Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by CatalinaRose

{{{{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

Thank you so much...and you're absolutely right. I'm just going to need to come to grips with the fact that this is how she is...and cancer doesn't change any of that, of course.

And, yes, I'm here now....just arrived late this afternoon, and just sent you a PM (great minds think alike ). I'm only here a few days, leaving early Thursday morning.

[deb_U_taunt]

Tired and feeling whiney today. Part of my tit and armpit is the color of charcoal and blistered. Questioning why I have to go through this if the plan is to take them off anyway.

[mustangjeano]

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

[deb_U_taunt]

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 mustangjeano

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

[deb_U_taunt]

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.

[Novelafemme]

{{{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!

[Countyfem]

Originally Posted by Debby

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.

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

[deb_U_taunt]

Originally Posted by Countyfem

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

Countyfem...you are wonderful! Give clay hugs and keep us updated please.

[deb_U_taunt]

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

Originally Posted by CatalinaRose

{{{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!

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Debby

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

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.

[DapperButch]

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 Debby

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

[mustangjeano]

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

[ArkansasPiscesGrrl]

Originally Posted by Countyfem

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

Countyfem, thank you so much for your caring!! Hugs to you AND to Clay!

[deb_U_taunt]

Working on the diet changes. I bookmarked the page and will take a look tomorrow. I have a big fear of having to do this again.
Glad to know this is all normal.

Originally Posted by DapperButch

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.

[deb_U_taunt]

And Jeano for a resource.
So sorry to hear this, I will keep you all in my thoughts Monday.
On a positive note, the recovery from breast cancer is good.

Hugs, Debby

Originally Posted by DapperButch

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!

[deb_U_taunt]

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

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

[mustangjeano]

Originally Posted by Debby

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

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

[deb_U_taunt]

Gives me lots of hope every time I hear someone is years without a recurrence.

Originally Posted by mustangjeano

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

[Novelafemme]

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!

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by CatalinaRose

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!

Oh absolutely. Wonderful way to spend Sunday. That yummy stuff, goes down hard comes out easy. with this adventure.