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Visited by cancer - your experiences, good and bad?

Posted by isadora2021 @isadora2021, 5 days ago

I can remember well being told I had stage 4 appendix cancer in 2021. I had no idea what stage 4 meant or why my appendix brought cancer to me or what lay ahead. I just knew cancer was a bad thing to get and that lots of people died from it. I still can’t believe I’m still standing (and still officially NED as of last week’s surveillance test results) after a wild few years.

I’ve been surprised at how many positive experiences I’ve had I didn’t expect to have. I’ve learnt to make the most of time - I’ve no time to be bored or treading water! I’ve met so many wonderful people. Heard so many inspirational stories. Discovered depths in myself I didn’t know I had. Been left in tears by the kindness of medical staff I have come across in my medical centre and in the hospitals I’ve stayed in. Angels who take on our pain, uncertainty and anxiety each day they front up.

It has been a real eye opener. For sure I didn’t choose to jump on this unpredictable train - but it’s been eye opening in so many positive ways. Do you feel that way too?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer Support Group.

Denise | @denisestlouie | 2 days ago
In reply to @stephenrfleury "I can't say that anything that occurred during my diagnosis, treatment and recovery was positive. Sure,..." + (show)
@stephenrfleury

I can't say that anything that occurred during my diagnosis, treatment and recovery was positive. Sure, I have had four years of clean scans, but to call that positive woyld be a gross overstatement.

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I understand that feeling. I would not ring the bell after my last treatment. Its not known if its over and I didn't feel like celebrating or giving anyone the satisfaction of hearing that bell.

Denise

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2 replies
isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | 2 days ago
In reply to @j0318 "Thank you for starting a great discussion @isadora2021 and for sharing your experience in such a..." + (show)
@j0318

Thank you for starting a great discussion @isadora2021 and for sharing your experience in such a beautiful and inspiring way. I can relate to your experience as well. I was overwhelmed when the doctor explained the stage IV CNS lymphoma diagnosis in the hospital and the extensive chemotherapy needed. I remember thinking that I was not strong enough physically or mentally to survive the disease and the many chemotherapy treatments.

I am now in the ninth month of NED with a lot of help from a caring and compassionate group of medical professionals. I learned so much about myself in getting to know some of these amazing people during my many days in the hospital and in the transfusion clinic. So many were willing to take some of their valuable time to share their own experiences and offer encouragement. Thru these conversations and my successful progress thru each treatment, I came to realize how incredibly strong I am. And most importantly, that I am a survivor. And as mentioned already, the incredible healing potential of a healthy diet and exercise.

So glad to hear of your continued remission @isadora2021 and sending best wishes to all for the healthiest lives possible.

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@j0318 What a wonderful post! From being overwhelmed by your diagnosis, the proposed treatment and all the other information, to going head on into the fight. So inspiring. Congratulations in reaching NED ❤️‍🩹

Wishing you continuing remission and good health. All the very best. Here’s to continuing to look for and acknowledge the beautiful moments in life 🌺

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isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | 2 days ago
In reply to @proftom2 "My cancer forced into darkness and despair that first year. Bad news followed by worse news..." + (show)
@proftom2

My cancer forced into darkness and despair that first year. Bad news followed by worse news everyday. I wanted people to let go of me, leave me alone, and call it. I had an endless daydream of a bus taking me away. Each day I'd wait for that bus. Thankfully it came. It arrived in the form of a wellness coach with experience working with cancer survivors. Years 2, 3, 4, and now 5. So many wellness goals accomplished. That bus is hopeful, joyful, full of meaningful conversations, exercise with buddies, so many buddies. Try. Keep trying.

Amazing what just a little bit of Nutritional Awareness, Mild Exercise, Mindfulness, being Social everyday can do.

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@proftom2 You’re amazing 🙏❤️‍🩹 What a turn around in attitude. So awesome. Congratulations for working with a wellness coach to help build up a massive tool box and to get back on track. It sounds like you’re really motoring now 🙌 You have so much to share with others who are where you were. Thank you for sharing.

I’d love to know how you came to make your first appointment with your coach. That first step is always so hard and takes a lot of courage to reach out for help. How did you do it?

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isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | 2 days ago
In reply to @denisestlouie "I understand that feeling. I would not ring the bell after my last treatment. Its not..." + (show)
@denisestlouie

I understand that feeling. I would not ring the bell after my last treatment. Its not known if its over and I didn't feel like celebrating or giving anyone the satisfaction of hearing that bell.

Denise

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@denisestlouie I didn’t have a choice and missed out! I went to see my oncologist as usual before my infusion in the same medical centre. After I checked in and was waiting in the medical centre waiting room, a nurse came out and said my oncologist had phoned through and cancelled my session. I needed a full month to strengthen up and put on weight before my HIPEC. I would like to have rung the bell to celebrate the end of that stage in my journey, whatever lies ahead.

