A Year Ago Today

NewHere

My first day of chemo.  Pretty easy for me to remember, it is my wife's birthday.  I also got discharged from surgery on Valentine's Day.  Man I can treat my wife right.  Promised her a better Valetine's Day this year (check) and birthday (currently in progress).

Despite my ruining those two days, she took me to all my appointments, sat through my chemo sessions and even disconnected my pump.  And during all of it we still found time to laugh and joke and have a good time.  She was the one who saw me at the more down times of chemo, such as prolonged sleep, and saw when I was off more than I even knew.  

I really need to make this birthday a good one

Mary1864

We met a year ago....

and here we are.  I have reflected back on how my family's lives have turned upside down in one year.  But amazingly, we got through.  My husband never left my side.  I am certain that you are your wife's biggest present!  You perservered and didnt give up through treatment.   You both fought this together, and it is a beautiful thing!  But it doesnt hurt to go the distance and shower her with gifts!   Enjoy!

 

Easyflip

It is

a roller coaster with big big downs so we have to make big big ups to balance it out, right? Pull out all the stops when celebrating because thelse moments are precious. Congratulations on your 1 year survivorship! Now it's time to apply the lessons learned going forward. Enjoy!

Easyflip/Richard

NewHere

Mary1864 said:

We met a year ago....

and here we are.  I have reflected back on how my family's lives have turned upside down in one year.  But amazingly, we got through.  My husband never left my side.  I am certain that you are your wife's biggest present!  You perservered and didnt give up through treatment.   You both fought this together, and it is a beautiful thing!  But it doesnt hurt to go the distance and shower her with gifts!   Enjoy!

 

Time Flies

When you are having fun  I cannot believe that you and I have been here a year.  Time really shifted going through this.  My wife commented that it was a strange feeling when the chemo was done, we had the rythym of a two week life cycle so ingrained and we did not even realize.  You and I should keep on coming here and having the same conversation for many many many years to come and I look forward to it.

NewHere

Easyflip said:

It is

a roller coaster with big big downs so we have to make big big ups to balance it out, right? Pull out all the stops when celebrating because thelse moments are precious. Congratulations on your 1 year survivorship! Now it's time to apply the lessons learned going forward. Enjoy!

Easyflip/Richard

Doing My Best

You, Sue and a couple of others were the people I first remember here, and you were the first one to mention the cream for the port to me.  Thanks again for that one  I have been my best to pay it all forward.  Though I am one of the ones who does not talk about having this to most people, when I find someone who has it, particularly more so for new diagnosis, I let them know and they see how I am doing.  I had a patient on my ambulance with cancer.  I mentioned my situation.  You could see the relief cross their face "You understand what this is all about" they told me and made it better for them.  One of those moments where I made lemonade out of the lemon

 

 

JanJan63

NewHere said:

Doing My Best

You, Sue and a couple of others were the people I first remember here, and you were the first one to mention the cream for the port to me.  Thanks again for that one  I have been my best to pay it all forward.  Though I am one of the ones who does not talk about having this to most people, when I find someone who has it, particularly more so for new diagnosis, I let them know and they see how I am doing.  I had a patient on my ambulance with cancer.  I mentioned my situation.  You could see the relief cross their face "You understand what this is all about" they told me and made it better for them.  One of those moments where I made lemonade out of the lemon

 

 

Good for you. I try to do

Good for you. I try to do that as well. I don't go around telling people I have/had cancer but if someone needs some encouragement I try to do that as often as possible. And to advocate getting colonoscopies. I've told a few people that my husband had one recently because I'd pushed him and he had several polyps removed and one was precancerous. I hope someone thinks about what I've said and is proactive. I don't know what else to do. I don't want to hear about a single person getting this diagnosis ever again. I hope they find a good cure in my lifetime so I can rejoice before I'm gone.

NewHere

JanJan63 said:

Good for you. I try to do

Good for you. I try to do that as well. I don't go around telling people I have/had cancer but if someone needs some encouragement I try to do that as often as possible. And to advocate getting colonoscopies. I've told a few people that my husband had one recently because I'd pushed him and he had several polyps removed and one was precancerous. I hope someone thinks about what I've said and is proactive. I don't know what else to do. I don't want to hear about a single person getting this diagnosis ever again. I hope they find a good cure in my lifetime so I can rejoice before I'm gone.

And You Are Doing It Also

Telling people is so important.  Like most things, I think these types of things thought of get glossed over, or "Yeah next month," which turns into next year.  "Hi I had my insides ripped out and poison pumped into me for six months.  Get this thing checked to stop this from happening to you." 

We will both celebrate JJ.  I know someone who went to Sloan recently for a different kind of cancer than ours.  Been living with this for awhile with not Sloan.  They are fairly confident they found the DNA sequencing and have a very targeted thing to work.  It will come for all of us.  

I really love your avatar. I think I said that before.  I love animals of all sorts.  

 

 

Mary1864

NewHere said:

Time Flies

When you are having fun  I cannot believe that you and I have been here a year.  Time really shifted going through this.  My wife commented that it was a strange feeling when the chemo was done, we had the rythym of a two week life cycle so ingrained and we did not even realize.  You and I should keep on coming here and having the same conversation for many many many years to come and I look forward to it.

Consider it a date!

