Transplant - If I could JUST find ONE PERSON IN MY PREDICAMENT ON THIS SITE IT WOULD BE A MIRACLE...

blazytracy
blazytracy Member Posts: 157
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
If I could find just one person on this site that is in my predicament it would be a MIRACLE!!..... OK, April 5, 2005, I received a Kidney/Pancreas Transplant which was a miracle in itself... And Long Story Short...My kidneys went bad due to Diabetes since the age of 14, I am now 48. I received a kidney....yes..../and the pancreas as a BONUS so of course I no longer take insulin which I had been taking for 30 years......I have been doing WONDERFUL since then!!! I have felt completely normal, lived completely normal and the only difference has been that I have had to take my anti-rejection pills twice daily. My life had been changed for the better and yes, I thought I could now live like a NORMAL PERSON!!!!!!!!! No Insulin!!! This, in itself, had changed my life forever!!!!!!!!!!! All of my test results have been wonderful and I am keeping the desired levels of everything!! (won't go into detail on that part but it ALL has been good) ANYWAY, never expected breast cancer to come out of it (there is a higher risk because I am already immunosuppressed)What else does God want me to deal with??? Oh........did I mention that I had my appendix removed in June, totalled out my car in July....and diagnosed with cancer in September??OK, NOW I AM WHINING......sorry.......I GUESS I HAVE TO LET IT ALLL OUT..(SORRY) OMG! I guess now is my tme..I could go on and on and I am sure most people can!!...but I have had 3 bad lucks now, isn't it time for something good? PLEASE DO NOT GIVE ME SYMPATHY - I DO NOT NEED IT OR WANT IT! BUT I AM RANTING AND RAVING AND ISNT' THAT WHAT THIS SITE IS FOR??????????
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Comments

  • Wolfi
    Wolfi Member Posts: 425
    :-)
    blazytracy,

    Sorry to hear you are going through all of this. Can I ask what type/stage of breast cancer you have? Have you been told about your treatment plan yet?

    This is a wonderful site to rant and rave (I know because I've done it). The people here are VERY supportive of others and I think you will find comfort here.

    One phrase that came to mind when I read your post (and I'm sorry if this sounds bad) is: third time's the charm. Another is: God doesn't give you anything you can't handle.

    You are a great inspiration to others who have been/will be in a similar situation. Please keep posting here and venting whenever necessary. I hope my experience with breast cancer can be of some help to you in your journey.
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    Wow Blazy,
    you have been through a lot-more than a lot of people go through in their lifetime I'm sure.Yet you are still here and fighting and willing to be an encouragement for others on this board!
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    Yes Tracy
    That is what this site is all about. So come on and rant and rave any time you need too. It is better than kicking the wall or butting your head into it.(which is what I found myself doing) I can't say that I know anyone that is in your predicament but many of us have other health issues besides breast cancer. It is not an easy road to travel. Thats why we are here to support each other.

    There are a lot of great sisters on this board. Who knows, someone in your predicament might chime in and help you.

    Hugs
    Jadie<3
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    IT's Understandable.......
    May I offer you empathy for what you are going through?..........it sucks! So, go ahead and rant and rave......Better to get it out! This site is wonderful for venting your feelings. It's very understandable to question "why" this has happened to you......and probably mentally,quite healthy.....better than keeping it in and letting it fester.....
    So let it rip! I don't think any of us want sympathy, just an understanding of why we feel the way we do......it's validation that our feelings are real and just........
    I wish you the best......
  • Paula1001
    Paula1001 Member Posts: 35
    ranting and raving
    Go for it! We're here to listen and give support. What you've already been through is mind-boggling. The nice thing about this site, is that we can empathize; not sympathize. If bad things do come in three's, you're due for a LOT of good luck from here on out.
    Paula
  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    Paula1001 said:

    ranting and raving
    Go for it! We're here to listen and give support. What you've already been through is mind-boggling. The nice thing about this site, is that we can empathize; not sympathize. If bad things do come in three's, you're due for a LOT of good luck from here on out.
    Paula

    My son is waiting for a transplant and I was diagnosed with BC..
    Hi Tracy,

    My breast cancer was discovered during my screening to donate my kidney to my son who like you had diabetes since childhood. He was 10. Unfortunately, I was the only family member who is a match so he is on a list. Not sure if he will get a kidney/pancreas transplant or just a kidney. It will be a few years or more until he gets one because the list is very long. He is doing parateneal dialysis at home and so far, so good. He is single and is staying with me while he waits and waits and waits.

    So, I'm not exactly in your position but I am dealing with breast cancer and kidney transplant issues so it's pretty darn close. You are very brave. Life is worth it!

    By the way, it must be nice not to need insulin after all those years.

    Roseann
  • matsu
    matsu Member Posts: 7
    roseann4 said:

    My son is waiting for a transplant and I was diagnosed with BC..
    Hi Tracy,

    My breast cancer was discovered during my screening to donate my kidney to my son who like you had diabetes since childhood. He was 10. Unfortunately, I was the only family member who is a match so he is on a list. Not sure if he will get a kidney/pancreas transplant or just a kidney. It will be a few years or more until he gets one because the list is very long. He is doing parateneal dialysis at home and so far, so good. He is single and is staying with me while he waits and waits and waits.

