Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

Novelafemme · 11-30-2011, 11:23 PM

Hi Everyone. I got my results today but I can't even think about them because an hour later my oldest sister called me to share news of her own. She was diagnosed 5 weeks ago with lymphoma. She has several spots and one large tumor in her left lung. I think the name if it is B-cell lymphoma. She started chemo last Friday and is feeling pretty overwhelmed by everything. She apologized profusely for not telling all of us siblings earlier but said she just needed time to come to terms with it all herself.

I am in shock. And I am so fucking angry at cancer. Lisa is this amazing, bright light of a beautiful person. She has always taken so much pride in her health...she teaches vinyasa yoga and is a massage therapist and is about to enter her thesis semester in grad school. I was laying in bed just now trying to fall asleep and the tears just came out of no where. It felt so good to have a long cry.

Please keep my wonderful sister in your thoughts if you can. And thank you all for letting me vent. I probably will be scarce for a bit since I'm entering finals week, but you are all never far from my heart.

mustangjeano · 12-01-2011, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatalinaRose

Hi Everyone. I got my results today but I can't even think about them because an hour later my oldest sister called me to share news of her own. She was diagnosed 5 weeks ago with lymphoma. She has several spots and one large tumor in her left lung. I think the name if it is B-cell lymphoma. She started chemo last Friday and is feeling pretty overwhelmed by everything. She apologized profusely for not telling all of us siblings earlier but said she just needed time to come to terms with it all herself.

I am in shock. And I am so fucking angry at cancer. Lisa is this amazing, bright light of a beautiful person. She has always taken so much pride in her health...she teaches vinyasa yoga and is a massage therapist and is about to enter her thesis semester in grad school. I was laying in bed just now trying to fall asleep and the tears just came out of no where. It felt so good to have a long cry.

Please keep my wonderful sister in your thoughts if you can. And thank you all for letting me vent. I probably will be scarce for a bit since I'm entering finals week, but you are all never far from my heart.

Sending healing thoughts to you and your sister. Remember we are here whenever you need us. Jean

Tommi · 12-01-2011, 06:14 AM

Sending Debby, Clay, Catalina Rose, her Sis, and those on it and along side this healing journey some GOOD KARMA.

clay · 12-01-2011, 08:02 AM

Sending positive and warm energies, healing love to CatalinaRose, to her sister, and to all else who have a need for some...and to all the Brave Warriors here......may you all find the good karma, serenity, and healing that is needed.....we are all here for one another! I heart you all..and each of YOU are a HERO to me...Clay

JustJo · 12-08-2011, 10:19 AM

So....I've known that my mother was lying to me....and she arrives in two days. This is the timing in which she usually "comes clean" because she knows she can't lie to my face and get away with it.

They have extended her chemo another 6 months...and apparently she's not responding as well as she had been letting on.

Her doctor has also said that she needn't go to Miami to the top-rated chemo center for treatments, but can go right here in PSL and that will be "just fine."

I'm pretty sure that's because the chemo isn't curing anything...and is just delaying the inevitable...and he's stopped pretending otherwise.

Fuck.

clay · 12-08-2011, 10:24 AM

(((((((((((((((((((Debby))))))))))))))))))))))
I heart you, my beautiful and lovely friend!! Congratulations, honey!!!

(((((((((((((((CatalinaRose))))))))))))))))))))))) )
Hugs to you, keep that spirit..and a BIG hug to your sister....smiles..

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((DB))))))))))))))))))) ))...Have a wonderful week....hugs to you...

(((((((((((((((((((((((((COUNTYFEM)))))))))))))))) ))))) you are the BESTEST!!! You so rockkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!! THANK YOU!

(((((((((((((((((((((((JustJo))))))))))))))))))))) ))))....big hugs to you..I so hope your mom will be allright..and you will enjoy the visit...hugs to you both.,..
to all the other BRAVE WARRIORS....fight on...and stay strong! I know I am!!!
I heart you all...big butch hugs..Clay

Novelafemme · 12-08-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJo

So....I've known that my mother was lying to me....and she arrives in two days. This is the timing in which she usually "comes clean" because she knows she can't lie to my face and get away with it.

