Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

Andrew, Jr. · 11-09-2009, 01:57 PM

Jo would talk like that as well. And she hallucinated when she was given stem cell treatments the most. The combination of drugs just didn't work for her. It was wayyy to much for her body to take.

I was walking around taking a break while the nurses were changing her sheets one day, and I happened upon a lady suffering from breast cancer. She had the kind that didn't show up on the mammograms or anything. I cannot think of the name of it. It is the most deadly of all breast cancers.

Anyway, she was walking with her IV, and just had to get out of her room and away from her family. She told me that after a while they grated on her nerves. That they meant well, but after some time, they got to be too much for her to deal with. Now she was just starting out, and only had 1 surgery, and was just having her first chemo treatment. I thought to myself, and didn't say it, but man she has a very long way to go. Sad part was...she was in her late 30's to early 40's.

SuperFemme · 11-09-2009, 02:05 PM

Inflamatory Breast Cancer or IBC is horrid.

I feel for the woman as there are certain factions of my family that gush and coo over me when I am sick. I somehow end up feeling responsible for their emotional turmoil.

My inner circle is very stern with me, and treats me as if I was healthy as much as they can. Thank god.

Andrew, Jr. · 11-09-2009, 02:37 PM

I really believe that is what saved Jo for as long as it did - almost 3 years. We all treated her like she had a splinter. The little kids were the ones who didn't understand why she lost her hair, or why she would try to eat a meal at the table with us, then run to the bathroom, or would spend hours cleaning out closets to keep busy because the meds made her hyperactive.

Jo was active up to the last week of her life. She mentioned to her husband that steps were hard for her to do, and the next day she had a series of strokes that took her voice. All she could do is moan and groan.

Everyone handles devistating news differently. Some are able to deal with it, and move on. Others fear the unknown. I just pray to do God's Will, and let His Will be done, not mine. My Will - He knows what it is.

Andrew, Jr. · 11-13-2009, 09:33 AM

We all know Suzanne Somers' from her jewelry, beauty products, sunglasses, bags, and exercise equipment like the ab roller. And then the 17 books, 8 of which are NYTimes bestsellers.

She has fought most recently her cystic breast disease that became breast cancer according to her latest book. She refused chemo, and even went to the extreme of stating that chemo is what took Patrick Swaze's (sp?) life. I am on the fence about this one. Why? I have seen first hand what chemo does to people first hand. There has to be other methods of care and treatment of cancer like Farrah Faucett (anal cancer) voiced.

Namaste,
Andrew

Andrew, Jr. · 11-18-2009, 07:31 PM

The latest mammogram news...bullshit. Where do these people come up with the idea of women waiting until 50 yo to get mammograms?!

And we all know that insurance carriers will deny anyone who puts in a claim to one.

It all boils down to money.

Vlasta · 11-18-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

The latest mammogram news...bullshit. Where do these people come up with the idea of women waiting until 50 yo to get mammograms?!

And we all know that insurance carriers will deny anyone who puts in a claim to one.

It all boils down to money.

yep Andrew ... it's BS and it's about the money ... and it's scary .

Andrew, Jr. · 11-19-2009, 11:13 AM

Why was this news released while President Obama was in China? I find that quite interesting.

Delish · 03-25-2011, 12:19 AM

So I have been away from the site for a few months now. My ex was dx with this in Sept. 1 week later was starting chemo and the 1st day of chemo she found out it had already spread...3 spots in her L5 1 in her hip and 1 in her femur. She in the beginning pushed me away then she wanted me there to take care of her and our house and animals we have together. I am the 1 she screams at...fusses with etc. I feel like I am CONSTANTLY on an emotional rollercoaster to the point of starting therapy next week

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

Inflamatory Breast Cancer or IBC is horrid.

I feel for the woman as there are certain factions of my family that gush and coo over me when I am sick. I somehow end up feeling responsible for their emotional turmoil.

My inner circle is very stern with me, and treats me as if I was healthy as much as they can. Thank god.

Tommi · 04-12-2011, 02:25 PM

Cancer doesn't call to see if your busy and have anything planned

Cancer doesn't care that you have other plans.

Cancer doesn't knock, it just comes crashing through the walls of your sanity.

and then...it disappears. Or does it.

Morbid thoughts before a pre-op at 3:30. Raw feelings..me with feelings, wanting to see the sunrise, and hold my tigger while she purrs, and rub Peaches boy till he goes to sleep, and smell the roses. To hear the voices of loved ones near and far that I have failed to call and touch base with.

Wanting to plant that 7th rose bush on May 15th. Wanting quiet in my mind.
Wanting everyone to be okay. Just for today. I'll deal with tomorrow when it gets here. .

DapperButch · 04-24-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delish

So I have been away from the site for a few months now. My ex was dx with this in Sept. 1 week later was starting chemo and the 1st day of chemo she found out it had already spread...3 spots in her L5 1 in her hip and 1 in her femur. She in the beginning pushed me away then she wanted me there to take care of her and our house and animals we have together. I am the 1 she screams at...fusses with etc. I feel like I am CONSTANTLY on an emotional rollercoaster to the point of starting therapy next week

Make sure you take care of yourself. Just because she has cancer does not mean that she can take out her frustrations on you. She is still responsible for how she is with others.

Yes, it is understandable that her fear and anxiety may result in irritability, but that doesn't mean that she shouldn't acknowledge it or keep it in check.

As a side note, I know that the steroids in my chemo treatment (5FU) causes some BIG TIME irritability in me. My point is, her irritability is not just about having a serious illness, it is also chemically induced. I worked almost full time (72 hours every two weeks). I had been only taking a half day on chemo infusion days, but after noting I was irritable with coworkers, I decided I needed to take the whole day off.

