Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[deb_U_taunt]

My update:

Half way through radiation, so have 3 weeks left. I am feeling good. I am getting some energy back. Been swimming and walking the dog, again. My feet still hurt, but seem to be getting better. Adjusting to living alone. Surgeon and Onocologist submitted to my insurance to approve a double mastectomy. This has been a hard one for me to accept. I am hoping insurance approves a reconstruction, too.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Debby

My update:

Half way through radiation, so have 3 weeks left. I am feeling good. I am getting some energy back. Been swimming and walking the dog, again. My feet still hurt, but seem to be getting better. Adjusting to living alone. Surgeon and Onocologist submitted to my insurance to approve a double mastectomy. This has been a hard one for me to accept. I am hoping insurance approves a reconstruction, too.

Hi, Debby. I am an asshole. I just realized I never responded to this post after asking for information! Instead I jumped on the whole dairy thing!

I am glad to hear that things are going so well. I was worried that the reason that we hadn't heard anything from you was b/c you were very worn out. That is great to hear that you have been swimming and walking the dog!

Glad the feet are getting better, too!

I did not realize that you have to get a double mastectomy. I'm sorry.

I would think that mastectomy approval means automatic reconstruction approval?

[deb_U_taunt]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Hi, Debby. I am an asshole. I just realized I never responded to this post after asking for information! Instead I jumped on the whole dairy thing!

I am glad to hear that things are going so well. I was worried that the reason that we hadn't heard anything from you was b/c you were very worn out. That is great to hear that you have been swimming and walking the dog!

Glad the feet are getting better, too!

I did not realize that you have to get a double mastectomy. I'm sorry.

I would think that mastectomy approval means automatic reconstruction approval?

Dapper,

You are NOT an asshole.
I am starting to get wiped out and radiation burns this week. Gonna slow me down a bit. No more swimming until the burns heal.
Doesn't mean the recontruction will be approved. Shame to have to battle insurance and cancer at the same time.

Debby

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by Debby

My update:

Half way through radiation, so have 3 weeks left. I am feeling good. I am getting some energy back. Been swimming and walking the dog, again. My feet still hurt, but seem to be getting better. Adjusting to living alone. Surgeon and Onocologist submitted to my insurance to approve a double mastectomy. This has been a hard one for me to accept. I am hoping insurance approves a reconstruction, too.

Hi you. Glad you are oun N about. Good news, the pending surgery will remove the bad gunky that may be hiding there, and .....the reconstruction will give you a chance to pick what cup size u want to b.

okay, it's not quite that easy, but I know thousands of success stories over the years that I have been active in this field. .

Living alone was tougher than cancer surgery and recovery over 7 years ago. We broke up in Oct. I was diagnosed the next May..Life was drive thru's, eating off paper plates, struggling to choose dish patterns and shelf paper... Bachelorhood was a big surprise at every meal , and ...the decisions on which appliances I needed ..ugh...

[deb_U_taunt]

Hi Tommi,

Might be great to be a smaller cup size, too. Clothes will fit better and it will be easier on my back.
Living alone has been an adjustment, but much better than living in a bad relationship.

Debby

Originally Posted by Tommi

Hi you. Glad you are oun N about. Good news, the pending surgery will remove the bad gunky that may be hiding there, and .....the reconstruction will give you a chance to pick what cup size u want to b.

okay, it's not quite that easy, but I know thousands of success stories over the years that I have been active in this field. .

Living alone was tougher than cancer surgery and recovery over 7 years ago. We broke up in Oct. I was diagnosed the next May..Life was drive thru's, eating off paper plates, struggling to choose dish patterns and shelf paper... Bachelorhood was a big surprise at every meal , and ...the decisions on which appliances I needed ..ugh...

[Novelafemme]

Oh dear, Debby...radiation burns...do I even want to know? {{{hugs}}} to you on all fronts!

I have to agree with the dairy issue Dapper speaks about. I have a very strong oppionion when it comes to dietary issues, so I'll keep my mouth shut. But if anyone wants to hear, feel free to contact me!

I am doing pretty good! Thanks for asking Dapper! I have another procedure coming up on the 21st and then I hope to be on the mend. Sorry if I am vague about all of the details. I tend to be an open book about almost everything in my life except for health issues. My mother was "dying" from age 27 on, so it touches a nerve in me to discuss my own health. I'd rather think there is nothing can keep me down for long!

Thinking of you all!

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by CatalinaRose

Oh dear, Debby...radiation burns...do I even want to know? {{{hugs}}} to you on all fronts!

I have to agree with the dairy issue Dapper speaks about. I have a very strong oppionion when it comes to dietary issues, so I'll keep my mouth shut. But if anyone wants to hear, feel free to contact me!

I am doing pretty good! Thanks for asking Dapper! I have another procedure coming up on the 21st and then I hope to be on the mend. Sorry if I am vague about all of the details. I tend to be an open book about almost everything in my life except for health issues. My mother was "dying" from age 27 on, so it touches a nerve in me to discuss my own health. I'd rather think there is nothing can keep me down for long!

