Virtual Cancer Survivorship Series - Please Share Your Thoughts

Hello Sheryl, I received your e-mail meant for Sheenah. I did send her a e-mail also, but never heard back from her. This is Lacey, and I have been there and done that. Thanks, I read your information regarding a series of articles on cancer. I will be looking forward to learning a lot more than I know with these articles. Lacey

I think this is a good idea. When I look through the daily digest, this is the kind of information/sharing I'm looking for (and don't often find).

Hi Cheryl. I've been a part of your program since 2009 when my Islet Cell Cancer was diagnosed. Since I sought to learn and understand as much as I could, not to worry, but to know what I'd face and prepare to face it. One item among many that I've picked up is "most of your noted cancers relate to women." Is that statistacally true as to which gender gets hit the most. Another item is relative to benign and malignant cancers. Yes, my Islet Cell was malignant and then mestasized to the liver, spleen, GI and GU tracts, where the Oncologis changed it to Pancreatic Cancer because it had mestacised to other area's and organs. On the other hand, Tuberous Sclerosis which I've had since 13 and was indicative of brain tumors in 1997, caused my retirement, etc., since you never know which way one in the brain will grow or the area it will affect--even though mine was Tuberous Sclerosis on the brain, it took away some abilities and caused other problems. As I studied these things over time, I also learned that Tuberous Sclerosi although said to be benign, was also a carrier of Islet Cell, likely because it was endocrine related. Those may be little items, but would likely shed some light on items related to cancer symptoms, treatment, adverse affects and even the points at which some cancers grow in relation to others. Islet Cell is a slow growing cancer; my father died from Pancreatic cancer that he didn't even know he had and my mother passed away from lung cancer--that she was so affected with "all they could do is close her up and let her die." Some of those things can give people a hint on the importance to recognize when to get a CBC or see their doctor. After all, time can often be of the essence in pursuit of this disease.

irvkay312

Hi Irvkay312, so sorry regarding all the loved ones "lost" to this cancer ailment, it shows me one thing
God only gives people what they can handle, that may sound optimistic, but I believe that God is in control
and we thank him for the doctors that can help us through a rough time. I have been "cured" since Jan. 2015,
but that doesn't make me in control, I am still very tired, but no pain involved. I pray it never comes back, but
that also is up to the "boss". Stay strong my friend, and always know you will come through this period of health
problems in your lifetime. God Bless. Lacey

Hi Sheryl, your post sounds promising to all of us cancer survivors ( remission ), I for one will be looking forward to discussions
on the subjects you posted. I do have some difficulty getting into the right thread to communicate, but I will try them all until
I find you. Thanks, Lacey

Sheryl, here's a document generated by the University School of Nursing titled "Removing Uncertainty for Cancer Patients and Survivors" that touches on some of the things you list above. UNC seems to be heavily involved in understanding and treating the social impact of cancer diagnosis as well as the medical.
http://nursing.unc.edu/files/2012/11/ccm3_030538.pdf

Your right John, I still have nightmares that my cancer will return, I changed a lot of the "poisons"
I was doing ( like eating a lot of sugar ) , it was difficult because , I love candy. and my blood work
has been clean, so I just have to learn to " let go" and think positive. Looking forward to Sherlys
information. Lacey

I would like to see this thread continue. I think it woukd really help me.

Hi, welcome to the cancer thread, is there anything I can help you with, I had stage 4 non-hodkins
lymphoma, my experience is the only subject I can comment on. Lacey

Welcome to Connect, @mryzuch. We look forward to getting to know you. Would you mind telling us a bit about yourself? What type of cancer treatment did you have? What issues are you facing today?