Cancer Survivors Network - discussion - Comments

I replied to this

Marlene_K — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:16:08 -0500

and then went to read what everyone else wrote. I must say that I'm not a jealous or envious person by any means, but this time of the year is my absolute favorite. I have never had a big family. My ex, however, does. We always hosted holidays at our house and that is one thing I TRULY miss from my marriage! I LOVE big families and I absolutely love getting everyone together and hosting it as well. None of my inlaws helped with the cooking or the clean up but I still loved it. It seems very awkward to not have all the hustle and bustle, but 'everything happens for a reason'. I always hoped to have that again one day... but who knows!

Also new

S3 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:14:27 -0500

I am also new here, but it looks like a great site. I am middle age with HER/2+ and posttive nodes. I have been able to work during most of my chemo and I only have 1 dose left.
If you do end up needing chemo, most insurance companies will cover a wig up to like 350 dollars, mine did. They said to get your hair cut short and fitted for a wig before you lose your hair and that it won't be as much as a shock and people won't notice as much. I work in the operating room, so cannot wear a wig at work, however people come and get me to use as an example for patient having a port inserted to help tame their fears. The worry seems to be on getting sick. Follow the recomended food intake, (High protien), and other things really will make a hugh difference in how you feel.
Just make a post when you have a concern and do some research, caring4cancer.com

RE

tommaseena — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:11:45 -0500

RE--love the story.
On Easter Sunday I was balder than bald and my 5 yr old then got out his washable markers and he drew Easter Eggs on my head and we went to church--most people appreciated it but a few didn't.

The things kids do for and to us are special memories and that will always be in my memories.

Hugs,
Margo

thanks Marcia!

blazytracy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:09:57 -0500

I still feel good, although the 3rd day my vision was a bit blurry...but better at the end of the day I think..we'll see what tomorrow brings...hugs, Tracy

Yogurt.

blazytracy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:08:39 -0500

I think it is a yogurt that is supposed to strengthen your body's defenses...

Fairly quiet dinner at home

Marlene_K — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:06:56 -0500

My daughter is coming home from college; she's in Boston. I'm soooo excited. I miss her like crazy when she leaves! As I'm a divorced mom and it is MY Thanksgiving this year, I will be cooking for my kids and I'm very excited. A good thing that came out of divorce is that my kids have realized they like only 'my' Thanksgiving dinners. They have had a few with the inlaws and look forward to coming home to my leftovers (because I cook the meal even when I don't eat home or host Thanksgiving... we ALL love the leftovers). Thank God I'm well enough that I can shop & cook. I was so afraid going into this that my holidays would be ruined. I can see they won't be. I'm not scheduled again for chemo until the Thursday after Thanksgiving and then my 4th should be on Christmas Eve. Not too sure what will happen with that, but I'd be ok with it. I feel fine the day of and the day after, so my Christmas wouldn't be affected.

Hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving and that they spend it exactly as they want to!

Hugs ~ Mar

Wing and a prayer

daisy366 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:06:04 -0500

My maternal first cousin who lives in Germany has what you have. I have UPSC - papillary serous endometrial. I wonder if there is any genetic connection to these rare cancers. She was raised in Germany, me in the US. She has been battling this for a couple of years.

I wish you well. Blessings, Mary Ann

Welcome but sorry you need

Marcia527 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:03:50 -0500

Welcome but sorry you need to be here. Lots of women here to give support.

This weekend

tommaseena — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:03:28 -0500

This weekend:
Friday: load of wash
Saturday: Christmas fair at Jake's school and doing volunteer hours at the Christmas photo booth.
Sunday: Sunday school for Jake an then church.

Cleaning the house in between everything--might have to get up extra early to do this.

Thanks so much for your

rene9 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:58:50 -0500

Thanks so much for your support. I think I'm still in shock. I reacted more before I actually received the news. I don't want to get depressed because my parents will be depressed enough for me. I think because I teach special education I can remain very calm when most people would panic. Thanks again-

Going to my mom's

tommaseena — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:58:15 -0500

We are going to my mom's and all I have to bring is rolls. I love Kentucky Fried biscuits so I think I will pick some the night before and put them in a ziploc so they don't dry out.

There will only be 4 of us.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Margo

P.S. Why did I start eating right to lose weight before the holidays? Portion control this year.

I'm still

blazytracy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:55:50 -0500

doing my pink and white, they look great...although I have only had one chemo..will let you know that too Marlene..

I'm not sure about my

rene9 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:55:30 -0500

I'm not sure about my treatment plan yet. I think I'll find out after my MRI next Tuesday. I was hoping I could go through this and not broadcast it at work, but with chemo it seems I will lose my hair. Then, I guess it won't be any hair to sew into so...And yes you are young and I hope you continue to progress well!

My Mom

teacher91 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:54:45 -0500

My Mom was starting to hallucinate and have these visions of people and going to "the house" while she was at home the last week of October. I was staying with her because she needed help remember medications and getting around safely. Hospice started to see that she was declining and gave me the booklet also. I guess I didn't want to think that it was happening so quickly. They suggested moving her to our hospice unit at the hospital for pain/symptom management and after a few days, she agreed to go.

She has been there since Oct. 30. Initially she was still alert although confused. She has pancreatic cancer and they saw that her liver was failing with jaundice and the mottling on her legs. She has been in a semi awake state since, sleeping most of the time, but she still tries to get up although she's gotten too weak to lift herself up like she was initially. I'm beside myself praying that she's comfortable.

They steadily raise the morphine which is up to 100mg./hr now. I thought this was a high amount as she is a small woman, but I see it can go higher. They say she does become tolerant. They also are administering haldol and ativan. She hasn't had any fluid since Nov. 1, except for what's in the morphine IV. Can this be enough to keep her going? I thought it was going to happen sooner, so I wanted her comfortable as she had wanted to be in the end, but now I'm afraid she would have wanted to be home and I don't know if that's an option or a reason she's holding on.

I'm torn between getting ready to mourn her and still trying to keep it together to take care of her affairs at home as well as trying to be there for my husband and daughters. Can this go on for weeks longer, or months in this state? I pray that she's comfortable. It's so hard to watch and not having been able to talk to her for weeks now.

Maybe I'm lucky....

Marlene_K — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:53:39 -0500

Or maybe it just hasn't started yet, but my taste buds haven't been affected yet. I had my 2nd treatment a week ago. How long does it take for that to happen? Wine is my drink of choice, for sure, and there are many good things that come from drinking wine. But from some reading I've been doing, they seem to be linking breast cancer with drinking, so that definitely concerns me. I DO still have one left and I hope to GOD I can keep it. I think a 2nd diagnosis would floor me!