mom diagnosed with UPSC foregoing treatment and surgery

mamasbabygirl
mamasbabygirl Member Posts: 29
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
Hello all you brave women. thank you for sharing your stories. i am at a loss and hoping for some feedback. my lovely mother (age 63) was diagnosed with UPSC in august and after being told that she would need a radical hysterectomy etc for staging, she opted not to have the surgery. She started having symptoms last year in the fall and her Gyn wanted her to get tested then and she didn't and now we are a whole year later and her symptoms are getting worse. she has been seeing a holistic healer at a wellness center for the last 2 months. she has been on a strict raw food soup/liquid diet and has had 29 deep colonics. lymph therapy, essential oil massages, saunas etc. all wonderful for the body, but i don't think it's going to cure her cancer. she is a woman of deep faith in god and in the body's innate ability to heal. she has always lived a healthy lifestyle and adhered to an organic food diet etc. and this is why it made sense to her to try and heal herself. we as her children are trying to respect her wishes and remain positive, but i am at a point where i need answers and i really want to be realistic. this is cancer after all.
her wellness lady has told her this week that she wants her to see a doctor. finally. she is in a lot of pain. she is nauseous all the time, has difficulty eating and has lost some weight(we attributed this to her raw food diet), she is now extremely fatigued and her stomach is distended and it is painful for her to urinate or have bowel movements. she has lots of cramping and backaches.
i think she believes this is just the result of a "healing crisis" or breakthrough etc. or something unrelated to cancer. i think it's because the cancer has spread.
i just want to know if anyone else out there has experienced someone they love surviving this cancer without conventional treatment or is my mom in deep denial. what can i do to support her but also to be realistic and encourage her to seek better answers? and treatments?
i don't even know what to feel yet because she had me pretty convinced that she was going to "kick it". i have read so much about UPSC and how aggressive it can be and my common sense screams at me for her to get treatment if it's not too late. perhaps we have all been in denial. i'm starting to get scared.
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Comments

  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #2
    How distressing! I am trouble even knowing how to reply.
    As my gynecologic oncologist says "UPSC is a nasty character; one of the most aggressive forms of cancer imaginable". We had a couple of regular posters here who had early stage UPSC and denied chemo and radiation, but I honestly don't know anyone that didn't at least have the hysterectomy.

    I join you in being worried for your mother. The symptoms she is experiencing now sound very much like cancer spread throughout the pelvic area; I so hope I am wrong! She needs to see a gynecologic oncologist immediately and get a PET scan to see what's going on. Intervention now could still save her life. Maybe you can frame the suggestion in such a way as that you would like her to get a second opinion now at this 'healing crisis' juncture.

    I hold you both in my prayers tonight. (((((hugs)))))
  • llight
    llight Member Posts: 99
    #3
    I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. I, too, share Linda's concern and urgency for her to see a doctor ASAP.

    For what this is worth, I wanted to share this. Patrick Quillin, PhD, RD, CNS wrote a book called Beating Cancer with Nutrition (title says it all, right?). In his chapter, "Rational Cancer Treatment: If I had Cancer What Would I do" he writes:

    "I would use...restrained cytotoxic therapies to reduce tumor burden...."

    I think it would be wise to share this with her. This guy is a RD (registered dietician) and CNS (certified nutrition specialist) and he would use conventional treatments as a part of his overall (incl natural) treatment plan.

    Please keep us posted. You both are in my thoughts.
  • mamasbabygirl
    mamasbabygirl Member Posts: 29
    #4
    lindaprocopio said:

    How distressing! I am trouble even knowing how to reply.
    As my gynecologic oncologist says "UPSC is a nasty character; one of the most aggressive forms of cancer imaginable". We had a couple of regular posters here who had early stage UPSC and denied chemo and radiation, but I honestly don't know anyone that didn't at least have the hysterectomy.

    I join you in being worried for your mother. The symptoms she is experiencing now sound very much like cancer spread throughout the pelvic area; I so hope I am wrong! She needs to see a gynecologic oncologist immediately and get a PET scan to see what's going on. Intervention now could still save her life. Maybe you can frame the suggestion in such a way as that you would like her to get a second opinion now at this 'healing crisis' juncture.

