Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[laurabelle]

My biopsy came back NORMAL!!!
I'll see her again later this month for a f/u and to see what she recommends next. Thank you for all the prayers!!!

 

[snappy]

YIPPEE, Laura!!!!!

Good news twice in one week, ultrasound and now the biopsy too. This is truly awesome.

Jesus was carrying your burden after all.

 

[SillyMe]

My biopsy came back NORMAL!!!
I'll see her again later this month for a f/u and to see what she recommends next. Thank you for all the prayers!!!

That's GREAT news!


I wanted to share the birthday present I got for my mom. She was just diagnosed last week, her birthday is in 2 weeks, so this is what I got her. I'm going to give it to her tomorrow after her surgery.

 

[snappy]

Great gift, Silly me.

May I ask where you found it?

 

[SillyMe]

Great gift, Silly me.

May I ask where you found it?

Thanks. The chairperson for our local RFL just opened her own store. She makes the jewelry herself. Long story short, she and her husband are both in their 30's, are both survivors, and she started selling them as a fundraiser for the ACS RFL. Now she opened her own store, is still making and selling them and $10/bracelet or necklace is donated to the ACS. She does have a website, but the pics are not on there right now. If you'd like or if anyone is interested I can email you the link.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I went with my mom to choose a wig. I just felt so sad afterwards when my poor mom was sitting there looking frail, shaky and so worn out. She has had one chemo session with her next one this Monday. My dad is so supportive and is doing his best to keep both of them up. I need to shake this feeling of helplessness. How do I help her when all I want to do is cry? How can I make this nightmare go away? How can I make Mom feel strong again? I can't be like this. I was so strong and now I am starting to lose it. Thanks so much, everyone, for listening. I think I feel better (sort of).

 

[SillyMe]

I went with my mom to choose a wig. I just felt so sad afterwards when my poor mom was sitting there looking frail, shaky and so worn out. She has had one chemo session with her next one this Monday. My dad is so supportive and is doing his best to keep both of them up. I need to shake this feeling of helplessness. How do I help her when all I want to do is cry? How can I make this nightmare go away? How can I make Mom feel strong again? I can't be like this. I was so strong and now I am starting to lose it. Thanks so much, everyone, for listening. I think I feel better (sort of).

I'm just beginning that journey with my mom. If you need someone to vent to, please feel free to PM me.

 

[snappy]

Laurie, you can't be strong all the time.

I do think it would be good to find someone to support you one on one.
I don't know if there is such a thing as a "supporter support group."
That would be ideal. Failing that, do you have a good friend who you can
have lunch with, have coffee with, whatever, with just you two?
I think you can be more support to your mom if you can have some away time too where you can vent to your heart's content, even if just for a few hours.

I always find music helps me relax.

You can always get support here at this thread.

You are your mom are in my prayers.

 

[snappy]

Thanks. The chairperson for our local RFL just opened her own store. She makes the jewelry herself. Long story short, she and her husband are both in their 30's, are both survivors, and she started selling them as a fundraiser for the ACS RFL. Now she opened her own store, is still making and selling them and $10/bracelet or necklace is donated to the ACS. She does have a website, but the pics are not on there right now. If you'd like or if anyone is interested I can email you the link.

I would love the link. thanks.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Oh thank you, Snappy. I work at the same office as my husband and in fact he is my boss. I am burying myself with work to help get through this initial shock and it is helping (good O/T too). SillyMe is going through this at about the same timeframe as us also. She has already helped me by realizing that I am not alone. its a good thing I am already on Lexapro. I can't imagine what I would be like if I weren't . Thanks so much for listening...I needed that.

 

[MinnieM3]

Laura! Great Great News! Congrats!

Ashli! Thank you so much for including me! You are so kind!

DisnyFix... I'm so sorry you've had such a rough day. I know when I was going through this I was always thinking that I'd much rather it be ME than someone I loved. I felt like I could handle it better. I'm not sure how I'd deal with it if it had been my mom, either.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Laura, what great news (and perfect timing too)!

How can I make this nightmare go away?

Unfortunately, you can't. But you can learn to live with it. I often thought for my husband it was harder to watch then to actually go through it.

