At one time, years ago now, I was a member of Ship of Fools. Before the NEW Ship of Fools. I even applied to be a Mystery Worshipper, though events overtook me and prevented me from participating. I’m retired now, and I’m back, with more time to participate. Actually, I’ve been retired for a while but for the past 6+ years I’ve been dealing with cancer, and with that necessary attendant portion, cancer treatment.
I empathize with all those who have posted here who have, have had, or have family or friends who have had cancer. Some of the treatments rate as their own circle of hell.
Besides other treatments I’ve had 8 surgeries now, the last one being last March, and was just coming up to one year without recurrence when, last week at my tests, we found that it has returned. Again. We’re awaiting the biopsy results and, God willing, I’ll be able to have surgery again. Then treatment. It’s a completely different world, the world of cancer.
My sympathy to all who have been touched by this evil. Cancer DOES suck!
I wish I had been able to stay active here over the years as I recognize some names that are mentioned on the forum, but alas, water rapidly flowing past under the bridge. I do remember it as a wonderful place to spend time, and I’m sure it still is.
This is a great place for a rant - keep it up! My mantra is Fight The Good Fight - also the other one. 8 surgeries plus chemical warfare is more than anyone deserves - we'll curse it, celebrate when we can, and pray with you all the way.
I don't tend to say much hereabouts because I have been so lucky that my breast lump is low key and has beem controlled by Letrozole. However, I saw the surgeon today because it has changed a bit. She has decided to remove it under a local anaesthetic fairly soon. Having to take extra blood thinners because of the stenosis in my dodgy artery wil, I imagine, make it a bit more difficult, but I'm sure she will want the op to be a success!
My thanks for above good wishes - much appreciated. During the next week or so I am going to find out all I can about such an op when it is, as in this case, allied to the heart risk factors.
I am taking French lessons (originally, I had hoped for a return trip to France having acquired the ability to converse in the language, however marginally; now I'm doing it to exercise my chemo-infused brain), using FaceTime since I can't leave the house on my own.
My head is bald now, and I have a variety of caps to wear on the (many) occasions when I don't feel like donning a wig. "You don't have to wear the hat just for me," my teacher said. "Merci. Je connais. J'ai la tête froide," I told her. And my head IS cold; it's February in the American Midwest!
It has been over 50 years since I took French, alas I have lost most of it from lack of use, although I was surprised how some popped back unto my tongue when I encountered some lost French tourists in a park. I hope I sent them on in the right direction. Rossweisse, I agree with Climacus, surely a beret is in order, worn at a fetching angle over one eye of course.
Continued prayers for all on this thread. May you feel support surrounding you on this hellish journey.
It is interesting, isn't it, that we are names on a forum, but because SofF has an ethos or something which keeps its members, who, as far as I've always seen, are hardely ever fly-by-nights, then, yes, posting here on this thread really does create a strong feeling of mutual support and warmth, whatever disagreements occur on other subjects! It certainly does help.
Continued prayersfor all going through the hell that is bastardcancer. All my check up tests came back clear. The MRI scan showed nothing but the scintillograph suggests that The Mysterious Pain is indeed a broken rib - likely weakened by radiotherapy, it failed to withstand one of my lavishly violent sneezes!
I now can count myself as being in remission. Let's see what happens next.
I love the idea of a beret, not only to keep your head warm* but also to inspire your lessons. And maybe even some French wine and food afterwards to celebrate your successes.
*wish I could send you some of our heat - anything over 24 is extraneous to our needs.
Continued prayersfor all going through the hell that is bastardcancer. All my check up tests came back clear. The MRI scan showed nothing but the scintillograph suggests that The Mysterious Pain is indeed a broken rib - likely weakened by radiotherapy, it failed to withstand one of my lavishly violent sneezes!
I now can count myself as being in remission. Let's see what happens next.
I once gave an oncologist hell for using the "R" word. It's all about how the individual sees it, of course, but to me, it implies that there is someone with a gun pointed at my back, and I don't know if it's loaded or not. I think that 'NED' - No Evidence of Disease - is a much better term, and absolutely accurate. The bastard cancer may revisit later, but for right now, it has gone away.
