Hello

Annabelle41415
Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member

Hi everyone:   I've been away for some time since my brother died last year from cancer at age 52 and then husband had cancer at the same time with kidney cancer.  My husband is doing very well, but during my brother's battle and after my brother died I tried to get some support and never got it so I just kind of gave up on the boards.  There are many good people that have helped this group for many years.  I've not kept up with the boards in over a year so I'm not sure of anyone's current status. 

Welcome new members, but sorry you have to be here.  This is a very good place for support and information.  During my treatment days this board was constantly being posted to so I'm hoping that there are still many people out there to help you.  You are welcome to read my "About Me" page if any of you have experienced rectal cancer.

I've just recently had my second hip replacement last month due to the radiation, but don't get too frightened if you had radiation, not all patients require it.  I'm feeling great and finally the pain is easing from surgery.  I'm able to actually put some steps on my Fitbit - not up to 10,000 a day yet, but gradually getting there.  Love walking and this has been the hardest part of your hip going - can't walk.

Still having bathroom issues where I'll go 8-15 times a day.  Just hard to determine when that time will be but know that I'd better stay home after eating just in case.   But I'm okay with where I'm at. 

Wishing all the new people here that I've not meet much success in their treatment and the older members of the board continued health.

May God Bless you all as you all are in my prayers daily. 

Hugs!  Kim

 

 

Comments

  • traci43
    traci43 Member Posts: 773 Member
    edited July 2016 #2
    Hey Kim!

    Good to see you here.  I'm sorry for all you went through, losing your brother and your husband's cancer.  The board has gotten a bit quieter but there are some really good people that are active now.  I'm glad to hear you are doing well after your cancer treatments and hip replacements.  You're one tough cookie.  I hope you continue to check in here and that you and your husband stay healthy.  Traci

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,289 Member
    Kim, I'm sorry you didn't get

    Kim, I'm sorry you didn't get the support you needed. I didn't either when my wife died, I got a lot of sweet, caring people saying nice things and expressing empathy, but words on a computer weren't going to carry me through the worst moments of my life. My son, my mother, my sister, and my niece are what got me through hell on earth. Others chipped in, but those four people mattered most. Family, certain family mattered above all else. I get the feeling life's hardest moments are going to come down to four or five people at the most, if one is lucky. It could be one person, and some have dealt with cancer, alone. Outside of my son, I don't talk about what happened with her and me over the last seven years, and he and I don't get into detail. The only place I do that is here. Anywhere else it feels like whinning, crying, dwelling on the past, or just being a downer to a world full of folks who don't want to deal with pain until it smacks them out of their cocoon. I hope you get what you need, where ever you find it, but this place has meant a ton to me, and I intend to support those who come here for a long time, whatever happens. My thoughts are with you and anyone who needs a kindred soul..............................................Dave

  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    G'day Kim

    Good to see you again ,glad hubby is doing well, hugs ron.

  • wolfen
    wolfen Member Posts: 1,324 Member
    Sweet Kim

    My apologies if I am one of those who failed to support you during those most horrible times. You were always there for me and my Johnnybegood. I must admit that at times my life is somewhat of a blur since losing her(2 years ago today) and my husband a year before that. My thoughts are not always in order.

    I'm glad to hear that your hubby is doing well, but so sorry about the blasted hip surgery.

    Luv,

    Wolfen

  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    edited July 2016 #6
    Kim

    I know you posted on the lung cancer discussion board, there are not many posters there.  I use the inspire web site as well, especially for the lung cancer.  I am glad you popped back in.  I wish you well Lori.

  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    Yeah

    Sorry for your heartaches, Kim.

    Yeah, other cancers can be tough to get support.  Colon cancer is on that short list here that there are enough patients, patients who survive long enough to learn to fend for themselves, and have time with quality time  to share and form a community.   I think Breast Ca and Ovarian are the other two that have much support or decent archives. 

  • ThomasH
    ThomasH Member Posts: 106 Member
    edited July 2016 #8
    One of my personal demons

    That feeling of being alone is one of my greatest fears for my wife too Kim. I'm really happy to hear your husband is doing well, but I can empathize with anyone who has that fear of their loved one being left alone. I can deal with the cancer. Everything about it sucks, but I can deal with that. It is a lot harder to deal with the idea that I might not be there for my family when they need me.

    Don't get me wrong, I FULLY intend to beat this, and I know that all of us on here do. 

    BUT..... we don't all win. 

    I'm glad to be a (new) part of a group that has seen both sides of this battle, and I hope that you are all there if my wife happens to need some support too.

  • fedester
    fedester Member Posts: 753 Member
    Hi Kim

    Sorry for your loss.

    I too haven't been on in a while but think of everyone here daily. Wishing everyone here all the best in this fight. stay the course, have faith in the Man upstairs and never, ever give up !!!!    Warmest regards, Bruce

     

     

     

     

     

  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    Hi Kim!

    Welcome back! Today is my first time back in about four years! It appears it's old school day. lol.

    I'm so sorry to hear about your brother and your hip replacement. I seem to remember that you and I had some similar problems. The radiation cooked my bones, too. The osteoporosis was so bad it was literally below the available low on the chart; -3.9, or something. The tailbone insufficiency fractures used to terrorize me, but years of walking everyday has repaired a lot of the damage.  

    I'm sorry about what your husband had to go through, too. You've really had a rough time of things, haven't you? Hopefully you'll recover fast from your hip replacement and there'll be no more pain :) 

  • dancer2
    dancer2 Member Posts: 49
    edited September 2016 #11
    You people really inspire me.