In general, I was kind of whacky. In fact, I screwed up and wrote something in a work email that I shouldn't have during that time (and never would have if I was in my "right mind"). There were some repercussions due to it.

My point is, understand her emotional state, but don't excuse her behavior. Therapy may be helpful to her. Some cancer centers have therapists trained in working with people who have cancer. Also, there may be some free support group there, as well. At minimum, it may help her to get on some support groups/forums online to talk with others who have the same illness.

I know that you and my partner have been PMming, but if you want to talk to someone who went through cancer treatment, please don't hesitate to PM me, as well. I would also be happy talk with your ex via email if she is not on this site. It is a very tough road to travel. For both of you.

Take care of yourself.

Andrew, Jr. · 04-25-2011, 01:35 AM

Rosie and I are asking for prayers for her one and only sister. She has Barrett's Disease. In fact, she has had this for a number of years, and it has just gotten worse over time. Medicine no longer works, and surgery is a 50/50%. However, she is highly allergic to most anethiesthics (sp?), which decreases her survival rate. We are hoping for surgery in August, but that too is up in the air. She has a tumor growing around her voice box and vocal cords. It is a bad situation no matter how you look at it.

Thanks.

11-13-2009, 09:33 AM	#4
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Suzanne Somers and Breast Cancer/Treatment Plans We all know Suzanne Somers' from her jewelry, beauty products, sunglasses, bags, and exercise equipment like the ab roller. And then the 17 books, 8 of which are NYTimes bestsellers. She has fought most recently her cystic breast disease that became breast cancer according to her latest book. She refused chemo, and even went to the extreme of stating that chemo is what took Patrick Swaze's (sp?) life. I am on the fence about this one. Why? I have seen first hand what chemo does to people first hand. There has to be other methods of care and treatment of cancer like Farrah Faucett (anal cancer) voiced. Namaste, Andrew

11-18-2009, 07:31 PM	#5
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Mammograms - Breast Cancer The latest mammogram news...bullshit. Where do these people come up with the idea of women waiting until 50 yo to get mammograms?! And we all know that insurance carriers will deny anyone who puts in a claim to one. It all boils down to money.

04-12-2011, 02:25 PM	#9
Tommi Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Usually "Hello" Relationship Status: Married and Bound to Tommi's kaijira (Ts_kaijira ) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Suthun.... California that is. Across the ridge from Laguna Beach. Posts: 8,151 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,621 Thanked 21,337 Times in 5,970 Posts Rep Power: 21474860	One Day At A Time Cancer doesn't call to see if your busy and have anything planned Cancer doesn't care that you have other plans. Cancer doesn't knock, it just comes crashing through the walls of your sanity. and then...it disappears. Or does it. Morbid thoughts before a pre-op at 3:30. Raw feelings..me with feelings, wanting to see the sunrise, and hold my tigger while she purrs, and rub Peaches boy till he goes to sleep, and smell the roses. To hear the voices of loved ones near and far that I have failed to call and touch base with. Wanting to plant that 7th rose bush on May 15th. Wanting quiet in my mind. Wanting everyone to be okay. Just for today. I'll deal with tomorrow when it gets here. .

11-09-2009, 01:57 PM	#1
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Jo would talk like that as well. And she hallucinated when she was given stem cell treatments the most. The combination of drugs just didn't work for her. It was wayyy to much for her body to take. I was walking around taking a break while the nurses were changing her sheets one day, and I happened upon a lady suffering from breast cancer. She had the kind that didn't show up on the mammograms or anything. I cannot think of the name of it. It is the most deadly of all breast cancers. Anyway, she was walking with her IV, and just had to get out of her room and away from her family. She told me that after a while they grated on her nerves. That they meant well, but after some time, they got to be too much for her to deal with. Now she was just starting out, and only had 1 surgery, and was just having her first chemo treatment. I thought to myself, and didn't say it, but man she has a very long way to go. Sad part was...she was in her late 30's to early 40's.

11-09-2009, 02:05 PM	#2
SuperFemme Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 10/24/2010 Preferred Pronoun?: She. Relationship Status: Married (one of 18,000) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 4,933 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,309 Thanked 7,108 Times in 2,327 Posts Rep Power: 0	Inflamatory Breast Cancer or IBC is horrid. I feel for the woman as there are certain factions of my family that gush and coo over me when I am sick. I somehow end up feeling responsible for their emotional turmoil. My inner circle is very stern with me, and treats me as if I was healthy as much as they can. Thank god.

11-09-2009, 02:37 PM	#3
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	I really believe that is what saved Jo for as long as it did - almost 3 years. We all treated her like she had a splinter. The little kids were the ones who didn't understand why she lost her hair, or why she would try to eat a meal at the table with us, then run to the bathroom, or would spend hours cleaning out closets to keep busy because the meds made her hyperactive. Jo was active up to the last week of her life. She mentioned to her husband that steps were hard for her to do, and the next day she had a series of strokes that took her voice. All she could do is moan and groan. Everyone handles devistating news differently. Some are able to deal with it, and move on. Others fear the unknown. I just pray to do God's Will, and let His Will be done, not mine. My Will - He knows what it is.

11-19-2009, 11:13 AM	#7
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Why was this news released while President Obama was in China? I find that quite interesting.

04-25-2011, 01:35 AM	#11
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Rosie and I are asking for prayers for her one and only sister. She has Barrett's Disease. In fact, she has had this for a number of years, and it has just gotten worse over time. Medicine no longer works, and surgery is a 50/50%. However, she is highly allergic to most anethiesthics (sp?), which decreases her survival rate. We are hoping for surgery in August, but that too is up in the air. She has a tumor growing around her voice box and vocal cords. It is a bad situation no matter how you look at it. Thanks.