Happy to hear the good words from Thunderbunk's friend and Rossweisse. I never bought into the idea of calling this thing a 'journey'. It's an adventure, and the good times can be pretty good. Carpe diem!
Had a brief moment of excitement the other day when the physio told me about a surgical procedure being developed that may make it possible to transplant healthy lymph nodes to replace cancerous ones. It looks as if it might work just after initial surgery; less likely to work for those of us who did it a while ago. Still, it might help new patients in the future. (I hope I worded that cautiously enough not to offend the medical advice rule).
...I never bought into the idea of calling this thing a 'journey'. It's an adventure, and the good times can be pretty good. Carpe diem!
One of the best cards I ever received (and from someone I don't know that well) put it perfectly.
I am blessed to have had many good times since my initial and subsequent diagnoses. Sometimes you have to work at it, but I can truthfully say that I have very few regrets, because I made the decision to travel while I could, try new things while I could, hang out with people I love while I could, and otherwise spend time on what was really important while I could. It's gonna get me in the end, but I'm making it work hard to do it, and I refuse to pull the covers over my head until the End is certifiably Nigh.
...It looks as if it might work just after initial surgery; less likely to work for those of us who did it a while ago. Still, it might help new patients in the future. ...
Happy to hear the good words from Thunderbunk's friend and Rossweisse. I never bought into the idea of calling this thing a 'journey'. It's an adventure, and the good times can be pretty good. Carpe diem!
Had a brief moment of excitement the other day when the physio told me about a surgical procedure being developed that may make it possible to transplant healthy lymph nodes to replace cancerous ones. It looks as if it might work just after initial surgery; less likely to work for those of us who did it a while ago. Still, it might help new patients in the future. (I hope I worded that cautiously enough not to offend the medical advice rule).
I am glad you mentioned it, thank you. The reason is that a recent CT scan (to check lungs clear of infection) apparently showed a node in my neck. I naturally assumed it was connected with the breast cancer and am just slightly annoyed that no-one has mentioned that neck nodes are connected with head and skull. This I found out this morning with a quick google search. Last week I saw the Surgeon, referred by GP, and she said they could offer chemo, but the effects would be far worse and they don't recommend it, in view of the smallness of the node and, I suppose, my advanced age! I shall however be checking back with GP.
And, as always, all warmest best wishes and (atheist non-praying!) thoughts to all on this thread.
Thank you. Actually, I think I might well have found a more positive answer. I have just phoned the Breast Clinic help line number where you speak to one of the Nurse Practitioners. She checked my case and said that the ultra-sound scan, which was done as more of an afterthought last Thursday, showed no anomalies in the neck, so perhaps the CT scan was misleading. `
As I'm sure I have said before, I am ornery. It's a trait that sometimes gets me into trouble, but which has served me well over the last 8+ years.
One thing that I have learned beyond a doubt in that time is the importance of community in fighting something like cancer - and this community is a blessing to me.
I hope that all proves to be well, @SusanDoris. No surrender!
Went to a lymphoedema information session today hoping to update my knowledge a bit. I asked about the transplant procedure I mentioned above, and was told that I was mistaken, and in fact it is applicable to patients long after the original surgery. I still don't know who is a good candidate for it or what might disqualify anyone, but will be talking to my own GP about it soon.
A kindly nurse once suggested that I give my compression stocking a pet name to make it seem more friendly. I had to tell her she wouldn't want to hear what I already called it.
...A kindly nurse once suggested that I give my compression stocking a pet name to make it seem more friendly. I had to tell her she wouldn't want to hear what I already called it.
I got a sucker punch this morning: I went to see my radiation oncologist and oncologist, and the former told me that my scans were not good, that there are new spots on my liver. (Somebody initially misread them on Friday.) I think he was distressed to realize that it was news to me.
My oncologist is going to send me for a liver biopsy, and then decide on further treatment. It will probably involve more chemo. (Damn!)
The good news is that he thinks that further treatment is still in order, but for the first time, he said that the time is coming when one of us won't think that. And he's now speaking in terms of a life span of a few months. Damn.
Also strikes me as a pretty shitty way to discover the situation, so several Valkyre-like spears descending on those responsible for your horrible surprise.
I'm just back from helping at a Race for Life event raising money for cancer research - so many stories there, including a baby in a buggy, with her whole family racing for her.
(We've done this every year for the last five or six years, our Guide pack mans the final, handing out the medals and water bottles to everyone who finishes.)
Well Rossweisse as my mother use to say when really upset. Poop Rose, so sorry for that news and so sorry you had to receive it in that manner. Loving prayers continue for you. You are my hero for your grace, encouragement of others and good humor thought it all.
Thank you all! Three friends (including the estimable Lamb Chopped) came by to see me (or, in one case, take me out to dinner) this afternoon and evening. That has made things easier. Tomorrow I shall have to talk to my daughters, and that's likely to be hard.
Comments
Had a brief moment of excitement the other day when the physio told me about a surgical procedure being developed that may make it possible to transplant healthy lymph nodes to replace cancerous ones. It looks as if it might work just after initial surgery; less likely to work for those of us who did it a while ago. Still, it might help new patients in the future. (I hope I worded that cautiously enough not to offend the medical advice rule).
I am blessed to have had many good times since my initial and subsequent diagnoses. Sometimes you have to work at it, but I can truthfully say that I have very few regrets, because I made the decision to travel while I could, try new things while I could, hang out with people I love while I could, and otherwise spend time on what was really important while I could. It's gonna get me in the end, but I'm making it work hard to do it, and I refuse to pull the covers over my head until the End is certifiably Nigh.
I agree!
And, as always, all warmest best wishes and (atheist non-praying!) thoughts to all on this thread.
Hugs to Susan Doris and hope the node remains fairly stable - thinking of you
One thing that I have learned beyond a doubt in that time is the importance of community in fighting something like cancer - and this community is a blessing to me.
I hope that all proves to be well, @SusanDoris. No surrender!
A kindly nurse once suggested that I give my compression stocking a pet name to make it seem more friendly. I had to tell her she wouldn't want to hear what I already called it.
My oncologist is going to send me for a liver biopsy, and then decide on further treatment. It will probably involve more chemo. (Damn!)
The good news is that he thinks that further treatment is still in order, but for the first time, he said that the time is coming when one of us won't think that. And he's now speaking in terms of a life span of a few months. Damn.
I'm just back from helping at a Race for Life event raising money for cancer research - so many stories there, including a baby in a buggy, with her whole family racing for her.
(We've done this every year for the last five or six years, our Guide pack mans the final, handing out the medals and water bottles to everyone who finishes.)
I have been praying and bothering God every day for you.
No Surrender! #teamRossweisse
Graven Image said it so well, you're a hero for all of us.
Still, for now, no surrender!
Knew something must be up when I saw so many new posts
[Lesson learned - read posts before PM'ing]
Yes, so did I.
Graven Image speaks for all of us, I think...
{{Rossweisse}}
So there.
No surrender!