    I hold you both in my prayers tonight. (((((hugs)))))

    mom
    Thank you ladies for your sweet, prompt replies and concern. i totally agree with both of you. i have been feeling this way all along and have tried every approach to convince her to at least have the staging done. she has 6 children and 15 wonderful grandchildren and although she may have been very attached to her uterus at one time, she no longer needs it and most certainly can do without it if it would save her life. i am certain her chances would be so much greater if she were to get the surgery and supportive treatments. she could do all of her natural healing along side of conventional. everything i have read from allopathic doctors and naturopaths alike state that she should at least "debulk" to give her immune system a fighting chance. my mother is a highly intelligent woman. she was an EMT for years and has always taken a keen interest in the medical field. it is surprising to me that she is holding so steadfast to only wellness treatments. i think she must just be scared and this is her way of feeling in control. her symptoms certainly do sound as if the cancer has spread. from everything that i have read about this type, it is rapid growing and she had the first symptoms last year!!!!
    i am hoping with all hope that i can convince her to get some more info and to be open to trying other treatments. otherwise, i fear we really are going to lose her. i don't know how much time we have left. she is seeing a holistic doctor tomorrow and i hope the doctor has enough wherewith all and integrity to send her to an oncologist.
    thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. mine are with you as well. i will keep you posted. Malia
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #5
    mamasbabygirl said:

    mom
    Thank you ladies for your sweet, prompt replies and concern. i totally agree with both of you. i have been feeling this way all along and have tried every approach to convince her to at least have the staging done. she has 6 children and 15 wonderful grandchildren and although she may have been very attached to her uterus at one time, she no longer needs it and most certainly can do without it if it would save her life. i am certain her chances would be so much greater if she were to get the surgery and supportive treatments. she could do all of her natural healing along side of conventional. everything i have read from allopathic doctors and naturopaths alike state that she should at least "debulk" to give her immune system a fighting chance. my mother is a highly intelligent woman. she was an EMT for years and has always taken a keen interest in the medical field. it is surprising to me that she is holding so steadfast to only wellness treatments. i think she must just be scared and this is her way of feeling in control. her symptoms certainly do sound as if the cancer has spread. from everything that i have read about this type, it is rapid growing and she had the first symptoms last year!!!!
    i am hoping with all hope that i can convince her to get some more info and to be open to trying other treatments. otherwise, i fear we really are going to lose her. i don't know how much time we have left. she is seeing a holistic doctor tomorrow and i hope the doctor has enough wherewith all and integrity to send her to an oncologist.
    thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. mine are with you as well. i will keep you posted. Malia

    Malia:
    I am sorry to hear
    Malia:

    I am sorry to hear about your mom. But I agree with the other ladies that your mom should at least have a total hysterctomy.

    When I was 44 years old, I started having pain, problems with my bowels, etc. I was never on any medicines, was pretty active, etc. Then I started taking motrin daily. Finally, the pain was getting so bad that I curled up in a ball. It felt like someone was taking my insides and twisting them. I had a hard time eating. They did a laparoscopy and found out I had severe endometriosis and therefore needed surgery (I had 3 C-Sections too). They didn't believe I had cancer, but put me on lupron for six months to soften the scarring. After surgery is when they found the cancer and had to have another surgery for staging (which all came back negative). I had a port put in and took preventative treatment. Then followed up with brachytherepy.

    I am now 50 years old and am not taking any medicines not even motrin. Your Mom really needs to have the surgery to feel good. It is tiring to be in pain and it is a strain on your body. Also, tell your mom that things have changed. Chemo is so different than it used to be. There are many methods.

    My prayers to you, your Mom and your family.

    Kathy

    P.S. I used to be an EMT/Paramedic when I was younger.
  • nempark
    nempark Member Posts: 681
    #6
    a bout mom
    Hi I have been seeing a herbalist for almost one year now and in the beginning I was sceptical. But during our many conversations, she told me not to be fooled THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU HAVE TO SEEK CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE. I had radical surgery, chemo and then my herbs which I really believe in and I am still taking them. Just as the other ladies said, Please tell mom go for the operation and then she can follow up with the holistic medicine. Medicine has come along way and many of us on the board can attest to that. I send your mom my best wishes and prays that our great God gives her wisdom to see that she has to have that hysterectomy. Tell her her grandchildren and all of you need her. I send you comfort.,
  • llight
    llight Member Posts: 99
    #7
    nempark said:

    a bout mom
    Hi I have been seeing a herbalist for almost one year now and in the beginning I was sceptical. But during our many conversations, she told me not to be fooled THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU HAVE TO SEEK CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE. I had radical surgery, chemo and then my herbs which I really believe in and I am still taking them. Just as the other ladies said, Please tell mom go for the operation and then she can follow up with the holistic medicine. Medicine has come along way and many of us on the board can attest to that. I send your mom my best wishes and prays that our great God gives her wisdom to see that she has to have that hysterectomy. Tell her her grandchildren and all of you need her. I send you comfort.,

