Breast Cancer Journey
Viewing comments for Chapter 3 "Cancer update"My journey through breast cancer.
112 total reviews
Comment from Solacium Mariae
What I like most about your essay is your positive outlook. It shines right through. [though not in a formal form, I did catch one typo "followin" in the weight/eating habits section].
A positive outlook is essential with any chronic condition, be it cancer, cancer recovery, mental illness, chronic pain from one of many conditions, etc etc.
Yours reminds me to continue to do the same in a week when it's more difficult.
Yours also reminded me of my sister, who was diagnosed with cancer more than 15 years ago. We were just kids (high school-ish). She had two separate rounds of treatment. I can't remember exactly how it went, but I know she had chemo and radiation one time, and I think just one of them the other time. They were a year apart. The chemo made her gain so much weight, and I remember her being sick often from different foods.
She did lose all of her hair. Before it was long, straight, not really thick or thin. I remember how difficult it was for her, the hair coming off in chunks at a time. She wore real wigs for some of the time (like in the winter) and cute hats the rest of the time. When it first started growing back, it was a stubble. Then it became a soft stubble. As it continued to grow, she no longer had that long, straight, medium weight hair. It was thick and much more wavy than it'd ever been. It still is today.
She's been in remission now for 14 or so years I think? The treatment did affect her thyroid production, so she has to take a pill for that every day for the rest of her life.
All in all, she was quite lucky. They caught it quickly and it was one of the easier ones, so to speak.
But the sick feeling should pass pretty quickly. The pain may take more time, but you'll rebound. Just make sure you rest enough during these months off. When you get back to your first graders, you won't feel your pain anymore :)
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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What I like most about your essay is your positive outlook. It shines right through. [though not in a formal form, I did catch one typo "followin" in the weight/eating habits section].
A positive outlook is essential with any chronic condition, be it cancer, cancer recovery, mental illness, chronic pain from one of many conditions, etc etc.
Yours reminds me to continue to do the same in a week when it's more difficult.
Yours also reminded me of my sister, who was diagnosed with cancer more than 15 years ago. We were just kids (high school-ish). She had two separate rounds of treatment. I can't remember exactly how it went, but I know she had chemo and radiation one time, and I think just one of them the other time. They were a year apart. The chemo made her gain so much weight, and I remember her being sick often from different foods.
She did lose all of her hair. Before it was long, straight, not really thick or thin. I remember how difficult it was for her, the hair coming off in chunks at a time. She wore real wigs for some of the time (like in the winter) and cute hats the rest of the time. When it first started growing back, it was a stubble. Then it became a soft stubble. As it continued to grow, she no longer had that long, straight, medium weight hair. It was thick and much more wavy than it'd ever been. It still is today.
She's been in remission now for 14 or so years I think? The treatment did affect her thyroid production, so she has to take a pill for that every day for the rest of her life.
All in all, she was quite lucky. They caught it quickly and it was one of the easier ones, so to speak.
But the sick feeling should pass pretty quickly. The pain may take more time, but you'll rebound. Just make sure you rest enough during these months off. When you get back to your first graders, you won't feel your pain anymore :)
Comment Written 18-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Very true, I'll have pain in a new area. LOL. Thank you for your kind review and insight. I appreciate it.
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well, that's not quite what I meant, though you're right. lol.
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Iknew what you meant and am teasing. I love teaching and my little six year olds.
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lol. :) Teaching keeps you young! Or, rather, being young in spirit is what makes teaching the only option (at least for folks like me...)
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me too
Comment from Anisa-
This is really good of you to share so much information with everyone. I know when I had to go in for surgery, I needed to read what everyone else went through, and their progress, etc. It really helped me, and mine was just a basic gallbladder surgery.
I am very glad to hear that, by the sounds of it, you're are doing much better. Still some bumps in the road, but you appear to be very positive. I wish you the best.
Anisa
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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This is really good of you to share so much information with everyone. I know when I had to go in for surgery, I needed to read what everyone else went through, and their progress, etc. It really helped me, and mine was just a basic gallbladder surgery.
I am very glad to hear that, by the sounds of it, you're are doing much better. Still some bumps in the road, but you appear to be very positive. I wish you the best.
Anisa
Comment Written 18-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Thank you for the kind review and well wishes.
Comment from N.K. Wagner
You're still in my prayers, Barbara.
RE: the kitties. Do cats parent past weaning? The kitties won't respect her space until she swats them. This is a dominance and territory issue. Good luck.
:) Nancy
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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You're still in my prayers, Barbara.
RE: the kitties. Do cats parent past weaning? The kitties won't respect her space until she swats them. This is a dominance and territory issue. Good luck.
:) Nancy
Comment Written 18-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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They aren't her kittens. I rescued them from the pound. So far all she does is growl and hiss at them. She has swatted but not connected.
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I knew they weren't hers. Dogs are my forte. They have a defined social structure and very strict rules of behavior among their own kind. I know some cats "adopt" babies, but some are meant to be loners. :) Nancy
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My dogs excepted the kittens with ease. I am a dog person, myself. I just couldn't let anything happen to them.
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Dogs are more social - pack animals. Cats tend to be loners, except for lions. These little furballs will behave like all children. Just a couple of first-graders. :) Nancy
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Very true. I had to take one of them off the table today, he had crawled into the napkin holder to take a nap.
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:D N
Comment from RaymondJohn
I am so glad that you are doing better, despite the lingering problems. I have neuropathy in my feet from my diabetes. I really am impressed with your attitude and urge you to keep up the good work. Ray.
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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I am so glad that you are doing better, despite the lingering problems. I have neuropathy in my feet from my diabetes. I really am impressed with your attitude and urge you to keep up the good work. Ray.
