Bugger this cancer thing altogether, but thank God for people like Rossweisse who can talk about it and keep their sense of humour to encourage the rest. It makes a difference.
With all that Rossweisse is going through and the support that she needs, #teamRossweisse I am dithering about posting this here, however,
I have wanted to rage against the night over the last few weeks for leo, longstanding Shipmate and challenger of many things on the Ship, who died yesterday morning. He had stage 4 lung cancer, metastasized to his spine and hips. But as he hadn't said anything I couldn't out him.
Cancer sucks fundamentally in that it deprives us too early of the companionship of shipmates and loved ones. It seems to me that there is space to rage at Leo's passing and his suffering, as well as at the way in which Rossweisse seems to be slowly eroded by its horrific, insidious advance.
May all dealing with cancer find hope and healing.
Rosssweisse, by her sharing and grace has managed to unit a whole bunch of strangers, most of whom do not even know each others real names, in a common circle of love and support for her and all who are dealing with the big C. What a blessing we are receiving in sharing her journey if only in the cyber world. Thank you Rossweisse, for including all of us, who are sailing with you through choppy waters.
With all that Rossweisse is going through and the support that she needs, #teamRossweisse I am dithering about posting this here, however,
I have wanted to rage against the night over the last few weeks for leo, longstanding Shipmate and challenger of many things on the Ship, who died yesterday morning. He had stage 4 lung cancer, metastasized to his spine and hips. But as he hadn't said anything I couldn't out him.
No one should ever hesitate to post here about anyone affected by cancer.
I am terribly sorry to hear about leo, who was one of the good guys. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
ETA my thanks for all the prayers and kind words expressed here. It's been a long, hard day (and I couldn't even have a glass of wine with dinner because of one of the drugs in the chemo cocktail and the relatively late hour of its delivery), and you have again brought tears to my eyes. Bless you all.
I can only say how sorry I am to learn that leo has succumbed. My impression is that he was a very private man, where personal issues were concerned, and that is to be respected.
OTOH, the sharing of experiences - good or bad - can indeed be of help to others in a similar situation.
I initially hesitated to share all of this, but I find great help and comfort in the responses.
Today went pretty well, We shall see how the morrow feels.
I'm glad to hear today went pretty well, Ross. I can understand the initial hesitation, but please know how profoundly grateful I am to you for sharing your journey. May unlooked-for comforts be yours, may the courage you've revealed -- deep and tall and wide -- continue to sustain you, and may peace and mercy attend you.
Prayers ascending. Also, FUCK CANCER.
Very sorry to hear about leo: we always managed to annoy one another, but Pyxe vouched for him. May we share in the Beatific Vision.
I heard only this morning that T, loving partner of Our Place's faithful brother R, died early yesterday morning. Lung cancer again, and, as in leo's case, only diagnosed a few months ago. T was about 60 years old, so a mere youngling by today's standards (mostly). She did at least live long enough to see and cuddle her latest grandchild.
I opened Facebook this morning to discover that another friend, F., has lost her battle with cancer. She was a couple of years ahead of me in school, so about 58.
I have my second round of chemo in the morning. I've developed serious headaches in the last few days (atop the pain in my back and pelvis), and I'm just hoping that they're unrelated. I have too many things to do!
Thanks, BF. My oncologist is trying to get me in for a brain MRI tomorrow or Thursday. That should provide clarity.
(And meanwhile, since I'm having surgery to put a in port next Monday, I'm supposed to stop taking ibuprofen. I hope I have some Tylenol in the house!)
A PORT is "Quality of Life" - you will love it! The insertion procedure is delightfully simple (under local anasthetic) and highly interesting sensation-wise too.
I've had mine since 2009 and as long as you are either in treatment (ie using it regularly for its intended purpose) or get it rinsed every 2 months you are "set like a wee jelly" as my father used to say.
Galilit, surprised to hear it can be done under a local. They put Mr Image to sleep to put his port in. Now it seems he did not need it after all, but we must wait to be sure. I hope they can take it out with a local. The less general anesthesia the better I am thinking. We will check with doctor to see if can come out with local, worth asking I am thinking.
I had my port put in under local anaesthetic. It was a weird feeling...it's still in and I hate feeling it. I hope the surgeon will agree to remove it.
With all that Rossweisse is going through and the support that she needs, #teamRossweisse I am dithering about posting this here, however,
I have wanted to rage against the night over the last few weeks for leo, longstanding Shipmate and challenger of many things on the Ship, who died yesterday morning. He had stage 4 lung cancer, metastasized to his spine and hips. But as he hadn't said anything I couldn't out him.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Leo. Tears for Leo. There again, he made it. I'm envious. He's gone to glory. See him soon.