    Malia,

    I'm wondering (if possible) if printing out this thread and faxing to the holistic doc or giving a call tonight and leaving a message on his/her voicemail expressing your concern might push the doc to give a mention about conventional treatment. Saying you've done some research and have talked to others with this cancer may give a boost to your message. Just a thought.

    Again, please keep us posted.

    llight
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #8
    llight said:

    Malia,

    I'm wondering (if possible) if printing out this thread and faxing to the holistic doc or giving a call tonight and leaving a message on his/her voicemail expressing your concern might push the doc to give a mention about conventional treatment. Saying you've done some research and have talked to others with this cancer may give a boost to your message. Just a thought.

    Again, please keep us posted.

    llight

    I like llight's suggestion that YOU contact your mom's 'healer'.
    I think you need to make your justifiable concerns clear to your mother's 'healer', and record the conversation with their permission. I am against unwarranted litigation, but truly, if this 'healer' does not at least encourage your mother to see a gynecologic oncologist, he/she should be sued and put out of business to stop such irresponsible unethical practices.

    (I am going through something like this with my sister who has a horrible circulation problem of some kind that is causing her feet and ankles to be grotesquely discolored and affecting her ability to walk up stairs, etc., and seeing only a 'healer'. I fear that she will lose her feet under his 'therapy plan' and know that the supplements he is giving her are expensive and probably worthless for this problem. I not only want to sue him and put him out of business; some days I want to drive down there and slap some sense into them both!) Sorry for the venting.
  • mamasbabygirl
    mamasbabygirl Member Posts: 29
    #9
    lindaprocopio said:

    I like llight's suggestion that YOU contact your mom's 'healer'.
    I think you need to make your justifiable concerns clear to your mother's 'healer', and record the conversation with their permission. I am against unwarranted litigation, but truly, if this 'healer' does not at least encourage your mother to see a gynecologic oncologist, he/she should be sued and put out of business to stop such irresponsible unethical practices.

    (I am going through something like this with my sister who has a horrible circulation problem of some kind that is causing her feet and ankles to be grotesquely discolored and affecting her ability to walk up stairs, etc., and seeing only a 'healer'. I fear that she will lose her feet under his 'therapy plan' and know that the supplements he is giving her are expensive and probably worthless for this problem. I not only want to sue him and put him out of business; some days I want to drive down there and slap some sense into them both!) Sorry for the venting.

    mom's healer
    Love the venting linda! don't worry, i do not offend easily! honest communication is of the utmost import to me. i have been trying all along to be respectful of her choices and to stay out of her business of healing choice, but i have had the same thoughts all along about her wellness nurse. i know these women are people that my mother trusts completely and i don't doubt their dedication and love for my mom, but i do think it is irresponsible to only know recommend she see a doctor. i think i would have only agreed to see her if she had come with a proper diagnosis and then make a treatment plan in conjunction with her gyn/onc. i am at the point now that i don't care as much about her privacy as i do helping to keep her alive. she actually does want to stay alive. she is comfortable with death and "meeting her maker", but isn't ready yet. i should say not! she is at her appointment right now and i am eagerly awaiting her call. keep you posted.

    i am so sorry to hear of your sister's circulation issues. how painful. i know that naturopathic medicine could be a useful adjunct to conventional in this case, but ONLY after a diagnosis and treatment plan. medicine is not the devil, nor are doctors. we just need to be active participants in our care and use all methods available to us. i do believe the body has amazing healing abilities, but you gotta know what you're dealing with to choose the right method. have you or your sister ever read any of dr. weil's work? even though he has become one of today's modern gurus, he is intelligent and i like what he has to say. he offers real,practical advice and he is a trained allopathic(conventional) doctor with naturopathic training as well. he is head of the integrative medicine program at arizona state i believe. might have something interesting to say about your sister?

    thanks again for thoughts, prayers and insights everyone.

    kepp um coming.
    Malia
  • mamasbabygirl
    mamasbabygirl Member Posts: 29
    #10
    llight said:

    Malia,

    I'm wondering (if possible) if printing out this thread and faxing to the holistic doc or giving a call tonight and leaving a message on his/her voicemail expressing your concern might push the doc to give a mention about conventional treatment. Saying you've done some research and have talked to others with this cancer may give a boost to your message. Just a thought.