So enraged with the news from Glasgow. My pal has cancer in his pancreas which has spread to liver and sacrum. It only showed up in back pain that got worse and worse, then started to be numbness. His lovely wife had to have cancer treatment two years ago, and now they get slammed with this?! Shit. House.... Shithouse.
And having to watch a tumour turn badass Ma Mad Cat into a frail old lady in the space of a year? Nuh. Fuck that shit.
I have to go to the emergency room in the morning for an ultrasound: either I have a UTI, or the cancer has moved into my bladder. Having just celebrated a diagnosis of pneumonia (it's NOT CANCER!), I'm not quite ready to celebrate something as aggravating as a UTI. But I will if I have to.
Rossweisse - Sorry to hear that and I do hope it is an ordinary infection whicch can be dealt with.
Question: Does anyone here know of someonewho has had a breast cancer lumpectomy under a local anaesthetic because of higher risk of heart failure? I did a bit of googling on the subject yesterday and there was reference to a study which had compared those who had had a local and those who had had a general. The LA group seemed to come out quite well.
Question: Does anyone here know of someonewho has had a breast cancer lumpectomy under a local anaesthetic ...? .
Oooh..Yes... me...me ...me
[waves enthusiastically from the 3rd to back row near the fire-exit]
It was for my recurrence in 2009. It was located on the scar of the mastectomy done 13 years before.
My reasoning was that I live 10 min down the hill from our local hospital (where I am well-known to the "tit-ologist"). I could go up 20 min before and go home after 20 min. Instead of going up the night before, starving, enema, waking up, and waiting to "recover" according to the protocols, then waiting to get my discharge letter. Also if you need a "resect" (eg because they didn't get "clear margins") you can have another one next week, instead of waiting a month before you can get another "general". I had 3 surgeries in 3 weeks (all under local) as my cancer was crazy aggressive. There is a lot more judgement involved in the surgery when you are under the time pressure of local anasthetic. And if they see (once they are "in") that you actually will need a mastectomy you are going to have to have "a general" anyway
I would ask them very specifically if they can get immediate info on "clear margins" during the surgery so they can cut more if necessary.
It is a very intimate experience and that does not suit everyone. I have a long-standing relationship with the surgeon and knew him outside the medical world as well. Which made a lot of difference to us both. We were a bit light-hearted about it to tell the truth. It just seemed to make the whole thing more fun. I personally loved it.
You do have to be a wee bit disciplined about someone cutting into you while you're wide-awake and can sort of see as well as definitely smell and feel the cutting, the blood dripping, etc. Even though they strap you down.
And it's a good Story to Tell.
I recommend it to all and sundry but have yet to meet anyone else who has done it. People thought I was mad. And now I hear it is A Thing in LA
Question: Does anyone here know of someonewho has had a breast cancer lumpectomy under a local anaesthetic ...? .
Oooh..Yes... me...me ...me
[waves enthusiastically from the 3rd to back row near the fire-exit]
It was for my recurrence in 2009. It was located on the scar of the mastectomy done 13 years before.
My reasoning was that I live 10 min down the hill from our local hospital (where I am well-known to the "tit-ologist"). I could go up 20 min before and go home after 20 min. Instead of going up the night before, starving, enema, waking up, and waiting to "recover" according to the protocols, then waiting to get my discharge letter. Also if you need a "resect" (eg because they didn't get "clear margins") you can have another one next week, instead of waiting a month before you can get another "general". I had 3 surgeries in 3 weeks (all under local) as my cancer was crazy aggressive. There is a lot more judgement involved in the surgery when you are under the time pressure of local anasthetic. And if they see (once they are "in") that you actually will need a mastectomy you are going to have to have "a general" anyway
I would ask them very specifically if they can get immediate info on "clear margins" during the surgery so they can cut more if necessary.
