Cancer and Treatments

13 years ago

Glenda's post about her friend she is helping take for treatments brought back many memories for me. First, I want to say to Glenda how wonderful it is of you to help your friend and her daughter. I can tell you first hand how much this means.

Now, a little about my story with the cancer thing. We found the Ole Cancer with a regular checkup. Thank goodness. I took radiation and chemo both. Cancer runs wild on my father's side of the family. I saw my wonderful Grandma for the last time on my wedding day. She took a turn for the worse and we had come home early from our honeymoon so I could see her. She died an hour before I got there.. A niece and I are the only ones still alive having had the dreaded disease. It took me almost 7 months to complete all the treatments. I took 7 weeks of radiation and 7 rounds of chemo. Glenda is right when she tells you about the people waiting to take their treatments. I met some of the most amazing people. My appointment was set up to go the same time each day. I saw the same people each time. I still remember a young man with 2 small daughters. He had brain cancer. I knew his aunt and she kept me informed. Sadly he died. I remember a beautiful tall redhead. She was divorced with twin daughters that were getting ready to start college. Her brother always was with her. She died also. I remember reading of her death in the paper. My heart ached for her daughters.

Understanding cancer is impossible. One thing I am so grateful for is that they have come along way with treatments. Cancer is no longer a death sentence like it used to be. One day there will be a cure. I truly believe this.

We have 2 daughters and 6 grandaughters that I worry about. I have made sure they have both my and my husbands families' history. My husband and I have both lost sisters. My husband's dad died of it. His oldest brother and his son have both gone through it. Every female on my dad's side as far back as I can remember has died also. Scarey, yes it is but we all keep on top of all of it. When I listed all the family members at my doctors he was surprised it all came from my father's side. He said it was rare. I only know of one person on my mom's side. I just hope and pray I never have to see any of my children or grandchildren go through it.

Anyone that knows of someone with cancer should never be afraid to offer to help. Even the smallest thing is appreciated. A special card or note in the mail is so heartfelt. Knowing you have thought of them is special. Don't be afraid to ask what they need help with.

Again, Glenda, thanks from the bottom of my heart you are helping your friend and her daughter. I have been in their shoes. I "know" what it means to them!!

I have always been one to help others. I know in my heart someday if I need help someone special will come to help me.

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Comments (3)

swimmer22
13 years ago
Glenda, you are a kind soul. I have traveled down the colon cancer road. When diagnosed at age 48, I first completed 28 days of chemo/radiation then had my surgery to remove the tumor. After that, I had 12 chemotherapy treatments (one every two weeks- lasting 6 months).

This is probably what your friend is having it is called Folflox6. I would be at the infusion center for about 4 hours and then went home with a chemo pack that I had to be connected to for 42 hours. A visiting nurse would come to my home and disconnect that chemo pack from me.

If your friend is on the same chemo medication, she may have sensitivity to cold. Drinking a cold beverage was like razor blades. This lasted from treatment until about day 4 afterwards. Even touching something cold from the refrigerator was painful. Room temperature was key for foods and beverages during this period.

As your friend progresses through treatment, she may experience pain walking and sore hands/feet. This is another side effect of the medication. At about treatment 6, I would get difficult shin splint pain.

For me, the day I was disconnected from my take-home chemo pack was when I would crash needing much rest. Fortunately, I didnÃ¢ÂÂt experience severe nausea as they had good medicine to help with that. I did have mouth sores and if she experiences this, have her request prescription mouth wash.

Also, the taste buds go after about 3 treatments. I never liked spicy food but would crave it as it had a Ã¢ÂÂtasteÃ¢ÂÂ. I found cravings for foods with strong flavors. (I know you are a good cook).

Chemo is difficult. I had treatments, surgery and a temporary ostomy too. My final chemo treatment was in April 2012 and my ostomy reversed in July 2012.

Yesterday, I had my port removed two years from starting this cancer journey. I kept my port for this past year, as they monitored me frequently for any recurrence of the disease. Luckily, I am currently cancer free. Tell your dear friend there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
susie53_gw
Original Author
13 years ago
I also remember the taste buds going. Our youngest daughter and I were trying to do some Chrismas shopping. I remember being so hungry. We left to go home and decided to stop by an Arby's. Finally I found something that tasted good to me. From then on I always had some in the freezer when I had to take my treatments.

swimmer22, I hope things gets better every day for you.. You are so right when you say there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It just takes some of us longer to get there. Never give up!!!
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BTDT....and bought the Tee shirt I would suggest something to make her laugh....and make her laugh again and again. Sorry I don't do "inspirational meditation" type music....but your friend may. My tastes lie more in something like Beethoven's 5th piano concerto, which I find really powerful "go get 'em" music. Perhaps a funny movie....even if it's an oldie but goodie....and anything that will make her feel like her old self. I don't know your friend....so can't suggest specific things, but for me it was something like wild earrings and a hat that said "Outta my way I'm curing cancer". But you know your friend....maybe she's the simple pearl earring type... Easy on the ginger though if she's doing chemo....her mouth well may be too sore. One of the most disconcerting things for me was the loss of not only my hair, which I could easily disguise with a wig, but the loss of eyebrows and eye lashes. I hated the look of drawn on eye brows....but someone showed me a brush on eye brow color that looked much more real. Your friend is lucky to have you and her support system. Linda C Here is a link that might be useful: Emporer concerto 4th movement
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glenda_al
13 years ago
Yes, friend is very sensitive to cold. Her daughter removes the chemo bag for her. And she says she doesn't really feel bad until Thursday after her treatments on Mon and Tues.

Lady that she has made friends with that has colon cancer told us yesterday she drinks milk by the gallon. This is her second bout with the cancer and treatments.

susie, cancer is in my son's paternal grandparents side. Both grandparents and aunt died from cancer.

Sending you hugs, susie and thank you and all of you for your kind words.

Cancer and Treatments

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swimmer22

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