Cancer SUCKS

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  • Sending positive thoughts for you and your son, @SusanDoris. I know well how disconcerting a surprise that can be—that was me a year-and-a-half ago. (Quadruple bypass in my case.) I hope the surgery goes well, that everything that needs repair is repaired and that he recovers easily.

  • Many thanks for the kind comments above.
    Nick Tamen: May I ask - is there a very noticeable difference between how you felt before and how you feel now? Probably a daft question but hope you don't mind my asking.
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    edited August 2021
    It’s not a daft question at all, @SusanDoris. Quite a reasonable question.

    The short answer is yes, I do feel better. Better blood flow is a good thing! :grin: And part of it is also likely due to dietary changes and exercise changes.

    That said, I was advised by a number of medical folks to expect it to take a year to fully recover from the surgery, and I found that to be true. Which is not to say I was in rehab mode for a year. I was 95%+ recovered in 6 weeks. (I kept getting told that being “young” was on my side for a quick recovery—I had just turned 59 a week before the heart attack and surgery.) But I still had the occasional aches and pains that I could trace back to the surgery, primarily discomfort resulting from having the rib cage broken and chest muscles cut open. I was also advised that I would be very sensitive to any chest discomfort, and that it would take some time to learn the differences between those that might be heart related and those that aren't. I’ve also found that to be true, and I’d be lying if I said that hasn’t been a source of stress at times.

    But those are just minor matters in the grand scheme of things, and they’re worth feeling better from your blood flowing better (and from eating better and exercising more regularly). And it’s simply remarkable to me how very routine bypass surgery is these days.

  • Well I seem to be getting into the side effects of the chemo now. I just threw up. I managed to get down the anti nausea drugs they gave me, and i feel much better now. I hope this isn't going to be a regular thing though.
  • So sorry, Nicole!
  • Ooh, I'm sorry, that sounds like no fun at all.
  • Nick Tamen wrote: »
    It’s not a daft question at all, @SusanDoris. Quite a reasonable question.

    The short answer is yes, I do feel better. Better blood flow is a good thing! :grin: And part of it is also likely due to dietary changes and exercise changes.

    That said, I was advised by a number of medical folks to expect it to take a year to fully recover from the surgery, and I found that to be true. Which is not to say I was in rehab mode for a year. I was 95%+ recovered in 6 weeks. (I kept getting told that being “young” was on my side for a quick recovery—I had just turned 59 a week before the heart attack and surgery.) But I still had the occasional aches and pains that I could trace back to the surgery, primarily discomfort resulting from having the rib cage broken and chest muscles cut open. I was also advised that I would be very sensitive to any chest discomfort, and that it would take some time to learn the differences between those that might be heart related and those that aren't. I’ve also found that to be true, and I’d be lying if I said that hasn’t been a source of stress at times.

    But those are just minor matters in the grand scheme of things, and they’re worth feeling better from your blood flowing better (and from eating better and exercising more regularly). And it’s simply remarkable to me how very routine bypass surgery is these days.
    Thank you very much - I'm going to copy that and keep it to show my son when he is on the other side of the op. He will be 60 in December so similar in age to your op date. I am sure he will keep close to guidelines on diet and exercise - and he'll have his mother here to answer to if not!! His family wil be caring and watching too

  • Apologies for continuing the non-cancer tangent, but I hope it’s okay. @SusanDoris, I’ve been wondering how your son is doing. I’ve been thinking of him and of you, and hoping that the surgery went well and recovery is underway.

  • Nick Tamen wrote: »
    Apologies for continuing the non-cancer tangent, but I hope it’s okay. @SusanDoris, I’ve been wondering how your son is doing. I’ve been thinking of him and of you, and hoping that the surgery went well and recovery is underway.
    That is very kind of you thank you. No surgery yet - enzyme levels down though and as soon as there is a slot, he will have the op. Fortunately, he maintains a practical and philosophical approach after initial shock.
    Covid test for me today then avoid possible contacts until Friday.

  • DooneDoone Shipmate
    Best wishes for you both.
  • Indeed. Thanks fir the update, SusanDoris.
  • Getting ready to go to my weekly blood test to see if I'm good for chemo nest week.
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    I hope all is as it should be @NicoleMR . Thinking of you. Also of @SusanDoris and Son of SusanDoris, @Galilit and Mrs @PDR .
  • My friend died yesterday in the hospice. She leaves a wife and two young sons. Prayers would be welcomed.
  • NicoleMR wrote: »
    I shared on the prayer thread that I was having biopsies in my breasts. Today I got results... cancer in my left breast.

    Prayers for rapid treatment and recovery
  • Praying 🕯
  • DooneDoone Shipmate
    Prayers 🕯
  • Prayers for all.
  • PatdysPatdys Shipmate
    Reading and caring.
  • HelenEva, thank you, I had a lumpectomy and have been undergoing chemotherapy. Today I had a blood test to see if I can have my fourth chemo next week. All well, on the schedule.

    They had to try five times to get a good blood draw from me to test though! (They don't use the port for drawing blood to test)

    Prayers for all on here.
  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    @HelenEva: prayers for your friend's widow and young sons

    Ongoing prayers, @NicoleMR
  • GalilitGalilit Shipmate
    HelenEva wrote: »
    My friend died yesterday in the hospice. She leaves a wife and two young sons. Prayers would be welcomed.

