Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[MerryPoppins]

I've seen a lot of monarch butterflies the last couple of days and when my mom died and we buried her ashes there was a monarch that came to rest on the flowers by her grave. We said it was my mom because she followed me around a bit that day and the monarch showed up at various places during that fall. I saw a story on the news tonight about the butterfly and how it's a sign of rebirth and I truly think my mom was reborn in that monarch that day and with all the ones I've seen. I really miss my mom right now.

I'm sorry to be a downer, I'm really sorry. I'm just having a bad day.

I'm so sorry you are having a bad day. Sounds like a really rough time lately. Wish I was with you to give you a big hug. Sounds like you could use one. Always know that you can come here without worrying about being a downer. We're all here to bolster each other. And I wanted to say that your butterfly story is beautiful! Know that your mother is with you. It's perfectly normal to miss her. I understand how you feel. I miss my dad, too.

 

[snappy]

Sending a hug too, Cruise04.



It's nice to have something in common (like kids of around the same ages)
other than cancer, isn't it?

 

[MerryPoppins]

It's nice to have something in common (like kids of around the same ages)
other than cancer, isn't it?

We're just normal folk who happen to also have cancer, right? It is nice. I like getting to know you guys. Stuff about the way you feel and your health, but also to KNOW you a little.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Here is a link that describes When God Winks by SQuire Rushnell.

http://www.beyondword.com/all-book-catalog/W-books/bk-when-god-winks.html

 

[laurabelle]

A friend from my in person and online support groups who has stage IV bc had a seizure yesterday. The breast cancer has spread to her brain. Please, please pray for a miracle for her. She's a young woman with a beautiful spirit, a loving hubby and 2 young children.
You can read about her here in her blog:
http://www.lisawillsurvive.com/

 

[NHAnn]

Prayers said for Lisa

GAGWTA!

 

[snappy]

I will keep your friend Lisa, her husband and children in my prayers. With what she has been through, she deserves a miracle. God bless her.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Laura, how tragic. I will keep Lisa and her family in my prayers.

 

[Lessa of Pern]

I am so sorry to hear about Lisa.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I'll keep Lisa and her family in my prayers. Keep us informed.

GAGWTA!

 

[Disney Debbie]

GAGTWA


Cruise04 and Laurabelle - Prayers said for your friends.

The funeral today was very beautiful and God truly lifted our choir up and we sang that song better then ever. Then we all blubbered! But the hardest part was the eulogy was by a close friend of Charles and an Episcopal priest (we're Methodist) He started it off talking about how cancer was like Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter - "That which must not be named" (actually a good analogy!) but then went on about how it's insidious and you think you've beat it and it comes back etc., etc. The point he eventually got to was for a Christian death is not the end but the begining - but - It was VERY TOUGH for a cancer survivor - or people who are currently battling it - to listen to! A friend of mine called me at home after the funeral to make sure I was okay!

That's interesting that we all have kids around the same age. Of course - I think we're all around the same age as well if I remember correctly so it makes sense. But that makes 2 things in common besides cancer - kids and love of Disney!

 

[laurabelle]

((((((((((((Debbie)))))))))))
What an emotional day

I'm home from seeing Lisa. Here's some of what I wrote to my group:

We drove out to Westminster to see Lisa. She is surrounded by LOTS of loving family and friends. She is completely sedated, as she is on a vent and had a rough night last night, wanting to struggle a bit. So she wasn't responsive while we were there, but I'm sure she could hear us. I sent her lots of love from her sistas, printed out the notes that I had before I left home. Bill read them all to her.

Bill said what happened was, he was going to go do something with the car yesterday afternoon but for whatever reason, he decided to go home instead, and that's when she had the seizure. Thank God he did, she was home alone with the kids... She had been perfectly fine before that, driving herself to rads, doing "normal" things.

Right now, the big thing is to get the brain swelling down with the steroids, and have her stable so that she doesn't have more seizures. They are hoping to get her off the ventilator and bring her out of the heavy sedation tomorrow. Bill didn't get into too many specifics in the room, but it sounds like there are quite a few brain mets there. Her onc has been consulted and seems to be in agreement with what the county hospital is saying. Deb is going to look into the cyber knife treatment for Bill. She would have to see what the criteria is, if she would be a candidate for it. Bill is willing to look into things, but doesn't want to chase down things if they won't ultimately help her. It's all so sudden, he wasn't prepared to have to deal with this so immediately. I wish there was an easier way of saying this...after she's stable, they want to be able to give her rads, just to give her a little bit more time... to say goodbye to her kids.

