So....talk about.....CANCER SUPPORT THREAD !!

[CoyoteMagic]

I'm soooooooooooooooooo glad you posted. I was really starting to get worried!!!

I give nurses all the credit. Doctors get all the glory, but it's the Nurses that do all the real work!! I have a neice who is in her last semester of Nursing school. It's all she has ever wanted to do.

Nerves are freaky things. When I had my double masectomy I didn't really have a lot of pain. Strange I know. (Thing that hurt was that dang expander sitting on my ribs and diggin in on one side!) What was really strange was the "Phantom" sensations I was getting. It felt like the nipples were being stimulated but there weren't any nipples there anymore!

I talked with my boss lady who had gone through the same surgery the month before, she had the too so I wasn't like I was too far out there, lol.

Let use know what the Onc says tomorrow.

if he gives you too much grief.

 

[3goodeggs]

That's funny that you decided that if you went to the Er you'd just end up seeing you anyway.
Why wait the eight hours?
There was a joke on a show I watched recently, Doc Martin. It was,"What is the difference between God and a surgeon? God doesn't think he's a surgeon." that cracked me up. I've met those kind.
I hope all of the tissue checks out clean and there is no radiation for you!

 

[verthandi]

Hi NurseELB,

I am so glad you checked in! (did you have any other choice?) You sound pretty chipper in spite of last week. Here's to speedy healing and positive news in your future.

 

[NurseELB]

I finished my post this morning and got a call from the surgeon's office- He wanted 2 more scans of my bladder before agreeing to let me keep the catheter out.

Nobody was home today- we took care of all that yesterday! DH went to work! Mom's phone was going straight to voice mail and her secretary said she was out all day at an off site meeting. Daughter is 15, doesn't drive yet.

I looked up the bus schedules and decided I could take the bus across town to the clinic. Called my daughter and let her know I was going out- she takes one class a day at the high school, and the rest are online. She was at her class at the time I called, couple minutes before the bell was going to ring. Next thing I know she was running down the street to meet me at the bus stop!

I am apparently still too fragile to ride a bus by myself. (Did I mention this is a small town and was voted to have one of the best intercity transit systems in the nation? I just hadn't needed it until today.)
Off daughter and I go to the doctor.

Called hubby to tell him where I was going, and how I was getting there. He was appalled! Makes sense when you know he grew up in the San Fernando Valley and the buses there were pretty scary in the 80's when he was a teenager and using them.

Mom called while we were changing buses, her phone battery died and she didn't realize it. She came and met us at the Clinic, I had my 2 scans, and passed with flying colors!

Now I am exhausted and ready for sleep.

Still doesn't hurt too much, just really, really swollen belly. Thank goodness for Laparoscopy!

Erin

 

[3goodeggs]

What a darling of a daughter!

to her...and you and Mom and hubby. ..and the bus driver... glad you made it 'all alone' like that.

 

[NurseELB]

Well, Crap.

Went to the surgeon today for my 1 week post op visit. I'm healing well.

The cancer was 3x the size they thought it was, tumor margins were barely clear, and there was cancer in one of the lymph nodes.

I have to have radiation therapy.

Waiting for a call from the radiation oncologist, I'll let you know more when I get more.

Erin

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Well Crud! Ok, so we have a speed bump. Luna knows more about radiation than I do, I'm only on chemo. We can get through this, No problem. Hang tuff! Remember attitude is 99% of beating this thing!!

 

[Lunachick]

Hi Nurse/Erin!

So glad you sailed through the surgery fine! Now unto the next thing..........what the report says. I know how you feel, I thought I was done when I had the surgery too. Oh well. Next is radiation. (first of all, thank goodness you don't have to do chemo.....while it wasn't bad for me or my experience, it's still a tough call)

The only thing with radiation with me was the everyday thing, otherwise no big deal, and the people there were amazing! Very friendly and can take a good joke too! The side effects were minimal and I only had the intestinal issues....I was always sensitive in that are anyway, so I kinda expected my issues with that. I just had to make sure I ate accordingly.. ie: no fried, salty food, no rich stuff....if you get diarrhea.....eat oatmeal and bananas and keep that Immodium handy! The chewable tabs work great in a pinch. It wasn't that bad, and I lost some extra weight too!

(selfish female reference)

They'll take care of you! And do yourself a favour, relax a bit and take it easy...........the radiation does make you feel a little tired which is nothing really.....it's just the day in day out thing every day that got me, but that's me.....the actual zapping you get is nothing! You go in - zap - you go out. Next day same thing

I had to do it for 30 days. It went by FAST.

Thank you for checking in and letting us know what's going on with you! Keep us updated so we know how you are.............please!!

 

[#1California Chick]

Hi Nurse/Erin

Well, Poop!!! (Preferably chicken poop!)

This wasn't what we were hoping for -- but YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!

However, I am concerned about how you are going to get there and back every day for the treatment!!! I am sorry - But the bus is NOT the option!!!

Is there someone from your church or an organization that can help you???? In our area, there are volunteers who will drive folks to doctor appts. I am sure that someone from the social services dept at the hospital can put in touch with the right resources. Please ask for help!!! There are folks who are looking for opportunities to be useful in their communities. It sounds like it would only take an hour or so of their time each day.

I wish I lived close by! But I will be sending you my thoughts each day! Please let us know how you are going to deal with the transportation issue.

Best wishes
Cindy

 

[NurseELB]

Cali Chick you are SO sweet!

transportation won't be an issue. I can drive, and I own a car. I was given strict instructions from the surgeon that I am not to drive until I've been off pain meds for 3 days. Being so fresh from surgery and still taking VERY strong pain medication, I decided to heed his advice.

Not only will I have transportation, I pass the place every day on my way to and from work! No excuses!

Again, THANK YOU for your concern. it brings a tear to my eye to know how much everyone cares.

Erin