They have extended her chemo another 6 months...and apparently she's not responding as well as she had been letting on.

Her doctor has also said that she needn't go to Miami to the top-rated chemo center for treatments, but can go right here in PSL and that will be "just fine."

I'm pretty sure that's because the chemo isn't curing anything...and is just delaying the inevitable...and he's stopped pretending otherwise.

Fuck.

{{{{{{{{{{Jo}}}}}}}}}}}}

DapperButch · 12-01-2011, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatalinaRose

Hi Everyone. I got my results today but I can't even think about them because an hour later my oldest sister called me to share news of her own. She was diagnosed 5 weeks ago with lymphoma. She has several spots and one large tumor in her left lung. I think the name if it is B-cell lymphoma. She started chemo last Friday and is feeling pretty overwhelmed by everything. She apologized profusely for not telling all of us siblings earlier but said she just needed time to come to terms with it all herself.

I am in shock. And I am so fucking angry at cancer. Lisa is this amazing, bright light of a beautiful person. She has always taken so much pride in her health...she teaches vinyasa yoga and is a massage therapist and is about to enter her thesis semester in grad school. I was laying in bed just now trying to fall asleep and the tears just came out of no where. It felt so good to have a long cry.

Please keep my wonderful sister in your thoughts if you can. And thank you all for letting me vent. I probably will be scarce for a bit since I'm entering finals week, but you are all never far from my heart.

I'm sorry this is happening to your sister. I will keep both of you in my thoughts.

When you can, please let us know the results of your colonoscopy. I, and I would suspect others, are concerned about it since you said in a prior post that you suspect that you will have to get a bowel resection. That is pretty serious stuff, so I am concerned.

Take care and hang in there the best you can.

Novelafemme · 12-01-2011, 09:54 AM

Hi Dapper, Thank you for being patient with me while I re-group.

So all but one of the polyps removed were PRE cancerous. Since my situation has been so unusual, along with such a stong family history of cancer, my doc sent them off for further genetic testing which all came back negative. YAY!!! So I do NOT need any further surgeries but will go back in six months for another colonoscopy and if that comes back fine then I go every year for the next five years. Since the adenoma on my appendix and colon was self contained they will monitor me closely, possibly scheduling a PET scan in the Spring and hopefully that will be that. Everything thus far has been found VERY early and has all been self contained so has been very easily treatable. The biggest concern was the mass on my appendix because they were worried it had perforated my bowel. Thankfully that did not happen! My sister's cancer was also detected VERY early. Since she was diagnosed as a stage 4, she was concerned that she had beein living with cancer for a long time. Her endo seems to think this all started about 4 months ago. I am just so thankful they found hers so early. And also thankful that we are both so in tune with our bodies that we know when something isn't right.

Thank you all for your support. It means more to me than you know. It so much easier for me to talk here about this than to anyone in real time. I just don't like that kind of attention, if that makes sense.

Hugs and love to all, CR.

Countyfem · 12-01-2011, 11:39 AM

[[[[[[[[[[ CatalinaRose]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

you and your sister are in my thoughts and prayers! so glad your news was on the positive side!

Novelafemme · 12-01-2011, 02:45 PM

I have another quick question for those of you who have had radical hysterectomies due to cancer. Since we can't do hormone replacement therapy, what are some effective ways you all manage hot flashes and sleepless nights. My mood has been amazing since having everything out and I LOVE not having a monthly period, but the hot flashes are killing me! I have such empathy for menopausal women now...I had NO idea how yucky hot flashes could be.

I am still running which seems to help and I no longer drink alcohol <sniff> but are there other things we can do?

