<p>ahhh the sun has set on your first chemo day. Many good thoughts heading your way.</p>
<p>Sunrise - Best wishes to you and your family. This thread is a reminder that college stresses are not as big a deal as they sometimes seem. Thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>sunrise, I hope you’re home resting comfortably.</p>
<p>sunrise, your posts have been so thoughtful, introspective and inspirational to everyone who has read them.
Please know that many,many people you’ve never met are now thinking of you and sending good thoughts to you. Heal on sister.</p>
<p>Sunrise - One chemo down, 17 to go. You can do it! Hope you are feeling fine today.</p>
<p>keep up on those nausea meds, you will get through these next few days!!!</p>
<p>sunriseeast-you are an inspiration to many! I hope that you are getting through your first round of chemo with the help of others who love you.</p>
<p>sunriseeast: thinking of you…</p>
<p>your last post was incredibly gracious and eloquent…thank you for sharing</p>
<p>"I said “you know, perhaps I should hold court in the atrium area or whatever the most visible place with a sign “Patient of an advanced stage, very rare deadly cancer: $1 for viewing, $5 for 5 minute interview. $10 for getting a peek at a surgery scar” $20 for touching the scar”.</p>
<p>After I had my heart attack, and was still in the hospital, I set up a dime glass. Any nurse that wanted to examine anything, ask a question, or take my temp. had to pay a dime. (for my projects - <a href=“http://www.friendsoflafi.org%5B/url%5D”>www.friendsoflafi.org</a> )</p>
<p>Ended up with lots of dimes, and veritable march of dimes!</p>
<p>Sunriseeast - I really admire you. My bout with cancer was many years ago now, before I was even married, so I did not have children in the picture. </p>
<p>I wish there had been support groups available at the time. You might want to look into those at some point…there is no substitute sometimes for talking to those who have gone through (or are going through) something similar. </p>
<p>My doctors were very good from a medical point of view, but they did not consider the mental aspect of cancer…sometimes those feelings can hit a bit later, once the immediate medical emergency is taking care of. That is something that did take me by surprise, and took some time to work out. </p>
<p>Also, it sounds as if you are getting top-notch care…that is important. Quality really does vary.</p>
<p>Thank you for posting here. When I went through my experience, I felt so isolated (I was surrounded by people & friends, but I was very young & intensely personal, so some of that was my own doing). There are <em>many</em> of us who have walked in your shoes, each in our own way. And we’re here to tell the tale!</p>
<p>thinking of you !!!</p>
<p>continued prayers for you sunriseeast</p>
<p>Sending healing, peaceful thoughts for continued strength and comfort.</p>
<p>Just another person out here wishing you the absolute best. Thank you for sharing your experiences; your attitude is just so positive - and inspiring about life in general. I am so happy for you that you have such a wonderful family and group of friends. :)</p>
<p>Good morning, sunrise. I hope you have a nice view of this beautiful snow from your recovery chair. I bet the boys would build you a snowman if you asked. ;)</p>
<p>Take care.</p>
<p>Good Morning! Sending you healing wishes and cyber {{{hugs}}}.</p>
<p>Five days after the first chemo session, and no side effects so far. I did not even need anti nausea medication. The only effects I can think of was a lack of appetite and a need for more sleep, both of which can be easily addressed - appetite with calorie counting (to meet the target) and discipline and sleep with ease. I know the side effects are cumulative, so in all likelihood, I won’t escape them all together. Even so, the fact that I am starting off with no side effects at the beginning gives me a lot of margin. I am very pleased.</p>
<p>On Monday (1/10) I had a port installed near my collar bone for easy access for chemo. Outpatient affair. No biggie, compared to … you know what. I have 17 chemo sessions remaining, so I will get a great mileage out of this port. The surgeon who inserted the port came before the surgery and asked “have you had a port before?” I answered “no, this is my very first cancer”. The look on his face was priceless. Should never miss a gallows for good opportunity for humor. </p>
<p>Now, my transformation is complete. With a long vertical abdominal incision for a surgery and a port sticking out on my chest, veritably, I am Exhibit A of modern cancer treatment options.</p>
<p>Hugs to you! Best wishes, you have a wonderful attitude! Sending positive thoughts! :)</p>
<p>sunriseeast,
I’m a lurker on this thread.
Just want to tell you I am inspired by your attitude and humor.</p>
<p>FWIW, some folks just have minimal side effects. I hope you remain one of them.
My mom has had multiple rounds of 5 different chemos; she did lose her hair with one, had a few pimples with another and a touch of constipation intermittantly; overall very little sequelae over the past 2 and 3/4 years.</p>
<p>Sunrise: I’m glad to hear that you haven’t had side effects so far. I hope that the chemo continues to go as smoothly, and that it knocks out the cancer. I’ll keep on sending positive thoughts your way.</p>