-Cheryl-
-
Posts
1,293 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Downloads
Store
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Blogs
Events
Posts posted by -Cheryl-
-
-
I am by no means holier than thou but I think a travesty has been done here. God says to be forgiving and patient, and that happens a lot on this board. When it doen't happen is when it's devestating. BoBenett is a cancer survivor fighting this disease... He has the same dilemnas all others stricken with disease have on a daily basis, including anger and pain.
Bo had a confrontation with someone on this board, and now, he has been blown out. He still has cancer and all of the bad to go w/ it and now he has lost 1400 supporters. Is this what this board is all about? Have any of you been pushed to the point where you said some things you maybe wished you wouldn't have had to say? If you have not, congratulations, you are PERFECT. Some on this board even admtted not reading that post but still wanted to crucify him. What is with this "gang up mentality"? The God I know does not condone that and in fact is a tool the devil uses.
I would ask that the members of this Board invite Bo back.
I thought Bo contributed a whole lot here... I know the few times he posted to Cheryl, he was very informative and civil... like he probably is 99.9% of the time.
If you feel like you are better than that, then don't.
Jack
-
Lyn, the HR Director was none to stmpathetic the when I was first diagnosed. He was over heard going down the hall making a comment to my boss about inheriting a mess, an employee who wouldn't produce revenue, but costing the company money. My name wasn't mentioned, but DUH? I have delibertly been the number one in production for the company as a result. He called me right before surgery to tell me if I even went one day over my FEML I would be let go. That is why I went back in only less than 3 weeks, for fear of termination. I was scare to take a day of sick leave.
I also bet this all started as a result of me having to wear a mask to work because my white blood count is so low and I work with indigent kids. So out of fear of risking an infection, I wear a mask. I hate it , but need to work. Thanks for the information.
Cheryl
-
Cindi,
I had both a pericardial effusion and plueral effusions. They were about a year and half after original diagnosis. I just became short winded and very tired easily. I went in to see my onc and had a CT just before the visit. He had me check into the hospital immediately. The next morning I had surgery. The fluid was tested and a week later, I discovered it was not malignant, and yours may not be as well. The cause? Probably cancer blocking the drainage. I was told to start chemo. I was scheduled for it, but said "no, I won't go through it again if it only buys me a little more time." I took it upon myself to seek out other options, I narrowed it down to two choices of trials. After meeting with the infamous Dr. Neumanatis, who was doing GVAX, I choice a trial he was conducting. I was not eligible for the GVAX tial, but another with promising results. I am praying it works. I am doing a rial called CT2103. If succesful, I will do 20 weks total for two rounds. The I will probably do a vaccine made with other's cancers instead of GVAX. WORD OF ADVICE, HAVE THEM USE THE FLUID FOR A GVAX VACCINE TREATMENT IF IT IS CANCEROUS!!! DON'T JUST THROW IT AWAY. DISCUSS THIS WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE SURGERY!!! GVAX vaccines are only made with efussionsand esaily assessble tumors do to the risks. One person was killed getting a tumor from within the lung, so they won't risk lives with surgery. Isn'that interesting. Like I said, I'd rather die trying to live.
My cheering section seems less enthusiastic too. They are dealing with their own lives. This board has been a big support to me. They are like a surrogate family. May we be there for you as well.
Cheryl
-
What a wonderful idea!!!! I can't wait to buy some cookbooks to give as gifts.
Cheryl
-
I think PProctor hit the nail on the head.
Jack
-
All of you have some really good advice and I WILL FOLLOW IT, REST ASSURED! In Dec. I will have been there 10 years. I have seen too many employees come and go to even name. There are only 3 positions for an LPC and about 100 employees that work for our agency. I am over the Child and Adolescent Program, and all my staff but one has their master's degree. They are overeducated and underpaid, so I can see why they may want my job. I mentioned that I had met with the CEO and was just probing for information. One of my staff outed himself accidently over my missing my appointments. Another employee backed me up by saying "Yeah, I remembered you trying to call them and asking me to cover for you. I have a good idea about who started the mental competence thing. She has filled in for me while I was in the hospital and hated when I came back and had to step down. I recall a meeting with her in which I had to remind her I was her superior.
