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mvintar - I know your news today was crushing, but I am SO happy for you that the cancer is contained to the tumor. Sounds like they caught it early and it will be that much easier to BEAT IT. You can do this! Monday I had my third chemo treatment...it has really gone by fast. Plenty of emotionally hard days, but the time does go by.
Just keep breathing, pamper yourself, do what you have to do to feel organized and prepared. When is your next appointment? What do you have to do next?
You had your third? How many do you have to take? I have to take four. Cried when I got home but then got super organized and I think I've got all my ducks in a row. I'm getting a colonoscopy mid April, and then a stent put in or whatever you call it, and then I guess chemo every three weeks x four will be scheduled after that. I think the chemo nurse is sending me a calendar next week.
They told me chemo takes five or six hours, and that I could bring a blanket and a pillow, or a book. I think I'll do that. Can you sleep during it? I'll bring my Kindle and my Ipod.
Do you feel sick? The surgeon said I wouldn't be sick and that they had medications for the nausea, but the nurse wasn't as positive.
Glad to hear the cancer was confined to the tumor. Yes, you can sleep, or surf the web, or read, or visit with other chemo patients. You WILL get through this!
My friend had a port put in, just around her collarbone. But she had 4 kinds of chemo, 2 for 6 months (every 3 weeks) and 2 for a year (every 3 weeks). She did much better when she finished the first 2 types. She got all 4 on the same day so she was there all day. There should be other patients there while you are, some people like to talk and become each other's support.
Yeah, talking to people would be good. I'm afraid I'll cry, or holler when something hurts. I don't want to upset anybody (more than perhaps they already are?).
Yeah, talking to people would be good. I'm afraid I'll cry, or holler when something hurts. I don't want to upset anybody (more than perhaps they already are?).
We have all been there with the crying and hollering. :P
This is so strange, but I found that when I was actually in chemo, most people were downright jolly. Maybe it's a defense mechanism, but everyone always seemed so happy (or asleep). I made it a sort of mission to be as whacky as possible in chemo because several people made comments in the waiting room that my presence made them sad (which is what I guess happens when you're the youngest there by 30 or 40 years!). I started wearing bright colored PJs to chemo and was known for all of my ridiculous slippers. I brought the nurses and other patients food.
For outpatient chemo, you tend to be out in a lounge in "pods" with other patients. I don't know how universal this is, but it seems common. You often do really get to talk to the other patients and caregivers.
For outpatient chemo, you tend to be out in a lounge in "pods" with other patients. I don't know how universal this is, but it seems common. You often do really get to talk to the other patients and caregivers.
I'm looking forward to that. One of my problems is that I'm so isolated. I do have friends, but they're not in this little town I live in, but other states and countries.
I'm looking forward to that. One of my problems is that I'm so isolated. I do have friends, but they're not in this little town I live in, but other states and countries.
Well, you've got a bunch of friends here also ... friends who've been through it and are able to share their experiences to help you get through this ... and you WILL get through this.
I'm looking forward to that. One of my problems is that I'm so isolated. I do have friends, but they're not in this little town I live in, but other states and countries.
I understand how that goes - I was very much in the same place when I was diagnosed!
If you are interested in 1-on-1 connection with another cancer warrior, check out Imerman's Angels Imerman Angels | One-On-One Cancer Support: Connecting Cancer Fighters, Survivors & Caregivers. They pair people with survivors of their same cancer who are around the same age. The matching process is very deliberate - survivors are all screened and trained and everyone has a conversation with a match specialist (who are all survivors themselves). It's one of my FAVORITE organizations and you could find it helpful. "Cancer friends" are hugely important - even if they do not live close to you.
Well, you've got a bunch of friends here also ... friends who've been through it and are able to share their experiences to help you get through this ... and you WILL get through this.
Thank you so much! I miss my parents so much. We never agreed about anything; religion, politics, race relations, social justice issues, vegetarianism, feminism. We fought all the time -- though my mother came to agree with me about a lot of things (Viet Nam, for example). But they always loved me, despite that. I miss them so much, it's hard to explain.
I do have on my Facebook page, friends from school, other musicians I've known for decades, people who love me. But they're not HERE, you know.
Strangely, my two "Best Buds" during the six months following my diagnosis and surgery were my two little granddaughters. Adults, no matter their relationship, tend to feel sad around you. At ages 7 and 3, they don't know from cancer so they just want to give you hugs and kisses to make it better.
As bizarre as it sounds, a cancer diagnosis will decree that you have the burden to make others feel better about it. If you present with gloom, you'll get gloom back. A smile or a joke from you will convince others that it's okay to be natural when in your presence.
Your friends here will be more than willing to listen if you need to rant or weep or just have a bad day. It's okay. We've all been there.
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