DapperButch · 12-01-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatalinaRose

I have another quick question for those of you who have had radical hysterectomies due to cancer. Since we can't do hormone replacement therapy, what are some effective ways you all manage hot flashes and sleepless nights. My mood has been amazing since having everything out and I LOVE not having a monthly period, but the hot flashes are killing me! I have such empathy for menopausal women now...I had NO idea how yucky hot flashes could be.

I am still running which seems to help and I no longer drink alcohol <sniff> but are there other things we can do?

Catalina - have you looked to see if their are supplements that are recommended to help with hot flashes? If it were me, I would start there.

Dominique · 12-08-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatalinaRose

I have another quick question for those of you who have had radical hysterectomies due to cancer. Since we can't do hormone replacement therapy, what are some effective ways you all manage hot flashes and sleepless nights. My mood has been amazing since having everything out and I LOVE not having a monthly period, but the hot flashes are killing me! I have such empathy for menopausal women now...I had NO idea how yucky hot flashes could be.

I am still running which seems to help and I no longer drink alcohol <sniff> but are there other things we can do?

This is coming from the woman who LOVED the COLD so much, I sufferred thru frostbite TWICE.....black cohash tea!

Novelafemme · 12-08-2011, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow band

This is coming from the woman who LOVED the COLD so much, I sufferred thru frostbite TWICE.....black cohash tea!

Oooooh yes! Someone else mentioned this to me the other day. We were sitting at breakfast with a dear friend of mine, Amanda, and my oldest says to me, "mom, why is your face all shiney?" I was literally melting but trying to hide it, lol. OK, black cohosh tea, CHECK!

12-01-2011, 06:14 AM	#3
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 21,336 Times in 5,969 Posts Rep Power: 21474860	Peace, comfort and love to y'all , 12/1/2011 Sending Debby, Clay, Catalina Rose, her Sis, and those on it and along side this healing journey some GOOD KARMA.

12-01-2011, 08:02 AM	#4
clay Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch (Silver Fox) Dom Daddi Preferred Pronoun?: 50 Shades of Clay Darker & Deeper Relationship Status: married to my forever Join Date: May 2011 Location: salt air & sandy beaches Posts: 13,136 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 97,015 Thanked 31,676 Times in 7,748 Posts Rep Power: 21474864	Sending positive and warm energies, healing love to CatalinaRose, to her sister, and to all else who have a need for some...and to all the Brave Warriors here......may you all find the good karma, serenity, and healing that is needed.....we are all here for one another! I heart you all..and each of YOU are a HERO to me...Clay __________________ To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness. ~Robert Brault

12-08-2011, 10:19 AM	#5
JustJo Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: pushy broad Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Follow your heart; it knows things your mind cannot explain. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southeast corner Posts: 5,633 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 24,417 Thanked 25,406 Times in 4,660 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	So....I've known that my mother was lying to me....and she arrives in two days. This is the timing in which she usually "comes clean" because she knows she can't lie to my face and get away with it. They have extended her chemo another 6 months...and apparently she's not responding as well as she had been letting on. Her doctor has also said that she needn't go to Miami to the top-rated chemo center for treatments, but can go right here in PSL and that will be "just fine." I'm pretty sure that's because the chemo isn't curing anything...and is just delaying the inevitable...and he's stopped pretending otherwise. Fuck. __________________ I'm not tall enough to ride emotional roller coasters

12-08-2011, 10:24 AM	#6
clay Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Butch (Silver Fox) Dom Daddi Preferred Pronoun?: 50 Shades of Clay Darker & Deeper Relationship Status: married to my forever Join Date: May 2011 Location: salt air & sandy beaches Posts: 13,136 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 97,015 Thanked 31,676 Times in 7,748 Posts Rep Power: 21474864	(((((((((((((((((((Debby)))))))))))))))))))))) I heart you, my beautiful and lovely friend!! Congratulations, honey!!! (((((((((((((((CatalinaRose))))))))))))))))))))))) ) Hugs to you, keep that spirit..and a BIG hug to your sister....smiles.. (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((DB))))))))))))))))))) ))...Have a wonderful week....hugs to you... (((((((((((((((((((((((((COUNTYFEM)))))))))))))))) ))))) you are the BESTEST!!! You so rockkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!! THANK YOU! (((((((((((((((((((((((JustJo))))))))))))))))))))) ))))....big hugs to you..I so hope your mom will be allright..and you will enjoy the visit...hugs to you both.,.. to all the other BRAVE WARRIORS....fight on...and stay strong! I know I am!!! I heart you all...big butch hugs..Clay __________________ To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness. ~Robert Brault