I am going to call a meeting with my staff next week, any advice on what to say or how to handle it? Plus, I was so shocked by my boss this past Thurs. by asking me if I was "mentally competent", that I hardly knew what to say to next. Should I call a meeting with him, or just leave it alone? I have already taken your advice and started documenting. There is an irrational part of me that wants to use a voodoo doll and put a curse on them all, but I am afraid it might work. I wouldn't want to wish cancer on even my worst enemy. I think God is watching, and despite my ill wishes, the chances of them getting cancer already is something like 80% or over their life time anyway??? So they will experience my pain likely themselves someday. Besides, what goes around comes around. The employee who threw me under the bus has been going threw her own hell lately. Her father died, her fertility treatment failed, and now she is headed for a divorce. So I am asking God to help me resolve my anger for her, and instead feel compassion. Perhaps she has justfied her actions because she needs the financial gain. The other staff who threw me in the grease, just bought a house and wants to get married. He applied for a manager position in one of our sister agencies, but was overlooked. Maybe he wants my postion for the money too. Sad thing is, I don't make that much more than them, we are a non- for-profit agency. It could also be the power. I'm sorry this is so long. I really need to vent. I just feel like they are all buzzards, circling around waiting for me to die. They can't wait to have my job. It really is insulting to have them question my mental competency. Thanks for listening to me rant.
Maureen, good luck with your WBR. You are in my prayers. I like you, must keep my job, because Jack was laid off. My employment is our only insurance. Thank you all for you posts and really good advice.
Cheryl
-
Lisa,
I have adeno/BAC with lots of nodule. Numerous nodules were found in my kidneys. The chemo reduced all of their size. It is uuusual to get them there and not the adrenal glands. Is your kidney trouble from celebrex. or cancer?
Cheryl
-
I am so upset right now that I don't know what to do! My boss asked to meet with me privately, then he asks me if I think that I am menatally competent to do my job!!!! I told him that of course I am competent and could do my job. Though I do get tired, that doesn't take away from my ability to see patients. The tears are flowing right now.
I told him that I would step down if I couldn't do my job. I asked him how he came to that conclusion? He wouldn't say, only that I had missed a meeting ( on my birthday my sisters took me out to lunch, ad no one told me about the meeting. It was my first day back after surgery) He also told me I missed two appointmnts one day, again I make my appts. People will say they have an appt. and just show up. Right day, wrong date, happens all of the time. That is it. I admitted that chemo can make one feel exhausted and in a bit of a fog, but that was short lived. It does not make me mentally incompetent. I am so hurt. I feel like this one employee (who doesn't have her license and won't for 2 years)
is undermining me to get my job, like my disease is an opportunity for her. I am sickened because I supervised her as a student.
I got upset and told my boss that my cancer has not compromised my ability as a therapist or a Director of Children's Services. I told him that I had an attorney and my job was protected. He said not if you aren't doing it competently. Then he said, I just wanted to meet with you and see how you were doing. Somebody was waiting to see him and he excused himself.
What are my legal options and what can I do to protect myself. My job is my insurance, I am so sick and saddened by this. It was a shock, what should I do? I know this employee threw me under the bus.
Cheryl
-
Sharon,
I am so sorrry about your Dad. It is true, it is the hardest thing one could every do, besides taking care of a terminally ill child. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cheryl
-
Welp once again noone can make a paticular date. I will let someone else come up with a day and place. Meanwhile, If any of you guys want yo meet for a get together drop me a PM.. I know it is hard to plan ahead with this disease, I understand.
Cheryl
-
Yea!!!!!!! Good Job!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!
Cheryl
-
Ada,
had a way to make you feel welcomed and cared about. She was a class act. Always possitive, and cnoncerned for others first. Jim, I miss her twi, She was one of the first poeople to welcome me. We were dignosed very similar, I took her loss hard, and still miss her. Thank you Ada for enetring my life.
