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The Kitchen Table

How are all of our Cancer Patients doing?

14 years ago

It's so hard to keep track of everyone so I was thinking it would be nice if everyone could check in on this thread and let us know how you are all doing.

So far so good for me. Past three scans have been clean...still suffering the after effects from chemo but I'm alive and kicking and that's what's important....

So how about the rest of you? Could we have a report from all of you?

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Comments (21)

mariend
14 years ago
DH's cancer is on remission. Hope it stays that way. Another chemo treament end of Dec. the Petscan to see where he stands.
Mystical Manns
14 years ago
I'm so glad to hear you're doing well, Ruthie. You've had a tough fight these past months and have definitely earned your Hallelujah! moment.

And Marie ... will keep your husband in my prayers also, that his cancer remains in remission.

So far, so good for me. I'm taking the cancer inhibitor Femara for the next 4-1/2 years, and other than being all achey and having trouble walking due to the way it affects my joints, it appears all is well. My doctor, surgeons, plastic surgeon and oncologist are all happy with my recovery ... no further tests until April.
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I am a breast cancer survivior. I was diagnoised 13 years ago. My brother had died from lymphoma about three years prior to my diagnosis. What I remember from that time is how scared I was and I also became depressed. I continued to work during treatment. People that I worked with knew that I had breast cancer, but never ask about my health or talked about it. I remember thinking that it was almost as if I had done something wrong. I was a therapist working with other therapist. I had a need to talk and a need for others to talk with me about what was happening to me. So, for me there was a need to talk. As I mentioned I also became depressed and started on medication for depression (I needed it and it was a good decision). I have a very supportive husband who helped me get through this very tough time. I am sure it is even more frightening when you are young and have a young child. Statistics show that being in a support group can have positive impact. So, I would ecourage her to do that.
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First off if i were her i'd get a second opinion and a new dr with a Heart!! In 2008,i had a total knee replacement,3 months later when i went for my final check up with my ortho dr i had found out a few weeks before that i had breast cancer.WTF within 3 mos 2 major surgeries. Anyway when i was at the ortho dr's he said to me,are you ok,you don't seem like your jolly self,at which point i lost it and started crying.When he asked what was wrong i told him of the diagnosis.He said,honey don't worry too much,they've come a long way from where they were 20 years ago,and i'm sure you'll be fine. After his exam and a clean super bill of health from him for my knee,he hugged me and told me he'd keep me in prayer.I thanked him and felt so much better when i left there. A compassionate and caring dr is what your friend needs as well. I also agree with all of what has been said by the op's. For me the first day i found out,i knew before they told me,that i had cancer.I had had many mammos and a few biopsies before,but this one seemed different,like it was taking too long,IMHO,and they were taking too many samples.I started crying while they were still doing the biopsy,and cried all the way home and for over 4 hours after i got home.Poor DH didn't know what to do.He called one of my sisters in N.Y. state and told her and asked her to tell everyone else that needed to know ,other sisters.He told them i didn't want to talk to anyone then ,but would call when i was up to it. Everything progressed sooooo fast that it seemed sureal.DH went out and got me a small tape recorder,that one of my dr's suggested,as they said,you're going to hear so much info in the next few weeks that you'll never be able to retain it.When i went to see the surgeon,my #1 son,DIL,Dh and that recorder went with me.Less than 2 weeks from diagnosis i was in the hospital being prepped for surgery.There were a lot of folks all over the world praying for me,my family and my medical staff.I told the dr's on the way to surgery that they were being prayed for by many people,they thanked me and said they had said their prayers as well.I had a great team from start to finish. Tomorrow i go for blood work,then sometime this week i'm supposed to have a cat scan,(must call about that tomorrow,then after that's done i go see the oncologist. I have been getting check ups every 3 mos,but this one he set for 4 months,so we'll see how it goes,i'm believing all thigs good. I hope your friend gets a 2nd opinion and quicker appointments for whatever she has to do. She may not feel like talking to anyone when she first gets home from the hospital,or from chemo appts if that's the route she has to take.So tell her if she doesn't feel like talking that she can tell you and you won't be offended. These procedures take the winds out of your sails.Best of luck to all of you,will add you all to my prayer list. Take care,God Bless kathi
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Thank you everyone for all your support. I am very happy to have spent the time asking the question. There are lots of titles listed that I completely overlooked and many that I will have to look into. My mom lives in the philippines and is old fashioned. She spent lots of time teaching and helping others as a social worker so maybe those 20th century country tales so I appreciate your suggestions Liz and Yoyobon. Thank you Ccrdmrbks. I am trying to relate to how my mom is feeling right now but I can't imagine it. We just celebrated my eldest sister's marriage last week so I think her emotions must be quite a mixture as well. Miss Read sounds promising. A friend highly reccomended Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe a long time back simply as a read to enjoy but I haven't gotten around to it. Anyone know if it would be appropriate for the situation? Comedy is an interesting idea. Though it may be hard to find something she relates to. I'll ask her and see if she has any favourites. Thank you all again so much, I've got all the titles written down and am going to do some research now! Take care and God bless! : )
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Completely understand all of that, having the dishwasher behind us would work in the same way as it would be very close when the door is open but the only other option is to put the dishwasher next to the sink and then have to move the range to the only other wall that you could use for it which is the back wall next to the fridge. I guess we could move it to the right of the sink but it would be just as far away or more than in the island What nobody is asking or knows is our preferences like I don't want my back to everybody in the kitchen while I'm cooking, so having the range in the middle of the kitchen makes it easier for me to see what's going on in the living area to my left, talk to my wife or kids when they are prepping things in the sink and talk to the people at the island easier. Does any of that make sense as to why the layout is that way?
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maybee_gw
14 years ago
I'm so far so good....
kathy_
14 years ago
My mom is doing well too. One Pet scan (after her lung cancer surgery) was clear. I think she goes for another PET scan in January.
maryanntx
14 years ago
I'm still getting chemo every two weeks. Thought I would get a break after 8 sessions, but didn't. I've lost all my hair this time, but finally found a wig that looks pretty normal on me. I had been extremely tired all the time, but the past two weeks I have felt very good and had quite a bit of energy.
Life is good!
creekgirl
14 years ago
Getting Avastin every three weeks and taking Tarceva at home daily. One of the side effects is fatigue so a lot of naps are being taken.

