just so you know

Options
lisa42
lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi Everyone,

People care so much for each other on this board & I truly value how much everyone steps up to the plate and offers advice and support to everyone who asks for it!
I just wanted to say that I'm going to be stepping back now a bit in how often I post here. Certainly, it's not because of anything or anyone here- I just need to get myself off of the computer and up and doing more things around the house, yard, and community! I am on the site reading lots even when I'm not posting and I'm finding that I'm feeling the need to not be thinking about cancer and things related to it quite as often. I guess it's the need for "normalcy" a bit more (plus realizing that I spend too much time on the computer between my email, Facebook, and this site).

I care about you all and I'll still definitely be around- just not as often, though (we'll see if I can actually keep myself off the computer more or not!)

Take care and blessings to you all-
Lisa

Comments

  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch Member Posts: 1,375
    Options
    Take care, Lisa!
    I totally hear you!! Soon, I'll be off the computer too for different reasons. But also, with summer around the corner (it almost feels like it is here already!!) and as we get closer to production of the two summer musicals, I will actually be down at the outdoor theatre and office 9-12 hours/day. Some days I'll be starting at noon, other days I'll start in the morning and most days I won't get home until after 11pm at night once the show comes down.

    When I do have time at home for the computer it will be to attempt to keep up with email, PMs, Facebook and yikes... the website that I'm actually maintaining amongst everything else.

    C.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    Options
    No Problemo
    I know what you mean Lisa, I get like that too. Sometimes I find it gets too consuming. I've even cut back lately even if it's not that noticeable. I used to blog, then facebook but I refuse to twitter. Take care of yourself and please always feel welcome here with us all. Someone will be here unless we are all cured!
    {{{hugs}}}
    be well,
    -p
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    Options
    Will miss you
    I'll sure miss you but really do understand. God bless!
    Diane
  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    Options
    yes...
    Believe me, i understand! I'm also on the computer too much. Mostly working, but still...there is a world out there, i hear. Don't stop emailing me when you can, though! We still need to get together after my surgery for lunch. Hopefully i won't be glued to the toilet for too long afterwards!


    Many hugs,
    Krista
  • lmliess
    lmliess Member Posts: 329
    Options
    I understand too
    and truely appreciate your responses. You made me think too that 'hey, maybe there is a life out there after cancer DX' so I think I am following your lead. NOT that I am not going to check in daily because I still have tons of questions, but I think you are right. I need not be glued to this and get on with the spring weather here and do SOMETHING!!!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    Options
    It's time to build your life....I remember....
    Stepping away is a sign that you are convinced that there IS a life to go on with...

    I say 'Bravo'!

    You know that you are welcome here anytime...

    Hugs, kathi
  • KathiM said:

    It's time to build your life....I remember....
    Stepping away is a sign that you are convinced that there IS a life to go on with...

    I say 'Bravo'!

    You know that you are welcome here anytime...

    Hugs, kathi

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
    Options
    Wishing you all the best
    Hi Lisa,
    I'm nearly reaching my 5 year mark post treatment and still NED! I have been only an occasional post-er, but still try to read pretty regularly. Having a life outside of cancer and computers is a very good thing.
    Judy
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    Options
    jsabol said:

    Wishing you all the best
    Hi Lisa,
    I'm nearly reaching my 5 year mark post treatment and still NED! I have been only an occasional post-er, but still try to read pretty regularly. Having a life outside of cancer and computers is a very good thing.
    Judy

    Taking a break is good
    Lisa, I will miss reading your posts but taking a break will be sooo good for you. The more I am logged on, the more I think about it and sometimes that is not so good. Take time for yourself,enjoy the family,have fun this summer-we will be here when you feel like checking back in.


    Wishing you a wonderful fun filled summer,
    Dawn
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    Options
    enjoy
    Hi Lisa,
    It's a great time to be on the computer less and outside enjoying the beautiful world we are blessed with every day. Have fun with your family. Do know that we are thinking about you and keeping you in our prayers.
    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Options
    Lisa
    I can totally understand where you are coming from. I too sometimes think I come on these message boards too much, but I'm still searching for answers since I just had my surgery and have my chemo to now go through. I wish you the best and I will miss you. Take Care! Kim
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    Options
    you guys are great
    Hey everyone!

