Support for the journey

crystalbay
crystalbay Member Posts: 38
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
I can't help but notice that nearly all of this board's members seem to have a loving partner! What a wonderful and critical asset this must be during such trying times. Having a husband or wife to oversee hydration, weight, diet, meds, etc and advocate with the medical system when the ill partner is too weak to do so is a life-saver. When reflecting on my own journey, it's painfully clear to see that the absence of a partner has resulted in untold amounts of suffering and compromised recovery. I just want to celebrate partners in this
post and commend your devotion. You are all angels on this earth!!

Comments

  • slydog11
    slydog11 Member Posts: 40
    #2
    Support
    Hi,

    I can't say enough what a God-send it is for me to have a wonderful family behind me. I'm married with six children and seven grandchildren and am very blessed to have them during this process. I was officially diagnosed three weeks ago and had my first chemo yesterday at Mass General. I feel bad that you do not have the same level of support but know that you're in my prayers and those of this wonderful network of survivors.

    God bless you.

    Paul
  • crystalbay
    crystalbay Member Posts: 38
    #3
    slydog11 said:

    Support
    Hi,

    I can't say enough what a God-send it is for me to have a wonderful family behind me. I'm married with six children and seven grandchildren and am very blessed to have them during this process. I was officially diagnosed three weeks ago and had my first chemo yesterday at Mass General. I feel bad that you do not have the same level of support but know that you're in my prayers and those of this wonderful network of survivors.

    God bless you.

    Paul

    Thank you!!!
    Paul - I do have three wonderful, supportive adult kids & almost 10 grandkids. I've also been blessed with a network of angels who sprang up almost out of nowhere to "circle the wagons". I had no idea people cared this much. They've done everything from planting all the spring annuals to mowing to cat care to grocery shopping to many medical emergency trips. I am truly blessed and will feel this for the rest of my life. I've learned that people genuinely love to give when someone's so vulnerable and that allowing/receiving help is, in fact, a gift to the giver! Of course all of this cannot match the devotion of just one live-in partner.

    As to your journey, my hope is that like me, you have NO side effects from chemo. I had the 24/7 FU5 chemo pump and this is far gentler than bolus treatment I hear. I had no side effects from the 6-weeks of radiation either. I more than paid my cancer club dues however when I had the radical surgery!!! Three months out now, I feel 100% with no issues whatsoever. If someone had convinced me that, for just three months of misery, I'd be totally back to normal, it might have been less horrible. At the time you're suffering though it feels like forever. I learned the hard way that hydration is the key to avoiding nausea.

    Take care, Paul, and know that at least one person got through chemo unscathed!!

    Crystalbay

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