Support for LateToSchool

Parent Cafe
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<p>LTS, Congratulations! You are truly amazing.</p>

<p>I’m sure there will be a way to contribute for those of us not able to attend. Usually one can just make a donation. </p>

<p>In the NY Times magazine this weekend, there was a photo essay that brought me to tears. A volunteer medical group, Remote Area Medical, formed to treat desperate people in developing countries, is now operating in rural areas of the US:</p>

<p>"The group, most often referred to as RAM, has sent health expeditions to countries like Guyana, India, Tanzania and Haiti, but increasingly its work is in the United States, where 47 million people — more than 15 percent of the population — live without health insurance. "</p>

<p>The photos remind me of those haunting Depression-era photographs of the gaunt, hopeless-looking people from that time. This one, in particular, has that quality:</p>

<p>[Third</a> World Clinic, First World Country - The New York Times > Magazine > Slide Show > Slide 4 of 9](<a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2007/11/18/magazine/20071118_HEALTHCARE_SLIDESHOW_4.html]Third”>http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2007/11/18/magazine/20071118_HEALTHCARE_SLIDESHOW_4.html)</p>

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<p>[[X</a>] : Up and Running: Cancer Free](<a href=“http://xpress.sfsu.edu/archives/life/000441.html][X”>http://xpress.sfsu.edu/archives/life/000441.html)</p>

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<p>Epistrophy, thank you so much for both of those posts. It helps me so much to read about people who are in a similar sort of struggle, and winning the battle, or, at least they’re not losing. I really appreciate it and it makes me feel better. </p>

<p>NYMomof2 thank you for that - there are so many people who are suffering so horribly, so helplessly. I am so thankful that I have the financial resources to fight this. Today I sent an outreach letter to the head of pastoral care at my primary hospital, asking what D and I can do to help oncology patients over the holidays. Our thinking is that maybe we can help out in some small way, even if it’s just visiting people who are in the hospital and unable to go home to be with their families over the holidays. Or perhaps there is some other way we can help to alleviate suffering, even if just for a few days. That plus the LAF fundraiser is a good start, and, then I will hop on a plane back to Washington Monday and see what I can get going there. </p>

<p>We had a lovely thanksgiving - except that - lol, my daughter was slicing garlic, introduced a too-sharp knife in her finger, and, so, we threw the turkey into the oven, left it, and dashed off to the emergency room. My arrival in the ER caused some commotion because I was recognized immediately by several staff members thought we were there because of me. But at least this resulted in FAST service - seven stiches and two hours later, we were back home. D finished cooking with her entire left hand in a glove. The turkey was flawless; dinner was simply splendid and our guests had a lovely time. </p>

<p>I finished 4th run of chemotherapy today - next step, scans December 9, then a radiation decision. Chemotherapy again mid-December, then January, then I guess a PCI decision, which is requiring an incredible amount of research. I feel fantastic and still not a single side effect; it’s hard to imagine I’m so terribly sick. </p>

<p>We also did finally finish today the nutrition/supplements plan…incredible how much reading and research THAT took. Finally narrowed the list down to 10 supplements that make sense, and that verifiably will support and not compete with or undermine traditional medical care. But even with the final list, it’s still confusing as to where to even buy them. Memorial Sloan Kettering reports in several supplements that with the leading manufacturers, what the label says they contain in terms of dosage, and what the supplements actually do contain once tested are often very different. I’m guessing this is more to do with the natural, unpredictable nature of the supplements vs. intent to defraud on the part of the manufacturers…anyway, hope to have the vendors selected by tomorrow. </p>

<p>I trust everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving; thank you so much for all of the kind and gracious support I have received here.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the update LTS. </p>

<p>Seven stiches…Yikes! I’m glad everything turned out so well in the end.</p>

<p>I had a nice Thanksgiving as well…Lots to be thankful for, including “cyberfriends” like you!</p>

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<p>Your poor D! The good thing about turkeys is that they take a long time to cook; in this instance, that was an advantage.<br>
I am heartened that you are going through chemo with flying colors. It is a really good sign; being in good health is very important to a successful treatment.</p>

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<p>Hi LTS…</p>

<p>I just now stumbled over this thread and am shocked to learn of your plight! I wish you the very best in fighting your illness and already you are in my prayers. May God bless you!</p>

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<p>Parent2noles, thank you, I was very, very shocked as well, simply astonished beyond belief; after 48 years of excellent health and no problems of any kind I was simply not expecting this. Have now had a little more than 60 days to come to terms with it, and dig in for a very hard fight. I am grateful for prayers, positive communications, and uplifting stories. </p>