    Again, please keep us posted.

    llight

    I like it!
    llight- good idea, I like it! thank you!
  • mamasbabygirl
    mamasbabygirl Member Posts: 29
    #11
    lindaprocopio said:

    How distressing! I am trouble even knowing how to reply.
    As my gynecologic oncologist says "UPSC is a nasty character; one of the most aggressive forms of cancer imaginable". We had a couple of regular posters here who had early stage UPSC and denied chemo and radiation, but I honestly don't know anyone that didn't at least have the hysterectomy.

    I join you in being worried for your mother. The symptoms she is experiencing now sound very much like cancer spread throughout the pelvic area; I so hope I am wrong! She needs to see a gynecologic oncologist immediately and get a PET scan to see what's going on. Intervention now could still save her life. Maybe you can frame the suggestion in such a way as that you would like her to get a second opinion now at this 'healing crisis' juncture.

    I hold you both in my prayers tonight. (((((hugs)))))

    mom's having a cat scan of
    mom's having a cat scan of her abdomen and pelvic region right now! she liked the doctor and i am awaiting any news. keep you posted!
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    #12
    mamasbabygirl said:

    mom's healer
    Love the venting linda! don't worry, i do not offend easily! honest communication is of the utmost import to me. i have been trying all along to be respectful of her choices and to stay out of her business of healing choice, but i have had the same thoughts all along about her wellness nurse. i know these women are people that my mother trusts completely and i don't doubt their dedication and love for my mom, but i do think it is irresponsible to only know recommend she see a doctor. i think i would have only agreed to see her if she had come with a proper diagnosis and then make a treatment plan in conjunction with her gyn/onc. i am at the point now that i don't care as much about her privacy as i do helping to keep her alive. she actually does want to stay alive. she is comfortable with death and "meeting her maker", but isn't ready yet. i should say not! she is at her appointment right now and i am eagerly awaiting her call. keep you posted.

    i am so sorry to hear of your sister's circulation issues. how painful. i know that naturopathic medicine could be a useful adjunct to conventional in this case, but ONLY after a diagnosis and treatment plan. medicine is not the devil, nor are doctors. we just need to be active participants in our care and use all methods available to us. i do believe the body has amazing healing abilities, but you gotta know what you're dealing with to choose the right method. have you or your sister ever read any of dr. weil's work? even though he has become one of today's modern gurus, he is intelligent and i like what he has to say. he offers real,practical advice and he is a trained allopathic(conventional) doctor with naturopathic training as well. he is head of the integrative medicine program at arizona state i believe. might have something interesting to say about your sister?

    thanks again for thoughts, prayers and insights everyone.

    kepp um coming.
    Malia

    Malia....you are right on track!
    Malia, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom and it is wonderful that you have tried to be supportive of her privacy and her decisions about her treatment. Her "healers" do have a responsibility to encourage her to seek a medical opinon.

    I definitey agree that you do indeed have the right to try to do everything you can to make sure your Mom has the tests needed to determine what would be the best treatment plan for her. A gyn-oncologist is in the best position to explain everything to you and your Mom!

    I am happy to hear that she is having a CT scan as that is a good place to start. I know the thought of surgery can be frightening, but it is such a small part of the journey! Please keep us posted. Your Mom is so fortunate to have such a caring, concerned advocate as you! Keeping you both in my thoughts!!

    Karen
  • mamasbabygirl
    mamasbabygirl Member Posts: 29
    #13
    kkstef said:

    Malia....you are right on track!
    Malia, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom and it is wonderful that you have tried to be supportive of her privacy and her decisions about her treatment. Her "healers" do have a responsibility to encourage her to seek a medical opinon.

    I definitey agree that you do indeed have the right to try to do everything you can to make sure your Mom has the tests needed to determine what would be the best treatment plan for her. A gyn-oncologist is in the best position to explain everything to you and your Mom!