Comment Written 18-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Thank you for the kind review.
Comment from Gert sherwood
Thank you Barb for for sharing your story(essay) of how you are so darn brave coping with your treatments
I'm glad you let us know how you are doing. YES you are in my prayers.
Gert
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Thank you Barb for for sharing your story(essay) of how you are so darn brave coping with your treatments
I'm glad you let us know how you are doing. YES you are in my prayers.
Gert
Comment Written 18-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Thank you for your friendship, prayers and just being there.
Comment from Margaret Snowdon
Thank you for sharing this with us -
all your friends on FS, Barbara. I'm sure
all think of you and wish you well.
And my own heart and prayers go out to you, dear friend.
Margaret
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Thank you for sharing this with us -
all your friends on FS, Barbara. I'm sure
all think of you and wish you well.
And my own heart and prayers go out to you, dear friend.
Margaret
Comment Written 18-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Thank you for the kind review and your prayers.
Comment from Razz
Dear Barbara,
Your heart is filled with such beauty and grace. Your strength and acceptance is evident.
The openness with which you share such a very tough personal trial, is admirable. I am very touched by your beautiful model of excellence and patience in such a trying time as this.
Your willingness to speak openly about your experience may just be the key to healing, if only for all the wonderful prayers and responses you get as a result.
May God bless and keep you.
Have a magical day, my friend.
Razz
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Dear Barbara,
Your heart is filled with such beauty and grace. Your strength and acceptance is evident.
The openness with which you share such a very tough personal trial, is admirable. I am very touched by your beautiful model of excellence and patience in such a trying time as this.
Your willingness to speak openly about your experience may just be the key to healing, if only for all the wonderful prayers and responses you get as a result.
May God bless and keep you.
Have a magical day, my friend.
Razz
Comment Written 18-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Thank you for your kind review and support. I think this helps others going through this or even helps a someone who knows someone going through this.
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Yes, you are exactly right in that too. It helps a lot of people.
God bless you, Barbara.
Razz
Comment from Nanette Mary
Hullo Barbara ...
From what I have learnt about you through your writing, I have always admired you and considered you to be a very special person the way you have accepted and dealt with all that is involved with Cancer. Now, "your shares have gone up" as the young people say these days.
Added to your courage is your obvious sense of humour.
In this chapter, there are just a few small changes to recommend ...
* You have - raring to go. I believe this should be -
rearing to go.
* You have - A glass of cold water sets on the table by my bed. I suggest - sits on the table ...
* You have - the hot flash problem ... which should be - the hot-flush problem ....
* You have - close friends the warning if I start acting strange to let me know. I suggest - close friends, the warning that if I start acting strangely, they should just let me know.
* You have - are to help insure the cancer doesn't return ... this should be - to help ensure that the cancer ...
* You have - when I read about some one's cancer ... this should be - someone's cancer ....
* You have - Those two's antics made me laugh ... I suggest - The antics of those two really made me laugh ....
* You have - At my age who sunbaths anyway? I suggest -
At my age, who sun-bathes anyway?
Without you realising it, you certainly are giving great example and encouragement to all who may have to endure the ravages of Cancer in their lives.
Love from .... Nanette Mary.
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Hullo Barbara ...
From what I have learnt about you through your writing, I have always admired you and considered you to be a very special person the way you have accepted and dealt with all that is involved with Cancer. Now, "your shares have gone up" as the young people say these days.
Added to your courage is your obvious sense of humour.
In this chapter, there are just a few small changes to recommend ...
* You have - raring to go. I believe this should be -
rearing to go.
* You have - A glass of cold water sets on the table by my bed. I suggest - sits on the table ...
* You have - the hot flash problem ... which should be - the hot-flush problem ....
* You have - close friends the warning if I start acting strange to let me know. I suggest - close friends, the warning that if I start acting strangely, they should just let me know.
* You have - are to help insure the cancer doesn't return ... this should be - to help ensure that the cancer ...
* You have - when I read about some one's cancer ... this should be - someone's cancer ....
* You have - Those two's antics made me laugh ... I suggest - The antics of those two really made me laugh ....
* You have - At my age who sunbaths anyway? I suggest -
At my age, who sun-bathes anyway?
Without you realising it, you certainly are giving great example and encouragement to all who may have to endure the ravages of Cancer in their lives.
Love from .... Nanette Mary.
Comment Written 18-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Thank you for your eagle eye and kind review.
Comment from despiser
Sounds like cautious optimism, which is probably the best mindset, though i wouldn't know. I think your sprinkles of humour help this one from sounding too much like the title.
Very good Barbara, wish you a full and complete recovery.
-D
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Sounds like cautious optimism, which is probably the best mindset, though i wouldn't know. I think your sprinkles of humour help this one from sounding too much like the title.
Very good Barbara, wish you a full and complete recovery.
-D
Comment Written 18-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Thank you for the kind review/
Comment from Writingfundimension
Hi, barbara. You are an amazing lady. And I think what you've written here will be of great value to post-treatment cancer patients. My heart goes out to you for all that you have to go through and your lack of self-pity as you relate the many ways your life has been impacted. This deserves to be seen by a wide audience. Warm regards, Bev
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Hi, barbara. You are an amazing lady. And I think what you've written here will be of great value to post-treatment cancer patients. My heart goes out to you for all that you have to go through and your lack of self-pity as you relate the many ways your life has been impacted. This deserves to be seen by a wide audience. Warm regards, Bev
Comment Written 18-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2012
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Thank you for the kind review and encouraging words.
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You're very welcome, barbara. Warm regards, Bev
