I got "that" call only an hour ago

Do not be afraid!! Cancer can be beat with today's meds.  I was dxed at age 77,  Currently 86.  I;ve been NED (no evedence of disease) 

for last 8 years.  If an old koot like me can do it, so can you.  Best of luck down your bumpy road!!!

Stress and Cancer go hand in hand. Now is YOUR time to be taken care of.  

My heart aches for the woes of your children, BUT, as much as you will still be concerned for them (so happy about your 22 year old), you must let them try to take care of themselves, while you take care of you. 

This may or may not be a wakeup call for them, you never know.  

Roll with the pain, shock, disbelief, horror, fear and all the other feeling that you are now experiencing.  Don't fight them, feel them. Just don't let them control you. You control them. 

When I was first diagnosed and starting treatment, my fear of dying almost floored me, especially at night. I wept for my boys, my husband and myslef. It was so bad, I could hardly sleep. I knew I was feeding the Cacner with my worry, so I told myself that I get 10 minutes a day of feeling sorry, crying, anguishing, and then no more.  It worked for me. Find something that works for you. But you MUST lessen the stress you feel for your children and for what lies ahead. It will literally eat you alive.  

Once you start treatment, whatever road that might take, you will be surprised at how normal life becomes. This, for a time, will be your normal. Treatments, surgery maybe, tests, scans - always tests. Lots of tests & scans -  you will roll with it, and you will laugh and smile and cry and fall flat on your face with side effects, but you will get through it, and SURVIVE. 

I'm glad you posted strtaight away. Stick with us and we'll stick with you. 

Tru

Wow...you have been through a lot!  You will perserve through this challenge too.  At the beginning of this journey my husbands oncologist told us this treatment would be a marathon, not a sprint.  It has held true.  As you make your way through this marathon, you will find much support here as I have.  Come with questions, vents, etc and the wonderful people here will help!

It's the words that no one wants to hear and it's ok to be fearful.  You will have to probably get a CT scan to see if there are any other areas affected.  I'm sorry that you have to be here but we can help you get through this.  It's going to be a whirlwind of many tests, doctors, and emotions.  Please come back on here and ask away.  We are here to help.  Wishing you well.

Kim

So sorry to hear about your diagnosis.  It sounds like you have always been a caretaker and no surprise you chose nursing.  Sorry to hear about the problems with your daughter, I'm sure you did everything you could to help guide her.  It's hard to watch your child make bad choices.  Dealing with all the stress is probably why you got cancer. I pray that it was caught early and you will be cured! 

Stress did me in too.  I was running my own business, and my husband working full time and trying to start his own busines.  My business had been doing very well and then I had to cut back on my time at work to care for kids.  We had so many problems with children and grandchildren for almost 5 years prior to my diagnosis.  I was caring for my two youngest children, two step children, and two grandchildren.   There were medical problems with some, rebellious and deliquency issues with others, and hubby's ex-wife causing problems.   Way too much happening to go into here. I closed my business because it was making me ill in other ways too:  heart problems, always felt sick to my stomach which I thought was due to nerves, and I was diagnosed with fybromyalgia, arthritis, carpal  tunnel syndrome, bursitis, etc. I just  couldn't do it anymore.  My family life improved dramatically with me at home, and the kids have mostly grown up.  We only have 2 teens left at home. Yes I know adult children can cause alot of stress too.  I've had that as well.    

Just when I thought I could get back out there and work again,  I woke up with a pain in my side, went to urgent care and then for an ultrasound and was told I had numerous spots in my liver that needed further diagnosis.  The doctor who biopsied said it was colon cancer, which meant it was metastized.  I could not believe it.  I was operating in a fog for awhile.  CT showed spots in my lungs, so I was diagnosed at Stage 4.  The first oncologist I saw said my cancer had started about 3 to 5 years prior to diagnosis - during the time my life was the most stressful.  He said I had 6 to 18 months to live.  Statistics at that time were only 5% chance of surviving 3 years.  I've been fighting cancer for over 2 years now.  Even though the side effects of chemo can be pretty hard, I have survived and my doctors now say I have "many years" left.        

Many on this site have reached the NED status, and some have been cured.  Many others, like myself are dealing with treatment of a "chronic disease".  At any rate, I wish the best of luck to you in your battle. 

Joan