The "Fuck you cancer!" thread

[Apple_of_Eden]

Had my last chemo today. Hopefully I am at the end, depending on the PET scan. Unfortunately one of the medicines has now messed up my lungs, so I have to go through extensive testing and scans. Never ending process

Well the good news is the chemo is complete~! Yeah~!

The rest will be one day at a time. Take it slow and easy my friend. As always, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[midwestyankee]

Had my last chemo today. Hopefully I am at the end, depending on the PET scan. Unfortunately one of the medicines has now messed up my lungs, so I have to go through extensive testing and scans. Never ending process

Congratulations on making it to this milestone in your journey. You'll probably encounter various annoyances, like the issue with your lungs, but you'll always know that you made it through to here.

 

[Curious_in_Cali]

Sending you some extra patience and strength to face your next chapter, GoAztecs.




FYC !

 

[GoAztecs]

Well the good news is the chemo is complete~! Yeah~!

The rest will be one day at a time. Take it slow and easy my friend. As always, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thank you

 

[GoAztecs]

Congratulations on making it to this milestone in your journey. You'll probably encounter various annoyances, like the issue with your lungs, but you'll always know that you made it through to here.

True. Sucks that the chemo medicine that is supposed to help me starts another problem

 

[GoAztecs]

Sending you some extra patience and strength to face your next chapter, GoAztecs.

FYC !

Thank you so much

 

[midwestyankee]

True. Sucks that the chemo medicine that is supposed to help me starts another problem

The more time you spend around cancer treatment, the more you come to know that all of the treatments are compromises. Over 80% of those treated with the FOLFOX chemo regimen that I had will suffer from some degree of permanent nerve damage in their feet and hands. Other chemo regimens regularly cause other subsequent problems, and this is why so much work is going into such treatments as Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes, where blood cells taken from the patient are modified and then re-introduced into their body with the ability to kill their tumors. It's an outrageously complex process now, but in a few years it might be less so, and the patients for whom it will work will not suffer the same consequent problems that you and I face. Other advances are in study with the same ennd: eliminate the need for systemic chemo treatments while improving end results.

Still, I rather prefer this side of the grass, even if I can't feel it with my toes.

 

[GoAztecs]

The more time you spend around cancer treatment, the more you come to know that all of the treatments are compromises. Over 80% of those treated with the FOLFOX chemo regimen that I had will suffer from some degree of permanent nerve damage in their feet and hands. Other chemo regimens regularly cause other subsequent problems, and this is why so much work is going into such treatments as Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes, where blood cells taken from the patient are modified and then re-introduced into their body with the ability to kill their tumors. It's an outrageously complex process now, but in a few years it might be less so, and the patients for whom it will work will not suffer the same consequent problems that you and I face. Other advances are in study with the same ennd: eliminate the need for systemic chemo treatments while improving end results.

Still, I rather prefer this side of the grass, even if I can't feel it with my toes.

Definitely agree. Just wasn't expecting this ending of the treatment, just thought it would be recovery time. I'm going for a CT scan of my lungs this week, and more pulmonary tests. Don't have to do radiation as well so that is good. Next will be the Petscan to make sure the cancer is gone. Then I get to deal with work, they were understanding in the beginning, getting less now

 

[ears1980]

Sometimes we get tunnel vision; we forget the effect this cell fucker has on those who love us. Our mates, our family, our friends, they suffer for us and themselves. As we concentrate on the next step, the next treatment, the horrific side effects, we forget that they are there with us. We forget how powerless they feel, how they watch us change before their eyes. They see us become weaker, thinner; they watch us drift off in the middle of a conversation because we are so tired. They deal with the changes in us, the loss of hair, the loss of appetite, the vomiting, the mood swings, and too many others to mention; yet they act as if it’s no big deal.

But I’ve been on their side of this battle, so I know it is a big deal.

The emotions our loved ones feel can be as devastating as the physical changes we go through. The helplessness, the frustration, the fear, and for some the steeling themselves for the inevitable. For when the battle is fought we don’t always win.

For those of you who love us, thank you. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for helping us keep a sense of normal. Thank you for standing beside us and helping us stand when we can’t.

It would be so much harder without you with us.

Thank you for posting this, redslady.

I have a friend recently diagnosed with cancer; I've seen the dramatic changes in just a few short weeks, and wonder if my time with him is going to be measured in weeks. I try to keep things normal for him, as normal as possible in what for him is a surreal situation and anything but normal. Not everybody understands - but I have to laugh to keep from crying, and I hope that a little laughter can give him a moment's respite from the battle.

FYC, indeed.

 

[Niam1985]

It was a year ago today that i lost my dad to lung cancer. Just wanted to send an I love you and an I miss you out into the universe.

 

[Apple_of_Eden]

It was a year ago today that i lost my dad to lung cancer. Just wanted to send an I love you and an I miss you out into the universe.

It never seems to get any easier. I hope you are surrounded by love and support.

FYC!

 

[midwestyankee]

It was a year ago today that i lost my dad to lung cancer. Just wanted to send an I love you and an I miss you out into the universe.

Hugs and hugs.

