Originally Posted by CatalinaRose (Post 464468)

{{{{Jo}}}} I apologize in advance if this is none of my business, but since I am going through a similar situation with my father perhaps we can commiserate.

I finally realized after this last go around with my dad that I can't make him share with my siblings and I that which he himself cannot even come to terms with. I feel like I have been chasing him around the block since my mom died nearly three years ago and to be quite frank, I'm tired of it. Since I was a little girl I have had my dad on a pedestal I'm not all together sure he is deserved of, and I'm just now...at the age of 38...coming to this realization.

So, my decision is/was to not feed into his BS. I can love him to the moon and back and hope for the best but after all is said and done I can't make him better nor can I make him change his behavior or the way he fundamentally is as a human being. And I have finally come to a place of peace in my heart about this. Well, I still get teary at times over it all, but I have done all I can do and I know how bad it feels to bend over backwards for him and then get this passive/aggressive, shoulder-shrug response.

Hang in there! Are you still coming to AZ soon? xoxo

Originally Posted by mustangjeano (Post 465487)

Hey , got ahead and have a whiney day--this is a long tuff journey and you are doing stupendously.
I am also confused about your sequence of treatment. My breast cancer was a very agressive type and was pretty advanced so I had 4 mo. of chemo, the mastectomies and then radiation treatment last. When I started getting burned I asked the radiation Dr. what to use on it. He gave me some special creme(can't remember what it was) and it did help with the pain and dryness. Have you asked your Dr. what to use?
Sending loving energy your way.
Jeano

Originally Posted by Debby (Post 465788)

Hey everyone. Clay doesn't have internet access, for now. Our glow worm is going in for a repeat colonoscopy next week and she will be having a bowel resection, which hasn't been scheduled yet.

side note:
If anyone is in the same area or knows someone that is, when Clay has surgery, she needs a dog sitter for a week or so.

Originally Posted by Countyfem (Post 466002)

I spoke to Clay, I'll be going down when her date is set, she says to thank all of you for your thoughts and well wishes

Originally Posted by CatalinaRose (Post 465792)

{{{Clay}}} Keeping you in my thoughts!!! Wish I was closer to pup sit!

Debby, you can complain as much as you like! I think once someone has gone through the big C, they have free range on the grouchy field! ;)

Originally Posted by Debby (Post 466009)

Not only whiney, but been tearing up easy. I am almost done, so WTF is that all about. :(

Originally Posted by Debby (Post 465578)

Hi Jeano and thank you,

The chain of events:
diagnosed in April - tumor 8cm, grade 3, stage 2b and triple negative
surgery May 2nd - took almost half of my right breast (whine) and lymph nodes (which are clear yeehaw!)
started chemo June 24th - every two weeks, 4 A/C and then 4 Taxol - A/C I didn't have too many side effects from, but the Taxol kicked my ass
3 weeks after chemo, I started radiation and talk to the Dr about next surgery steps Nov 22nd.

The Dr said the radiation burns can get worse with bigger breasts. I wish I would/could have gotten the mastectomy first. It is under my breast and my armpit that is the worst. Dr gave my aquaphor, but working and having to wear a bra and it aggravates it. :(

Sorry to hear you had to go through this, too. I keep reminding myself this is only temporary. Most days, my attitude is good, but yesterday I was whiney and boohooy.

Hugs to all of you, you have all been so supportive.

Debby

Originally Posted by Countyfem (Post 466002)

I spoke to Clay, I'll be going down when her date is set, she says to thank all of you for your thoughts and well wishes

Originally Posted by DapperButch (Post 466142)

I was all funky, depressed, and anxious for several months AFTER I finished all of my treatment.

Without going on a long ramble, the thought is that a person can sort of feel adrift after treatment is done. A "what now?" kind of thing. Here they had this major life and death crisis and then their oncologist says, "Ok, you are good to go. Go back to your regular life now. If you get cancer again, we will treat it. See you in 3 months!".

:|

What I did was go here http://www.blockmd.com/ and got blood work done. Got on supplements and started eating as close to vegan as I could tolerate. It makes me feel more in control of my destiny. Is it bullshit? I don't know, but it helps decrease the anxiety about a recurrence.

Originally Posted by DapperButch (Post 466154)

Hey, everyone.

My partner's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. We don't know a whole lot besides the tumor is behind her nipple and in a lymph node in her arm pit (I think I said that correctly).

tantalizingfemme is flying out on Saturday to be with her mom for the surgery on Monday. She plans to stay for 8 days.

Please keep her and her mother in your thoughts and prayers.

And Debby, you may be getting lots of questions from me in the future!

Originally Posted by mustangjeano (Post 466294)

Dapper, sending healing thoughts and prayers to your Mom-in-law and your partner.
Clay, prayers going out to you.
Countyfemme--you rock!
Debbi, Yep , part of this wild ride is the dang "chemo brain" which can include depression, anxiety, memory loss..... most of it gets better with time but don't hesitate to get help if you want to. And it is like you wrote, you gear up for this fight and then the treatments are done--you have survived the process and then what? Seek out people and things that give you joy.
I am so grateful for this thread and the amazing people who share themselves on here.
Jeano

Originally Posted by Debby (Post 466744)

Jeano,

When I feel up to it, I have been going to a cancer support group. It has helped a lot. My memory has improved quite a bit, it was really comical there for a while. :)
How long have you been in recovery? How are you doing now?

Hugs, Debby

Originally Posted by mustangjeano (Post 467146)

I am glad your memory is much better. I "milked" the chemo memory thing for at least a year---but can't really blame it on that anymore--I am almost 7 years past breast cancer. lol I'm doing very well. I just retired and am staying busy working on projects around my little ranch. Thanks for asking.
Jeano

Originally Posted by CatalinaRose (Post 467416)

I'm gonna pick up my yummy gallon drink on the way home from work today. My procedure is at 9am'ish Monday...wish me luck!