Thinking of you all!

Hey, Catalina. I for one would like it very much if you posted your thoughts on dairy and diet here. I am a strong believer that the reason I ended up with cancer was my dietary choices. I doubt that anyone here is not open to hearing about nutrition, especially as it relates to lower incidents of cancer! I am sure many of us here (including those that just read and do not write), think about recurrence a great deal. I would love to hear your thoughts!

I hope that the 21st goes well!

<--- get well flowers

[clay]

Let me say that each and every one of YOU are such Brave Warriors! I have been in and out of this thread at times, since joining the Planet in May this year! I came then as someone who had been a caregiver.
Recently I was diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer...found on biopsy of uterus after an abnormal US showed some thickening of one side of uterine wall. My gynecologist feels this is in the earliest of stages and I am given a prognosis of 95% survival rate! I will take those odds!
I was referred to a Gynecological Oncologist in a town an hr. from me...at a cancer treatment center. This Friday is my first appointment...11/11/11..cool huh? I had my (yearly) mammo done last Friday to take results to her..and am having a colonoscopy done tomorrow with anesthesia. The Oncologist wanted those results also.
I am okay with facing all of this..and I am in a very positive frame of mind. I am going to fight this..all the way. My battle isn't as tough as most of you have faced...and I am in awe of each and every one of you. Some are facing this battle alone..some are with someone to face it with them..I am in that camp of no one to face this with me. For me, that is hard...but I have to trudge on...you know.
I have days of being afraid, of being so alone, and feeling so lonely...I try to stay busy, occupy my mind..but my heart..it is just not satisfied..it wants what it wants...you know? I know there are schools of thought..and I have thought them all..I just would wish for someone to hold my hand, tel me I am going to be okay, to care about me..and to be by my side...
Sorry I am crying and losing thoughts...I will come back later..
Thanks all you Brave Warriors..you make ME want to be just like YOU! I heart you all...Clay

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by claybaby

..I just would wish for someone to hold my hand, tel me I am going to be okay, to care about me..and to be by my side...

You ARE going to be okay, WE care about you, and WE are on your side! Oh, and we will send Debby over to hold your hand!

Number one order of business....report back to us on the 11th. Not the 12th, the 11th!

I hope you have someone who can go with you on the 11th. Two sets of ears are better than one. Write your questions down before you go, even if you don't think that you could possibly forget any of your questions. Take notes.

And also....sorry about the prep you are going through tonight!
(hoping to make you smile)

[Novelafemme]

Originally Posted by claybaby

Let me say that each and every one of YOU are such Brave Warriors! I have been in and out of this thread at times, since joining the Planet in May this year! I came then as someone who had been a caregiver.
Recently I was diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer...found on biopsy of uterus after an abnormal US showed some thickening of one side of uterine wall. My gynecologist feels this is in the earliest of stages and I am given a prognosis of 95% survival rate! I will take those odds!
I was referred to a Gynecological Oncologist in a town an hr. from me...at a cancer treatment center. This Friday is my first appointment...11/11/11..cool huh? I had my (yearly) mammo done last Friday to take results to her..and am having a colonoscopy done tomorrow with anesthesia. The Oncologist wanted those results also.
I am okay with facing all of this..and I am in a very positive frame of mind. I am going to fight this..all the way. My battle isn't as tough as most of you have faced...and I am in awe of each and every one of you. Some are facing this battle alone..some are with someone to face it with them..I am in that camp of no one to face this with me. For me, that is hard...but I have to trudge on...you know.
I have days of being afraid, of being so alone, and feeling so lonely...I try to stay busy, occupy my mind..but my heart..it is just not satisfied..it wants what it wants...you know? I know there are schools of thought..and I have thought them all..I just would wish for someone to hold my hand, tel me I am going to be okay, to care about me..and to be by my side...
Sorry I am crying and losing thoughts...I will come back later..
Thanks all you Brave Warriors..you make ME want to be just like YOU! I heart you all...Clay

{{{{{{{{Clay}}}}}}}}

Dear one, you and I are in the EXACT same boat. My jaw almost hit the floor while reading your post. Seriously, I have the jitters right now!! I also go in for a colonoscopy soon...that is the next procedure I was referring to in my earlier post. I had surgery last month and a carcinoma was found connecting my ruptured appendix to my colon. This is following a hysterectomy and the removal of my ovaries and fallopian tubes (a total of three procedures/surgeries.) It has been a crazy ride since late April/early May of this year.

I am so sorry you feel alone, but PLEASE know you are not!! Even though we are a small group, we are pretty darned supportive and TOUGH and we can help carry you through if you'll let us. I am the absolute worst when it comes to asking for and accepting help...even to the point of feeling the need to leave when things get rough. But I am working on that.

Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more about our situations. Honestly, I feel encouraged to know we are experiencing such similar realities. Just know you can lean on us!

Jo, you got it! I just got home from an ass kicking class where I had to turn a 10 page paper, so my brain is powering down for the night. But I will try to collect my thoughts and post something tomorrow!