 

[scotluvsoral]

Definitely agree. Just wasn't expecting this ending of the treatment, just thought it would be recovery time. I'm going for a CT scan of my lungs this week, and more pulmonary tests. Don't have to do radiation as well so that is good. Next will be the Petscan to make sure the cancer is gone. Then I get to deal with work, they were understanding in the beginning, getting less now

Maybe that's why we call it a battle with cancer....there are all these sucky tradeoffs...but they all beat choice number 2. Thoughts and prayers for you! Hang in there!

 

[LallyH]

It was a year ago today that i lost my dad to lung cancer. Just wanted to send an I love you and an I miss you out into the universe.

Sorry for your loss *hug

 

[nurseclynn]

Odds and Ends

As a family practice nurse, I know way more about cancer than most...but have also been touched personally by it more than seems fair:
next month will be the 5 year anniv of my dad's death - complications from Multiple Myelomas. An odd bone marrow cancer. a sucky way to die.
My mom is now at one month in taking chemo for a GIST in her stomach. Looks like she will be on chemo for 4 years. Surgery pending how fast they can make her very large tumor small enough to remove it. Chemo is not going all that well for her and it makes me worried.

This weekend - for memorial day, I installed a Little Free Library in honor of my friend Ann - an avid reader who died this winter after a struggling for 2 years with ovarian cancer. I miss her.

in honor of Ann - and all readers and lovers of books.
and love to all of you struggling and fighting cancer - may you overcome.
sending hugs - kisses - strength.

 

[midwestyankee]

As a family practice nurse, I know way more about cancer than most...but have also been touched personally by it more than seems fair:
next month will be the 5 year anniv of my dad's death - complications from Multiple Myelomas. An odd bone marrow cancer. a sucky way to die.
My mom is now at one month in taking chemo for a GIST in her stomach. Looks like she will be on chemo for 4 years. Surgery pending how fast they can make her very large tumor small enough to remove it. Chemo is not going all that well for her and it makes me worried.

This weekend - for memorial day, I installed a Little Free Library in honor of my friend Ann - an avid reader who died this winter after a struggling for 2 years with ovarian cancer. I miss her.

in honor of Ann - and all readers and lovers of books.
and love to all of you struggling and fighting cancer - may you overcome.
sending hugs - kisses - strength.

GIST is fairly rare. I have a friend who has been active in the GIST patients community and can pass on some resources if you wish, by PM.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

It was a year ago today that i lost my dad to lung cancer. Just wanted to send an I love you and an I miss you out into the universe.

and comfort for you, Niam.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

This weekend - for memorial day, I installed a Little Free Library in honor of my friend Ann - an avid reader who died this winter after a struggling for 2 years with ovarian cancer. I miss her.

in honor of Ann - and all readers and lovers of books.
and love to all of you struggling and fighting cancer - may you overcome.
sending hugs - kisses - strength.

What a lush and heartfelt project. Great idea!

Thinking of your mom, nurseclynn.

FYC.

 

[nurseclynn]

What a lush and heartfelt project. Great idea!

Thinking of your mom, nurseclynn.

FYC.

Thank you so very much

check out LittleFreeLibrary.org if you don't know it already.

 

[GoAztecs]

As a family practice nurse, I know way more about cancer than most...but have also been touched personally by it more than seems fair:
next month will be the 5 year anniv of my dad's death - complications from Multiple Myelomas. An odd bone marrow cancer. a sucky way to die.
My mom is now at one month in taking chemo for a GIST in her stomach. Looks like she will be on chemo for 4 years. Surgery pending how fast they can make her very large tumor small enough to remove it. Chemo is not going all that well for her and it makes me worried.

This weekend - for memorial day, I installed a Little Free Library in honor of my friend Ann - an avid reader who died this winter after a struggling for 2 years with ovarian cancer. I miss her.

in honor of Ann - and all readers and lovers of books.
and love to all of you struggling and fighting cancer - may you overcome.
sending hugs - kisses - strength.

Very nice

 

[LadyVer]

My heart is broken. A friend in my rare cancer group died last night. There are no words. More than anything I'm angry because all of us in this group have been told this is a "good cancer to get." Yeah, well fuck you, you bastard doctors.

 

[midwestyankee]

My heart is broken. A friend in my rare cancer group died last night. There are no words. More than anything I'm angry because all of us in this group have been told this is a "good cancer to get." Yeah, well fuck you, you bastard doctors.

Hugs, LV.

 

[LadyVer]

Thank you, yankee.

 

[Apple_of_Eden]

The more I check in on this thread and the more I read, I realize how extensively cancer affects everyone. It really is the most "no boundaries" disease process I can think of. It doesn't care about sex, race, age, etc., if it's there, it will show its ugliness.

So to everyone who is fighting it directly, indirectly or assisting others to do their best, more power to you. Stay strong, fight hard, give hugs and kisses, send thoughts and prayers. Do whatever you have to do to win your battle or support your loved one(s). Most importantly, say, "I love you" to those around you as much as possible.

Hugs to all.

FYC!

 

[LallyH]

My heart is broken. A friend in my rare cancer group died last night. There are no words. More than anything I'm angry because all of us in this group have been told this is a "good cancer to get." Yeah, well fuck you, you bastard doctors.

I'm so sorry *hug