Suzie Q
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Posts posted by Suzie Q
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I think you would have to do some research on this, but from what I've seen posted here, there are sometimes people who develop more than one primary cancer, and sometimes of different types. It is unusual, but not unheard of. Again, this is just my personal anecdotal observation.
The best thing to do is to focus on the next step, whatever that may be. Do not place a lot of emphasis on prognosis or the estimate of "how much time is there." In fact, you might find the doctor reluctant to give any weight to the "time left" thing, because they are simply unable to predict that with accuracy.
A second opinion never hurts.
You've been kicked in the gut. Allow yourself to do what you need to do to deal with it...cry, scream, or just vent. We're here, and we understand it all.
Hugs,
Karen
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view video and song here
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Look at it this way...perhaps your co-worker was referring to the wig head when she said "cute."
Sometimes we don't think before we speak, and letting the moronic moment pass is better than getting mired deeper in the muck by continuing to speak!
As for the SW, I would send a note to her supervisor and let the sup know just how "helpful" and "considerate" the SW was, both with you and your mom, and for your needs as well.
She may not have had the ability to help you, but being gentle and giving you a connection to Hospice (phone number or contact person) would have gone a long way. Acknowledging the need for grief support would have been appropriate.
hugs,
Karen
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How amazing is that?!!!
Karen
Congratulations, BTW! I seem to have missed the boat on your announcement of the little package from the stork!
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40 lbs of water???
Sheesh!
You sure have earned your "get out of jail free" card!
~Karen
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" milk it for all its worth and have Frank and the kids wait on you hand and foot!!!"
Very funny, Patti!
Seriously, I'm holding positive thoughts for you in your surgery and recovery. I've been fortunate enough that my ganglion cysts have disappeared on their own, though they have a tendency to return every so often. Glad you will be rid of the thing! And the carpal tunnel repair will help a bunch, too.
Prayers comin'!
~Karen
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Great news! Do go out and celebrate!
~Karen
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Call hospice and talk to the nurse!
My dad had constant diarrhea after having a portion of small intestine removed. The GI doctor tried a bulk-forming agent (Questron, I think). It sounds counterproductive to use fiber, but it actually helps absorb the intestinal liquid.
Lomotil liquid helped better than Immodium. The tablets did nothing for him.
Ask hospice to provide a commode. You cam place it right next to her bed. Not so swell for privacy, but it gets the job done.
You can also get inserts for Depends, if you need the extra absorbancy.
I hope she can get some relief from this. Fecal incontinence is miserable.
~Karen
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Well, crap.
Hugs all around!
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Shelly,
Cancer is a bewildering disease. Some experts say that once you have a cancer dx, you are more likely to get another type of cancer than those who have never had cancer. Plus, there may be some link between differing cancers. But it is EXTREMELY unfair!
Bless you for being there to help her out. May God give you the strength to do so and give her and her family the strength to get through this.
~Karen
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If the talk with your dad does not go well, suggest you buy the items you would like to keep in the family.
Sadly, money talks.
~Karen
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Savor the memories, Randy.
~Karen
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Those first few weeks often pass by in a blur. I felt sort of numb, mostly because there were so many things that needed immediate attention, and just to get through all that, my mind protected me by numbing me.
It's all about stages, or phases. Everyone passes through them differently and in different order, but this whole thing is a process, not something to "get over" or put behind you, but rather something to live with.
Everyone here understands, so do know that you are in good company. We get it.
~Karen
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So sorry for your loss.
There are quite a few members here who have lost a spouse. Feel free to post here and you will receive much support.
~Karen
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Heartfelt condolences...
Karen
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The favors sound perfect!
Glad you are doing well and staying busy.
Congratulations and best wishes with the upcoming graduation and wedding!
~Karen
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So sorry for your loss.
Karen
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Val,
First off, hugs to you today!
No, you are not hypersensitive, but this passage in your church newsletter did strike a little too close to home. At first, I did think the youth pastor was making a reference to you, and it got MY ire up! One should never use personal examples of another person's experience without that person's permission. To do so would be broadcasting personal information to people who really have no right to that information.
The writer is clearly inexperienced in both dealing with death AND writing for a newsletter! I agree with Kasey, that you should write a letter to your pastor and the youth pastor. People who have been untouched by loss would be enlightened by what you could share, and it would go a long way in validating all those experiencing grief.
The "God has a plan, we'll get the answers later" is a pat answer given by people who don't know what else to say. Grief allows us, or rather, FORCES us to dig a little deeper and search for a satisfying answer. But the old, reliable answer allows the inexperienced to flap their jaws and believe that they are providing some comfort. And quite possibly, they do, for some people.
But it isn't as simple as just "being strong." We grow because we can be weak and broken human beings. And when the pieces are mended back together, they never quite fit the same way. Katie put it so well to describe it as having a limb amputated. Life is forever changed! But it's ok to miss what was lost.
So write the letter, Val, if you want to and know that it will help at least ONE person, if not more.
Many blessings,
Karen
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Keep in mind, that you can get liquid Motrin or liquid Tylenol for the pain, as well as a lidocaine "swish." That way, you are not in a drug fog for two weeks.
Sometimes the old standby meds work better than the narcotics.
Do ask for a ear-nose-throat specialist consult.
Best of luck, and take care of the throat!
~Karen
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Please accept my deepest sympathies.
~Karen
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Nick, you are so right.
Everyone deserved the chance to be a parent or grandparent. Snd all kids deserve to HAAVE a parents and grandparents. And sadly, this disease robs of way too many of both!
So let's take our anger and passion about the negative comments and negative view of lung cancer as being a "you brought it on yourself' disease (a view I abhor), and channel that energy into awareness, research into early detection and treatment options...and a CURE!
~Karen
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Katie, I am with you 100% on the advocacy issue. I totally agree that we need to get the focus on early detection and better treatment options for those with LC.
But given the stats, we should not be surprised that there is a heavy lean toward the smoking issue...and I think that's what Nick was venting about - that even medical professionals make it about smoking. Well...isn't it? If over 80% of childhood leukemia were related to drinking cow's milk, would we not try to discourage drinking milk?
People are fallible and make really stupid mistakes and say completely idiotic things. I still get irked when asked what I know about my daughters' "real" or "natural" parents (our girls are ours by adoption), but I've learned to just let it go. It's not worth the aggravation.
All that aside, I would also like to see more awareness of the disease and work toward a CURE. I would love to see Andie McDowell do a PSA about LC just like the one she does for ovarian ca (another cancer usually not detected until late and without reliable screening tests)!
BTW, I did not intend to hijack Nick's thread. Sorry!
My apologies to anyone I may have offended.
~Karen
My mom is gone
in GRIEF
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You have my deepest sympathies for both of your losses. I do know what it's like to lose both parents in a short time...and it just plain stinks.
Karen