<p>This thread made me start to think about all the cancer survivors I know.</p>
<p>I went to a party tonight given by the parents of my college roommate, people I met more than thirty years ago. They’re both cancer survivors; she had breast cancer maybe 20 years ago; he had prostate cancer maybe ten years ago. They’re both in their late eighties now.</p>
<p>One of their sons is having surgery next week for prostate cancer; my father-in-law had prostate cancer surgery about five years ago, with no recurrences. My father finished chemo for non-Hodgkins lymphoma more than 11 years ago. My wife was pregnant with his first grandson when my father was diagnosed. Since my father’s last chemo treatment, he’s gotten to know two grandsons, attended the weddings of three grandchildren, and played with five of his great-grandchildren.</p>
<p>I have a friend who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer when she was pregnant with her first child. I ran into both the mother and daughter at another party recently, twenty-five years after that diagnosis. Mom’s a healthy woman in her fifties; the daughter a beautiful young woman who just graduated from college. I have two close friends who were diagnosed with childhood cancers; one has been cancer-free for more than forty years, and the other for about thirty-five.</p>
<p>My thoughts are with with you. Cancer’s no picnic. But the reality today is that for most peope who are diagnosed with the disease, it’s something they just have to deal with while getting on with their lives.</p>
<p>I love the people on this thread, dont necessarily write every day but they come out in force to support anyone who needs it with such wisdom and caring! Lindz we are thinking of your D and you ,she is lucky to have you.</p>
<p>Thank you. I had surgery Aug. 7 and it was a full day starting at 6:30 at the hospital. I was home by 2 p.m. The following Monday, Aug 10 I started the twice a day radiation and thankfully there was another woman with the same diagnosis and we went through it together. I am so exhausted this week and still have followup appts. It was good to know that you were so tired for a month because I keep thinking I should be doing better. I have friends bringing meals 3x a week and what a blessing that is. H is back at work and my only child at home started back to college this week so I can mostly spend the days resting but I keep seeing the cat hair and mess and think I should be doing something about it. I’m so sorry that this young woman has to go through this just as she starts to college. It’s so worrying but chances are it will all turn out well. It’s still hard being in the middle of a situation like this. I look forward to hearing the outcome.</p>
<p>60’s, it will get better. I was falling asleep on the couch right after dinner, and D said I wasn’t much help with the homework. I was so tired, I didn’t notice that she had acquired her first BF during that time…</p>
<p>You might want to throw money at the cat hair, that is, hire a cleaning service to come in just to vacum and clean the bathrooms…</p>
<p>I’m sorry that I haven’t followed your postings to this thread in the past; I’m sending my prayers your way. It’s really tough what you’re going through, and remember that this is the time to focus on getting the rest you need so that your body will heal. There were probably plenty of times when your children were young and the housework had to wait so you could spend all of your energy on them. You surely put them before anything else. Now is the time to put YOU first. I’m glad you are accepting meals from friends; sometimes it can be easier to give than to receive, and it’s important to let our loved ones do what they can to help us through the tough times.</p>
<p>downtoearth and sixties, I am thinking of both of you and hope you are doing well and letting your circle of friends and family take care of you.</p>
<p>This time I am speaking up more for my needs.The first time my kids were small I had no family, few friends because we were new to the town.I do accept help now but mostly ask for prayers and positive thoughts. Sixties I am not currently having treatment(start next week) but have had two surgeries and am getting less tired from that , the last was july 28th. Radiation makes you tired and the stress from the diagnosis no matter how positive is still a stress. You will recover better if you take care of yourself now. Rght now I am getting my D1 ready to go to college, it is a distraction, but I will definately rest when I need to once I start treatment. Dog hair here (beautiful golden retriever)) am considering paid help. Hugs to you all , patience with yourself sixties!</p>
<p>Earlier post was an all clear on PET scan from RN.
Day later call from MD noted new lung nodule that did not’light up’, but at 7mm might be too small for uptake. so biopsy. Due to small size and position, must be done under general anesthesia. Decided to wait until I drop my D off for freshman year (school is plane ride away). Trying to do a lot of fun things with daughter before leaving. Teary. Doing that privately. Scared in privare too.</p>
<p>Yeshecan: I am so sorry that you have to go through another surgery. I pray that it will be benign. I know the tears and the nightmares.</p>
<p>Would it be terrible of me to say that I can my check up today? I’m good to go for another 3 months? I am taking my daughter and friend out for sushi. My bloodwork, which 1 year ago signaled the possibiliy of CLL has w gone down for the 4th time! I’m not normal yet (and to quote my kids may never be “normal”) but we’re going in the right way.</p>
<p>Miracles happen…they come from doctors, nurses, researchers, friends and family…and yes, if one believes God. So, hang in there.</p>
<p>yesshecan hoping it is one of those false positives. You know you are on my list!
Ellebud -great news ! you have had a tough month!
finished the school shopping tired and poor. Had a nice two days with my D’s laughing, it was nice this is what life is all about! Start chemo after i take my D to school, I’m trying to look at it . that it is something I must do to have more of these days with my loved ones. !</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you for your concern. Some of you have so much going on in your own lives right now. I wish the best for all of you, negative biopsies, chemo that doesn’t tire you so much and good time with your families. I know that stress does cause fatigue and that is part of my problem right now. It’s been two weeks since my surgery and I’m done with treatment. It all went so fast that I didn’t have a chance to give in to fatigue so it’s catching up with me. I’m having more good days now but I do have something on my mind and I thought I’d throw it out there for advice. I have an appt. with the oncologist in 3 weeks and I have to decide whether I take Arimidex or Tamoxifen. I’ve had the blood test to make sure my liver can metabolize Tamoxifen and don’t have the results yet. I’m actuallly not enthused about either medication because of the possible side effects. Has anyone taken either of these and what did you experience in the way of side effects? Either one would decrease my chance of recurrence by about 5%.</p>
<p>I am on Femara. My only side effect is that I have body aches. When another doctor added Actonel the pain felt like chemo all over again. So, I’ve had more success with Evista. The discomfort is certainly bearable.</p>
<p>I have been on Tamoxifen for about 9 months. I have had no side effects whatsoever. I also was fortunate to have very minimal SEs from chemo (hair loss, fatigue and mild nausea) so perhaps I just metabolize medicine well. I have no idea as I am not in the medical field. I did get a lot of blistering from the radiation therapy.</p>
<p>An acquaintance of mine who also was prescribed Tamox had horrible mood changes to the point of feeling depressed and “mean” so her onc. took her off of it. She can’t take Arimidex yet as she is still pre-menopausal.</p>