Ok, I'm definitley in this sorority now

Soup52 said:

Hi! Welcome to the group. It

Hi! Welcome to the group. It took me several months before I found this one and I'm so glad I did. So much good advice

I did write a long reply, but for some reason only one sentence showed up. Maybe it will later. I contacted support and they are working on it. I am 3c clear cell. I will say after my surgery I felt so much better than before. I did go to Florida for my daughter's Disney wedding before the surgery. I only wish I had had the surgery earlier as I didn't feel well during the trip, but alas the wheels of progress don't always go as fast as we want. Nevertheless less the trip was worth it. Good luck and welcome!

CheeseQueen57 said:

Thank you all

I've already found this group of immense value in my short journey. Thank you all both short-timers and long-timers. You give us all inspiration and hope. 

I was able to see results from my chest X-ray and labs and all looked fine. Bilirubin one point above normal but I've had that before and eGFR >59 instead of >60 which I suppose is still okay for a 58 year old. Now on to the CT scan tomorrow realizing some unremarkable stuff may show up on that. Anyone else get scanned before surgery?

Thanks again for all your kindness, support, but most importantly of all, honesty. 

As others have said... glad you found us and so sorry that you needed to.  None of us want to deal with cancer. And the beginning is really the hardest part emotionally. Once you know what you are dealing with, you with find amazing strength and will get through whatever is required to live a full life. That being said, yes - cancer will become your focus for the next 6 months. But you will get beyond it and hopefully put it in your rearview mirror forever.  There is a thread titled 'Ladies going through chemo' that will be very helpful for you. Several of us documented the impacts that chemo had on us with each treatment. There is another thread titled 'Let's talk about Radiation' that also documents impacts. Both are packed with good information and may help take some of the fear away.

We are here to help, share and support. Ask any and all questions. The ladies here helped me more than I can begin to describe.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

CheeseQueen57 said:

CT Scan

Thanks Eldi:

I'm expecting a little fat on the liver,  had that before.  Got rid of it with weight loss, but I'm afraid that has crept back up on me.  Once I'm past the surgery, plan to ask whoever will listen about Meformin.  Tried to get my endo and PCP to put me on in the past due to my pre-diabetes state, but couldn't convince them.  I think I've always had some degree of insulin resistance.  Perhaps now with this going on, they may be more ready to do it.  Why not?

My A1c returned to normal according to my blood tests last week but I convinced my GP to keep me on the metformin.  I still have a higher fasting BG than I should.  There are some reports out there regarding metformin's use in treating cancer.  So....I figure, it sure can't hurt me, right?   T2 diabetes runs in my family unfortunately.

Love,

Eldri

Not the place any of us seek out until we need to but glad you found this board.  As others have suggested ...ask about moving surgery up.  I had a DisneyWorld trip planned with my sisters for the first week in November. My GYN ONCO wanted at least 3 weeks recovery time between surgery and the trip and even moved her schedule around and the surgery on her normal day off (a Friday) so I could have the 3 weeks recovery time and do the trip.  She said she felt it was equally as important that I do the trip as it was a good thing for mental status prior to starting chemo.  She did however insist that I use a scooter to limit exhaustion as well as a blood thinner for 30 days to prevent blood clots.  Glad she insisted and was willing to make it happen - it was great to take the trip!

CheeseQueen57 said:

Cheese Update Here

Hi Sisters,

Just a short update. I'm recovering well from my surgery. Just a few pangs here and there and I'm not on any pain meds. 

My son and his girlfriend arrived home from Orlando for the weekend and we've been enjoying family time. Tonight we leave for an 8 day trip to Tuscany. I've reserved a wheelchair at the airport, have a pair of compression panty hose, and have been taking baby aspirin for a few days. I think I'm ready for some great food, great scenery and the making of wonderful family memories to carry me through my next unplanned journey of 18 weeks of chemo followed by radiation. 

One of my dear friends sent me the book "Praying Through Cancer" which is a 90 day devotional for women. She and 2 other friends and I will read this together through my chemo. What a gift!

In May, my BFF will come up from Dallas for a week to care for me. We've been friends since college. Tragically, she's lost her father, mother, and brother to cancer at very young ages, which has made her an excellent caregiver. 

I am investigating acupuncturists despite being discouraged from doing so by my oncologist. From what I've read and heard from friends, it may help with the neuropathy with the taxol. I intend to pursue it in a medical center setting. 

I'be purchased my wig and a baseball hat with hair for the beach. Wow!  What a market we cancer patients are!  I was talked in to a cream that's supposed to save my eyebrows. We'll see. When I come back from Italy, I'm going to have my hairdresser give me a pixie    

I guess I'm as ready as I'm going to be for my port insertion on April 25 and first chemo on April 27. But only because of the love, support, and advice of not only my wonderful friends and family, but you my sisters who I know are always there with a kind of support that no one else can provide. Thank you so much for your love and support. It means so much. 

Susan

I hope you have an absolutely wonderful time in Italy!!  Try to forget the cancer and just enjoy yourself.  I framed a quotation and I read it every day "Worrying won't stop the bad stuff from happening; it just stops you from enjoying the good."  

Enjoy the good!!!

Love,

Eldri

so glad to hear it!  Tuscany is a wonderful place to indulge so GO FOR IT! What a great opportunity to prepare. Accumulate some visions you can return to in the days ahead of you. Actually PLAN some cool events and family activities to which you can return as you sit in the chemo chair. Options are everywhere!

Your message gives me hope. Out of surgery 1 week and still hoping that we can take a planned trip to Russia and Scandinavia mid May. I have the same concerns as you did - especially the long flight and the problems that may accompany finding medical help in Russia if need be. It's just the two of us and a rental car but so far - not canceling anything. 

Enjoy every minute of Tuscany. YOU deserve it!

Mary Ann

BabyCoach said:

THE TRIP IS ON!

so glad to hear it!  Tuscany is a wonderful place to indulge so GO FOR IT! What a great opportunity to prepare. Accumulate some visions you can return to in the days ahead of you. Actually PLAN some cool events and family activities to which you can return as you sit in the chemo chair. Options are everywhere!

Your message gives me hope. Out of surgery 1 week and still hoping that we can take a planned trip to Russia and Scandinavia mid May. I have the same concerns as you did - especially the long flight and the problems that may accompany finding medical help in Russia if need be. It's just the two of us and a rental car but so far - not canceling anything. 

Enjoy every minute of Tuscany. YOU deserve it!

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, that sounds like a wonderful trip too!!  My sister has been after me for years to go with her to Scandinavia and find the places our grandparents were born.  We still have relatives in Norway and Sweden.  I've always put it off but you and Susan have inspired me.  My sister will be tied up, working in China until the spring of 2017 so maybe I'll give myself that gift for my 65th birthday in June of 2017.  

Love,

Eldri