Is there a cancer support center nearby? I know that my support center is open to all friends and family of those affected by cancer - which makes complete sense when you see how difficult it is for loved ones to cope too. One of my closest friends used to come with me to my Meditation and Journaling class, Reiki sessions and such. I realized during these exercises how hard it was on her - it was a difficult realization for me, I felt so awful that people were feeling this way because of me. My husband still goes there for accupressure even though I've been out of treatment for 15 months.

What goes on there? One on one support with a social worker or nurse. Groups for discussion and complementary therapies. Workshops. Retreats. A resource library. Others who know what you and your family are going through. Support. I was amazed at how many new friends I made after my cancer diagnosis, including all the great people here. Others are out there who want to talk and to help, seek them out as you've done here.

There's a lot of soul searching you go through when you or someone close to you gets a diagnosis like this. It takes time to come to terms with it. Personally, it took me a very long time, and there were many, many sleepless nights frought with worry and heartache. But eventually, after much hard work in the way of working through my feelings, I came to accept it as part of my life, but not my whole life. It doesn't define who I am. It was definitely a crisis but now we're past that period and learning to live one day at a time and appreciate all that life has to offer.

I'm rambling, I'll stop... There's a book I enjoyed called "Just Get Me Through This" which has some practical information to help in those early months of diagnosis and treatment.

Silly Me, your mother I'm sure will love her bracelet. My friend mentioned above bought me one and I cherish it.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Oh my gosh! They just said there is breaking news about the bomb last Saturday at OU's football game. I think they said more people are involved and the guy with the backpack tried to get into the stadium! Chilling when I realize DH and I were there! I'll have to watch the news at 6:00.

Laurie, you need to get your feelings out. Find someone you don't have to be strong with. And give yourself some time. It takes a while to come to grips with what is happening. My DD didn't cry for probably a month after my diagnosis. It took her a while to digest the info and then to let it out. Just keep telling yourself that she can beat this. Try not to dwell on the negative. It's all about what she has to do to get well. You are always welcome to PM me if you need someone to talk to.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

After going 2.5 miles on my treadmill to release those good old endorphins AND then reading these wonderful posts, I feel so much better this evening. I think just writing those thoughts down helped alot. You gals are the best!!! Thank you so much.

 

[Hollyann]

Laura - GREAT news! SO happy for you!

Laurie - I went through this with my DMIL....my prayers are with you. Hugs to you and yours

Chris - Good luck with your doctor's appt.

Merry - glad you're okay....

Lessa - Happy Rosh Hashanah.

Well, I've had a few busy days, but all of you have been in my thoughts and prayers.....wishing everyone well!

 

[laurabelle]

Laurie & other Co-Survivors - Sometimes it's just overwhelming, isn't it??? You've gotten great advice here already (as usual!) Faith, family and friends and a sense of humor is what got me through cancer treatment. I developed a weird sense of humor...my sister and I especially would find bizarre things around the hospital that would crack us up, make up sick jokes and songs about me. I don't know... laughing helps me, screaming does too, so does prayer! I hope all of you co-survivors find the support you need, here certainly, but do seek out groups at the cancer centers or ask about one if they don't offer a group there. Remember you only need to get through one day at a time...

SillyMe- Beautiful bracelet! I bet your mom will cherish it!

Love both of your new ribbons too!

MerryPoppins- Oh my... that is scary!

 

[laurabelle]

~~~***GAGWTA***~~~
The Chemobrain Post

Laurie & other Co-Survivors - Faith, family and friends and a sense of humor is what got me through cancer treatment.

Hey, I forgot to say ATTITUDE too...that's huge!
I hate chemobrain...

 

[NHAnn]

GAGWTA!

For some reason, I have ZERO energy this week , but want you all to know I'm reading and thinking of you all each day.

Great news Laurabelle! I'm so happy for you!!

Wonderful words of advice and wisdom, and humor and caring, all week as usual

 

[Laurajean1014]

GAGWTA!

For all that are currently on radiation: Are you going to the hospital or Dr. office for treatment?

Does your insurance have you pay a co-pay?

I cannot do my treatments in the dr. office, so I will be going to the hospital (uh, the long waits that will be......). However, they cannot tell me how they will bill and therefore, I don't know what the cost would be. I'm having them dig deeper, but I was wondering what others are doing. Even though it's only a co-pay, with 35-60 visits that really adds up!

Thank you!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Laurajean, I did my radiation in a Radiation Center. I had to pay a copay only for doctor's visits, not for each radiation visit. HTH