LMM

Hi LMM.... I can understand being down - you're too young to give up though. I was much older than you when diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. I asked God to take my hand and lead me to where he wanted me to be. I told him I was just terrified for all the reasons that you've mentioned. He took my hand instantly and instantly my fear was gone. I was referred to a brand new doctor.. just starting in practice... He was a specialist that I'd never heard of... Because he was part of the first class to graduated and..... You get the picture. After surgery They told me I had six months to live. THAT WAS SEVEN YEARS AGO IN FEBRUARY OF 13. I learned not to project forward UNTIL I knew what was happening. I learned to believe.. to actually see myself in the future... LMM... Have faith, make plans, Do what doctors ask of you.... one foot in front of the other and we'll help you with the hills and valleys.

Hey! Sending SUNNY 80 degree smiles from ALASKA!! (Don't faint - we had 3 feet of snow last week on the last day of school, and now we are having flood warnings - and yes, we live on a river!! I'm in middle of stage 4 colon cancer, and 31/2 years out - so just want you to remember: LIVE, LAUGH, and LOVE often, and then chocolate never hurts either!!

Hi; Have you thought about anything radical yet? I am geeklingatyahoodotcom if you ever want to chatter more

Hi LMM! I just wanted to drop by to say you are in my thoughts. I hope you get the answers you need on Monday. XOXO

Hey There LMM, just wanted to check in on you and see how things are going?

Why is it that we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?

How are you feeling? I see from some other posts that you're having a rough go at it. What are the Dr's saying?

Hi there Wanted to stop by and say hi. Sorry I have been a bit distant the past couple of weeks. I've made sure to take advantage of having my kids around during spring break. By the time I'd get home it was kinda late to call you. I'll try to call you tomorrow if you are not busy.

I know you had scans recently, how did those turn out? How is the chemo going? Hopefully the side effects not too bad? Oh and how's the port? Getting used to it? Hopefully it isn't causing you any pain. We have lots to talk about girlie and I'm still hoping we can get together soon. Love ya. Hugs.

What did you do over the weekend?

Oh, Lisa, I am so sorry but so glad that you have this place to let it all out to those of us who know what you're going through.
I realize each case is different but I'm wondering if surgery may be a possibility after your chemo and radiation are through. That is what my docs did. I went through the same type of chemo and radiation that you're going through and after my body had some time to calm down and I had time to build my strength back up I ended up having a major surgery; by then the tumors had shrunk enough to allow for surgical removal. It's just a thought and something that may give you a ray of hope and possibility. Best wishes to you.

Hey LMM, how's everything going with your treatments? Been thinking about you. Hope all is well.

Hey Friend, how did the port implant go?

Hi, LMM, hope you're doing well. I'm glad you're finished with the chemo regime and hope your appetite is coming back so you can put a few pounds back on. Good luck!

Hi LMM. I'm new to WhatNext and I am trying to connect. I hope all is well with you.

Hey there LMM, just wanted to check in on you and see how this weeks going. Hope everything is going well.

Thinking about you. Let me know how your first day went.

Hey, Sweetie. How are you doing? I see you decided to forge ahead with chemotherapy. Got my fingers crossed for you. Breathe deeply. :-)

Lisa
Carm seems to have info on other oncologists in your area. I suggest strongly you get to see at least 1 more for a different opinion. Even if the need to retest everything. I have had a very wrong diagnosis before and I got better help with a better outcome. Contact me as I sent you in the last email. As for prayers faith in GOD can move mountains. Lets talk about that too soon
Nick

HI LMM. I started following you today. I have had anal cancer for 9 months and welcome this new friendship/support. Hope to hear from you. I sent you my contact info in email also. Thanks Nick in Buffalo NY

About the green tea... yes, I began to drink at least one cup of green tea almost every day after my treatments were finished (couldn't stomach it during). I continue to do this, as well as adding pomegranate juice to my daily OJ. Do I really think these things will keep me cancer-free? I don't know but I do know they can't hurt - and I really enjoy them!

Hi I started my journey in december as well and we are the same age sure wasn't expecting this . Hang in there and have faith God will bring you through

Hi, LMM. I see you're starting your chemo next week. YAY! Seriously, this is the next big step toward kicking cancer's $#*@!
I wish you all the best on this next step of your journey. Keep us posted on how you're doing.

Hey LMM, just thought I would check in and see if you've heard anything?

