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Did anyone get misdiagnosed in the beginning?
When I first had a problem I went to my PCP. He said we needed a CT scan. After the scan, the radiologist that read the scan said there was nothing to worry about. The scan showed some lymph nodes that were swollen and he described them as "Unimpressive". Or nothing to worry about. If I would have left it at that I…
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I've seen a ton of stories on TV about all types of businesses that are using Zoom to conduct their
Are any of you using it, or a similar platform to conduct meetings? I have seen everything from large business meetings to family connecting. What do you think about these platforms?
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Barry Brady Act in TN
Hey Greg. Have you or anyone else heard of the Barry Brady Act? I noticed this in one of our group's benefits. I guess the state of Tennessee enacted a bill allowing special testing for fire fighters for certain types of cancer . They can get tested annually, but are considered opted out if they miss a year. Testing can be…
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I had a doctor's appointment to be canceled yesterday. Has this happened to anyone else?
They called me to verify the appointment and the nurse asked me a bunch of questions over the phone about how I was doing. Then she said to wait a minute while she talked with the doctor. When she came back on the line she told me that the doctor said that I didn't need to come in. But I should call them if I have any…
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Procedure or Surgery | Lumpectomy
I was surprised to find that I am still felling pain and sensitivity a couple weeks after my lumpectomy.
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Oh No | Just Diagnosed
Based on my biopsy, I was told that I have DCIS. After my lumpectomy, though, I was told that I have stage 1 invasive ductal carconoma and that I need chemo. That threw me for a loop because I was only expecting radiation.
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Strawberry question
It’s strawberry season where I live. I have an Ostomy bag from my ilostomy surgery. Are those things on the outside considered seeds? Should I peel that off before eating? Crazy question I know.
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Most churches are not having in person services because of the virus
but I keep seeing reports of some that are refusing to close the doors and not have in person services. Is your church having Easter service today?
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Has your radiation treatment center closed up for now?
One of my friends was having it every day then they said no more until they were told to come back. This doesn't seem reasonable to me. I'm trying to find out if this is what every place is doing?
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Lumpectomy or Mastectomy, why did you make the choice you did?
I was diagnosed about a month ago with invasive ductal carcinoma, small and stage 1, estrogen and progesterone positive. I have had test after test as I am only 40 so they want to be sure on everything before a surgery. There is a pretty large chance that I will show genetic issues as every woman in my mother's family has…
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Are you feeling extra anxious these days?
Anxious? As if it wasn’t enough for us to anxious over our cancer diagnosis, now we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, as cancer patients and cancer survivors, we must practice social distancing for quite a while to protect ourselves and our surrounding family. Today's blog post has some tips to help with anxiety…
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Inspiring words for everyone, don't wait, be nice today.
You never really know the true impact you have on those around you. You never know how much someone needed that smile you gave them. You never know how much your kindness turned someone’s entire life around. You never know how much someone needed that comforting talk. So now, more than ever, don’t wait to be kind. Don’t…
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Here is a Covid-19 benefit for blood cancer patients from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is giving a one time 250.00 Covid19 payment in the form of a gift card for blood cancer patients. No income requirements. Just apply online at www.LLS.org (www . LLS , org)
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First cancer threatened my job, now this stupid virus has taken it.
Has anyone else lost their job due to either or both?
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covid-19
hi all I live just outside of Memphis,tn. they are now saying that this area will not peak and trend for approximately the next 30 to 60 days. yet your president Donald duck wants to put people back to work asap. he is all about the green money. we need to be still and wait on God. this world is in a holding phase. he is…
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Decision Point | Prosthetic or Reconstruction
The longer this "shelter in place" goes on, the more time I have to look in the mirror and see the part of me that is missing. Right after my mastectomy, family was asking when I wanted to go ahead and pursue reconstruction. My surgeon was preparing me for meeting with Alala to get a prosthetic. I really think my surgeon…
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Decision Point | To have surgery and lose my job or take a year to wait and build up FMLA time befor
I chose to go back to work so I didn't lose my job and my insurance. I need up with a bowel blockage and after surgery I was terminated anyway because my recovery took longer than expected due to two additional admissions to hospital for bladder/kidney infections.
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Have you heard the term "Free Light Chains"? Here is a great explanation from a MM patient
This is a good short explanation from another MM patient: "Antibodies in blood are made of 4 protein chains, 2 heavy, and 2 light. The 2 light chains are different and are called kappa and lambda. In MM, some of the plasma cells that make one or the other of them start reproducing uncontrollably. That is cancer. For most…
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How long will this burning in my mouth and throat when I eat last ?
I am done with radiation for a while but the burning is still there. I'm wondering if this is going to last short term or extremely long term.
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Do any of you have family members who are either first responders, nurses, doctors, or
anyone that comes in contact with the general public and is exposed to the virus? You never think about what they go through on a daily basis until something like this comes along and shows us how dangerous their jobs can be.
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Healthcare workers
Has anyone else noticed all the raw faces of healthcare workers, particularly in NYC, Chicago and Detroit? The masks seem to be creating yet another worry/challenge for them. They will be lucky to only get a staph infection.
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Doctor seems unwilling to give me hard truth
I have stage 4 colon cancer.Diagnosed March 2018. Colon Surgery May 2018. Started chemo August 2018. My Dr. (oncologist) told me it was "technically stage 4" because there is a node in my stomach (next to my aorta) that's cancerous. I get scanned every 3 months. After 1 year of chemo, my scan showed the cancer moved to my…
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Procedure or Surgery | pelvic exenteration
This is a total removal of pelvic organs. I was lucky enough to keep.my bladder. But since have had a tumor removed from my bladder. And a matasis to a nodule in my lower love of my left lung.
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Celebration | Anniversary
Blessings to everyone here! 5 years ago today I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer after battling, misdiagnosed, for 14 very long painful years. Back then I was given a very very bad prognosis BUT... Against all odds, I'm now done with ALL that, and doing GREAT... so I'm here to celebrate with all of you!!! Hopefully my…
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Loss | Job
Lost job while undergoing treatment
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Side Effects | Rash
Terrible rash with erbitux resulting in blisters
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Radiation | External radiation
So much rectal burns
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Drug or Chemo Therapy | Chemotherapy
I'm currently on my forth type of chemo. I started with a pill form of xeloda with radiation five days a week for a little over 3 months to shrink tumor for surgical removal of my colorectal tumor. Then I was forced to go back to work or lose my job as my FMLA benefits were exhausted. I did cryofreeze treatments to keep my…
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Are you living through a scavenger hunt? Do you want to share, laugh, vent, worry. I heard some peo
think the delivery is germ free. . Anyway, after spending almost 2 weeks trying to find salt-and Levi- the master scavenger did finally find salt- I've been ordering online--things like tapioca, 50# all purpose flour, dry milk,
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This week is Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week
As you might guess, this one is on top of my totem pole. Oral, head and neck cancer refers to cancers that arise in the mouth, voice box, throat, sinuses, nasal cavity or salivary glands. Worldwide in 2020, there will be more than 650,000 new cases of oral, head and neck cancer diagnosed and approximately 330,000 deaths…
