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gail

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Posts posted by gail

    Just found out and I am scared

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Of COURSE you got scared!! Been there for sure!

    Why I fell in love with this site was because I could remain hidden. I could be on the site and read without anyone knowing who I was.

    Be sure she knows the site address, and maybe in the middle of the night when she can't sleep, (and I had more than a few of those nights) she may start reading.

    Or print up some of the stories for her to read.

    Regardless of what she choses to do, you need a soft place to fall, and we are here.

    gail

    Just found out and I am scared

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Of course you are scared--terrified even. As I was 6 YEARS AGO and many others were at diagnosis.

    This is the place to turn for help and support. This is an amazing place, so we are here to assist.

    gail

    PS My son (in picture) was 7 when I was first diagnosed in 1993 with breast cancer. My 10th wedding anniversary was celebrated during radiation.

    My son is now 21, and next year will be our 25th wedding anniversary.

    I think I'm ready

    in LC SURVIVORS

    Posted

    I have been in therapy since June 2001, 2 months after my surgery. As this was my third cancer in 8 years, I knew in my heart that I needed help.

    And help I got. Many, many sessions were spent in tears, mainly to deal with the fear of the disease. I learned to share my soul with those close to me.

    Through the 6 years I learned how to deal with traumas, whether cancer related or teenager related :roll:

    I learned how to build a support network around me, and when conflicts occured, usually in my head, I was able to work through the ordeal rather than bury it.

    I learned to "compartmentalize".

    I used to wonder if/when I would ever be able to exist with the help of the therapist. I know now I have the tools to handle the stressors that occur in that thing called life.

    Dealing with a :roll: teenager/college student :roll: who seemed to attract trouble, and losing my Jake dog :cry: have not been easy, but I no longer withdraw and hide.

    Therapy has been an integral part of my recovery. I am ready to be released and will carry these tools with me.

    gail

    How sad is this?

    in GRIEF

    Posted

    I hear your frustration loud and clear.

    I did not turn to therapy until the third cancer, and I'm sorry it took me so long. It was a safe place to fall. And cry.

    Don't hospices offer grief therapy?

    gail

    not LC, but heavy grief 7/31 update

    in GRIEF

    Posted

    You guys are all so sweet. Those of you who have lost your loved ones, I cannot imagine what your day to day is like.

    I had my dog for 13 years and know how very lucky my family was. today is my first day home without the dear pooch, and I cannot believe the feelings I am having.

    (I have managed some housework though)

    I made a sandwich for lunch and pretended he was there next to me, waiting for his treat. And I found myself saving my crusts for him.

    I know this will pass, this will pass, this will pass.

    On the good side, I had my two 13 year old nieces with me yesterday--they helped me in my classroom. the one niece lost her grandmother suddenly a year ago and I was able to spend some alone time with her. she doesn't realize what a treasure she was to me yesterday. I had bought a 20 pound bag of dogfood Saturday night, and never even opened it. the girls both put their arms around my shoulders as we walked into the store to return it.

    :lol: We ate a lot of junk food yesterdy :lol:

    Our line was "Jake died, lets have ice cream"

    It made me laugh.

    thanks guys again for allowing me to share here. My parents will both be 80 next year and I know what may come.

    gail

    PS found a very sweet website on pets passing . . . talked about them being in a "holding area" free of pain, happy and carefree, but knowing they are waiting for us. When we get to heaven, the pet will be there to greet us and together we will enter heaven.

    I liked that

    Love you guys

    not LC, but heavy grief 7/31 update

    in GRIEF

    Posted

    sorry for posting it here, since it doesn't involve LC, but the grief is heavy.

    We lost our Jake dog yesterday morning. He was 13, diabetic, and blinded by cateracts, but he still greeted us with a wag in his tail.

    We rushed him to the vet yesterday morning with labored breathing and inability to stand, and the dear boy took his last breath with both of us there. We are so grateful that he went on his own terms.

    I think of all of you grieving over deaths of your loved ones (people).

    gail

    The Ultimate in Paranoia! I really did this!

    in LC SURVIVORS

    Posted

    Now remember--lung cancer 6 years ago, breast cancer 10 years ago, and first one now 14 years ago.

    You would think I was over this, but . . .

    Woke up sunday with a red rash on only real boob I have left. Didn't give it much thought at the time. When it was still there Sunday night, I started thinking more about it. Monday morning I noticed an itch, and thought about bug bites and cellulitis.

    Monday afternoon it hit me--Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Of course I researched on the Net--red rash and itching was a sympton.

    who to call? Internist or breast surgeon. I have been with the breast surgeon since before the first cancer--so I called the office. Doctor not available, should call on Tuesday. Before I called the internist went upstairs to show hubby.

    I told him it looked like sunburn, but where would I have gotten sunburn? His look said it all :roll::roll: maybe you got sunburned on Saturday when we were out for the day and I had a new top on that kept sliding over my boob?

    :shock: That was it! A simple case of sunburn, because as I sit her now it is going away. Called the surgeon's office back to tell her.

    :wink: Told her when she retells this story in the office to speak well of me :wink:

    Reminded hubby that my attention to my body has allowed me to be a cancer survivor!

    And allowed myself a chuckle too

    gail

    The Big "5"

    in HOPE

    Posted

    Awesome news!!! It is such a big milestone!!!

    Now, I am the one that always pampers myself on the anniversary day. I command you to get yourself a facial or a hot stone massage! :lol:

    gail

    First Doc Visit results. .

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    And here is my experience:

    I had two nodules, one in each lung. the one in the lft was 1 cm, the right lung nodule was smaller. Needle biopsy was done on the larger nodule, inconclusive. Saw an oncologist (because of breast ca history) and a pulminologist, then sent to a surgeon. He took it out a short week later, and it was BAC.

    Nodule on the right lung has had very little change in the last 6 years.

    I highly recommend another opinion.

    gail

    New, lost, confused

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    Good questions! My oncologist had told me that PET scans can read 7mm nodules, so I think another opinion from an oncologist is NOT a bad idea.

    I have had a long history with cancer and believe strongly in 2nd opinions and third opinions if needed. it will not hurt anything to see an oncologist with your films.

    Many of us have nodules that have existed quietly for years without any trouble. At the time of my lung cancer diagnosis I had two nodules. I had the oncologist, surgeon, and pulminologist look at the films. They all felt that one was serious and the other was not. 6 years later the cancer is gone and the other nodule has not changed at all.

    let us know.

    gail

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