Cancer sucks

The catch-all forum for general topics and debates. Minimal moderation. Rated PG to PG-13.
_RockSlider
_Emeritus
Posts: 6752
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:02 am

Cancer sucks

Post by _RockSlider »

Posting here for coverage, please let it stand for a day or two.

Five weeks ago today, I underwent rectum resection surgery as a second phase for my treatment of rectum cancer (the first phase being radiation and pill chemo). Next Tuesday I start phase three which is five months of intravenous chemo treatments. For some reason I require a full experience and hemorrhaged last Monday night , ending up with an emergency surgery to stop the bleeding and another 2 day stay in the hospital. Just got home this evening.

I sat and cried like a baby in the ER Monday night, overwhelmed by experience thus far.

What quieted my tears was reflecting on a care package I received from several members of this board just last week.

God bless you guys for that gift of love and concern … it was much needed and came at exactly the right moment.

You know who you are and I truly thank you for your gift.
_Stormy Waters

Re: Cancer sucks

Post by _Stormy Waters »

Sorry it's been rough. Best of luck to you RockSlider!
_MrStakhanovite
_Emeritus
Posts: 5269
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:32 am

Re: Cancer sucks

Post by _MrStakhanovite »

Glad to hear, you hang in there, you got to be out on the trails come spring time.
_DrW
_Emeritus
Posts: 7222
Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:57 am

Re: Cancer sucks

Post by _DrW »

Rockslider,

Didn't realize that you were a cancer patient. If they were able to get adequate margins on the resection, and if they were happy with your radiation treatment, you should be okay. Hope that the chemo is being done out of an abundance of caution.

Also hope they gave you the "good stuff" for surgical pain.

Can't really say I understand what it is like first hand. But my wife has been through it twice (two different cancers), and we spent many hours talking about the experience and possible outcomes.

She kept a positive attitude and hung in there through every biopsy, lab result, surgery, and radiation treatment. We caught both of them early, so her "chemo" was pretty benign both times. She is now cancer free and healthy (just passed her five / seven year mark a few weeks ago). (She celebrated with a PET Scan.)

What worked for her was "one day at a time", lots of questions to the doctors, and family support and understanding.

Hope you have family support. That seems critical to a full recovery.

Best wishes to you.
David Hume: "---Mistakes in philosophy are merely ridiculous, those in religion are dangerous."

DrW: "Mistakes in science are learning opportunities and are eventually corrected."
_Blixa
_Emeritus
Posts: 8381
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:45 pm

Re: Cancer sucks

Post by _Blixa »

So glad the timing turned out well. When I got my Christmas present from my MDB Santa last year, it came at exactly the time I needed it most.

You know you've got friends here. We've all got our fingers crossed/hands clasped in prayer/minds sending healing vibes/spells cast.

PM or email me anytime you want to chat or vent. There's lots we still have to talk about!
From the Ernest L. Wilkinson Diaries: "ELW dreams he's spattered w/ grease. Hundreds steal his greasy pants."
_SteelHead
_Emeritus
Posts: 8261
Joined: Tue May 17, 2011 1:40 am

Re: Cancer sucks

Post by _SteelHead »

Though we are but acquaintances on the internet, there are folks here who appreciate your contributions and wish you a speedy and full recovery.


I suck with words in situations such as these.
It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener at war.

Some of us, on the other hand, actually prefer a religion that includes some type of correlation with reality.
~Bill Hamblin
_zeezrom
_Emeritus
Posts: 11938
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:57 pm

Re: Cancer sucks

Post by _zeezrom »

Hey Rockslider,

I have thought highly of you from the beginning. All I can say is I'm thinking of you this morning.

Zee.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)

The Holy Sacrament.
_Fence Sitter
_Emeritus
Posts: 8862
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 3:49 pm

Re: Cancer sucks

Post by _Fence Sitter »

Let me add to the hopes of a speedy recovery and an admiration for how you are dealing with this.
"Any over-ritualized religion since the dawn of time can make its priests say yes, we know, it is rotten, and hard luck, but just do as we say, keep at the ritual, stick it out, give us your money and you'll end up with the angels in heaven for evermore."
_Yoda

Re: Cancer sucks

Post by _Yoda »

Rock!!! *HUGS*

I am so sorry you are going through a rough time. I will resubmit your name in the temple. You will be in my prayers.

Email me if you need to talk. My Mom had cancer of the uterus, and, like Dr. W.'s wife, she is cancer free, and has been for over 15 years. Hang in!

Love you, my friend. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

Love,
Liz
_Madison54
_Emeritus
Posts: 1382
Joined: Sun Apr 24, 2011 6:37 pm

Re: Cancer sucks

Post by _Madison54 »

Rockslider,
I just wanted to add my well wishes and healing thoughts. Your OP is heart breaking and I can only imagine what you are going through. I'm glad you have the love and support of many.

You will be in my prayers.
Post Reply