GregP_WN

Greg, I still don't have access to the digest. Any movement on that front?

I am writing to you rather than posting to the entire group. I have completed treatment for uterine cancer stage; 3c
diagnosed 11/11; hysterectomy, taxol and paraplatin, external and internal radiation and most recently had a hemicolectomy 9/12 because of a colon tumor;stage 2..
The surgeon said it was doubtful that I would need chemo(last treatment 7/12) but sent my reports to my medical oncologist.
(whom I don't always feel "safe" with.) He doesn't keep me informed and answers most of my questions with vague answers. He makes me feel like a nervous nellie rather than a cancer patient trying to be her own advocate. He tells me to call if I have concerns yet many times when I do, the call is not returned. I am not an assertive person
but I am getting angry with this situation. I don't think it is right to feel like a PIA to my medical oncologist.
It makes me feel alone. I mean, who do I contact? I have so many doctor's since this diagnosis. I feel little compassion from any of them other than my primary MD and cancer is not his specialty. Am I just over thinking all of this?would the doctors definately contact me if there was a problem or do we become just a paper on a desk?
Thanks for listening

I've listened to both of the speeches you've given. What a great job, I find myself laughing at the appropriate times. Feeling the sadness you expressed when losing your parents. You're a good guy to have around, that's for sure. Your positive attitude when it comes to this nasty disease is inspiring. Whoever decided to make you a Team Member of WhatNext made the right decision. Keep up the good work and let me know when another video gets posted so I can listen to it as well.

Hey Greg,

Good morning to you! How do I change my age in my personal info? I've had another birthday and I need to update.

Thanks,
Crash

Congratulations on your good news that you have a plan to deal with your dental care. Not sure what the risks are but I'm very glad for you that there is a specific plan and you are ready. Warm thoughts, Lisa

Hey Greg: There are problems with my wall...lots of postings to other people are there. Please let the fixers know this~thanks! Ydnar2xer

Greg: There's something about me that I've not yet shared with anyone, I'm weird when it comes to medical procedures/treatments. I've found that if there's a 399,999,999.9 to 1 chance that something strange can happen during a procedure/treatment, I'll be that 1. Don't ask me why, I've just always been this way. If I take a flu shot to help protect me over the flu season, I'll get the flu that season, without fail. If I take NO flu shot for the flu season I'll NOT get the flu that season. I've been miss-diagnosed and miss-treated for illnesses that I've not had, I've taken "wonder drugs" that have dramatically helped people with arthritis, only to have it it shu down my liver and I get to spend a week in I.C.U. Your just may be right, I may just change my mind as I go along, I was just speaking of the here and now. For me, the radiation seems to be much harder for me than the chemo therapy. However, if you noticed, I also said that I'll reserve the right to chnge my mind in the future should things change. Although after having my second radiation treatment today, and getting the same reaction to it only a bit stronger, I may not change my mind.
But thanx to the good people here like you, I may just survive this ordeal and live to fight yet another one of lifes' battles. Which ever "side of the fence" you and I are on, we're certainly on the SAME fence.
To tell you the truth Greg, I'm not finding just a whole lot of any of this to be what anyone would call "easy," but, I'll just keep pluggin' along until one of us is gone, either the cancer or me. One of us HAS GOT TO GO, and since I've been here a lot longer than it, I have seniority!!!

Your response to my thoughts on radiation, . . .
"You will probably change your mind as you go several times. That is a little unusual for my experience, the radiation problem. I had no reaction like that. I did have the cumulative effects build up though. I am still on the other side of the fence from you, I will take radiation over chemo.

Hope the rest are easy for you!"

Hello, Greg,

I'm new and not sure how to respond to comments, that is to say...how to I get back to that specific person? I clicked on their highlighted name and then responded in the comment space that appeared but I'm not sure if that is the right procedure.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi Friday, Greg!