It is a very intimate experience and that does not suit everyone. I have a long-standing relationship with the surgeon and knew him outside the medical world as well. Which made a lot of difference to us both. We were a bit light-hearted about it to tell the truth. It just seemed to make the whole thing more fun. I personally loved it.
You do have to be a wee bit disciplined about someone cutting into you while you're wide-awake and can sort of see as well as definitely smell and feel the cutting, the blood dripping, etc. Even though they strap you down.
And it's a good Story to Tell.
I recommend it to all and sundry but have yet to meet anyone else who has done it. People thought I was mad. And now I hear it is A Thing in LA
Galilit
Just seen the above post - have responded to pm (seen on e-mail notifications).
I love your enthusiastic wave! I'll post this then come back and read carefully.
Question: Does anyone here know of someonewho has had a breast cancer lumpectomy under a local anaesthetic ...? .
Oooh..Yes... me...me ...me
[waves enthusiastically from the 3rd to back row near the fire-exit]
It was for my recurrence in 2009. It was located on the scar of the mastectomy done 13 years before.
My reasoning was that I live 10 min down the hill from our local hospital (where I am well-known to the "tit-ologist"). I could go up 20 min before and go home after 20 min. Instead of going up the night before, starving, enema, waking up, and waiting to "recover" according to the protocols, then waiting to get my discharge letter. Also if you need a "resect" (eg because they didn't get "clear margins") you can have another one next week, instead of waiting a month before you can get another "general". I had 3 surgeries in 3 weeks (all under local) as my cancer was crazy aggressive. There is a lot more judgement involved in the surgery when you are under the time pressure of local anasthetic. And if they see (once they are "in") that you actually will need a mastectomy you are going to have to have "a general" anyway
thank you very much - that is all very encouraging. certainly sounds as if there are many different reasons to prefer a LA. Fortunately, my lump is not aggressive, otherwise I imagine they would not have tried me on Letrozole first.
I would ask them very specifically if they can get immediate info on "clear margins" during the surgery so they can cut more if necessary.
I will add that to my list of questions.
It is a very intimate experience and that does not suit everyone. I have a long-standing relationship with the surgeon and knew him outside the medical world as well. Which made a lot of difference to us both. We were a bit light-hearted about it to tell the truth. It just seemed to make the whole thing more fun. I personally loved it.
I think the young lady surgeon has got me down - correctly of course! - as a confident, very independent person and she is direct in her comments, which I like. So providing I don't have a heart attack or stroke, for which there is a risk - and I'll ask if they have an idea of chance of that - I'll have a big smile on my face when it's done.
You do have to be a wee bit disciplined about someone cutting into you while you're wide-awake and can sort of see as well as definitely smell and feel the cutting, the blood dripping, etc. Even though they strap you down.
Ah, well, with age-related hearing loss, that will probably be quite quiet! And since I can't see much anyway, that's an unexpected beneficial side effect of sight loss!
And it's a good Story to Tell.
Bearing in mind the 'affliction of creativity' topic, I think I'll try and compose a narrative rhyming verse about the occasion while I'm lying there.
I recommend it to all and sundry but have yet to meet anyone else who has done it. People thought I was mad. And now I hear it is A Thing in LA
Thank you! My internist had prepared the way, and everything went smoothly. (This hospital has some wonderfully kind employees, too.)
The verdict: There may well be metastases in the bladder, but if so they're too small to see with the ER's ultrasound equipment. I have been given another prescription and sent home to rest. Deo gratias!
Comments
They leave such a space in our hearts.
I empathize with all those who have posted here who have, have had, or have family or friends who have had cancer. Some of the treatments rate as their own circle of hell.
Besides other treatments I’ve had 8 surgeries now, the last one being last March, and was just coming up to one year without recurrence when, last week at my tests, we found that it has returned. Again. We’re awaiting the biopsy results and, God willing, I’ll be able to have surgery again. Then treatment. It’s a completely different world, the world of cancer.
My sympathy to all who have been touched by this evil. Cancer DOES suck!
I wish I had been able to stay active here over the years as I recognize some names that are mentioned on the forum, but alas, water rapidly flowing past under the bridge. I do remember it as a wonderful place to spend time, and I’m sure it still is.
