Breast Cancer Journey
Viewing comments for Chapter 1 "My Continuing Fight with Cancer"My journey through breast cancer.
83 total reviews
Comment from Giddy Nielsen-Sweep
You have written a great explanation of the chemo routine here Barbara. Thank you for being so considerate to your friends on FS. I can understand how difficult it must be to rest when you are such a busy person and a teacher. God bless- love and blessings - Giddy
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
  |
You have written a great explanation of the chemo routine here Barbara. Thank you for being so considerate to your friends on FS. I can understand how difficult it must be to rest when you are such a busy person and a teacher. God bless- love and blessings - Giddy
Comment Written 22-Dec-2010
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
-
Thank you for your friendship.
Comment from Sasha
I made a point of not paying attention to what drugs I was taking for my chemo. After a while they all seemed to blend into one very long name. I found ice, and believe it or not, cherry flavored cough drops helped with the dry mouth. I drank a lot of water. But sometimes that added to the nausea. As far as the fatigue goes, you absolutely MUST rest. I cannot emphasize enough how important this is. I lost my hair and developed large brown spots on my skin but they went away after the chemo and my hair grew back a darker blonde and much thicker. I think about you every day and send positive thoughts and prayers your way. What you are going through is difficult to describe to someone who has not experienced it. Saying nausea just doesn't seem to adequately explain what you are feeling. Please listen to your doctor and don't tire yourself out. I know this is easier said than done, but your body is using up all your energy dealing with the drugs and fighting the cancer. Take care and know we are all thinking about you.
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
 |
I made a point of not paying attention to what drugs I was taking for my chemo. After a while they all seemed to blend into one very long name. I found ice, and believe it or not, cherry flavored cough drops helped with the dry mouth. I drank a lot of water. But sometimes that added to the nausea. As far as the fatigue goes, you absolutely MUST rest. I cannot emphasize enough how important this is. I lost my hair and developed large brown spots on my skin but they went away after the chemo and my hair grew back a darker blonde and much thicker. I think about you every day and send positive thoughts and prayers your way. What you are going through is difficult to describe to someone who has not experienced it. Saying nausea just doesn't seem to adequately explain what you are feeling. Please listen to your doctor and don't tire yourself out. I know this is easier said than done, but your body is using up all your energy dealing with the drugs and fighting the cancer. Take care and know we are all thinking about you.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2010
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
-
Thank you Sasha, for your friendship and support. I have all sorts of dark spots on my skin, especially my hands. I feel my hands are bilingual.
Comment from Dave M
Barbara,
You've written an excellent account of the torment you're undergoing. I found no nits of any sort.
The drugs sound vile. I read "Adrian's torment," "A toxin" and "Beelzebub." Apparently, you teach in school. You've been very brave to keep teaching through this ordeal, and you must be glad it's Christmas break.
Our thoughts are with you, and we hope that the treatments don't get worse than they've already been and that they're successful. Looking forward to a post in five years or so where you say, "Still free of cancer!"
Dave
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
|
Barbara,
You've written an excellent account of the torment you're undergoing. I found no nits of any sort.
The drugs sound vile. I read "Adrian's torment," "A toxin" and "Beelzebub." Apparently, you teach in school. You've been very brave to keep teaching through this ordeal, and you must be glad it's Christmas break.
Our thoughts are with you, and we hope that the treatments don't get worse than they've already been and that they're successful. Looking forward to a post in five years or so where you say, "Still free of cancer!"
Dave
Comment Written 22-Dec-2010
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
-
Thank you for your friendship and support. I teach first grade, so I have also had the challenge to stay germ free. I didn't want to leave my first graders in the care of substitutes any more than absolutely necessary and I think that's how I got exhausted. When school resumes, I will take a day off every other week or so and catch up on my rest.
Comment from Jonez08
Hi Barbara, I've had a very heroes in my day and you're quickly climbing to the top. I admire you and your courage. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Smiles, hugs and prayers can reach over the miles and I send all of them to you. Take it easy, my friend. Merry Christmas to you and your family. This too shall pass.
Cassandra
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
|
Hi Barbara, I've had a very heroes in my day and you're quickly climbing to the top. I admire you and your courage. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Smiles, hugs and prayers can reach over the miles and I send all of them to you. Take it easy, my friend. Merry Christmas to you and your family. This too shall pass.
Cassandra
Comment Written 22-Dec-2010
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
-
Thank you Cassandra, for your friendship and support. I appreciate both.