    So, I'm not exactly in your position but I am dealing with breast cancer and kidney transplant issues so it's pretty darn close. You are very brave. Life is worth it!

    By the way, it must be nice not to need insulin after all those years.

    Roseann

    Kidney transplant
    Roseann, are you unable to donate a kidney because of your BC diagnosis? Does that mean I could not donate at any time?
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    roseann4 said:

    My son is waiting for a transplant and I was diagnosed with BC..
    Hi Tracy,

    My breast cancer was discovered during my screening to donate my kidney to my son who like you had diabetes since childhood. He was 10. Unfortunately, I was the only family member who is a match so he is on a list. Not sure if he will get a kidney/pancreas transplant or just a kidney. It will be a few years or more until he gets one because the list is very long. He is doing parateneal dialysis at home and so far, so good. He is single and is staying with me while he waits and waits and waits.

    So, I'm not exactly in your position but I am dealing with breast cancer and kidney transplant issues so it's pretty darn close. You are very brave. Life is worth it!

    By the way, it must be nice not to need insulin after all those years.

    Roseann

    ROSEANN
    God Bless you and your son.......
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    matsu said:

    Kidney transplant
    Roseann, are you unable to donate a kidney because of your BC diagnosis? Does that mean I could not donate at any time?

    matsu
    I don't think we can donate organs or blood after a cancer dx.
  • always
    always Member Posts: 256
    I'd rant and rave too!
    You are entitled to be upset. I think you have found a great place for support though. I will be keeping you in my prayers and sending you as much postive energy as I can muster. You have proven you can push through. You can do it.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    Rant away!
    My story is different, but still is ENOUGH! And, BTW, yes, don't you just cringe when someone says 'God won't give you more than you can handle'? I usually just smile and say...'Why didn't he just send me an e-mail instead?'

    (The weak turn away, the squimish close their eyes!)

    HIS turn

    Nov 2003, my life partner dx'ed with permanent heart damage caused by sleep apnea (yes, Virginia, I mentioned that he stopped breathing at night...)
    Dec 2003-Mayo Clinic for said heart trouble...tx was a drug that ruined his liver functions.
    May 2004-First cardiac ablation for said heart trouble...

    MY turn (lol)
    Nov 2004, dx'ed with stage III rectal cancer. Chemo, rads, surgery...I was told I had 6 months to live...lol...I didn't listen. BUT No colostomy (I had a new pouch made, all internal)
    Dec 2004 beau's dad died in Holland. Nice, caring onc said "Well, if you go to help your mom, you may come back to another funeral"
    Aug 2005, dx'ed stage II unrelated breast cancer in an 11 year old lump that was mammo'ed each year...Surgery, chemo, rads...
    Sept 2005, small bowel obstruction-lost 3 inches of it.
    July 2006 finished last treatment for cancer...YEA!
    Oct 2006, beau has second ablation...
    Dec 2006 my ex-hubby died suddenly, with no one but my daughters as heirs...they are both special needs, so I was the executor...
    Jan 2007 3 weeks after my ex-hubby, my emotionally disturbed younger daughter was left alone to die in a room in a lockdown facility...
    Nov 2007 lawsuit begins for daughter...

    Much, much more, including my beau being overdosed in the hospital this spring, dying for 3 minutes (their words), and ending up with residual brain damage...

    All THAT said....

    I'm alive, I'm able to feel the breeze on my cheeks (a big thing for me during my hospital stays...lol) I've got a beautiful daughter, a loving beau, a whole slew of friends, both online and off...

    I guess it comes to "It is what it is"....my secret was to never give up, always think that I could live another day...

    No sympathy needed here, either...just a hug now and again when life overwhelms!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    matsu said:

    Kidney transplant
    Roseann, are you unable to donate a kidney because of your BC diagnosis? Does that mean I could not donate at any time?

    I don't think so.
    I just finished treatment so I haven't asked them but I don't think so.

    Roseann
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    matsu said:

    Kidney transplant
    Roseann, are you unable to donate a kidney because of your BC diagnosis? Does that mean I could not donate at any time?

    I thought so, too....but....
    my blood donation center said that as long as I am cancer free and out of treatment for more than a year, I can...

    I'm a 5-gallon donor, so I was glad to hear this!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    Rant, Rave, Vent Thats what
    Rant, Rave, Vent Thats what we are here for. Wow You know how they say things come in 3's, well if thats true your done. Good luck
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    Kat11 said:

    Rant, Rave, Vent Thats what
    Rant, Rave, Vent Thats what we are here for. Wow You know how they say things come in 3's, well if thats true your done. Good luck

    Bravo, it is so important to
    Bravo, it is so important to voice those feelings and have them validated. You are one strong cookie, and dont you forget it. The one thing I find most offensive are those words from people who thinking they are helping, attempt to negate what your saying or feeling. Words like "you have to be strong", yeah says who, you arent going thru this, ( we already know we are strong) or the I know several people who have been thru this and they are just fine. I dont doubt that those people are doing great, but please dont negate whats going on with me. You are entitled to feel the way you feel. I'm sending prayers your way, no sympathy, but lots of validation. God bless you!!
  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    MAJW said:

    ROSEANN
    God Bless you and your son.......