It's been 2.5 years since diagnosis so consider myself lucky as I am Stage IV. Last scans put me as stable.

Praying that a cure will be found for this terrible disease.....SOON.

Creekgirl
gneegirl
14 years ago
Looks like from the energy in these responses, cancer doesn't stand a chance. Glad to know that each of you is able to post here. I am amazed by your strength!

Just an FYI - an update to my 3yr old niece's Wilm's Tumor. Her surgery is schedule for very early tomorrow morning. Lots of prayers going up, but more wouldn't hurt.
curlysue
14 years ago
Keeping all of you brave, positive thinking, strong fighters, in my thoughts and prayers-God bless you all
susanjf_gw
14 years ago
just fine except for for the peeling...yuck! yes, it's like the worse burn you've ever had... start the new anti-hormone meds ($$$..thank goodness for ins) today...still a little tired, and can't "do" a thing with my hair, lol...(need buzz wax, and i look like howie long the football commentor)
jannie
14 years ago
I'm saying big time prayers for all you courageous people!
lindaohnowga
14 years ago
God be with each of you, giving you continuing strength and providing complete healing from this dreaded disease.
ruthieg__tx
Original Author
14 years ago
So good to hear from everyone. Hope you all continue to do really well. Creekgirl it is so great to hear of your 2 and a half year survival. Good luck and hope and pray we all have many more.
rachelacey
14 years ago
I'm one year out and no evidence of disease. I hope and pray it stays that way. God bless everyone!!
hgl_gaylemarie
14 years ago
God Bless you all! You are still my Prayers!
kacram
14 years ago
I'm okay. side effects are quiet different than the last time around 9 years ago.. probably because of my weight loss. I'll be find, just praying the chemo will work for another 9 years.

prayers to everyone!
sandiefl
14 years ago
Ijust had my last chemo this Tuesday, so I am happy! Kat, like you, I had cancer 9 years ago,but I only had to have radiation.This time I had 15 out of 16 chemo treatments.I was supposed to have one more next week but I developed neurapathy and the doctor recommended that I didn't do the last treatment. So now I have a month off, then 6 weeks of radiation.Like most of you the worst is the fatigue. But now maybe since the chemo is over, that will get better.All of you are in my prayers as well as a prayer for a cure.
sheesh
14 years ago
Hub and I are coming up on 5 years this winter. So far, so good for both of us. That was one he!! of a winter, I'll tell ya, but we made it! We're keeping our fingers crossed.

This is one club I hope will someday stop admitting new members.

Sherry
kathi_mdgd
14 years ago
I too am doing well for the most part,hair has grown back and is down over my ears now,not as thick as it was b4,but i can handle that at least i have some.My feet still bother me,that burning,walked on glass shards feeling.However my biggest problem now is my arm,from what i've read on the cancer bd.it looks like i may have Lymphadema in it.I go see the dr on monday.It's swollen and hurts like he**.I can only type for a couple of minutes or use the mouse,so my time on the computor these days is limited,and also can't do any stitching,or sewing,Bummer!!
But as they say,"This too shall pass".

I've kept the 47 pounds off that i lost during chemo and am now on Femera for almost 5 years,so the weight loss is a Great thing!!

Keeping those prayers and good thoughts going up for all of us.
Kathi
trinitytx
14 years ago
I admire you all, and can't even tell you how brave you are. It would be so much easier to quit all the drugs and therapy, yet something in you keeps you strong and fighting.

Kick cancer in the butt, and know I am cheering you on.

Trin
grammahony
14 years ago
I'm praying for you all too. My sister took that Femera for a few weeks. She quit taking it because it caused her such pain in her joints and she could hardly walk.
Prayers for a cure too. And soon.
Leslie
heather_on
14 years ago
I'm a 9 1/2 year survivor of inflammatory breast cancer. I took 5 years of Tamoxifen and now am on Femara for at least 5 years but the onc doc wants to keep me on it indefinitely. I have severe lymphedema and some other choice side effects but I AM ALIVE! There certainly is hope!

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