Jump to content

Greetings from Cancerland (Ugh!)


Recommended Posts

Hi All, I feel like I'm awash in cancer. It's not mine and it's not lung cancer, but this isn't good news. First, and closest to me, my wife, who had treatment for breast cancer about 3 years ago is facing a possible recurrence. A suspicious finding in a mammogram  led to a repeat mammogram, 2 ultrasounds and yesterday a biopsy. The doctors say it's very suspicious for malignancy but she won't know for sure until she gets biopsy results. In the meantime, we're going on a trip to New York City that's been repeatedly postponed, once because of the pandemic and more recently because she tested positive for COVID the day before we were to leave. I think this trip will help us both through waiting for biopsy results.

Second, one of my closest friends told me yesterday that she has just entered into hospice. She has soft tissue sarcomas which are spreading despite numerous surgeries and she's opted for comfort care rather than surgeries more radical and disabling than those she's already had.

Third, another of my closest and long time friends has had  for many years polycythemia vera, a rare blood cancer that causes overproduction of red blood cells. She's been treated for this for about 20 years, but now it's morphed into myelofibrosis, the bone marrow having been damaged by the PV to where it can't produce enough red or other blood cells. Her symptoms,  both of the illness and the treatment, which used to be pretty tolerable, have become painful, scary and depressing. She's not coping well, but who would be?

So, I feel like I'm surrounded by this wretched disease, even though I'm NED.

Good thoughts, prayers, mantras, crossed fingers, peaceful vibes or anything else positive would be appreciated. 

Bridget O

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh my - that is rough, Bridget. Sending positive vibes to you, your wife and your friends over the Atlantic. Do try to enjoy your trip to NYC! X

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So sorry to hear Bridget, that is tough. I can relate, it has been such a miserable couple of years for me losing dear loved ones and worrying about other diagnosed all while dealing with my own LC shock. We have lost my grandfather, uncle, uncle's wife, and my husband's uncle to COVID. My husband was diagnosed with skin cancer (but got surgery and is supposedly cured). My young brother in law had sudden cardiac arrest and only survived by a miracle  (but survived and with no brain damage). Life is just so weird,  feels to me like it has been going down hill since reaching age 45 but we are still alive and kicking and Spring is in the air! I feel so much better when I garden, I lose myself with the hummingbirds buzzing around dangling from my flowers. Hopefully your wife will beat the cancer again and your friends will be able manage their ordeals in best possible ways with you supporting them. Take care.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you Rikke, Pstar, Tom and Lily for the kind words and good thoughts. The latest wrinkle is that I didn't go to New York as we had planned. Our cat got sick and needed care on an emergency basis the day before we were to leave. We had a reliable house and pet sitter lined up, but couldn't expect him to care for a vomiting kitty. Wife went ahead to New York. I insisted she go because she needed the distraction and because I didn't want to AGAIN disappoint our friend who has been looking forward to our visit. (Last postponement was the day before were to arrive- wife had covid). No diagnosis yet on kitty, who can't keep food down. Today she's in for x-rays. Bleah!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think a sick kitty would always be the final straw. Mine is my little soldier who is the only one I want around when I am feeling unwell. Hope she is ok - cats do tend to go through rounds of spewing, so hopefully no big thing. X

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.