Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[Tommi]

Created a Maypole for a weekend celebration. Having fun with painting, 10 foot x 3" PVC drain pipe, rocks, duct tape (of course) umbrella stand, whiskey barrel...and ...
It has to be portable, no digging, everything that goes into the state park, has to be removed.

Living life to it's fullest , one day at a time.

May 14th I have /Gyn/Oncologist appointment for my 7 month post radiation follow up for recurring CA found one year ago on my routine papsmear, and confirmed by colposcopy. Endometrial cancer originally diagnosed and treated with radical surgery and lymphadenectomy 10 years ago May 14th.

Someone posted earlier about how often do you think "it" ,about having had cancer, how do you handle it, etc.

For me, It comes up on anniversaries, of just before appointments, otherwise , I forget I ever had it.

I have heard, that some people worry every time they get an ache or pain, headache, tummy ache, etc. For me, that doesn't creep in. I know I have overworked, strained and sprained muscles and back, and/or eaten some nasty hot spicy greasy things.

So, off to Michael's for a flower wreath for the top of this POLE. and and and..an egg McMuffin and vanilla sugar-free coffee

[LeftWriteFemme]

One down.......(well sort of, down)........and three more chemo treatments to go (plus 28 applications of radiation)

Friday morning (May 2) my sponsee went with a friend of hers to have the first treatment it took all day long and she was told by the doctor that she would not be allowed to MC the Newark Women's Retreat, which made sense to me, all that immune suppression and them an exposure to a large cross-section of the world.
She has born up really well. I got a cheerful call this morning that my suggestion that she sleep with her heated rice bags had worked and she slept through the night for the first time since she got the treatment.
We are still hoping that she will not lose her hair, I offered to shave my head in solidarity, but she doesn't feel that she will need that much support....lol

Thank you for all the encouragement, prayers and well wishes! This is a long battle but knowing that we are not fighting alone means so much!!!

[Genesis]

Near the end of June it will be 5 years since we began this journey.
I am a bit speechless because my Mom was "not supposed to survive" past the two first years... Five years later... I cannot even begin to tell you nor could I even voice or put into coherent words what this journey has been for her, for me, for my Dad... for the three of us... All I honestly say is that I am truly grateful to God, The Universe, Life, Mother Earth, People's kindness, prayers, positive energy and love... All amassed healed my Mom, held us three up and gave us strength, love and gratitude to move forward… I know I have not posted much on here… Real life gets busy and I’ve gone through my own miracle as well… This is a reflective time for me before the day of the 5 years is here… Just know that I appreciate each and everyone of you who thought of me and mine. I keep each of you in my prayers and send my love and positive energy your way… I might post more later... but just in case I do not...Thank you…

[Tommi]

Had my annual check (10 year)up last Weds. It was also 9 months post radiation follow-up for last years 9 year recurrence

Awaiting results of path report: that little post card in the mail with a smiley face saying "Normal results", or a dreaded phone call for follow-up.

Had a fantastic weekend, and life is good.

One day at a time.

[clay]

Had my labs done last week. My CEA levels are great. Mine is at .7...yayyyyyyyy. I see oncologist soon for my 6 months check up. December will be my 3rd anniversary post colon resection. I am doing great!!!!

Great news from all of you...Tommi....Genesis....keeping everyone of you close and in my heart!!!

Hug someone today....it will make their day........love to you all...clay

[*Anya*]

My GF and I were in Palm Springs 3 weeks ago.

I took care to put 50 plus SPF on the whole time we were there.

I looked down on my thigh the first day we were there and noticed a strange little round growth that just seemed to pop up.

I watched it for two weeks and it got bigger. Sometimes, even as an RN, potentially negative things that many people would not give a second thought-I don't either.

A week ago, the light bulb went off: non-healing growth or sore- yes.

I got an appointment with a dermatologist yesterday and she biopsied it.

She said it looked like squamous cell CA but we won't know for sure till pathology comes back-up and it may take up to a week. Now I wait.

I have had thyroid cancer-clean for 14 years now-that potentially could have been much worse but I wanted to remind everyone:

Any suspicious non-healing growth or sore: get checked out!

Oh, the doctor said if it is squamous cell, I did not cause it by my couple of days in the sun.

It is usually caused by all those cumulative years of sun damage, such as in my 20's when my girlfriend and I would baste ourselves with baby oil! Yikes! Hard to believe I was so dumb.

Glad for those with clean bills of health and prayers and best wishes for others that are dealing with their own or love ones' cancer.

Here is a small factoid about squamous cell CA:

"Squamous cell carcinoma is second most common type of skin cancer, after basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell cancer spreads faster than basal cell cancer, but still is usually relatively slow-growing. It can spread (metastasize) to other locations, including internal organs. Squamous cell lesions should be removed surgically as soon as they are diagnosed".

[LeftWriteFemme]

So, the third Chemo is in and my sponsee is hairless and not minding it one little bit. She has found the free time she has due to not having to do her hair or shave her legs a true boon. She is experiencing some nausea, but not nearly as much as she had anticipated. Her next Chemo which is her last Chemo is on July 3, she returns to school on July 7. I of course am a trifle reluctant to see her in a college environment..... all those people.....all those germs, but I'm sure she will be fine.

I must say all in all this has not been as difficult as I thought it might be, but then again I have heard from her friend that the radiation was the hardest for the friend, so I'm still holding my breath a tad and reserving judgement until the radiation is over.

Again, thank you all for your support! This burden is much lighter, you have born it with us and things sure are easier when we are not alone!

I wish you all every happiness and health!