    I am happy to hear that she is having a CT scan as that is a good place to start. I know the thought of surgery can be frightening, but it is such a small part of the journey! Please keep us posted. Your Mom is so fortunate to have such a caring, concerned advocate as you! Keeping you both in my thoughts!!

    Karen

    thank you sweet karen. i
    thank you sweet karen. i will certainly keep everyone updated. i am hoping for news, any news after the cat scan just so we can decide how to move forward. it has been over a year now since her initial symptoms, but only since august since her actual diagnosis so i am hoping even with this lost time, that she has a chance. she's a fighter. now i just want her to use everything in her arsenal!
    she sure has a lot of good thought and prayer coming her way. if anything at least that is a source of love and comfort.
    Best,
    Malia
  • Ocean1
    Ocean1 Member Posts: 23
    #14
    Malia
    I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. My Mom was diagnosed in May 2010 with the second most aggressive uterine cancer and we are throwing everything at it that we can. Surgery and now into our 5th month of chemo every week. I do understand how hard it is emotionally for you as her daughter. I cannot say that I relate to the holistic approach your Mom is taking but it sounds like this is a very strong part of her life. I can only say that surgery could get what cancer is out of her and then she could use the holistic approach and diet along with other treatments. We seriously worried about Mom starting chemo as we were still thinking of the "old" chemo and, I must say, chemo treatments/side effects have changed and there are so many ways to control what side effects do occur. Keep us updated on how the CT went. You and your family are in my prayers.
  • maggie_wilson
    maggie_wilson Member Posts: 596
    #15
    malia

    i do want to add my voice to those of us here who are strongly advocating that your mother see a doctor, and once she gets the results of her ct, probably have surgery. i am one who can relate to your mother's holistic approach, however, i went with surgery first, then the standard chemo. it's been a year, and i've been seeing an acupuncturist, a body worker, walking every day, changed my diet completely, etc., but probably wouldn't be alive today without the surgery and probably the chemo.

    as the head nurse at my oncology explained it, the surgery is to get rid of as much of the cancer as possible that can be seen, then chemo to get at whatever cancer cannot be seen, in the hopes that the body's own immune system can pick up from there. maybe if you explained a little more to your mother about this, she might understand. clearly her healer thought she needed to see a doctor at this point, and she needed a doctor to recommend a ct scan, so it does sound like she's in the medical system at this point. i'm so sorry she and you and your family have to go through this, cancer is such a tough disease to know how to treat, especially after the basic surgery, chemo and in some cases, radiation.

    i'm thinking of you and your mother, and hoping for the best outcome possible. don't give up on your mother getting medical help, even though of course you respect her need to control much of her own decision making. hopefully you can find a way to support her and at the same time let her know she needs to be under the care of a gyn-onc. that probably is the best support you can provide. but i understand how tactful and careful you need to be.

    best to you,
    sisterhood,
    maggie
  • mamasbabygirl
    mamasbabygirl Member Posts: 29
    #16
    maggie_wilson said:

    malia

    i do want to add my voice to those of us here who are strongly advocating that your mother see a doctor, and once she gets the results of her ct, probably have surgery. i am one who can relate to your mother's holistic approach, however, i went with surgery first, then the standard chemo. it's been a year, and i've been seeing an acupuncturist, a body worker, walking every day, changed my diet completely, etc., but probably wouldn't be alive today without the surgery and probably the chemo.

    as the head nurse at my oncology explained it, the surgery is to get rid of as much of the cancer as possible that can be seen, then chemo to get at whatever cancer cannot be seen, in the hopes that the body's own immune system can pick up from there. maybe if you explained a little more to your mother about this, she might understand. clearly her healer thought she needed to see a doctor at this point, and she needed a doctor to recommend a ct scan, so it does sound like she's in the medical system at this point. i'm so sorry she and you and your family have to go through this, cancer is such a tough disease to know how to treat, especially after the basic surgery, chemo and in some cases, radiation.

    i'm thinking of you and your mother, and hoping for the best outcome possible. don't give up on your mother getting medical help, even though of course you respect her need to control much of her own decision making. hopefully you can find a way to support her and at the same time let her know she needs to be under the care of a gyn-onc. that probably is the best support you can provide. but i understand how tactful and careful you need to be.

    best to you,
    sisterhood,
    maggie

    pre-lim CT results
    Maggie and Ocean1,
    Thank you both for sharing your stories and thoughts and comments. It is so nice to have such brave and powerful women around on this planet, although too bad it hasn't been under different circumstances. I am sorry for any and all suffering you may have endured and i rejoice in all the progress and healing you have had thus far. i will continue to send good thoughts for your continued good health!