    Wow- I'm gone two days and got lots of responses- thanks for caring!

    I was gone from early Saturday a.m. until just shortly ago today (Sun)- my 13 yr old had a school showchoir competition up at Disneyland (an hour and 15 min drive from my house). They placed first in their category, so that made even more fun! I was a little worried about my stamina, if I'd have any "bathroom" incidents, etc., but all went well & I felt good the whole time (other than having very sore feet). My husband and son didn't want to go, so it was just myself and three girls (two daughters and a daughter's friend). I got us a room at a Super 8 motel- nothing fancy, but it was clean, only a 1/2 mile from Disneyland (so we walked and saved the parking expense and hassle), and I only paid $53 for the one night. We went on all the rides and the weather was in the upper 60's and cooling down to low 50's at night. It was good- much better than being hot (we'd had a heat wave the prior week and I was hoping it would cool down- so it did).

    Well, this week is my second time of having "maintenance"- Avastin and Xeloda. I feel like I just got another lease on life!

    I definitely will not be totally absent from the site- I'll probably just check in and post maybe just a time or two a week. I'm certainly still available for private messages. I'll still be thinking about and praying for you all! I'm especially still thinking of and praying for those of you with recent surgeries or surgeries coming up.

    Well, take care everyone & blessings to you all-
    Lisa
  • kmygil
    kmygil Member Posts: 876 Member
    Options
    Do what is good for you
    Theresa,

    I understand the need to "step away from the cancer." I took a long hiatus from the board precisely for the same reasons. I have been NED for a while (1.5 yrs) and I took time off to reclaim my life. Now I am here mostly to support others, but still not so often as I used to. The reason we fight so hard is to get away from cancer, so you are right on target. We are always here if you need us.

    Hugs and prayers,
    Kirsten
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    Options

    Take care, Lisa!
    I totally hear you!! Soon, I'll be off the computer too for different reasons. But also, with summer around the corner (it almost feels like it is here already!!) and as we get closer to production of the two summer musicals, I will actually be down at the outdoor theatre and office 9-12 hours/day. Some days I'll be starting at noon, other days I'll start in the morning and most days I won't get home until after 11pm at night once the show comes down.

    When I do have time at home for the computer it will be to attempt to keep up with email, PMs, Facebook and yikes... the website that I'm actually maintaining amongst everything else.

    C.

    What are bathroom incidents????
    I hear you all talking about them and I am thinking I know what you mean but can someone clarify??....... Does everyone have this... like...do I have this to look forward to? Is the epidural the only meds I will need for pain? Tomorrow I start the prep and wednesday is surgery..... Cherylhutch...thank you for exposing every detail of your treatment. It has helped me a lot ..... u all have by sharing your experiences.

    Jennie
  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch Member Posts: 1,375
    Options

    What are bathroom incidents????
    I hear you all talking about them and I am thinking I know what you mean but can someone clarify??....... Does everyone have this... like...do I have this to look forward to? Is the epidural the only meds I will need for pain? Tomorrow I start the prep and wednesday is surgery..... Cherylhutch...thank you for exposing every detail of your treatment. It has helped me a lot ..... u all have by sharing your experiences.

    Jennie

    Hey Jennie
    Bathroom incidents vary from person to person. These usually happen once you are on chemo because the chemo drugs can be pretty powerful. For some, they get constipation and that in itself can be very frustrating and uncomfortable. For others, they get the opposite... diahrrea. And then there's the lucky people who get both ;) But noooo, you don't need to even give them any thought or worry about them. A lot of us didn't have any problems... after surgery, or while on chemo. I think I had the occasional bout of nasty diahrrea but I still don't know if it was from the chemo drugs, something I ate, or a combination of both.