Sorry for going on so long. Mea culpa. :-)
@idj - No surrender!
♥️
@SusanDoris, prayers ascending that the op will be a total success.
As do I, and others here. My prayers are added to the prayers of others.
Best wishes, SusanDoris.
Sorry to hear about your torrid time @idj
#teamRossweisse - so tough to be in that world again
Always pulling for Rossweisse and Susan Doris.
((((everyone))))
My head is bald now, and I have a variety of caps to wear on the (many) occasions when I don't feel like donning a wig. "You don't have to wear the hat just for me," my teacher said. "Merci. Je connais. J'ai la tête froide," I told her. And my head IS cold; it's February in the American Midwest!
I'm sure your caps are very fetching. Can you source a beret for the French lessons? 😉
Susan Doris - all the best for your op.
I now can count myself as being in remission. Let's see what happens next.
Good thinking, Climacus. I shall wear my beret for next week's lesson.
*wish I could send you some of our heat - anything over 24 is extraneous to our needs.
Hope the rib heals quickly, Dormouse. And great news re the remission.
I once gave an oncologist hell for using the "R" word. It's all about how the individual sees it, of course, but to me, it implies that there is someone with a gun pointed at my back, and I don't know if it's loaded or not. I think that 'NED' - No Evidence of Disease - is a much better term, and absolutely accurate. The bastard cancer may revisit later, but for right now, it has gone away.
Fair point.
And having to watch a tumour turn badass Ma Mad Cat into a frail old lady in the space of a year? Nuh. Fuck that shit.
#teamRossweisse
#teamRossweisse
Question: Does anyone here know of someonewho has had a breast cancer lumpectomy under a local anaesthetic because of higher risk of heart failure? I did a bit of googling on the subject yesterday and there was reference to a study which had compared those who had had a local and those who had had a general. The LA group seemed to come out quite well.
#teamRossweisse
Oooh..Yes... me...me ...me
[waves enthusiastically from the 3rd to back row near the fire-exit]
It was for my recurrence in 2009. It was located on the scar of the mastectomy done 13 years before.
My reasoning was that I live 10 min down the hill from our local hospital (where I am well-known to the "tit-ologist"). I could go up 20 min before and go home after 20 min. Instead of going up the night before, starving, enema, waking up, and waiting to "recover" according to the protocols, then waiting to get my discharge letter. Also if you need a "resect" (eg because they didn't get "clear margins") you can have another one next week, instead of waiting a month before you can get another "general". I had 3 surgeries in 3 weeks (all under local) as my cancer was crazy aggressive. There is a lot more judgement involved in the surgery when you are under the time pressure of local anasthetic. And if they see (once they are "in") that you actually will need a mastectomy you are going to have to have "a general" anyway
I would ask them very specifically if they can get immediate info on "clear margins" during the surgery so they can cut more if necessary.
It is a very intimate experience and that does not suit everyone. I have a long-standing relationship with the surgeon and knew him outside the medical world as well. Which made a lot of difference to us both. We were a bit light-hearted about it to tell the truth. It just seemed to make the whole thing more fun. I personally loved it.
You do have to be a wee bit disciplined about someone cutting into you while you're wide-awake and can sort of see as well as definitely smell and feel the cutting, the blood dripping, etc. Even though they strap you down.
And it's a good Story to Tell.
I recommend it to all and sundry but have yet to meet anyone else who has done it. People thought I was mad. And now I hear it is A Thing in LA
Just seen the above post - have responded to pm (seen on e-mail notifications). Galilit
Just seen the above post - have responded to pm (seen on e-mail notifications).
I love your enthusiastic wave! I'll post this then come back and read carefully.
The verdict: There may well be metastases in the bladder, but if so they're too small to see with the ER's ultrasound equipment. I have been given another prescription and sent home to rest. Deo gratias!
Best wishes, Susan Doris.
Sounds like it could be Good News, Rossweisse, rest well!!! #TeamRossweisse