A PORT is "Quality of Life" - you will love it! The insertion procedure is delightfully simple (under local anasthetic) and highly interesting sensation-wise too. ...
I had one implanted for The Big Cancer (2010-11), and it was fine at first. Then I got weaker and weaker, and started spiking fever after fever. The oncology team assumed that there was an infection, and did cultures, but there was nothing. They gave me antibiotics, on the theory that there must be an infection that they were somehow missing. I kept getting weaker and weaker, and spiking fever after ever-higher fever.
Finally, they told me that "this could go either way," and were Gravely Worried. (And I had a profound spiritual experience that left me okay with Death, if still afraid of the mechanics of dying.) For want of a better idea, they took out the port - and it was the problem. It was fine and uninfected; my body just rejected it.
I'm a little concerned about getting another one, but it's necessary. I trust that if things go south again, they'll figure out the problem much more quickly.
The MRI is scheduled for an obscenely early hour on Thursday; I should have the results before lunchtime is over. I'm praying that it's clear.
Comments
Lots of love and thoughts from NZ.
Thank you, everyone.
#teamRossweisse
MMM
May you know that you are loved and held
Bloody, bloody cancer
{{Rossweisse}}
Sharing does help spread the load a bit.....
I have wanted to rage against the night over the last few weeks for leo, longstanding Shipmate and challenger of many things on the Ship, who died yesterday morning. He had stage 4 lung cancer, metastasized to his spine and hips. But as he hadn't said anything I couldn't out him.
This is awful.
Ross, my love and prayers.
May Leo rest in peace and rise in glory.
fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck
#teamRossweisse
May all dealing with cancer find hope and healing.
I am terribly sorry to hear about leo, who was one of the good guys. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
ETA my thanks for all the prayers and kind words expressed here. It's been a long, hard day (and I couldn't even have a glass of wine with dinner because of one of the drugs in the chemo cocktail and the relatively late hour of its delivery), and you have again brought tears to my eyes. Bless you all.
Or community.
Prayers for those suffering, sharing or not.
I can only say how sorry I am to learn that leo has succumbed. My impression is that he was a very private man, where personal issues were concerned, and that is to be respected.
OTOH, the sharing of experiences - good or bad - can indeed be of help to others in a similar situation.
Today went pretty well, We shall see how the morrow feels.
I'm glad to hear today went pretty well, Ross. I can understand the initial hesitation, but please know how profoundly grateful I am to you for sharing your journey. May unlooked-for comforts be yours, may the courage you've revealed -- deep and tall and wide -- continue to sustain you, and may peace and mercy attend you.
And, to any other peeps afflicted with the Big C, and/or its derivatives, please share with us, if you feel that you can.
We have an Unlimited Number Of Candles at Our Place.....
You all don't know how much you mean to me.
(unsure whether I've done it right, but the intention is there.)
Huia the Technopeasant.
Very sorry to hear about leo: we always managed to annoy one another, but Pyxe vouched for him. May we share in the Beatific Vision.
Meanwhile, Cancer does indeed SUCK mightily.
I heard only this morning that T, loving partner of Our Place's faithful brother R, died early yesterday morning. Lung cancer again, and, as in leo's case, only diagnosed a few months ago. T was about 60 years old, so a mere youngling by today's standards (mostly). She did at least live long enough to see and cuddle her latest grandchild.
CANCER SUCKS.
Sodding cancer.
I have my second round of chemo in the morning. I've developed serious headaches in the last few days (atop the pain in my back and pelvis), and I'm just hoping that they're unrelated. I have too many things to do!
(And meanwhile, since I'm having surgery to put a in port next Monday, I'm supposed to stop taking ibuprofen. I hope I have some Tylenol in the house!)
AIUI, Tylenol is a form of paracetamol, yes? I think we have it in Ukland, under different names, but it works for me.
I'm still waiting to hear about the MRI. I really need a better hobby.
I've had mine since 2009 and as long as you are either in treatment (ie using it regularly for its intended purpose) or get it rinsed every 2 months you are "set like a wee jelly" as my father used to say.
I am soooo attached to mine ...
Shit. Shit. Shit. Leo. Tears for Leo. There again, he made it. I'm envious. He's gone to glory. See him soon.
Finally, they told me that "this could go either way," and were Gravely Worried. (And I had a profound spiritual experience that left me okay with Death, if still afraid of the mechanics of dying.) For want of a better idea, they took out the port - and it was the problem. It was fine and uninfected; my body just rejected it.
I'm a little concerned about getting another one, but it's necessary. I trust that if things go south again, they'll figure out the problem much more quickly.
The MRI is scheduled for an obscenely early hour on Thursday; I should have the results before lunchtime is over. I'm praying that it's clear.