New to all of this...

JamieD

Hello!! I was very happy to see this forum for those of us in the "middle" that are dealing with cancer. I just turned 32 last week and was diagnosed with ALL (leukemia) on 5 Jan 04. I was suppose to get married on Valentine's Day but we put it off because we didn't know if I'd be in the hospital or what was going to happen. My man has been amazing though and I don't think I could have made it thru any of this without him. I have returned to work part time between doctor's visits and week long chemo sessions. I know I have been pretty lucky because except for losing my hair and being fatigued, I have no other side effects from the chemo. I never really got sick or experienced any of the other terrible things that I've heard about. I was VERY healthy before (teaching fitness classes etc.) and my doctors have told me that is why I have handled it all physically so well. The mental aspects have been the hardest for me. I get incredibly bored at the hospital and very frustrated with everyone telling me to take it one day at a time. That's just not my personality - ha!! I am currently waiting on results of a bone marrow biopsy to tell me if I'm in complete remission or not - my doctor assumes that I am - so then it's just getting the week long chemo sessions once every 4 weeks for the next 8 or 9 months to prevent a relapse.
Cancer definitely turned my world upside down and brought it to a screeching halt. It's difficult to know how to get it going again and how to deal with all the uncertainty.
I wouldn't wish cancer on anyone but it's nice to know that I'm not alone.......
I would love to hear from anyone about how they have dealt with starting a new life - what about fitness, having children, fatigue?

lapostol

I just celebrated my one year since finishing chemo for hodgkin's in february of 2004. I have a great husband and family that helped me get through it and take care of my than two year old daughter (who is now 4). Starting this month I am trying to get pregnant. My doctor wanted me to wait one year post chemo and because I responded right away to chemo she said it was okay. I am sure you have heard from other people that once someone has been diagnosed with cancer it changes them hopefully for the better. Especially in my situation it has made me a better person. It is interesting how God can make something bad in your life turn it around and make it a positive one. It sounds like your guy isn't going anywhere so just be patient and your time will come. Best of luck.

katie0713

lapostol said:

I just celebrated my one year since finishing chemo for hodgkin's in february of 2004. I have a great husband and family that helped me get through it and take care of my than two year old daughter (who is now 4). Starting this month I am trying to get pregnant. My doctor wanted me to wait one year post chemo and because I responded right away to chemo she said it was okay. I am sure you have heard from other people that once someone has been diagnosed with cancer it changes them hopefully for the better. Especially in my situation it has made me a better person. It is interesting how God can make something bad in your life turn it around and make it a positive one. It sounds like your guy isn't going anywhere so just be patient and your time will come. Best of luck.

I was just diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme which is a grade IV brain cancer. It has definitely changed my life. I am only 24 and just starting life. I know that things will be alright. I just have to fight the battle of my life. Gain strength from your family and God and everything will be ok.

JamieD

lapostol said:

I just celebrated my one year since finishing chemo for hodgkin's in february of 2004. I have a great husband and family that helped me get through it and take care of my than two year old daughter (who is now 4). Starting this month I am trying to get pregnant. My doctor wanted me to wait one year post chemo and because I responded right away to chemo she said it was okay. I am sure you have heard from other people that once someone has been diagnosed with cancer it changes them hopefully for the better. Especially in my situation it has made me a better person. It is interesting how God can make something bad in your life turn it around and make it a positive one. It sounds like your guy isn't going anywhere so just be patient and your time will come. Best of luck.

Thank you for your words of encouragement. I wish you the very best of luck getting pregnant and having a beautiful, healthy baby. It's always good to hear of someone who's thriving after cancer. I definitely agree that being diagnosed with cancer has changed me. It made me re-evaluate my priorities and renew my relationship with God. I know there is a reason for this and I am waiting to see what it is. It's also been interesting to see how it has changed the lives of my closest friends and how they are also taking a look at how they are living their lives. Thank you again and best wishes!!

dolphins4u

Hi, I read your post and I must say I understand everything to a T. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 28 back in 2002. It had spread on top of it all. I never got really sick either but there were times where Ifelf really crappy. Menatlly it is very challenging I agree. But i also believe 100% attitude is everything. I have always had a motto for thing that affected my body like colds,ear infections,etc... u get the idea right?... I always said It has to have time for me I don't have time for it. Because if you thnk about it the treatments attack our bodies but not our minds. We attack ourselves mentally because thats all we can do at this point is question and wonder..... I look at it this way. I was a mother of 2 at the time david 9 and Brendan barely 2, who was born 3 months early in Dec 1998. And then I thought there is now way can deal with this if something happens to my baby. He didn't ask to born early and have to go thru things he had to go thru. And I certainly didn't ask for it let alone want him or my family to have to go thru this. Afterall whatcould we do but think about all the bad things that could go wrong. Instead we had to stop and talk about it and realize that if we give up on who what would he have to be there for him and support him and love him... I sure didn't want to lose my baby. And it was then I quit with the neg. thoughts and only thought about alteh goods things I could say to him and hold him and love, and be there for him. after 5 weeks in the hospital he came home. He was fine and sufered no disabilities or set backs. He is now 5 and it hard to imagine that back then we thought we would never get to where we are today... But, same goes for me and you. If we give up on ourself it wins..... My motto thru the whole thng has been it has to have time for me I don't have time for it. If it is uncertany you think about it's uncertainy you will get. Starting a new life is a way for you to say to yourself" some people don't get this chance but I am." So make the best of it. Your life has changed but not as much s you think if you really think about. Its just a minor set back you have to get past. Just like other things that might have happened in your life that you thought you wouldn't get thru but did. And now you look back at it like wow it wasn't as hard or as tought as you thought it was.
There's always something. About fitness you should do only what you feel you can do. It's ok to do but listen to your body. And if it's any hope for you they told me chances of getting pregnant again were slim because the chemo I had usually reaks havick on the female reproductive system. But, If I was to get pregnant it wouldn't be for at least 2 years after I came off Chemo. Guess what I was pregnant 3 weeks after my las treatment last year. To help with fatigue I would get ina very hot shower sit on the floor with my knees to my chest and my head between my knees. I would let the hot water just beat down on my back. Usually the hot water would run out before I would get out. But after sitting there trying to think about nothing Iwould get out of the shower and lay on my bed and just let the air take over. Yo know how you are cold gettin goutof the shower. Well sitting under the HOT shower and then getting out letting the air dry you as you lay there. I would feel so alive and rejuvinated. I'm serious try it.... Well I am sorry If I have rammbled on I just get excited replying to people I forget and just go on and on.... But you will find your way just put your heart into it. You are in my prayers and you have a friend in me. If you would like to just talk just email me. Take care , Lisa