    Oh that is so sad ... strength for all concerned
  • Sigh, Mr. Image has trouble walking, and it is getting worse. Now they think it is Parkinson brought on by the anti-seizure meds he has been taking for 20 years. No meds of course mean seizures. It took them 6 months back in the day to find something that worked so switching meds does not seem like a good idea. Enough already, give the man some peace, please.
  • Lumpectomy under local anaesthetic was at 2:30 p.m. today, after several hours just waiting, but never mind that. Cup of tea and a sandwich then a wait for driver to pick me up and bring me home but no problems and I'm glad that's over. As usual, thinking of Galilit for recommending having a local anaesthetic. Post-op on 9th September and consideration of future medication or not.

    Phoned my daughter-in-law as soon as I got home to hear that my son had gone into ICU at about 4:0 p.m. after a quadruple, yes a quadruple, by-pass, so my thanks extended to Nick tamen again for the info upthread. definitely a shock to hear about the extent of the op, but he's alive and with modern medicine at the advanced stage it is, he will remain so is our fervent hope.
  • Good News SusanDoris, thanks for the share. May recovery for your son be a speedy one.
  • @SusanDoris What a lot to cope with in one day! Very best wishes to both you and your son for smooth sailing from here on.
  • I’m glad the day and its procedures went well for both you and your son, @SusanDoris. I hope for good things for you both, and that the worst is over for him!

  • Thank you for the above. I don't surf the internet or anything, but I think I'd have to go a very long way to find a thread such as this one here on SoF for the very real quiet strength and support it gives to those with or supporting those with cancer.
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Lovely that you feel that way, @SusanDoris ; continuing to hold you and your son in my thoughts. Also @NicoleMR , the Graven Images and @HelenEva 's friend.
  • DooneDoone Shipmate
    Yes, my very best wishes for all on this thread. It feels very personal for me as I’ve lost close family members and several friends to this particular beast and I have two close friends dealing with it at the moment, thankfully, successfully.
  • GalilitGalilit Shipmate
    I am so pleased you found my experience helpful, SusanDoris
  • Galilit wrote: »
    I am so pleased you found my experience helpful, SusanDoris
    Certainly the best way as far as I'm concerned. No need for any paracetamol this time either. It will be interesting to see if the Consultant recommends I start using the fourth, and last, drug available. I had Tamoxifen the first time (1987), Letrozol for two years five or so years ago when it was decided to use that rather than do lumpectomy, Exemestane when changed lump removed about two-and-a-half years ago, and apparently there is one more available. Depending on how sure the Consultant is that there are not signs left, I think at my age I might be prepared to take a chance. Hmmm.

  • PDRPDR Shipmate
    edited August 2021
    A healthy sign. When the patient loses interest and stops complaining, things are really bad. Meanwhile, endless, wordless prayers radiating from here for the people posting about their adventures in this thing. And for those who need prayers but are not posting.

    Her interest in things is intermittent. When she has a bad day she tends to just sleep and play computer games, when she has a good day her controlling side takes charge. When people are sick they are less able to tune out their less desirable personality traits and they tend to emerge with a vengance.

    Today was supposed to be treatment plan stage but we got kicked back to another dermatologist. The assumption had been that there would be obvious lymph node involvement, but there was not enough to get them excited. I suppose that'll mean another 4 to 6 weeks of the hold pattern.

    Not good for either of us.

    PDR
  • DooneDoone Shipmate
    @PDR 🕯
  • @PDR holding you both in prayer.
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    I'm sorry to hear this @PDR .
  • Just had my fourth chemo session. Tomorrow I have the post-chemo shot, then after that I don't know what's going to happen. I thought more chemo with different drugs, less aggressive, now I'm not so sure, I should find out tomorrow, so watch this space.

    Prayers for everyone on the thread, good luck everyone.
  • AmosAmos Shipmate
    Reading through and praying for all.
    @SusanDoris, my OH had a quadruple bypass at 55 and 29 good years afterwards. Nick Tamen's advice is excellent.
  • All best wishes for all, whether with cancer or caring for those with it.
    Amos wrote: »
    Reading through and praying for all.
    @SusanDoris, my OH had a quadruple bypass at 55 and 29 good years afterwards. Nick Tamen's advice is excellent.
    Thank you for saying - that is very encouraging to hear. My son is actually going home today!

  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    Such good news, @SusanDoris!
  • So glad @SusanDoris. @NicoleMR you remain in my prayers.
  • Wonderful news, @SusanDoris!

    Continuing to pray for all, especially @NicoleMR and @PDR and his wife.

  • Prayers for all on this thread. 🕯🙏🏽
  • Praying
  • So I had my post-chemo shot today, but the doctor said she'd talk to me next week when I come in for my blood test about what happens next in my treatment, so I don't know anything more than I did before. Frustrating, but what can you do?
  • So frustrating, @NicoleMR! Prayers continuing 🕯
  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    Ongoing prayers, @NicoleMR.
  • Definitely frustrating @NicoleMR . I hope you get answers and clarity around next steps soon.

    I have a friend going through biopsies, etc for a lump. She's pretty anxious about the whole thing and I'm trying to support from a distance, but there's really nothing practical to do while she waits for results.
  • Just got my scan back.
    As expected ... a bit of spread but almost all of it was on existing tumors so that doesn't really count. And the "new ones" were on other ribs. So it's still confined to my bones.
    All I need now is for them to finish analysing my surgical tissue to match the details (mutations) of my disease to one of the drugs that are around.
    On we go ... with endless thanks for prayers, candles and thoughts
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Glad to hear the news didn't hold any unexpected nasties @Galilit . Praying for you and for @NicoleMR and @PDR and Mrs PDR.

    Great to hear the news on your son @SusanDoris .
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