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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/6/2010 2:10:55 PM
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wfisaac
Posts: 299
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Awww...Pam, I am so glad to hear that. What wonderful news!
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Veronica
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/6/2010 7:38:27 PM
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mutinywxgirl
Posts: 4412
Joined: 4/29/2005
From: St. Petersburg, FL
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quote:
ORIGINAL: CoeurdeLeon
quote:
ORIGINAL: Howzat...
Just a quick update for today:
Saw medical oncologist today. Won't need chemotherapy. Will start taking hormone pills. Prognosis is really good.
 Thank you, Jesus!
What she said!
_____________________________
When blood and water hit the ground.
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down.
We were free and made alive.
The day true love died. The day true love died.
Lisa is happy THE ROWDIES ARE BACK!
14 (go Tony!)
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/8/2010 12:31:05 PM
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LibererlaFemme
Posts: 1307
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: PA, USA
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I had the initial consultation with the radiation oncologist yesterday. Next week, I'll have the "simulation planning session". Then, I don't know if the actual radiation therapy will start the same week or the next. I hate this waiting! But they said they like to wait four weeks from surgery (which was 3/22).
Veronica, I believe you said somewhere you were on medical leave. I'm glad your work is understanding about it. Are most places like that? Is this creating or going to create a hardship for you?
How many treatments do you have left? How are you feeling?
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><> Pam
From the rising of the sun til the sun goes down, let the name of the Lord be praised!
< < my sweet Toby {1997-2010}
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/8/2010 7:35:38 PM
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wfisaac
Posts: 299
Joined: 3/18/2007
From: Tip of the Mitt
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Howzat...
I had the initial consultation with the radiation oncologist yesterday. Next week, I'll have the "simulation planning session". Then, I don't know if the actual radiation therapy will start the same week or the next. I hate this waiting! But they said they like to wait four weeks from surgery (which was 3/22).
Veronica, I believe you said somewhere you were on medical leave. I'm glad your work is understanding about it. Are most places like that? Is this creating or going to create a hardship for you?
How many treatments do you have left? How are you feeling?
Pam, I totally understand how hard the waiting is. Even though you try not to let it over take your life, it's quite all consuming on your mind and is hard to keep going forward.
Yes, I am on short term disability at the moment. I will have through the last week of April with a full paycheck. But after that it is only 50%. I've been trying to figure out what to do. The oncologist did say that on the particular meds I'm on it makes it quite difficult to try and continue with work. I'm looking into some possible resources to see if I could make the 50% work. Otherwise, I'm going to have to figure out how to manage by going back to work on May 5. My next chemo is May 6 so who knows how many of those days that week I'm actually going to be able to work.
I have 5 more sessions left. My last one will be July 6. I'm going to have to trust in the fact that "God will make a way when there seems to be no way".
I had my appointment today to have my hair shaved off. It was hard. I couldn't keep the tears from coming. I had to ask if she could turn the chair so I couldn't see in the mirror. I just got brave a few moments ago to look and it started the crying all over.
But, I do have to share about what a wonderful place they are. The owner of the salon started a program called "Beautiful Survivor". I went in today just expecting to have my hair shaved. But, they gave me a wig at no cost to me. So far everyone has really liked the wig on me. It is nice but I just need to get past the feeling self conscious about it. And they gave me several products at no charge as well. One was some cleaning products for the wig. The other is a cleanser and a moisturizer that is specifically for working on where the hair follicles are and will help keep them healthy. Another unexpected blessing I got was a beautiful beaded bracelet. There is a gal who is a former participant of the Beautiful Survivor program and now her way of ministering back is she makes beautiful jewelry for everyone who has to go through this. It's very touching how people will use such an ugly experience to bring some beauty into someone else's lives as they have to go through it. I truly pray that I am able to find a way to minister to others as well.
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Veronica
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/9/2010 12:30:41 PM
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LibererlaFemme
Posts: 1307
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: PA, USA
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Thank you, Taffy!
Veronica, it's really wonderful how well they treated you at that salon. I'm sure it does make it easier.
I will be praying specifically that our Lord provides the support you'll need, whether it be through your employment or others.
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><> Pam
From the rising of the sun til the sun goes down, let the name of the Lord be praised!
< < my sweet Toby {1997-2010}
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/13/2010 10:08:58 PM
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wfisaac
Posts: 299
Joined: 3/18/2007
From: Tip of the Mitt
Status: offline
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Hi,
I just wanted to share that I had my second round of chemo today. I had some encouraging news. With Ovarian Cancer there is a number they watch while you are going through chemo which will help determine how the chemo is working. It's called CA125. The ideal number to have is 0-35. The closer to 0 the better. My last chemo my number was at 147. Today it was at 62. It is wonderful to have a drop like that! I was very encouraged by that considering it dropped so much between my first two infusions. I am going to look forward to watching that number continue to drop.