Comment from pickthorn
Your essay was very informative Barbara. It is a terrible thing to have to go through... I wish they could discover some kind of treatment that didn't take so long and was easier to take, but the cost you pay to be cancer free will be worth it. Just remember that you have prayers coming from all your friends on your behalf and follow the doctor's orders and get your rest. I hope you will be able to enjoy Christmas with friends and family. Merry Christmas.
pickthorn
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
|
Your essay was very informative Barbara. It is a terrible thing to have to go through... I wish they could discover some kind of treatment that didn't take so long and was easier to take, but the cost you pay to be cancer free will be worth it. Just remember that you have prayers coming from all your friends on your behalf and follow the doctor's orders and get your rest. I hope you will be able to enjoy Christmas with friends and family. Merry Christmas.
pickthorn
Comment Written 22-Dec-2010
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
-
Thank you for your prayers and friendship.
Comment from RKagan
Merry Christmas, and God Bless you, my friend and bring you good health in the coming year. I was thinking about your hot flashes. You know those ice packs that you break to activate and then they get real cold for about a half hour? I wonder if those might help.
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
|
Merry Christmas, and God Bless you, my friend and bring you good health in the coming year. I was thinking about your hot flashes. You know those ice packs that you break to activate and then they get real cold for about a half hour? I wonder if those might help.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2010
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
-
GOOD IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hadn't thought of that. I will try it. Thank you
Comment from sweetwoodjax
thank you for sharing what you are going through and staying strong through your faith in God, a wonderful testimony. when it comes to hot flashes, my doctor was telling me about a blood pressure patch that helps with the hot flashes. that would help with the blood pressure and hot flashes in one shot.
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
|
thank you for sharing what you are going through and staying strong through your faith in God, a wonderful testimony. when it comes to hot flashes, my doctor was telling me about a blood pressure patch that helps with the hot flashes. that would help with the blood pressure and hot flashes in one shot.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2010
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
-
HUmmm, I will ask my doctor about that patch. I appreciate your review.
Comment from Belinda
Hi, Barbara. I accompanied my daughter to the doctor and for cyst surgery in her left breast last month, and met some chemo patients in the waiting room. I know it must be hard for them, as it is for you. I admire them and you for the strength, bravery, perseverance. This essay is very clearly and descriptively written it is almost unbelievable to be written by a patient. It is (almost) objective but does not feel technical at all. I hope and pray for your coming Phase Two and recovery. Merry Christmas and God bless you.
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
|
Hi, Barbara. I accompanied my daughter to the doctor and for cyst surgery in her left breast last month, and met some chemo patients in the waiting room. I know it must be hard for them, as it is for you. I admire them and you for the strength, bravery, perseverance. This essay is very clearly and descriptively written it is almost unbelievable to be written by a patient. It is (almost) objective but does not feel technical at all. I hope and pray for your coming Phase Two and recovery. Merry Christmas and God bless you.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2010
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
-
Thank you for your friendship and support. Many fans had asked questions so I figured others also had questions. I hoped I helped in some way better understand this process.
-
Yes, Barbara, it really helps.
Comment from Mustang Patty
Thank you for sharing this with us. Just know that many, many petitions are being sent to Heaven on your behalf. Good luck in Phase II. ~patty~
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
|
Thank you for sharing this with us. Just know that many, many petitions are being sent to Heaven on your behalf. Good luck in Phase II. ~patty~
Comment Written 22-Dec-2010
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
-
I don't know, but I know a heck of a lot. I am sure God is tired of hearing my name. Many of my FS friends have said they have added me to their church prayer list, and this includes all 7 continents.
Comment from Shirley McLain
Thank you for sharing your trials and tribulations. I do have a suggestion for the sores in your mouth. Use liquid tooth ache medication that you buy over the counter and apply it with a q-tip before you eat and it will take the feeling out of the sore. I have used it for years. It will burn when you first apply it but it really does make eating better. You remain in my prayers and Merry Christmas.
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
|
Thank you for sharing your trials and tribulations. I do have a suggestion for the sores in your mouth. Use liquid tooth ache medication that you buy over the counter and apply it with a q-tip before you eat and it will take the feeling out of the sore. I have used it for years. It will burn when you first apply it but it really does make eating better. You remain in my prayers and Merry Christmas.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2010
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2010
-
I will try it. Thank you for your suggestion. I appreciate the friendship and the prayers.