Quick question for you as you seem to be the answer guy. How do I begin following someone? I'm new to the site and want to make it a "go-to" spot each day for support, info and to give support.

Wishing you a blessed weekend,

Nanc

It's the tomorrow night and then the next few days that concern me as I walk into this with my eyes wide open, as I've learned from here and there that the bad effects of Chemo and radiation are accummulative. I realize I'm setting myself up to be filled with poisons, and I don't think my body is going to appreciate that all too much. But what the hey, I agreed to take this thing head on, and taking things head on seems to be what I do best. If not 'best' then certainly 'most often' as I've been fighting something or another for the last 10 years or so, each one progressively more difficult to deal with. "If" this is truely God's way of preparing me for what's to come in life or afterlife, I'm not so sure I want to be there.

Just a note - as you seem to be looking to improve the site, I've noted that the "can you help?" and "most like you" haven't changed since I joined. It would also be nice to have a Birthday so we could all celebrate as we survive this disease. I don't mind being younger on What Next than my kids know I am but the idea of ACS being the "official sponsor of Birthdays" has a sort of ring to it.

Just my 2 cents.

Keep it positive and smile

Hey Greg, I'm no longer receiving e-mails.

Greg cant found anyone with my cancer or who had a bad reaction to i131nail beds turning blue lumps all over my taste buds tongue feel, like its been burnt with small bubbles took a hit with my platelets do you know of anyone this has happen to it awful lonely with noone getting back to you with the same cancer i had one person who was with me threw this cancer i keep leaving a message for her she hasnt gotton back i am worried for i hope she is ok .Denlou

Greg, I can't begin to have enough thanks to you for all you do for us by putting up this blog and actively helping all of us through our journeys. At the beginning I didn't think I needed this help because I had already been through my breast cancer journey almost 7 years ago. I'm beginning to realize that I am really helped by being able to connect with others going through or having gone through their journeys online...

I have so many questions and fears this time. So much is happening, and sometimes I'm just overwhelmed with emotions and self pity. I know that I'm getting great help, have wonderful caregivers and family, my doctors and nurses and hospital facilities are world class, and my insurance is paying for everything... I only have one more chemo treatment before a major surgery to remove my gallbladder, lymph nodes next to my vena cava and aortic artery, and the parts of my liver that have tumors in them. I wish I could stop wallowing in self pity and have more to give especially to my caregiver husband and daughter who is going through her own hard time right now.

I'll have another blood transfusion tomorrow, and maybe that will lift me up enough to be more like myself again... Thanks for being there to listen; it really does help!!!

Thank you for sharing your story.. This has helped me get an idea of the process I am facing!

Yeah Greg--please NEVER hold her purse! I see more old XXXX men holding their wive's purses and it drives me bonkers, they look so ridiculous!

I did check the account link and do have "daily" selected.
It doesn't seem like I receive many messages from peope in the WhatNext group. I am also a member of EOTP and get emails from someone everyday, responding to my questions or just to chat.

Wow, sounds more like a witch doctor than an MD. My doctor reacted to this cancer, but it took me a while to figure it out. She left the room to write up finding the mass...I didn't think about it at the time, but now I guess she left because she was unhappy about finding another cancer on me.
She & I go back a while.

And you're right--there are more important things!

yes i did what you said to do hopefully some will help me learn more about this cancer.thanks again denlou

thank you so much for your help Denlou

Thanks for your response. You seem to be a very helpful person here on the board. Thank you. It really helps to know people read your post and respond.
Thanks again,
ChrisDee

Hmmm...that should make you about 75 lbs right now, then--if my math is right. (!)

Hi DB: Thanks for the suggestion. I am totally wired the day after chemo, so maybe my onc will also decrease steroids--? I could live with a 3lb gain in a week, but 6 is ridiculous!

LOL--actually, I'm not...but I teach writing to my tutoring students, and I'm impressed. You also make good sense!

You are so wise, composed and well-written! No wonder ACS tapped you as one of their speakers! Well done!