Minnesota!
Shoeless in Minnesota
- Joined
- Sep 15, 1999
Just wanted to pop in and let you know that I am thinking of you and Mike!
I totally agree with both of you. Almost seven years ago, I was dealt a double cancer diagnosis, ovarian and uterine cancer. The ovarian cancer was/is especially scary, because there are not a lot of good outcomes with that type of cancer. Thankfully, I completed treatment and am still doing well. But, if I had a dollar for every time someone told me to be positive and fight (I carried on with my life, laid low when I was sick with chemo and bought myself an excellent wig, some people never even knew I was sick, so basically I was a positive/happy person without people feeling the need to constantly tell me that!!) I would be rich!!! I knew people meant well, but I hated hearing that!! It was almost like if I was a good girl and stayed positive and fought, everything would be all right, and of course when you are dealing with cancer, there is nothing further from the truth. Obviously , a positive attitude helps, but its such unfair advice. I was under a lot of pressure to keep our home life running and somewhat normal for our children, that the last thing that I constantly needed to hear, was "be positive" when I was already trying to do that to the best of my ability! What would have been REALLY helpful to hear, would have been, "you are doing GREAT!" "This is really unfair that this has happened to you, but I am so proud of you" etc.
Also my Dad was the most positive person I have ever known, even in the face of his own grim cancer diagnosis. If anyone could have fought cancer away with being "positive" and "fighting" it would have been him!
First of all, John VN my thoughts are with you and THANK YOU!!! The links you included to the Inspire website have been incredibly helpful. I spent way too long this weekend reading as much as I could find. There was even a post listing all the side effects of the drug Mike is now taking and advice on how to deal with them. Amazingly helpful. I hope everything goes as well as possible with you and your ordeal.
This weekend was great in that Mike found he could not nap! Finally it looks like the after effects of radiation are improving. He now stays awake all day. He still isn't doing much but he is awake and alert. I even saw a bit of his mischievous side on Sunday. We picked up his pills yesterday morning and he has now taken 2. He did feel a bit more fatigued yesterday evening but no other side effects yet. He is even wondering if he can go back to work this week!!!!
Mike has a CT scan tomorrow morning which will be what all future scans are compared to so that we know if the drug is working. I must admit that I am a lot more optimistic now than I was a week ago. This is one psychotic roller coaster ride that I really wish we could get off. Thanks everyone for your support. Sending support to everyone else dealing with this nightmare, especially Rodeo and John VN.