does anyone feel like they have fallen apart?

SIROD said:

Understand How You Feel

I do understand how you are feeling and why.  When we are hit with multiple medical issues, there are days one would love to just cry and cry and shout "woe, is me and why me".

I don't think it matters what you are diagnose with but when it becomes overwhelming it's nice to have support from your virtual sisters.

Would like to say in sisters in pink but I'm stage IV and pink isn't my color.  That color is for survivors but it doesn't mean I don't wish you the best at the cardiologist and for a colonoscopy.

Hope your skin cancer on your face will be a mild one.  Both my parents had a lot of skin lesions on their face.  My dad had a particularly nasty one and I suggested radiation for it.  Radiation isn't like when you do it for breast cancer, I think he had less than 3 of them.  It was just to get any cells left behind the first surgery.

Last Friday, I was feeling awful, nausea, tired, I just developed lymphedema and finally had my compression sleeve and glove.  My arm was hurting.  I have a foot brace for my PTTD and my ankle was hurting.  I have uveitis (autoimmune disease of the uvea (eye), high blood pressure, inverse psoriasis (it dormant at the moment) fibromyalgia (dormant since last fall), I have had a kidney stone in the past and know how difficult they can be.  I have had 20 surgeries since 1994, so I can empathize with you.

Sometimes, the list never ends and one remedy (medication) begats another condition.  I am dealing with iron issues with my chemotherapy making me anemic.  

Let me know how your appointment turn out.  I know how you feel.

Best,

Doris

 

but most of us have felt like you do now.  Talking with people on this site helped me to cope and still do.

I will keep you in my prayers, and send you many hugs.

Sandy

lizzie17 said:

you are so strong!

Wow, to have the strength that you do!!  You have been through so  much...........I will pray for you everyday

and thank you for "validating"  my feelings. 

 

The skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma---two of them.  He had to go "deeper and wider" today.

I know it is not melonoma..........but, I do plan to mention it to my oncologist this month when I see him.

 

Take care, and stay in touch.

Hugs,

Carol

 

 

Hi Carol,

You have to mention that you have a form skin cancer to your oncologist.  Perhaps, he will have some suggestions to offer.  I tell all my doctors what drugs I am using, what I'm dealing with and it's a lot easier now, that I'm down to just 3 primary, oncologist and uveitis specialist.  The other 3 I have, I can make appointments when and if I need them.

I'm not strong, I am as terrified as the next person.  I've been fortunate to have a slow, indolent kind of tumor.  I still hope it is slow and the drug is working on killing off those awful cancer cells.

I look at people differently now.  I so envy those who appear in good health.  I look at them and think, I once could do that too.  I didn't appreciate it as much as I would now, if a magic wand could make me well again.  I am sure you know what I am writing about.

Is the cancer surgery on your face over?  If not, remember, my father who did finish off with radiation instead of allowing the doctor to continue to dig.  

Have a nice 4th of July, Carol.  Keep me posted on how things are going for you.

Best,

Doris

LoveBabyJesus said:

Hang in there sweet sister.

Hang in there sweet sister. I'll be lifting you up in prayers. Only thing that helps me is taking one day at a time. Tomorrow will be a better day. I hope for all of us.

Doris - I think of you often. I am sorry you're having a hard time. I am praying for you too.

Hugs to all.

 

You sweet loving sister --  Yikes, what an ordeal.  I am hoping that things are better ...  Please do share any updates ...

Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.

Vicki Sam

Yes, it seems endless!  2004/2005 for me was completely 'stolen' by cancer, first the stage III rectal, then the stage II breast.

I still have my 'battle scars'.  That is why you will often see "new normal".  It's living life as full as possible with what we warriors are left with after the active battle.  If I stop to think, I marvel at how well my body took to the poisonings, and the radiation exposure, in that short period of my life.  And my plumbing...that never ceases to amaze me!  My lower part was removed from the tumor growing there, another piece was cobbled together to form a pouch to go inside, so I would not spend the rest of my life with an external bag.  Retraining was tedious, and LONG, but now, 7 years later, I can take long air flights, and bus trips, and other sojourns that I will proudly flaunt my 'performances' with those who have a full set!!!!  And my bad hip, from rads, that can find me walking one moment, collapsed on the ground the next...(happened in Copenhagen...embarassing!).  And don't GET me started on my 'special arm' from the breast cancer surgery...*smile*......

I have a saying that keeps inspiring me.  "It's not what you are left with, but what you DO with what you are left with that makes all of the difference!"

Prayers and strong energy that you reach a point of calm, where your body, that dear, dear friend, can take a breath, and be victorious over this monster, cancer!!!

Hugs, Kathi