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

[broodytood]

I'm sorry dewey. I'm fairly new to the fight and this thread and did not know about your struggles. I'll be a prayin' for ya, that's for sure!

Pray for endurance.

For years I've juggled the 24/7 care needs of my mother before she passed away, and for years now I directly oversee and make happen the care of my 2 elder sisters who have many health issues with at least 4 doc appt's per month, each, with the help of one other family member, btw I am the baby of the kids, along with the medical needs and household upkeep of my dearly beloved very elderly 2nd mom & dad with heart and stroke issues, not to mention my very young daughter with serious precancerous health issues that surface in a bold way every 2-3 months.

It's amazing what our love for others can do and can keep doing no matter our own challenges. Right now I am dealing with my own 3 cancers and their fallout and have recently developed superficial blood clots in both legs that are a little painful and physically limiting, but we press on.

This is just my way as it is so many others I know, but....stay strong, hang tough. Talk with others as needed, and above all else love like there's no tomorrow with a focus being on those we love. I have a 80 % chance of not making it another 2 years. Just this evening I updated my will with my children. You likely have years & years left with sweet hubby. Love hard.

 

[broodytood]

Good news about Sara. Sorry you are being spread thin as the caregiver. Too bad Calgone doesn't come in a pill form!

Sara got her insurance straightened out today, so she called her primary to rush through the referral to the oncologist. Things are finally moving. I personally am having a hard time taking care of Ken and seeing to his needs and remembering to get on her case to get this done and taken care of!!! Anyone, as caregivers, have any advise for keeping your mind straight???

 

[NurseELB]

Deb,
My suggestion for Sara is to get a calendar and write all her appointments down. Take a notebook to every appointment and write everything down. Between appointments write down all her questions so she can remember them when it is time, and forget them when it is not. She also needs to keep as busy as possible in between times!!!

Good Luck.
Erin

 

[debilorrah]

Good news about Sara. Sorry you are being spread thin as the caregiver. Too bad Calgone doesn't come in a pill form!

HAHAHAHA! It does. It's called Xanax.

 

[debilorrah]

Deb,
My suggestion for Sara is to get a calendar and write all her appointments down. Take a notebook to every appointment and write everything down. Between appointments write down all her questions so she can remember them when it is time, and forget them when it is not. She also needs to keep as busy as possible in between times!!!

Good Luck.
Erin

You always think of the best ideas!!! I think I am the one that needs that calendar, because she is totally removed from her diagnosis and treatment, and it falls to us to remind her what to do and where to go. She honestly thinks she can just wait 2 years, have another baby and THEN get treatment. Apparently, we need to be the metal boot up her bum.

Can ONE more bad thing happen to my poor Ken? His molar split in half and he is so much pain 1000 mg of vicodin isn't helping.

 

[NurseELB]

You always think of the best ideas!!! I think I am the one that needs that calendar, because she is totally removed from her diagnosis and treatment, and it falls to us to remind her what to do and where to go. She honestly thinks she can just wait 2 years, have another baby and THEN get treatment. Apparently, we need to be the metal boot up her bum.

Can ONE more bad thing happen to my poor Ken? His molar split in half and he is so much pain 1000 mg of vicodin isn't helping.

I'm so sorry about Ken. Can he take antiinflammatories? Ibuprofen is the BOMB when you add it to Vicodin...

As far as Sara, if she has carcinoma in situ, then she can probably have a LEEP, and then have babies. Even a cone biopsy or trachelectomy (removal of the cervix) will allow her to have babies. Mainly she needs that CT scan to look at the lymph nodes (and I am dying to know what the path report said...).

If it is a tumor greater than 3mm then she WILL need a full on radical hysterectomy with lymph node dissection. That would be worst case scenario (what I had) at this point.

Hope this helps,
Erin

 

[debilorrah]

I'm so sorry about Ken. Can he take antiinflammatories? Ibuprofen is the BOMB when you add it to Vicodin...

As far as Sara, if she has carcinoma in situ, then she can probably have a LEEP, and then have babies. Even a cone biopsy or trachelectomy (removal of the cervix) will allow her to have babies. Mainly she needs that CT scan to look at the lymph nodes (and I am dying to know what the path report said...).

If it is a tumor greater than 3mm then she WILL need a full on radical hysterectomy with lymph node dissection. That would be worst case scenario (what I had) at this point.

Hope this helps,
Erin

Right now it is squamous cells. She needs to act before they become carcinoma.

As far as Ken goes, he is HIGHLY resistant to any type of pain killer or anesthesia. Of the few surgeries he has had, he has woken up for every one. *shudder*

 

[NurseELB]

Right now it is squamous cells. She needs to act before they become carcinoma.

As far as Ken goes, he is HIGHLY resistant to any type of pain killer or anesthesia. Of the few surgeries he has had, he has woken up for every one. *shudder*

http://nccc-online.org/ This is a great site for both you and Sara. There is a TON of information and support!
Erin

 

[chicknmania]

Will someone please add their prayers for my brothers? One of them has colorectal cancer; he has been fighting for two years almost. Now he is one of the
patients who is losing the fight because of the shortage of chemo drugs, and he has developed an allergy to one. He has to undergo hot chemo treatment in about two weeks.
We all know how expensive the chemo is anyway, but the doctors feel he's a good candidate for the hot chemo, and though they don't think it will save his life it should
give him a few more years. His wife does not work, but studies to find the best diet she can find for him.

My other brother has esophageal cancer and is not being treated with chemo, but holistically. He has travelled all over the country in search of treatments
that work. He has had his for about the same length of time, they were diagnosed within months of each other.

Both of my brothers continue to work full time and are involved with family, especially my brother with the throat cancer who has four children at home, and
a wife who has been out of the workforce for many years, she is a nurse who is caring for him.

They are such an inspiration to me as they continue to fight (and be cheerful and optimistic) without complaining. I know there are mlllions of cancer patients
out there under the same circumstances, and I add my prayers for them all, and their families.

 

[broodytood]

I have added them. I'm sorry for your struggle over your brothers. I have watched loved ones have to fight cancer and there is such a feeling of lack of control. Now I am fighting myself. My trust in Jesus Christ is what keeps me going day by day. I know where I will be when and if I die and that is a the ultimate comfort. Stay strong!

Will someone please add their prayers for my brothers? One of them has colorectal cancer; he has been fighting for two years almost. Now he is one of the
patients who is losing the fight because of the shortage of chemo drugs, and he has developed an allergy to one. He has to undergo hot chemo treatment in about two weeks.
We all know how expensive the chemo is anyway, but the doctors feel he's a good candidate for the hot chemo, and though they don't think it will save his life it should
give him a few more years. His wife does not work, but studies to find the best diet she can find for him.

My other brother has esophageal cancer and is not being treated with chemo, but holistically. He has travelled all over the country in search of treatments
that work. He has had his for about the same length of time, they were diagnosed within months of each other.

Both of my brothers continue to work full time and are involved with family, especially my brother with the throat cancer who has four children at home, and
a wife who has been out of the workforce for many years, she is a nurse who is caring for him.

They are such an inspiration to me as they continue to fight (and be cheerful and optimistic) without complaining. I know there are mlllions of cancer patients
out there under the same circumstances, and I add my prayers for them all, and their families.