Cancer and Treatments

11 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.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

swimmer22
11 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
11 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!!!
Related Discussions
Fake Cancer Cures - Update
Q
Comments (70)
"In physiology I learned that everyone makes anywhere from 100,000 or so to 400,000 or so cancer cells A DAY." This is a common claim on alt med sites, but I've never seen evidence to back it up. The misunderstanding seems to relate to the fact that cells in the body are constantly wearing out, developing chromosomal defects etc. and are removed by normal body physiologic mechanisms - but these are not "cancer" cells until they start to divide uncontrollably and form a tumor. Your body doesn't need help from herbs to carry out its immune functions, few if any herbs have been found to enhance immunity in human beings, and if they did we'd have to be concerned about nonspecific hyperimmunity leading to autoimmune diseases. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003042-pdf.pdf "I have known many people who went to doctor after doctor who found nothing until they were so sick they were dying. This is not uncommon, unfortunately." What is the rate of cancer detection by alternative practitioners? What early detection systems do they have to rival (for example) mammography and colonoscopy in the diagnosis of breast and colon cancers?
...See More
Bob's Niece with Cancer
Q
Comments (7)
How terrible. Just way too much for them and I hope the prayers work some miracles, seems they really need a few right now. I get so mad at times at how good people suffer while all the murderers and bad criminals should be the ones instead. At least in my book! Life can sure be unfair. hugs, Karen
...See More
It's So Difficult....
Q
Comments (9)
Marie i am sorry to hear of your loss.I lost my mom to cancer 2 years ago and she also expierienced a collapsed lung during a bronchoscopy.She had a emergency chest tube inserted and was never the same again.This all happened on my birthday.Mom died 5 weeks later.For closure and to prevent the MD from hurting anyone else i sought legal advice.The lawyer said Mom signed a consent prior to the procedure which explains all that can go wrong and a collapsed lung is one of the things listed on the cosent form.Very weak case if any he said.It would cost more to prepare than would be awarded.As if that was not enough--in October 2004 my Dad died,and a month ago i ended a 3 year relationship with a wonderful man who has the disease of alcoholism but denies it.I was numb and calm when mom and dad died,but fell apart after this relationship ended.It all came to the surface,and i do not know if i will ever stop crying.I am depressed and angry and feel very alone.I know these emotions are normal,but wonder if i can cope.
...See More
skin cancer treatment alternatives
Q
Comments (18)
Laura, I believe for you you're MOHs experience did cause PTSD. For me, my MOHs experiences have contributed to piece of mind and a good night's sleep. 30 years ago I had a BCC on my face removed in the doctor's office; cut and scraped, without any margin tissue sent off for biopsy to determine if there were clear edges. It left a medium sized hole in my face that always prompted the question "What happened?" when meeting someone for the first time afterwards. A year later I noticed a spot on the tip of my nose. Not wanting to risk the same disfigurement on my nose I contacted a plastic surgeon that had removed a BCC near the eye/tear duct a few years before. In planning the procedure he mentioned that the surgery was simple and was there anything else I wanted taken care of. I asked him to fix the scar from the other BCC. Day comes, I have the removal and reconstructive surgeries and everything looks great. Then, a week later, I get a call at home. It's my PS. He says a biopsy of the scar he'd fixed from the BCC removal the year before came back and there was cancer everywhere on the edges. A week later I go back in to have it taken care of. The cancer was deep. He said he almost had to cut entirely through my skin layers to remove it. My lip was pulled up into a prominent Elvis type sneer. I've had three additional surgeries to correct the disfigurement. The dermatologist from the other BCC called later to see how things are going. I thought at the time that he was wanting to touch base to see if I was going to initiate a lawsuit against him. (I didn't.) To shorten a long story, all cancers I've had since are removed through MOHs. I see a dermatologist every three months. Tidbit - 15 years ago I participated in one of the clinical trials for Aldara. I was in the group that got the Aldara. I knew because my forehead looked like I'd taken a bad fall on concrete while skateboarding.
...See More
glenda_al
11 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

Comments (3)

swimmer22

susie53_gw
Original Author

Related Discussions

glenda_al

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Cancer and Treatments

Comments (3)

swimmer22

susie53_gwOriginal Author

Related Discussions

glenda_al

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

susie53_gw
Original Author