    Now for the CT. i didn't get to talk to mom on the phone yet, just via text. this is the result thus far- the scan revealed tumors throughout her abdomen. she is meeting with an oncologist in the next couple of days. i will know more then. i still have lots of questions and i will pursue those answers with vigor. mom seems to be relieved that she has finally seen a doctor actually. i think she knows deep down that she waited too long, but was just so afraid and wanted to believe so desperately that she and god could heal her. i am not giving up yet nor do i think she is. she will go at this next round with as much passion as she gave to her holistic approach. she is one stubborn woman and i'm hoping that she at least uses that to her advantage. i was sad today and cried for the first time. bellowed actually. snot running down my face cry. it was good.
    i'll keep you posted.

    best,
    malia
  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
    #17
    mamasbabygirl said:

    pre-lim CT results
    Maggie and Ocean1,
    Thank you both for sharing your stories and thoughts and comments. It is so nice to have such brave and powerful women around on this planet, although too bad it hasn't been under different circumstances. I am sorry for any and all suffering you may have endured and i rejoice in all the progress and healing you have had thus far. i will continue to send good thoughts for your continued good health!

    Now for the CT. i didn't get to talk to mom on the phone yet, just via text. this is the result thus far- the scan revealed tumors throughout her abdomen. she is meeting with an oncologist in the next couple of days. i will know more then. i still have lots of questions and i will pursue those answers with vigor. mom seems to be relieved that she has finally seen a doctor actually. i think she knows deep down that she waited too long, but was just so afraid and wanted to believe so desperately that she and god could heal her. i am not giving up yet nor do i think she is. she will go at this next round with as much passion as she gave to her holistic approach. she is one stubborn woman and i'm hoping that she at least uses that to her advantage. i was sad today and cried for the first time. bellowed actually. snot running down my face cry. it was good.
    i'll keep you posted.

    best,
    malia

    Dear Malia,
    I'm sorry to hear that the ct scan showed disease progression, but that doesn't mean it is to late for treatment. Hopefully this will all be addressed when she sees the oncologist in a few days. In the meantime, I know you will provide her with the support she needs right now.

    Remember, giving up is not an option. I will pray for the strength needed to assist you all in getting through this.

    Peace and hope, JJ
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #18
    Always Hopeful said:

    Dear Malia,
    I'm sorry to hear that the ct scan showed disease progression, but that doesn't mean it is to late for treatment. Hopefully this will all be addressed when she sees the oncologist in a few days. In the meantime, I know you will provide her with the support she needs right now.

    Remember, giving up is not an option. I will pray for the strength needed to assist you all in getting through this.

    Peace and hope, JJ

    Malia
    Sorry to hear about the issues on the scan. You know most everyone of us on this site have encountered the "bad" news. It's unsettling and jolting, but on the other side after a bit of down time, we gain back our inner strengths. As you've mentioned your mom is tough and a fighter, so let her get going.

    I know when I heard about the "cancer" in me, I was shacking literally. And...felt sorry for myself and why me GOd!!! Well...after a few hours of the pitty party, I pulled up my big girl pants and said I'm going to fight like mad. Today I'm still fighting and will never give up.

    You need to cry and release the emotions of the news. Show your mom you're strong and so can she be strong. With 2 people arm and arm, you can beat this disease.

    I know your mom will find the best path for her and you'll be right beside her all the way.

    Good luck to you and plse keep us posted....we all care!
    Jan
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    #19
    mamasbabygirl said:

    pre-lim CT results
    Maggie and Ocean1,
    Thank you both for sharing your stories and thoughts and comments. It is so nice to have such brave and powerful women around on this planet, although too bad it hasn't been under different circumstances. I am sorry for any and all suffering you may have endured and i rejoice in all the progress and healing you have had thus far. i will continue to send good thoughts for your continued good health!