If you remember, please pray as the doctor said it's pretty inevitable to go through that intense pain in my muscles and joints again. He did tell me to start taking motrin now and maybe that will help buffer it when it does hit. It usually hits around day 2 and lasts several days. Not very fun!
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Veronica
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/14/2010 10:46:37 AM
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LibererlaFemme
Posts: 1307
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: PA, USA
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Veronica, very encouraging about those numbers! Praying it continues that way ...
Also most definitely praying for your pain.
_____________________________
><> Pam
From the rising of the sun til the sun goes down, let the name of the Lord be praised!
< < my sweet Toby {1997-2010}
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/23/2010 10:17:10 AM
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mutinywxgirl
Posts: 4412
Joined: 4/29/2005
From: St. Petersburg, FL
Status: offline
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How are you ladies, and others, doing today?
_____________________________
When blood and water hit the ground.
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down.
We were free and made alive.
The day true love died. The day true love died.
Lisa is happy THE ROWDIES ARE BACK!
14 (go Tony!)
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/23/2010 1:12:59 PM
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blueeyedgirl2
Posts: 1707
Joined: 8/31/2008
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My aunt (my mom's sister) was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. She is going to have a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy and that will determine her course of treatment. This makes me concerned for my mom too. . .
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/23/2010 2:45:20 PM
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LibererlaFemme
Posts: 1307
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: PA, USA
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: blueeyedgirl2
My aunt (my mom's sister) was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. She is going to have a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy and that will determine her course of treatment. This makes me concerned for my mom too. . .
That's exactly what I had. Do you know how large the lump is? Mine was 7mm. I was told the average is 20mm. I'm not sure they knew that though until after the lumpectomy.
_____________________________
><> Pam
From the rising of the sun til the sun goes down, let the name of the Lord be praised!
< < my sweet Toby {1997-2010}
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/23/2010 3:07:09 PM
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blueeyedgirl2
Posts: 1707
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Howzat...
quote:
ORIGINAL: blueeyedgirl2
My aunt (my mom's sister) was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. She is going to have a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy and that will determine her course of treatment. This makes me concerned for my mom too. . .
That's exactly what I had. Do you know how large the lump is? Mine was 7mm. I was told the average is 20mm. I'm not sure they knew that though until after the lumpectomy.
I don't know how big the lump is, but her e-mail said that it's "really quite small" and that the surgeon said she will have a good prognosis, although I'd think the biopsy results would determine that.
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/23/2010 10:08:16 PM
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wfisaac
Posts: 299
Joined: 3/18/2007
From: Tip of the Mitt
Status: offline
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So, how have you been feeling with the radiation, Pam? There's a lot about that that I don't know so I'm not sure if there are many side effects to that?? My aunt said it made her skin feel kind of burned.
Sorry to hear about your aunt, Blue. I do pray it will be a successful process in getting it beat.
I am feeling like I'm having a tougher time "bouncing back" after this last chemo treatment than the prior one. The particular drugs I'm on causes neuropathy in the hands and feet and some myalgia in the body. I am REALLY feeling it.
My aunt gave me a couple books today that are on the humorous side that I am looking forward to reading. One is called..."Not Now...I'm Having a No Hair Day" and the other is "Any Day With Hair Is A Good Hair Day". Laughter does good like a medicine so I am looking forward to these.
Thank you for asking, Lisa!
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Veronica
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/23/2010 11:41:25 PM
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LibererlaFemme
Posts: 1307
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: PA, USA
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No side effects yet from the radiation. I was warned about possible itching, redness, and burning, but I'm only four days into this so ... Same for fatigue. They said if I do feel that, it'll be in the second or third week.
I feel so bad for you, Veronica. The most positive thing I can think of that it DOES have an end. And of course, there's the alternative ...
_____________________________
><> Pam
From the rising of the sun til the sun goes down, let the name of the Lord be praised!
< < my sweet Toby {1997-2010}
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/24/2010 10:49:17 AM
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LibererlaFemme
Posts: 1307
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: PA, USA
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An hour and a half! Ugh!
My radiation is only about 10 minutes away, and from start to finish the whole thing takes about 15 minutes. So I leave home at 9:45, and I'm home by 10:30. Unless, of course, I go to the library or something after. Not bad at all.
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><> Pam
From the rising of the sun til the sun goes down, let the name of the Lord be praised!
< < my sweet Toby {1997-2010}
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/24/2010 4:09:42 PM
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dianetavegia
Posts: 1611
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline
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Hi Everyone, I was dx'd with Stage III colon cancer on Jan. 2nd 2009. I had some odd feelings around Thanksgiving (2008) which would come and go. By Christmas, I was hardly able to eat because I was so bloated! A few times I would throw up things I'd eaten the day before and they were not digested. My husband got very frightened and on New Year's Eve got me an appointment with a gastro doctor. He ordered a colonoscopy and endoscopy for Jan. 2nd. and I was dx'd that day with a tumor in my upper colon.