<p>Marite, happily for us, D had already done all the prep work on the turkey, including the stuffing etc. We were waiting to put it in the oven because it was still early, so luckily it was just a matter of tossing it in the oven and then running out the door. The plan was for me to drive home to baste it if necessary but we didn’t really want to do that as I am being uber-careful around food, especially meat. In any event dinner was simply fantastic. Everyone loved the turkey and all of the food, and we sent everyone home with leftovers. </p>

<p>I am happy that I feel well - hopefully it is a sign of what I can expect. I have minimalized all medical interventions to the extent practical - no port, for example, just have the nurses run IVs which has worked out just fine, and no medicines, except what they have to inject (steriods and anti-nausea meds) prior to a chemo session. I even had a tough of slight anemia but managed to eat my way back to normal - gobbled a bunch of food high in iron, so now my counts are fine again. </p>

<p>I am seriously thinking about declining PCI - very, very hard decision, that, but, my gut sense tells me that the less my body is “tampered with” the better things are going to be. Of course, that contradicts every study, every report, and every medical opinion on PCI specific to small cell lung cancer, so, very, very tough decision.</p>

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<p>So happy you had such a wonderful Thanksgiving. Condolescences for D’s thumb.</p>

<p>Yes, and so much to be thankful for – your continuing health (yes I know seems an oxymoron, but you feel good), your work, your resolve, your friends, your magnificent D and your heartwarming commitment to others.</p>

<p>Those at your table this Thanksgiving were lucky indeed.</p>

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<p>Happy Thanksgiving, LTS & LTS D!! </p>

<p>I had a similar slip of the knife once like that and badly cut my finger, to the bone. It was seriously bloody. I was alone with D, age three, at the time. I obviously had to get stitches, so I left a note for my husband-- “went to emergency room”-- and dashed out to get it taken care of.</p>

<p>He comes home to a blood-spattered kitchen and the note. He had no idea what had happened, or to whom. He arrived at the emergency room looking like a possessed man, frantic with worry. </p>

<p>I learned not to leave terse notes where emergency rooms are concerned!!</p>

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<p>Holy moly, SBMom.</p>

<p>He probably earned some gray hair on that one! At least clean up the spattered blood. :)</p>

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<p>[Journal</a> Writing/Expressive Writing](<a href=“http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/jourwritwrit.html]Journal”>http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/jourwritwrit.html)</p>

<p>[Amazon.com:</a> The Healing Way, A Journal for Cancer Survivors: Books: Margie Davis](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Way-Journal-Cancer-Survivors/dp/1862046964/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195989531&sr=1-1]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Way-Journal-Cancer-Survivors/dp/1862046964/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195989531&sr=1-1)</p>

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<p>[Using</a> Writing to Heal](<a href=“http://www.cancersource.com/CopeWithCancer/EmotionalSupport/EmotionalWellness/34,22582-1]Using”>http://www.cancersource.com/CopeWithCancer/EmotionalSupport/EmotionalWellness/34,22582-1)</p>

<p>[Creative</a> Journal Writing resource links](<a href=“http://www.diaristworkshop.com/links.html]Creative”>http://www.diaristworkshop.com/links.html)</p>

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<p>[Surviving</a> Cancer: Yale Cancer Center](<a href=“http://yalecancercenter.org/surviving/survivors_stories.html]Surviving”>http://yalecancercenter.org/surviving/survivors_stories.html)</p>

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<p>So glad to hear that you had a good Thanksgiving, LTS. We pray for you nightly.</p>

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<p>LTS: I’m relatively new and have only in recent months been active on the forum so I didn’t quite understand the significance of the subject line of this thread. I really thought it was about tardiness at school. I am horrified to read it now. I wish it <em>were</em> about tardiness. </p>

<p>I am inspired by your energy and positive attitude in the face of a very serious illness. I agree with everyone here who believes that you are destined to be that ‘outlier’ who defies all those survival statistics for small cell cancer.</p>

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<p>LTS,
Sorry to hear about your D slicing her finger! But isn’t it just like you to throw that turkey in the oven and run to the ER while it was cooking! Talk about multi-tasking! :smiley: Hope you have a wonderful, productive week!</p>

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<p>LTS - Keep up with fighting this cancer. I have had a couple of relatives with cancer the past few years. </p>

<p>My father-in-law passed away rather quickly, much faster than expected. We wondered if the diagnosis was his red flag that it was his time to go. </p>

<p>My mother was diagnosed with a different type of cancer than you but was pretty much told we don’t expect you to survive more than 1-2 years at most. That was 10 years ago! When she was losing too much weight or getting anemic we would make her smoothies. You can put so many good for you things in a smoothie and still have it taste good.</p>

<p>You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you battle your cancer.</p>

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<p>Thank you for all of the kind, positive posts and Epistrophy thank you very much for the new weapons. Those links and resources help me a lot. </p>