    Now for the CT. i didn't get to talk to mom on the phone yet, just via text. this is the result thus far- the scan revealed tumors throughout her abdomen. she is meeting with an oncologist in the next couple of days. i will know more then. i still have lots of questions and i will pursue those answers with vigor. mom seems to be relieved that she has finally seen a doctor actually. i think she knows deep down that she waited too long, but was just so afraid and wanted to believe so desperately that she and god could heal her. i am not giving up yet nor do i think she is. she will go at this next round with as much passion as she gave to her holistic approach. she is one stubborn woman and i'm hoping that she at least uses that to her advantage. i was sad today and cried for the first time. bellowed actually. snot running down my face cry. it was good.
    i'll keep you posted.

    best,
    malia

    Crying is therapeutic!!
    Malia, you are such a trooper! The sadness is very normal and can be overwhelming at times. Sometimes a good cry is just want you need...just keep a kleenex handy for those melt downs! Do you have any other family members to help support you and your Mom on this journey?

    You may be absolutely right about thinking your Mom seems relieved to see a doctor and it is good that she got in so fast! We are all anxious to hear how things are going and are here to answer any questions we can!

    Best to you and your Mom!

    Karen
  • mamasbabygirl
    mamasbabygirl Member Posts: 29
    #20
    kkstef said:

    Crying is therapeutic!!
    Malia, you are such a trooper! The sadness is very normal and can be overwhelming at times. Sometimes a good cry is just want you need...just keep a kleenex handy for those melt downs! Do you have any other family members to help support you and your Mom on this journey?

    You may be absolutely right about thinking your Mom seems relieved to see a doctor and it is good that she got in so fast! We are all anxious to hear how things are going and are here to answer any questions we can!

    Best to you and your Mom!

    Karen

    the latest news on mom

    thank you for keeping us in your thoughts. well here it is as well as i can explain it with my limited info, she went to the oncologist and she really liked him and trusted him and her experience thus far with the conventional medical field has been very positive. everyone has been kind and quite accommodating with her scheduling etc. since monday, all of her appt.s have been moving really quickly. he has told her that without treatment, she has a few weeks or months left. he is sending her to a surgeon in the morning to discuss options. chemo, surgery, chemo etc... i will know more tomorrow and i will know what decision my mom has made. had myself a few good cries and now i'm just getting myself ready to fly out to see her and to be strong for her.
    i will keep you all posted. thank you for your continued prayers and good thoughts.
    Malia

    Karen, my dear soul, i am having whatever cries and emotions that i need to feel. we are a touchy feely family and so we do not shy away from emotions or try to hide from negative stuff. i think i just in a bit of denial and needed to know what we were dealing with, then the dam burst! there are 6 of us kids and she has a huge network of people who love her and are sending her thoughts and prayers, including wonderful women like you! my sister will go with me to the initial visit then i am sure the whole family will descend upon her small town like a bunch of locusts! i want a little time with her before all our brothers and grandchildren and her sisters. i am sure she will want to see everyone but i want to be a little selfish right now. i will do whatever she wishes actually. she's in charge. lol!
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #21
    mamasbabygirl said:

    the latest news on mom

    thank you for keeping us in your thoughts. well here it is as well as i can explain it with my limited info, she went to the oncologist and she really liked him and trusted him and her experience thus far with the conventional medical field has been very positive. everyone has been kind and quite accommodating with her scheduling etc. since monday, all of her appt.s have been moving really quickly. he has told her that without treatment, she has a few weeks or months left. he is sending her to a surgeon in the morning to discuss options. chemo, surgery, chemo etc... i will know more tomorrow and i will know what decision my mom has made. had myself a few good cries and now i'm just getting myself ready to fly out to see her and to be strong for her.
    i will keep you all posted. thank you for your continued prayers and good thoughts.
    Malia

    Karen, my dear soul, i am having whatever cries and emotions that i need to feel. we are a touchy feely family and so we do not shy away from emotions or try to hide from negative stuff. i think i just in a bit of denial and needed to know what we were dealing with, then the dam burst! there are 6 of us kids and she has a huge network of people who love her and are sending her thoughts and prayers, including wonderful women like you! my sister will go with me to the initial visit then i am sure the whole family will descend upon her small town like a bunch of locusts! i want a little time with her before all our brothers and grandchildren and her sisters. i am sure she will want to see everyone but i want to be a little selfish right now. i will do whatever she wishes actually. she's in charge. lol!

    Malia:
    My thoughts and
    Malia:

    My thoughts and prayers to you, your mom and family. Your mom will make the decision that is right for her.

    I don't know what else to say so I am sending you my hugs (((Hugs))).

    Kathy

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