I'm happy you got in touch with me. I look forward to following your progress and guiding you through your upcoming journey. I understand your frustration with your doctors and not diagnosing it earlier, but put that behind you. I am a firm believer that you cannot control or change something that has already happened. Focus on looking forward and taking each stage of the treatment one step at a time. You are going to have a lot of mountains ahead of you...some steep, some slippery, some easier and then others with unexpected bumps.

The upcoming weeks are going to be very, very difficult and filled with anxiety. Emotionally, the period during which I was first being diagnosed, going through all the tests to determine exactly what was going on and then awaiting the start of my treatments were the most stressful and emotionally challenging time. Once I knew my diagnosis and course of treatment, I almost shut down emotionally - I just strictly focused on what needed to be done to get to the finish line. I was positive, driven and determine to get there with minimal disruptions in the lives of my loved ones. I didn't want the cancer to affect our lives any more than it needed to.

I will be happy to coach and guide you through. I have done this with several people, none of whom I have ever met. Two are already done their treatments and are cancer-free.

What you need to do now is start keeping a notebook with all the details. Have this with you at all times so when a doctor calls, even if you are out running errands, you can write down everything. Have someone with you at appointments. The information you will get will be too much for just one person to comprehend. Reach out to everyone in the field, including your GP and ob/gyn. Also family friends who are in the field. Ask questions, ask for referrals. I had people reaching out to me who I barely knew - friends of friends who worked for a cancer center at a local hospital, the husband of a casual friend who had gone through the same cancer, etc. I never had one person who wasn't willing to talk to me and answer my questions.

Tell me the best method we can communicate. We can email or we can text. Stay strong this week, it won't be easy, but stay focused. Keep in touch.

Hi, LMM. Just read your story and wanted to wish you well. It's a crazy time, so much to take in and process. Glad to hear that you have family to support you. As others have said already, ask questions and, if you can, have somebody with you who can write down what the docs and nurses are saying. It's so easy to forget as soon as you walk out the door, everything gets jumbled up... I just had my 7 year cancer-free anniversary and today is my 59th birthday!!! Believe me, I celebrate each year now - I worked my butt off (literally and figuratively) to get here! Best of luck to you.

I was told not to be around small children, and just a few hours. Don't worry too much about all that. But yes, drink lots of water after test. I am a single mother w/ one daughter in college and one older daughter. I'm 53. My cancer had not spread, i am very fortunate. I too was misdiagnosed after pleading w/ doctors to make me better. They were treating me for hemmoroids and constipation. I persisted and finally got to the right doctor. My best advice right now is one day at a time...don't think past that. Once your doctor has a treatment plan for you and you know what your weeks will entail - at least then you'll then be on a path...to recovery. Right now is the hard part, waiting for all the test puzzle pieces to come together and for a diagnosis that you can understand. Stay strong. Do you have family helping?

Hi Lisa. I too have a tumor in my rectum, the size of a plum they say. Also had small cancer ulcer on outer anus that was removed during biopsy. Unlike your very busy schedule coming up, I had to wait weeks between each test and dr. appt. I was so stressed by the delays and waiting. I had two biopsies as well in the hospital. The petscan is the important one, it will show them more than the catscan or an mri. I am in the middle of my 8 week treatment plan. Daily radiation from day one, and two 96 hour take home chemo pumps at the beginning (did pretty well with first one and next one is in 2 weeks.). I can not work through this due to fatigue but mostly bathroom stuff, so am on short term disability. This is a club no one wants to join but since we're in it I am sending my very best wishes your way.

Hey LMM, Welcome to WhatNext. One of the worst parts of a cancer journey is the waiting stage. Sounds like that's where you are right now. You'll get through this and we'll be there to help you along the way. Please take time to visit with Liz, she has completed treatment for Anal Cancer and is currently in remission. A link to her page is below:

http://www.whatnext.com/users/liznparadise

Welcome to the site. We are glad to have you. If you need anything please ask.

Chemo and rads are a common way to start treatment for rectal cancer. By shrinking the tumor, they can do less invasive surgery. A friend of mine went through this, had a temporary colostomy, and is now put back together, and has been totally discharged from treatment - she's considered cured. Don't let the thought that you are having chemo and rads first make you think it is worse. They've found this to be a preferable way to treat it.

Catch your breath - this is all terrifying. The process is no fun, but it is doable, and hopefully, you will have a successful outcome.

Just saw your comment to Greg's wall post. Sending you healthy vibes, and welcoming you to our support group. This is a great place to vent, have your questions answered, and most importantly feel that you are not going through this alone.