Happy Anniversary!   I am getting ready for my first followup cea.  So the rollercoaster ride continues, but I always get back to the notion of worrying about it wont change a thing.  It was strange getting off the two week cycle, but wonderful!   Be well....will be dropping in to stay in touch.

JanJan63

NewHere said:

And You Are Doing It Also

Telling people is so important.  Like most things, I think these types of things thought of get glossed over, or "Yeah next month," which turns into next year.  "Hi I had my insides ripped out and poison pumped into me for six months.  Get this thing checked to stop this from happening to you." 

We will both celebrate JJ.  I know someone who went to Sloan recently for a different kind of cancer than ours.  Been living with this for awhile with not Sloan.  They are fairly confident they found the DNA sequencing and have a very targeted thing to work.  It will come for all of us.  

I really love your avatar. I think I said that before.  I love animals of all sorts.  

 

 

Thanks New Here! That's my

Thanks New Here! That's my baby, his name is Prince. We've had him for over fifteen years. I'm also a huge animal advocate and owned a dog daycare before cancer took it away because I couldn't run it anymore. We have three dogs, too, a pitbull, a pitbull/rottie cross and a lab/cocker cross. They've been a huge help with my recovery. They're always up for cuddles or snuggles.

I should have gone for a colonoscopy a few years before the one that showed the cancer but I was scared and thought it would be embarassing. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Embarassing? I've had someone look up my butt so many times since then it's laughable. And last year after the blood clot when I'd been paralyzed by the stroke from it I spent 3 months in a diaper being changed by nurses. Now that's embarassing. Having to call the desk to ask to have my diaper changed, ugh, embarassing. Having my ostomy bag fill up to the size of a grapefruit so it shows under my shirt, embarassing. Having it burst when out for a nice dinner theatre for which I'd paid $75 for the ticket and had to leave with the bag contents soaked into the whole tummy area right up to my bra, embarassing.

Jan

JanJan63

Today is my birthday. A year

Today is my birthday. A year ago today I got to go out for dinner with my family and friends and it was the first time I'd left the hospital in almost 4 months. I was still in a wheelchair but it was wonderful to feel almost normal. Then I got to go home for good a few days later.

Jan

NewHere

JanJan63 said:

Thanks New Here! That's my

Thanks New Here! That's my baby, his name is Prince. We've had him for over fifteen years. I'm also a huge animal advocate and owned a dog daycare before cancer took it away because I couldn't run it anymore. We have three dogs, too, a pitbull, a pitbull/rottie cross and a lab/cocker cross. They've been a huge help with my recovery. They're always up for cuddles or snuggles.

I should have gone for a colonoscopy a few years before the one that showed the cancer but I was scared and thought it would be embarassing. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Embarassing? I've had someone look up my butt so many times since then it's laughable. And last year after the blood clot when I'd been paralyzed by the stroke from it I spent 3 months in a diaper being changed by nurses. Now that's embarassing. Having to call the desk to ask to have my diaper changed, ugh, embarassing. Having my ostomy bag fill up to the size of a grapefruit so it shows under my shirt, embarassing. Having it burst when out for a nice dinner theatre for which I'd paid $75 for the ticket and had to leave with the bag contents soaked into the whole tummy area right up to my bra, embarassing.

Jan

Yes and Yes

Animals are amazing.  I do not have any dogs now, but have had many through the years.  Took care of my Dad's dogs also in recent years, where they would spend a week or two with us.   We always had larger dogs (smallest maybe 65 pounds) and many 100+   The last one was about 85.  But when I was around she was a lap dog.  It was too funny.  She would look around to make sure the coast was clear before jumping on my lap and leaning back into my chest with a big sigh.  I was the only one though.  

I've had someone look up my butt so many times since then it's laughable. 

I had my port flushed today and that came up in conversation.  Before this, the thought of all those things left me embarrassed also.  After going through all this (including the wonderful catheter removal, was shocked when I woke up and saw that, though of course I should have known)  it definately  changed.  Want to talk about my bowel movements and passing gas?  Well pull up a chair and come over here to talk about it.  

NewHere

JanJan63 said:

Today is my birthday. A year

Today is my birthday. A year ago today I got to go out for dinner with my family and friends and it was the first time I'd left the hospital in almost 4 months. I was still in a wheelchair but it was wonderful to feel almost normal. Then I got to go home for good a few days later.

Jan

Happy Birthday Jan

Best wishes for a happy and healthy one for sure.  (I need to make some birthday images to go with my NED ones)

JanJan63

NewHere said:

Happy Birthday Jan

Best wishes for a happy and healthy one for sure.  (I need to make some birthday images to go with my NED ones)

Thank you! We really need a

Thank you! We really need a 'like' button on here.

Jan

beaumontdave

Happy Year One Anniversary to

Happy Year One Anniversary to Newhere and Mary, Happy Birthday to Jan, Hope y'all get to do something they makes you and those who put up with you, blissful or as good as it can be.........................................Dave

JanJan63

beaumontdave said:

Happy Year One Anniversary to

Happy Year One Anniversary to Newhere and Mary, Happy Birthday to Jan, Hope y'all get to do something they makes you and those who put up with you, blissful or as good as it can be.........................................Dave

Thanks Dave!

Thanks Dave!