11-30-2011, 11:23 PM	#1
Novelafemme Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: ........ Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ........ Posts: 2,402 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,981 Thanked 8,925 Times in 1,834 Posts Rep Power: 0	Hi Everyone. I got my results today but I can't even think about them because an hour later my oldest sister called me to share news of her own. She was diagnosed 5 weeks ago with lymphoma. She has several spots and one large tumor in her left lung. I think the name if it is B-cell lymphoma. She started chemo last Friday and is feeling pretty overwhelmed by everything. She apologized profusely for not telling all of us siblings earlier but said she just needed time to come to terms with it all herself. I am in shock. And I am so fucking angry at cancer. Lisa is this amazing, bright light of a beautiful person. She has always taken so much pride in her health...she teaches vinyasa yoga and is a massage therapist and is about to enter her thesis semester in grad school. I was laying in bed just now trying to fall asleep and the tears just came out of no where. It felt so good to have a long cry. Please keep my wonderful sister in your thoughts if you can. And thank you all for letting me vent. I probably will be scarce for a bit since I'm entering finals week, but you are all never far from my heart.

12-01-2011, 09:54 AM	#9
Novelafemme Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: ........ Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ........ Posts: 2,402 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,981 Thanked 8,925 Times in 1,834 Posts Rep Power: 0	Hi Dapper, Thank you for being patient with me while I re-group. So all but one of the polyps removed were PRE cancerous. Since my situation has been so unusual, along with such a stong family history of cancer, my doc sent them off for further genetic testing which all came back negative. YAY!!! So I do NOT need any further surgeries but will go back in six months for another colonoscopy and if that comes back fine then I go every year for the next five years. Since the adenoma on my appendix and colon was self contained they will monitor me closely, possibly scheduling a PET scan in the Spring and hopefully that will be that. Everything thus far has been found VERY early and has all been self contained so has been very easily treatable. The biggest concern was the mass on my appendix because they were worried it had perforated my bowel. Thankfully that did not happen! My sister's cancer was also detected VERY early. Since she was diagnosed as a stage 4, she was concerned that she had beein living with cancer for a long time. Her endo seems to think this all started about 4 months ago. I am just so thankful they found hers so early. And also thankful that we are both so in tune with our bodies that we know when something isn't right. Thank you all for your support. It means more to me than you know. It so much easier for me to talk here about this than to anyone in real time. I just don't like that kind of attention, if that makes sense. Hugs and love to all, CR.

12-01-2011, 11:39 AM	#10
Countyfem Member How Do You Identify?: Stone Femme Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NC Posts: 244 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 469 Thanked 932 Times in 211 Posts Rep Power: 9455032	[[[[[[[[[[ CatalinaRose]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] you and your sister are in my thoughts and prayers! so glad your news was on the positive side!

12-01-2011, 02:45 PM	#11
Novelafemme Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: ........ Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ........ Posts: 2,402 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,981 Thanked 8,925 Times in 1,834 Posts Rep Power: 0	I have another quick question for those of you who have had radical hysterectomies due to cancer. Since we can't do hormone replacement therapy, what are some effective ways you all manage hot flashes and sleepless nights. My mood has been amazing since having everything out and I LOVE not having a monthly period, but the hot flashes are killing me! I have such empathy for menopausal women now...I had NO idea how yucky hot flashes could be. I am still running which seems to help and I no longer drink alcohol <sniff> but are there other things we can do?