Cheryl
-
Mandy,
My treatment before surgery helped to shrink down the cancer, thus making me a candidate for surgery. If the cancer is encapsulated, that makes the tumor easier to take; however, if cancer has already spread and too evasive, chemo is about all that can be done, no radiation if the area is to extensive. I imagine that surgeons must be careful to not leave behind microscpoic cancer cells, which is always a possibility. Once in the blood stream or lymphatic system there is potential for metastisis to receptive sites within the body. But surgery can actually cure cancer! Right now it is our best option.
Cheryl
-
I take Zofrin, compazine, and phenegrin. All seem to help. I have heard that WBR can also cause nausea. We have had several fro this board, who have experienced this from WBR treatment. Blue Buyou is one of them.
Cheryl
-
Jane,
I am an LPC in the mental health field. I can remember a woman who came to see me for counseling, shortly after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She wore a wig, and looked so phsically beaten. The thing I remember most, was the anger that poured out of her as she spoke about the cancer. I offered her every possible way that I could think of to deal with her emotions of shock, anger, depression, and denial. When she was in a place to finally accept it, she began to move forward, have hope and even fight. I never saw her after that. Did I cure her of cncer? Probably not, but she again saw herself among the living, and began to fight. Nobody is responsible for your happiness, but you. In my own make believe story, she gets to live happily ever after. I myself lost both parents within two weeks of one another. I use to have difficulty treating cancer cases, because I would over-relate them. We base our knowlege on personal experiences. I'll never know what happened to her. It is not good for her to develop a dependancy on me, hopefully has moved on and is cancer free.
It was really hard to change modes, and go from a caregiver to a recipiant of care. I still would rather help others, wouldn't you? I is an ego thing I guess. Cancer can actually be a gift if you let it. It can teach you many things about youself. I am challenging you to find what God is teaching you from this experience. I would be interested in your take.
Being trainned to deal with trauma doesn't prevent it from happening to you. I mean, being a doctor doesn't stop cancer from happening to them either. It is hard to practice what you preach. I do my best. I graduated top in my class, but, that hardly makes me a good counselor? And book learning is not what helps people with their problems. It does however,give me the resources to help others. Everyday I learn something new. Just please, don't let this disease teach you something,and not make you into the "victim!" We have to talk sometime, PM me if you like.
Welcome!
Cheryl
-
Grumpy,
So glad you are still around. What a testimny. You tell that Granddaughter thank you! We love you. Cheryl
-
Good luck Charlie and Tina. I hope all goes well with the trip and the trial!
Cheryl
-
Holly,
Perhaps there are no such things as accidents. Maybe your Bill wanted you to find the tape, now when you need it most. May you find comfort in it.
Cheryl
-
Lisa,
I am on a trial at Mary Crowley's located on the 3rd floor of Baylor Hospital in the Sammon's Cancer Treatment Center. I am doing a trial called CT2103 (paclitatol/carblplatin.) It acts more like a smart bomb, seeking out cancer and binding to it. It has fewer side effects than tradtional chemo, cause few healthy cells are effected; therefor, one can have more of the drug administered than normal. I have had no hair loss, less nausea, and am able to work full time. Some exhaustion and neuropathy in my toes, but as long as it works who cares!
Another trial, for those who are running out of chemo options is PT100. I met a woman while getting chemo, who was geting it and she said her appetite was good. She was tired, and had some thinning of the hair. She had a 30 % reduction of her tumor I believe.
If this works, I will do 20 weeks total. Then follow up with the vaccine. The vaccine is like GVAX, but made from other people's tumors like yours. Dr. Senzor said that it was actually better. Now, I do not know about that, but the trial criteria for GVAX is stiff because of the FDA. The researchers had a death trying to get at cancer cells from a tumor within the lung. They will only take cancerous plueral effussions, or easy to get to cancerous nodes, usually in the neck.