I am still praying a miracle for her...but we all need to be prepared if her healing doesn't come this side of heaven. Please continue to send your thoughts and prayers for Lisa, Bill, Katie and Andrew.

 

[Feralpeg]

My heart and prayers go out to Lisa and her family.

 

[MerryPoppins]

That is so sad. I'm hoping for a miracle, or at least a little time.

 

[Lessa of Pern]

did you all see Professor Mouse's thread? about his partner's wife. she's had stage IV breast cancer for 8 years. they've had the financial resources to track down all the best care, the clinical trials, etc., but she's about to lose the battle.

this is an insideous disease.

 

[Cruise04]

Laura I'm so sorry to hear about your friend Lisa. She will absolutely be in my prayers as will her family and you as her friend.

I got a great call after I left the dentist today. I had a dental appointment the same time my boss had her ultrasound so I wasn't able to talk to her immediately after. But she called me around 12:30 and told me the radialogist that did the ultrasound said it appears to just be a cyst, but a rather good sized cyst - he can't believe she hasn't been in any pain - and that there should be nothing for her to worry about but she might want to think about getting it removed or drained before it gets too big. She's going to wait until she talks to her doc now to see what he thinks is best. I talked her out of going in to work today because I knew how emotional, personally knew, those ultrasounds are. That's all I have and when they stop and concentrate on one spot your heart just sinks and races. She thanked me for that and I told her how very upset I was last night and the timing of this for me just was hard for me to accept the possibilities. She understood and she knew why. I told her I came to my board last night and posted about her so that she had loads of prayers going up for her for a good day today. So...THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

Hang in there everyone - and Debbie you are right, what a great analogy of this stupid ugly horrible no good disease!!!! It IS like Lord Voldemort - you never know when it will show up and when it will show up again in patients in remission.

to you all!!!!!! You are my light somedays (and here I should be the one holding you all up ).

 

[snappy]

Laurabelle, too sad for words, only tears. I do hope she can be stabilized. From her blog, her kids look so young and this all came up so quick. When was she diagnosed? It is shocking that she was fine and able to even post to her blog, not to mention driver herself for radiation treatments and tend to her kids.

My friend who died from liver cancer in 1996 made an audio tape for young daughter, reading her favorite book. sShe wanted to make a video too for her since she was so young (two and a half) but she was too sick.

Cruise04, thanks for the bit of good news about your boss. It was one light in all this darkness.

Hugs, Deb, for your emotional morning. I would have had trouble listening to that eulogy, too. I am sure he meant no harm, but doesn't the minister realize how many people are affected by cancer, if not themselves as a survivor, then as a close family member or friend??? Someone should gently give him a clue.

I did not see Professor mouse's thread. Lessa, I will have to look for it.
Thanks for mentioning it.

 

[MerryPoppins]

But the cool thing about Harry Potter is that Vodemort doesn't prevail. I think what the priest was trying to get across was that we can beat cancer, even if it keeps coming back. If there is no other way, we can beat it in death and have everlasting life. A hard sermon to listen to, yes. But comforting in another way. I like the analogy. Sorry the day was hard, but it sounds like a beautiful service.

I took dinner tonight to my dear old friends. I think I told you about Dick before. He's had cancer in his mouth and face and isn't doing too well. His wife, Sue, has been in the hospital for a couple of weeks. She was in intensive care for a while with a blood clot in her lung. Poor things have really had a hard time of it lately. Seems when it rains it pours. It was hard to figure out what to take them for dinner. He can't eat much. I know they believe strongly in the power of prayer, so if you feel like saying a prayer for them I know they'd appreciate it.

Cruise, that is wonderful news! I'm so happy to hear that. It made my day. Isn't it great that we can rejoice with each other? Makes me feel almost like I personally got a good report.

 

[snappy]

Nice of you to bring dinner to your friends, MerryPoppins. Prayers said for Dick and Sue.

Got through the first week of school. I am tired of filling out forms, covering textbooks, and writing checks. I need to quit my complaining, we are blessed that we can send our kids to these schools. Life is good.

GAGWTA!!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Agreed. My checkbook was smoking this week. Having two in high school really adds up. And I have't even done senior pictures or bought school supplies yet. But I'm thrilled that they have such a nice school to attend and that they are getting a good education.

I was glad I could do something for Dick and Sue. They are such dear people. They'd do anything for anyone. Hard to see anyone suffering. It's especially hard when they are so good. Know what I mean?