I had 18" of colon removed on Jan. 7th and was out of the hospital within 42 hours. I began chemo five weeks later. My survival odds are quite good. There were 'a few cancer cells in 5 out of 17 lymph nodes'. A liver biopsy and all my scans were clear.
My surgeon has said 'this is going to be a minor inconvenience in your life'. Many God fearing people have had words from God saying they feel positive I will beat this. I do too.
I had surgery on Jan. 7th, 2009 to remove the tumor (less than 1 inch), 18 inches of my upper colon and 17 lymph nodes. I had my Powerport installed just before chemo began.
I got the usual colon cancer chemo and wore the fanny pack home for 46 hours.
Fluorouracil
Levoleucovorin
Oxaliplatin
My FINAL CHEMO was August 12, 2009. Doctor says I've been NED since surgery and he fully expects this to be a forever done deal. Port was removed 3 weeks after chemo ended.
I'm following up with an Aspirin a day, Better Eating habits (mo red meat) and the Mediterranean Diet, Calcium supplements, Vitamin D3 supplements of 4,600 IU's a day and sunshine exposer. I'm also taking Modified Citrus Pectin which has been shown to prevent recurrence by not allowing cells to stick together. Exercise. Faith, God's healing power. The list goes on....
NED at 15 months! Both CT Scan and CEA were great! My next blood work is in Sept. 2010 and my next CT scan will be in April 2011!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NED = No Evidence of Disease
CEA= Special blood test that checks for colon cancer tumor cells
DX= diagnosed
TX= Treatment
Stage= cancer is deemed Stage I - Stage IV. Stage IV is considered not curable
< Message edited by dianetavegia -- 4/24/2010 4:34:48 PM >
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/24/2010 5:41:38 PM
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LibererlaFemme
Posts: 1307
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: PA, USA
Status: offline
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Good to see you, Diane! I'm so sorry you had to go through all that, but SO glad everything looks so good for you!
You're so right about God's healing power. And it's our faith in God that keeps us going and encouraged!
Praise the Lord!
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><> Pam
From the rising of the sun til the sun goes down, let the name of the Lord be praised!
< < my sweet Toby {1997-2010}
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/24/2010 6:18:11 PM
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wfisaac
Posts: 299
Joined: 3/18/2007
From: Tip of the Mitt
Status: offline
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Wow....thanks for sharing your story, Diane! That is encouraging. It struck me kind of funny when you quoted your doctor as saying it would be a "minor inconvenience". It sure doesn't feel minor when you're going through it....but praise God you did get through it and have such a wonderful report.
My oncologist told me it's funny how many people he's seen who once they've been told they have cancer they "get religion" as far as eating right and taking care of themselves. He wasn't meaning to be disrespectful and I now understand what he meant. I find myself so much more conscientious about what I eat and the things I do for my body.
I can't wait until I have such a good report to share on the other side of all of this. It's encouraging to hear of others. Thanks again for sharing!
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Veronica
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/26/2010 11:52:46 AM
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gbcmusicguy
Posts: 1
Joined: 1/21/2009
From: New Castle, IN
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Hello Ladies,
I feel like I'm sort of intruding on "girl talk" here, so hopefully no one will be offended.
I've been a Nuclear Medicine Technologist for 12 years and I've worked nearly 7 of those years in a dedicated Cancer Center. Needless to say, I see all different kinds of people facing all different kinds of cancer every day. So if I don't have cancer, why am i posting in this thread? Well, the short answer is that I just wanted to some how encourage you all in your fight. I see many, many great endings to the fight against cancer. Many people think it's "the end" when they hear the "C word", but I'm hear to say it's not.
So, when the chemos get tough or the radiation treatments start to really wear you down, remember to stay focused on the finish line! As you can tell by the screen name, I'm usually here on the forums for the music side of things. So as i sit here typing this, it reminds me of a Legacy Five song from a couple years ago. The chorus says....
There is Hope, so hold on there is hope
God has sent me here to tell you, there is Hope
And He knows just what you're going through, and what the future holds,
As long as Jesus lives....there is Hope!
I'm not quite sure how folks that don't know the Lord go through this fight, but they do. When I meet them, I feel so sorry for them because they don't have that ETERNAL Hope that Christians have. They are putting ALL their hope in a human (the Doctor) and trusting them to bring them through. So I encourage you all, as I'm sure you are doing, lean on the One who gives true hope and peace that passes all understanding.
Also, if someone is reading this thread with cancer and not entering the discussion, you should. It always helps to be able to relate to others who are like you.
Good luck to all of you!
Musicguy
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RE: Cancer Support Thread - 4/26/2010 12:09:06 PM
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LibererlaFemme
Posts: 1307
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: PA, USA
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MusicGuy, welcome! It does look like girl talk, doesn't it? But it's absolutely not! Not only is it good to get a guy's perspective, but a professional in the area is a great thing too.
Thank you so much for your encouraging words! Hope to see you around more!
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><> Pam
From the rising of the sun til the sun goes down, let the name of the Lord be praised!
< < my sweet Toby {1997-2010}
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