I searched the net, and had made up my mind to get treated at MD Anderson Center. However, Dr. Nemunaitis came to visit me wile I was in the hospital being treated for a large pericardial effusion, and plueral effusions. I was impressed with him. He is the Dr. doing the GVAX trial that all the buzz is about. I was impressed that he took time to visit me upon my surgeons request. I was referred to him by my surgeon, Dr. kourlis, who has done a couple of thorasic surgeries on me now, He is one top notch guy and recommend him if you ever need any heart or lung surgery, he is really thorough.
I use to not think much of DR. Kourlis, who is not known for his friendly demenor. I laugh about it now. He once came into my room demanding that I "get up out of that bed!" I looked at him in shock and said, "O.K., can I wait till the IV is done first." Anyway, he didn't realize I was plugged into the wall. I probably already walked 4 times that day anyway! I know he is serious about saving me, and takes it personal, if I don't do my part. He is always so serious. I try to make him laugh. It takes a few minutes for stuff to sink in, like he will laugh a couple of minutes later. Let me know if I can help in anyway.
Cheryl
-
Shawn,
Oh Honey, I am so sorry. Your mom was such a fighter and we all adored her. She sure worried about leaving you behind. I too lost both of my parents to cancer, within two weeks of one another very young. It seems senseless, but God has a purpose for our suffering. I don't know God's purpose for your mom, but she inspired and motivated me. She my Dear, had more will to live, than anyone I have ever seen. God recieved a special lady in his kingdom. May you be comforted in knowing that her pain is no more. You will see her again too. God bless you and help you through this time of loss.
Cheryl
-
Dr. Joe,
My team of doctors all conferred, but it was my oncologist who called the shots. Every doctor I have met has felt compelled to give me the statistics. I knew what my odds were already, because I had researched the internet extensively. Probably not a good idea. It was all pretty grim, until I found this web site. I found hope for the first time! I actually met people like Connie B., who with my stage of disease, is still here after 9 years of her diagnosis! I wiped away my tears and put back on the fighting gloves. I read something in a book given to me by my sister, called Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul:
As I ate breakfeast one morning, I overheard two oncologists conversing. One complained bitterly, "You know, Bob, I just don't understand it. We used the same drugs, the same dossage, the same schedule and the same entry criteria. Yet I got a 22 percent response rate and you got a 74%. That's unheard of for metastatic cancer. "How do you do it?"
His colleague replied, "We are both using Etoposide, Platinum, Oncovin and Hydroxyurea. You call yours EPOH. I tell my patients I'm giving them HOPE. As dismal as the statistics are, I emphasize that we have a chance."
If your doctor belives in the cure, so do you. Plus we are all different and unique. The same treatment works differently in everybody. You can't go by those old statistics tried on older, very sick patients, who basially had a dismal outlook to begin with. I am stronger, with no other health problems. Most importatnly, I have the desire to live! I would rather die trying then to let this disease take me like it did my Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandma. I have been told attitude doesn't make a difference when you have lung cancer. I don't think you buy that either!
So, in answer to your question, I would tell a patient if they ask. However, offer encouragement by letting them know they are not a statistic, and explain how that average was arrived at. Leave them with hope somehow . If one thinks there are options left, they see a future with themselves in it. Telling a person about survivors helps tremendously. Thanks for caring Joe.
Cheryl
-
Nina,
I had cisplatin/ VP16, while doing radiation. It was not easy, but effective. I was Adeno-BAC stage 3A, and it shrunk down the cancer enough to have surgery. I was NED, but had 3 small nodules in the other lung, which weren't showing up on a PET scan. I suspected it was cancer myself. I think my doctors did too. if anything it would give me a shot by getting rid of the primary. and the nodules might be benign. My surgeon was aggressive, and thought it was my best shot at a cure. I am glad he did. I would do it again, if given the same choice. Best Luck in your treatment,
Cheryl
-
Bruce,
Just saw this post. Glad all is well so far. I am sure the colonoscopy will turn out good too.
Cheryl
-
Bruce,
JUst checking in on you. Hope all is well and that your visit was routine.
Cheryl
ANGER
in NSCLC GROUP
Posted
Someone needs to "STICKY" this post! Thank you Lisa!
Jack