    You people really inspire me...I am new to these boards. When I read you comment kristasplace I had to pipe in since I like to juice but basically just got back into it to try and help my body with the chemo treatment I start next week...so I am awfully inspired by your story and I hope I can be as strong for I feel I have lots of living to do yet also.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    edited September 2016 #12
    Kim!

    I was on vacation when you posted this, and it must have slipped past me when I got home. 

    I love seeing your avatar and your smile. And I am happy to see you posting, though saddened that you didn't find the support you needed when your brother passed and your husband got diagnosed. 

    I too have noticed a change in the flow of the forum. Its a changing world and I guess the forum changes as well.  I fondly remember the banter when I first joined, back in January of '14.  I remember well the faces and names of those who I got to know, albeit briefly, before they passed. I remember those names, and speak them out loud every time I have my CT Scan. They are not forgotten, not by me. Their wisdom lives on, even though they wern't blessed to live on. 

    I do so hope that as the months have passed, you are back to full health, and both of your bionic hips are carrying you to great palces. 

    SUE

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    Hi Kim,

    I just popped on here this week for the first time in ages, glad to "see" you again.  I do think the forum has changed a bit over the last few years, as folks have come and gone.  I have to admit for me the combination of being NED and losing some special folk like Craig, Winter, JBG, etc just took the wind out of my sails.  I don't read or post here much anymore, but I'm always happy when I run across a check in from another old timer!

    Where is your husband at in terms of treatment?

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    I'm glad you're back. I

    I'm glad you're back. I missed your words and thoughts. It's tough to get through hard times if the people close to you aren't really there for you. I do know that people will often avoid someone because they don't know what to say or how to act and are scared of saying something hurtful. After all the deaths in my family I still don't know what to say and I'm not very good at being diplomatic so I can come across as blunt. I do know enough not to offer platitudes like "God needed a new angel' or 'he/she is out of pain' or anything like that. When my mom died my biggest support was my dog. I was divorced and my friends wre there for me but at 2 am I wasn't about to call someone to cry on their shoulder. And my daughter was only eight and having her own issues, I had her in a grief support group for children. Sometimes I'd cover my face with a pillow and scream, literally. Mom mom passed 19 years ago on Sept 8 so it's coming up in a aweek and I still can't talk about it. I'll think I can and then when I go to do it I break down.

    Anyway, sending you virtual hugs. May God give you peace and strength.

    Jan 

  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    dancer2 said:

    You people really inspire me.

    You people really inspire me...I am new to these boards. When I read you comment kristasplace I had to pipe in since I like to juice but basically just got back into it to try and help my body with the chemo treatment I start next week...so I am awfully inspired by your story and I hope I can be as strong for I feel I have lots of living to do yet also.

    Thank you, dancer2!

    Have you talked with 2bhealed and scouty, yet? I see that they're still on here. Those two were the ones who really inspired me to believe our bodies can do amazing things when given the right tools! Both of them are long term survivors who did it without following "the standards of care". Good luck with the treatments and I hope you get the "all clear" in no time at all!

    :)

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    Welcome back, Kim.

    I'm sorry for the loss of your brother. I know how difficult it is. I'm glad that your husband is doing well. I'm sorry that you're having hip issues. I am glad that you're back. We'e missed you.

    My brother passed in July, he was also 52. Although I felt the love on this board. I was very disappointed in my brother's hospice situation. My friend's sister received counseling through hospice. They called and checked on her and her family. The last time I spoke to hospice was the day my brother died. I had to argue with the nurse because she was pressuring me and my sister to place him in a facility and he didn't want that. 

    I'm still a mess. I miss him dearly. I took care of him and dad for 5 years. I'm making it through each day with the blessing of my grandchildren. They keep me smiling.

    Lin

  • sharpy102
    sharpy102 Member Posts: 368 Member
    Old timer, but reads more

    Old timer, but reads more than "talks"....but I'm here...as a background music...some may still remember me, some go "who the heck is this user?" And it's all good. I am always happy to see old members whom I got to know waaay back then. It gives me comfort knowing that there are people who can defeat cancer! You are all my hero!

    And Kim, I am sorry for my silence- I should have reached out for you. I used to hate when people said "time will help you heal" but they were right...time is your enemy at first, but will become your friend! Please take care!!!

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    edited October 2016 #18
    Welcome back!

    We missed you.

  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    sharpy102 said:

    Old timer, but reads more

    Old timer, but reads more than "talks"....but I'm here...as a background music...some may still remember me, some go "who the heck is this user?" And it's all good. I am always happy to see old members whom I got to know waaay back then. It gives me comfort knowing that there are people who can defeat cancer! You are all my hero!

    And Kim, I am sorry for my silence- I should have reached out for you. I used to hate when people said "time will help you heal" but they were right...time is your enemy at first, but will become your friend! Please take care!!!

    OMG...SHARPY!

    I am so glad you're still on this board! I remember what a horrible time you had having to deal with your mother's illness and death all by yourself. You were so young at the time, I just couldn't imagine how you were able to handle it. Your story has always stuck with me, and I'm glad you're here giving inspiration to others. Anyone feeling hopeless should know your story and how you survived it. How have you been???

     

  • angelsbaby
    angelsbaby Member Posts: 1,165 Member
    edited December 2016 #20
    kim

    all is good with me had some pancrese problems lost 100 lbs but still missing angel every day  no men yet in my life 7 yrs now since angel passed good luck sorry about your brother

     

    micheel