<p>Momst14 I am well; I have actually gained nearly 10 lbs. in the last 60 days. I am doing it on purpose since I cannot know what course of treatment might be required and what might happen next. My daughter bought lots of new kitchen stuff so that she can be ready to make anything for me at a moment’s notice. I am not allowed to use the new stuff by myself because I have a way of goofing things up. :)</p>

<p>I had a terrific workout last night at a private club where I’m a member; I got all excited because I am suddenly bench pressing and squatting more weight than ever before - but then I realized I was getting an artificial boost of strength, remnants of steriods they inject me with during chemotherapy. </p>

<p>I almost never permit myself to ask “why”; the why of it doesn’t matter; what is, is. But Saturday I got stuck on “why”…I had to go to the hospital to get a shot that they give me following chemotherapy - it brings my immune system back or something, and in any event because of the holiday and the scheduled shot falling on Saturday, I had to go to the oncology department of the hospital to get it, instead of my doctor’s office…anyway, I get there, one of the patients coded, the area was a mess, several nurses had meltdowns, and in general it was simply mass confusion and emotional upset that went on for some time. </p>

<p>I observed this for a while; D was with me; we had planned to go to dinner and a movie, but, we needed to wait for a while until things calmed down, and until someone could go get my injection - which ended up being a major production because the pharmacy didn’t have it, and when they finally located it, they only had one transport mechanism for the entire hospital. A nurse finally went to go get it, rather than wait for it to be delivered. Two hours before we finally left. </p>

<p>This isn’t a lower-quality hospital - this is a top-ranked private facility with all of of the latest resources and equipment, and where people with resources tend to go. But it was a mess. Patients in pain who needed medicine and the nursing staff couldn’t get to them; just a number of things unattended and mass confusion everywhere. </p>

<p>I’m watching all of this, and adding it to everything else I’ve observed, read, learned, and discovered etc. in the last now 75 days, and, I just couldn’t stop thinking, “why” ??? and more ominously “why ME”??? </p>

<p>I’m asking a higher power, if there is a reason you handed me this, if there is something I am supposed to do, some action I should be taking to help people, please enlighten me. It’s clear we (meaning the collective “we”) need to do something to fix the state of health care, but, what, exactly, should I be doing about it? </p>

<p>I’m hoping for clarity soon. There must be an answer, I just have to figure it out.</p>

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<p>You’re already doing something incredibly valuable: you’re keeping us apprised of what’s happening to you, in detail. That’s made me, and I’m sure many others who read this thread, much more sensitive to the whole topic of healthcare and the sorry state it’s in. Not that I didn’t know that in an abstract way, of course, but hearing about one person’s (brave!) journey is much more affecting than reading about healthcare policy in the NY Times or Washington Post. So a big thank you for taking the time and energy to post here - it means much more than you can imagine.</p>

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<p>You know, I rarely - in fact almost never - get “down”. This situation here, it isn’t even a fair fight. That’s o.k. though. None of my other life challenges have been fair fights, either, and, I won all of them. Every single one. So I don’t need for it to be fair, I just need some small window of opportunity. I know that I can win, even in the face of seemingly impossible and unthinkable statistics. </p>

<p>But my ability to win depends heavily on keeping my head on straight, and, this health care situation just simply overwhelms me. I am busy today, I don’t have time for this. I have a full calendar and meetings and things I have to do and then I need to pack and get on a plane early tomorrow for two weeks of meetings, and, I need to be about the business of getting my work done. But as hard as I try I can NOT wipe out of my mind the images I saw Saturday - the dirty rooms, the unanswered patients, the nursing staff in meltdown, the mass confusion…and this, in a top notch health care facility with NO shortage of money. It was the Saturday after Thanksgiving and these poor patients should have been in living rooms watching football, eating leftovers, discussing holiday shopping, perhaps even decorating for the holidays, and/or doing all of the other things that we all look forward to on Thanksgiving weekends. Instead, they’re stuck in a hospital waiting to be served with minimal assistance… </p>

<p>I cannot get my head past it, no matter how hard I try. And I cannot figure out any way in the world to even begin to try to fix it. What has to happen? Is it money? Talent? Do we need more doctors and nurses? What has to happen to make this, and other issues specific to health care, better for people? Because what I observed is unthinkable and intolerable…this cannot continue…it’s not a fair fight, but, there must be some way to fix it…I just wish I could figure it out…</p>

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<p>LTS:</p>

<p>Hmmm… I wonder about this hospital. I had to have treatments over the Christmas holidays, as did many other patients and everything went like clockwork, though I don’t know about unscheduled patients. But the hospital was spotless, as usual, and the staff was courteous and competent as usual.</p>