    Thank you for the blessing.
    Majw,

    Thank you for your thoughtful blessing. What keeps us hopeful is that until 20 yrs ago or so there was no dialysis and my son would not be here working and waiting for a transplant. He works full time and has his dialysis while he sleeps. A challenging life but a life after all. We are very grateful.

    Roseann
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    natly15 said:

    Bravo, it is so important to
    Bravo, it is so important to voice those feelings and have them validated. You are one strong cookie, and dont you forget it. The one thing I find most offensive are those words from people who thinking they are helping, attempt to negate what your saying or feeling. Words like "you have to be strong", yeah says who, you arent going thru this, ( we already know we are strong) or the I know several people who have been thru this and they are just fine. I dont doubt that those people are doing great, but please dont negate whats going on with me. You are entitled to feel the way you feel. I'm sending prayers your way, no sympathy, but lots of validation. God bless you!!

    RIGHT ON NATLY!
    I agree completely! IF one more person tells me "You have to be strong" or "You are so strong, you'll get through this"........ I'm going to scream!IF all it took was being strong, no one would die from cancer..... What choice do we have other than putting one foot in front of the other, taking it day by day or minute by minute?....When people start telling me "horror" stories, I stop them in their tracks by telling them "No thanks, don't want to hear that, sorry." Then there's the "advice"......do this, are you doing this, doing that? Right from the start my surgeon told, me that when people start doing this, tell them that, "thank you very much, but all my advice comes from my physicians! Most people are kind and think they are helping....
    Anyway........
    Blessings to all
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    MAJW said:

    RIGHT ON NATLY!
    I agree completely! IF one more person tells me "You have to be strong" or "You are so strong, you'll get through this"........ I'm going to scream!IF all it took was being strong, no one would die from cancer..... What choice do we have other than putting one foot in front of the other, taking it day by day or minute by minute?....When people start telling me "horror" stories, I stop them in their tracks by telling them "No thanks, don't want to hear that, sorry." Then there's the "advice"......do this, are you doing this, doing that? Right from the start my surgeon told, me that when people start doing this, tell them that, "thank you very much, but all my advice comes from my physicians! Most people are kind and think they are helping....
    Anyway........
    Blessings to all

    Majw thats why these boards
    Majw thats why these boards are so important. People do care and dont know what to say. I'm 66 almost 67, mom died when I was 14, I know how to care for myself. I raised 2 capable, contributing men, and dealt with a loved ones alcoholism. I just want an understanding ear and some compassion. That's it. I dont need their advice like, be sure to check with the infection disease doctor, (ok), maybe you should try acupuncture, (ok) are you taking the medicine properly, my friend is just fine and she went thru this--forgive me but I need to scream this--Shut Up!! I have capable doctors, I've capably gone thru life with none of your help, I know you love me but Please--I'm a big girl, yes and overweight too--I'll get thru this somehow, if I ask for advice then give it. I learned a long time ago, that you do not give answers to questions which havent been asked.
  • lolad
    lolad Member Posts: 670
    Although
    I have not been through what you have been through, i can relate. It does seem like everything "bad" happens or comes my way no matter what. And it is so easy to get angry about it and get angry and ask god why. But for some reason or another there are answers as to why. We dont always know them right away or even know if we really do know why.(does that make sense?) Dont feel bad for venting and you are definately not whining. You have been through alot. Let it out. I was diagnosed in April and am 36. Went through a double mastectomy and chemo. Just finished my last treatment. WHOOP WHOOP!! Nobody survivor or fighter of this disease or any other want to go through the battles we have to in order to survive. But, we do and it makes us stronger and better for it. Dont give up, keep faith in god and try to stay strong. You have to stay strong to fight it. You have to keep faith to live it. Try to keep your head up. You are in my prayers.

    laura
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    lolad said:

    Although
    I have not been through what you have been through, i can relate. It does seem like everything "bad" happens or comes my way no matter what. And it is so easy to get angry about it and get angry and ask god why. But for some reason or another there are answers as to why. We dont always know them right away or even know if we really do know why.(does that make sense?) Dont feel bad for venting and you are definately not whining. You have been through alot. Let it out. I was diagnosed in April and am 36. Went through a double mastectomy and chemo. Just finished my last treatment. WHOOP WHOOP!! Nobody survivor or fighter of this disease or any other want to go through the battles we have to in order to survive. But, we do and it makes us stronger and better for it. Dont give up, keep faith in god and try to stay strong. You have to stay strong to fight it. You have to keep faith to live it. Try to keep your head up. You are in my prayers.

    laura

    OMG!!!!!
    Laura.....Did I miss congatulating your last treatment? I am having a hard time thinking these days (Meds possibly? Too much stress clouding my head?) but I don't remember saying "way to go!!"" If I did, you got it twice....if I didn't, here it is!! Hugs and smiles....Pammy