    I think everyone's experiences with them varies too depending on what kind of surgery you have... or whether you have to deal with a bag for awhile (or permanently) after surgery. I know they sort of round all our cancers up as colorectal cancer because they have to do with the intestinal/colon organ. But depending on what kind of surgery you have, your side affects will really vary.

    The epidural is going to be just fine for post-surgery. Once you get up on your feet and moving around, they will probably start weaning you off the epidural and onto an oral pain med. They may even have to try an IV pain med first and then wean you on to an oral one. The thing is, you don't want to give your pain meds up too quickly... because at no time should you have to suffer through pain. So don't be a martyr and say you stopped such and such pain med because you figured you shoul be off of it by now ;)

    I know you won't be at a computer until you probably come home from the hospital, but know we will be thinking of you!! And then when you get home, as long as you are feeling comfortable, don't forget to come back and check in with us :)

    Huggggggs,

    Cheryl
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Options
    lisa42 said:

    you guys are great
    Hey everyone!

    Wow- I'm gone two days and got lots of responses- thanks for caring!

    I was gone from early Saturday a.m. until just shortly ago today (Sun)- my 13 yr old had a school showchoir competition up at Disneyland (an hour and 15 min drive from my house). They placed first in their category, so that made even more fun! I was a little worried about my stamina, if I'd have any "bathroom" incidents, etc., but all went well & I felt good the whole time (other than having very sore feet). My husband and son didn't want to go, so it was just myself and three girls (two daughters and a daughter's friend). I got us a room at a Super 8 motel- nothing fancy, but it was clean, only a 1/2 mile from Disneyland (so we walked and saved the parking expense and hassle), and I only paid $53 for the one night. We went on all the rides and the weather was in the upper 60's and cooling down to low 50's at night. It was good- much better than being hot (we'd had a heat wave the prior week and I was hoping it would cool down- so it did).

    Well, this week is my second time of having "maintenance"- Avastin and Xeloda. I feel like I just got another lease on life!

    I definitely will not be totally absent from the site- I'll probably just check in and post maybe just a time or two a week. I'm certainly still available for private messages. I'll still be thinking about and praying for you all! I'm especially still thinking of and praying for those of you with recent surgeries or surgeries coming up.

    Well, take care everyone & blessings to you all-
    Lisa

    Have fun
    Lisa,

    Have fun "out there," and just know that we'll be glad to hear from you when you do post. Hope you have lots of exciting things to tell us!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    Options
    lisa42 said:

    you guys are great
    Hey everyone!

    Wow- I'm gone two days and got lots of responses- thanks for caring!

    I was gone from early Saturday a.m. until just shortly ago today (Sun)- my 13 yr old had a school showchoir competition up at Disneyland (an hour and 15 min drive from my house). They placed first in their category, so that made even more fun! I was a little worried about my stamina, if I'd have any "bathroom" incidents, etc., but all went well & I felt good the whole time (other than having very sore feet). My husband and son didn't want to go, so it was just myself and three girls (two daughters and a daughter's friend). I got us a room at a Super 8 motel- nothing fancy, but it was clean, only a 1/2 mile from Disneyland (so we walked and saved the parking expense and hassle), and I only paid $53 for the one night. We went on all the rides and the weather was in the upper 60's and cooling down to low 50's at night. It was good- much better than being hot (we'd had a heat wave the prior week and I was hoping it would cool down- so it did).

    Well, this week is my second time of having "maintenance"- Avastin and Xeloda. I feel like I just got another lease on life!

    I definitely will not be totally absent from the site- I'll probably just check in and post maybe just a time or two a week. I'm certainly still available for private messages. I'll still be thinking about and praying for you all! I'm especially still thinking of and praying for those of you with recent surgeries or surgeries coming up.

    Well, take care everyone & blessings to you all-
    Lisa

    disneyland great!
    Lisa,
    That sounds like a wonderful time! So glad to hear that you enjoyed yourself! I am a former Disneyland employee and always love going back. In November our oldest daughter danced hula at Disneyland with her halau from Hawaii. It was a highlight of our year. :)
    Aloha,
    Kathleen