

You are so very welcome! I am really impressed seeing your....one step at a time....one day at a time....plan of action. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! You have the heft & weight of me behind you, encouraging you all the way. The other amazing warriors here will be here, too. That is the beauty of this inclusive group of warriors.

YOU are a warrior, my friend. I totally understand your keeping it to yourself, and for being protective of your parents. You have this "support group" right here. Feel free to post, vent, feel all the very raw emotions that wax & wane as you go through cancer diagnoses, treatments, & follow ups!! We understand, we "get" you!! We "GOT" you!!

Some of us in here are nurses, and even we have fears when facing the C dx. It can be so overwhelming at times.

I believe in YOU, my sweet friend! I believe YOU can take it one minute, one hour, one day, one step at a time!!

Am always here, Nina!! Gentle hugs & take care of you!!! clay

Originally Posted by nina03

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

[clay]

I have had so many squamous cell cancerous spots removed from left forearm in a year....12 to be exact, with another one coming up next week. I JUST had one removed from right hand 4 weeks ago, and have had 14 or so off my face, and a fresh biopsy Monday this week.
Now with having said that, I happened to research mult SCC's....my % of having these metastisize is almost 30% now. I DO NOT like those #'s.

My wife just ordered me 3 new UV shirts with sleeves & 3 pair of baggy below knee shorts. I just can NOT wear sunscreen...it is messy, makes greasy spots on my clothes, I accidentally rub it in my eyes....so, long sleeves & my UV hat now.

Saw my pulmo today for 6 months FU....will be getting new scan of chest to see status of my 4 lung nodules. Started with 2 a year ago, then March 2022 grew to 4 & doubled in size. Scan is 09/19/22. Oh, a happy note, my pulmo looked at me today, she said, Donna, you look like you are 40 yrs old. You DO NOT LOOK your true age. She said you are relatively healthy, but you are so positive, always smiling, & enjoying your life! You LIVE life, she knows we go camping almost every month year round, and I always show her pictures, or tell her about new vegan recipes I have made. We are like best friends. We always hug & I tell all my Dr.'s I love them every time I see them. I have an incredible bevy of them!!!

I see my oncologist Oct unless these scans show anything differently.

I am going to be seeing a pain management specialist, to try & get my fibro, polyarthritis quieted down some.

My whole left side is a ball of spasms....

Going into this positively, will face whatever outcome is, head on! I have amazing support team, including all of you in this group. My wife is so amazing!

I am looking ahead to great outcomes with pain management & my scan results!!

Gentle hugs to all of you...I <3 you all! clay

[nina03]

Originally Posted by clay

I have had so many squamous cell cancerous spots removed from left forearm in a year....12 to be exact, with another one coming up next week. I JUST had one removed from right hand 4 weeks ago, and have had 14 or so off my face, and a fresh biopsy Monday this week.
Now with having said that, I happened to research mult SCC's....my % of having these metastisize is almost 30% now. I DO NOT like those #'s.

My wife just ordered me 3 new UV shirts with sleeves & 3 pair of baggy below knee shorts. I just can NOT wear sunscreen...it is messy, makes greasy spots on my clothes, I accidentally rub it in my eyes....so, long sleeves & my UV hat now.

Saw my pulmo today for 6 months FU....will be getting new scan of chest to see status of my 4 lung nodules. Started with 2 a year ago, then March 2022 grew to 4 & doubled in size. Scan is 09/19/22. Oh, a happy note, my pulmo looked at me today, she said, Donna, you look like you are 40 yrs old. You DO NOT LOOK your true age. She said you are relatively healthy, but you are so positive, always smiling, & enjoying your life! You LIVE life, she knows we go camping almost every month year round, and I always show her pictures, or tell her about new vegan recipes I have made. We are like best friends. We always hug & I tell all my Dr.'s I love them every time I see them. I have an incredible bevy of them!!!

I see my oncologist Oct unless these scans show anything differently.

I am going to be seeing a pain management specialist, to try & get my fibro, polyarthritis quieted down some.

My whole left side is a ball of spasms....

Going into this positively, will face whatever outcome is, head on! I have amazing support team, including all of you in this group. My wife is so amazing!

I am looking ahead to great outcomes with pain management & my scan results!!

Gentle hugs to all of you...I <3 you all! clay

Hi Clay,
Thanks for sharing what is going on with you. I hope that the new scans have good news. I was wondering if you have ever looked at powder sunscreen? I can send you links if you're interested. I love your positive attitude towards the things you're dealing with. It isn't just helping you, it's helping me, so thank you.

Since I last posted, I got the ball rolling for my needed tests. I have an appointment tomorrow for the blood work I need to do before my scan, and I also scheduled an ekg at the same time. I'm starting a new arthritis medication that can cause heart issues so they want me to get the EKG before starting then again two weeks after I start to make sure it's ok. I've been sitting on that for two months. After I get this stuff done, I can schedule the scan.

Thanks for the support and encouragement.
Nina

[clay]

Hey Nina:

You are so very welcome.

And thank YOU for your kind words & support. It helps to have others' share with us.

I would love to have the link, pls. Does it have "talc" in it? If so, then no......

Last night I had severe bone pain in upper arms & wrists...so much so I was crying with it. Finally caved & took a pain med. I am scheduling with a pain management clinic!!!

It is a gorgeous day, starting a holiday weekend. Artemis 1 is set to lift off Saturday at 217pm , eastern time!

I am keeping an eye on the tropics also....we have Danielle slated to become a TS or worse....

Leaving everyone a hug.

Keep up the positive steps, Nina. I love it!!!

Originally Posted by nina03

Hi Clay,
Thanks for sharing what is going on with you. I hope that the new scans have good news. I was wondering if you have ever looked at powder sunscreen? I can send you links if you're interested. I love your positive attitude towards the things you're dealing with. It isn't just helping you, it's helping me, so thank you.

Since I last posted, I got the ball rolling for my needed tests. I have an appointment tomorrow for the blood work I need to do before my scan, and I also scheduled an ekg at the same time. I'm starting a new arthritis medication that can cause heart issues so they want me to get the EKG before starting then again two weeks after I start to make sure it's ok. I've been sitting on that for two months. After I get this stuff done, I can schedule the scan.

Thanks for the support and encouragement.
Nina

[nina03]

Clay, I'm sending you a message with that link! Wasn't sure if we are allowed to post links to products in the threads.