I did a happy dance with the nurse instead while the other patients in the waiting room smiled and laughed 😊❤️‍🩹 That’s part of what I love about being part of this cancer community - finding those who understand the different choices we make along our own journey. So grateful too to those who have the generosity of spirit to celebrate our wins - wherever they may be in their journeys.

Thank you for sharing. I hadn’t heard that perspective before and I’ve learnt something new.

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stevecando54 | @stevecando54 | 1 day ago
In reply to @denisestlouie "I understand that feeling. I would not ring the bell after my last treatment. Its not..." + (show)
@denisestlouie

I understand that feeling. I would not ring the bell after my last treatment. Its not known if its over and I didn't feel like celebrating or giving anyone the satisfaction of hearing that bell.

Denise

Jump to this post

I had ten rounds of the chemo. I so looked forward to ringing that bell. I even searched on line if I could ring it when finished even knowing mine is not going away. You betcha I rang that bell. Even did a little jiggle. It brought me great joy even knowing my journey is still going on. I need to take joy in the little things even if just getting good test results each month. Has been almost 2 years and it has gotten easier to accept for me. I wish you the best on your journey. Best to all.

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2 replies
j0318 | @j0318 | 1 day ago
In reply to @stevecando54 "I had ten rounds of the chemo. I so looked forward to ringing that bell. I..." + (show)
@stevecando54

I had ten rounds of the chemo. I so looked forward to ringing that bell. I even searched on line if I could ring it when finished even knowing mine is not going away. You betcha I rang that bell. Even did a little jiggle. It brought me great joy even knowing my journey is still going on. I need to take joy in the little things even if just getting good test results each month. Has been almost 2 years and it has gotten easier to accept for me. I wish you the best on your journey. Best to all.

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@stevecando - I was exercising this afternoon and found myself smiling remembering your comments here about ringing the bell and doing a little jiggle. So even though I wasn’t there to see you celebrate, your sharing that moment here still brought me joy.

And while I have not yet rang the bell, when I reach my one year post chemotherapy remission in May, I also will be wanting to ring it and share that joy too. And who knows, maybe I will also do a little dance LOL. Thanks for sharing your great moment with us and sending best wishes for your continued good results.

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1 reply
my44 | @my44 | 12 hours ago
In reply to @j0318 "@stevecando - I was exercising this afternoon and found myself smiling remembering your comments here about..." + (show)
@j0318

@stevecando - I was exercising this afternoon and found myself smiling remembering your comments here about ringing the bell and doing a little jiggle. So even though I wasn’t there to see you celebrate, your sharing that moment here still brought me joy.

And while I have not yet rang the bell, when I reach my one year post chemotherapy remission in May, I also will be wanting to ring it and share that joy too. And who knows, maybe I will also do a little dance LOL. Thanks for sharing your great moment with us and sending best wishes for your continued good results.

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Hi, @j0318.

One year post chemotherapy remission in May?
Start the countdown...🔔 and 💃🏼.

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lmoser325 | @lmoser325 | 6 hours ago
In reply to @stevecando54 "I had ten rounds of the chemo. I so looked forward to ringing that bell. I..." + (show)
@stevecando54

I had ten rounds of the chemo. I so looked forward to ringing that bell. I even searched on line if I could ring it when finished even knowing mine is not going away. You betcha I rang that bell. Even did a little jiggle. It brought me great joy even knowing my journey is still going on. I need to take joy in the little things even if just getting good test results each month. Has been almost 2 years and it has gotten easier to accept for me. I wish you the best on your journey. Best to all.

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Thank you I am going to ring that bell also some one else ring it. I hope the best for you on your long journey. But we will make it

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lmoser325 | @lmoser325 | 6 hours ago

Yes I do feel that way I also have had some wonderful people in the hospital and I love even one of them. I know sometime it hard but they make it a lot easier I have been through 5 now they are not using nothing because the medication has to strong and made my blood go down but now it is better. You hang in there

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1 reply
isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | 5 hours ago
In reply to @lmoser325 "Yes I do feel that way I also have had some wonderful people in the hospital..." + (show)
@lmoser325

Yes I do feel that way I also have had some wonderful people in the hospital and I love even one of them. I know sometime it hard but they make it a lot easier I have been through 5 now they are not using nothing because the medication has to strong and made my blood go down but now it is better. You hang in there

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@lmoser23 So sorry to hear your blood count went down so you had to stop chemo. Glad you’re better 🙏 Wishing you all the very best with your treatment. Hang in there too 🙏🌺 It’s wonderful how many special people we’ve met which we wouldn’t have otherwise. I really appreciate them too.

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