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Talking Frankly about Living with Advanced Cancer

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Sep 1, 2017

Are you living with advanced cancer (sometimes referred to as stage 4 or metastatic cancer)?
This discussion is a safe space where you can connect with others to talk about the realities of living with limited time. It's not easy to find people who understand what it is like. For many reasons, you may not feel comfortable talking about your thoughts and emotions with friends or family. Perhaps you are alone. Even if you are surrounded by people who support you, you may experience intense loneliness.

Connect is a place where honest conversation can safely take place. You can speak frankly and be heard without judgement. I invite you to share your reality facing death and living now.

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

kathleenkin | @kathleenkin | Dec 14, 2019
In reply to @hannahkeels "We do it all. Meet with patients, work with them on the phone or face time,..." + (show)
@hannahkeels

We do it all. Meet with patients, work with them on the phone or face time, public speak at cancer clinics, churches and businesses. My qualification came form my life experience. Stage 4 survivor.

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Yay for you! You keep being you!

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 14, 2019
In reply to @hannahkeels "We do it all. Meet with patients, work with them on the phone or face time,..." + (show)
@hannahkeels

We do it all. Meet with patients, work with them on the phone or face time, public speak at cancer clinics, churches and businesses. My qualification came form my life experience. Stage 4 survivor.

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@hannahkeels Welcome to Mayo Connect, we're glad you are here. Chuck, I can just see that you would be such an inspiration to so many! And your experience is the best education to pass on. My husband and I met on our kidney journey, at a support group. We had barely gone out once when he was transplanted, and I was a caregiver for him! Isn't it funny how adversities place people in our lives?
Ginger

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leannn | @leannn | Dec 14, 2019
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@leann @kathleenkin Thank you for posting the photos of your lovely dogs. I check into this..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@leann @kathleenkin Thank you for posting the photos of your lovely dogs. I check into this discussion but have not posted in awhile and I was pleasantly surprised by the photos. Our companion animals are such a blessing. As soon as I sit down, one of the cats is on my lap and if we let the cats into the bedroom at night they would both sleep on or next to us (my partner says no animals in the bedroom).

I worry about recurrence or second cancers. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer (endometrial adenocarcinoma FIGO Grade 1) in July, 2019) and went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester after I got the diagnosis from my local gynecologist. At Mayo, I had a radical hysterectomy with salpingo-oopherectomy and pathology after surgery showed that the adenocarcinoma was 1a with minimal invasion in the myometrium and no spread. So, I'm a cancer survivor. I'm due for my first 6 month follow-up in February, 2020 and I'll return to Mayo in Rochester for that appointment and all of my follow-up care.

I'm trying to think why I'm writing this now. Maybe it's the worry in the back of my mind that never completely leaves although is often suppressed in my day-to-day life. What else can I or any of us do but live with our lives that we share with our humans and companion animals? And some of us, like Marshall, get to share our gifts as therapy animals! And notice our blessings everyday.

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@kathleenkin You're welcome @naturegirl5 ! Aw, our furry friends are the best! Like @kathleenkin and yourself said, those worries are normal, likely always be there in the back of our minds regardless of where and what our stories are. But we cope, hope, and keep living this life with our loved ones and furry friends! Yes, we are survivors! I'll make a note, send a few prayers, on my calendar for Feb. and your first month follow up!

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Chuckkeels@LivingHope | @hannahkeels | Dec 14, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "@hannahkeels Welcome to Mayo Connect, we're glad you are here. Chuck, I can just see that..." + (show)
@gingerw

@hannahkeels Welcome to Mayo Connect, we're glad you are here. Chuck, I can just see that you would be such an inspiration to so many! And your experience is the best education to pass on. My husband and I met on our kidney journey, at a support group. We had barely gone out once when he was transplanted, and I was a caregiver for him! Isn't it funny how adversities place people in our lives?
Ginger

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I call them God moments. It used to blow my mind but God does it so often now it’s part of my day. I love your story and your fight!!!

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leannn | @leannn | Dec 14, 2019
In reply to @hannahkeels "I am a stage 4 end of the life cancer survivor. I coach cancer patients and..." + (show)
@hannahkeels

I am a stage 4 end of the life cancer survivor. I coach cancer patients and their families now, and that is how I met my fiance ( stage 4 breast cancer thriver). We talk about nobody has a guarantee of how long they will be on this planet. We get the most out of each day no matter what. Can you love, laugh, smile, cry and help others even while going through treatment? We know it's possible. We do it every day and thank God for every breath. Hugs and prayers to all of my people brought into this cancer world with us. You are not alone!!!

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@hannahkeels What an incredible story of resiliency and love! That's wonderful how you've turned your adversity into such an important contribution to help others. You guys prove the point that many have made - each day is a gift!

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Chuckkeels@LivingHope | @hannahkeels | Dec 14, 2019
In reply to @leannn "@hannahkeels What an incredible story of resiliency and love! That's wonderful how you've turned your adversity..." + (show)
@leannn

@hannahkeels What an incredible story of resiliency and love! That's wonderful how you've turned your adversity into such an important contribution to help others. You guys prove the point that many have made - each day is a gift!

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We pray that our stories and journey gives others hope, a smile and more out of each day.

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kathleenkin | @kathleenkin | Dec 14, 2019
In reply to @hannahkeels "I call them God moments. It used to blow my mind but God does it so..." + (show)
@hannahkeels

I call them God moments. It used to blow my mind but God does it so often now it’s part of my day. I love your story and your fight!!!

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In this busy hectic world we have a tendency to forget to stop and enjoy life. Enjoy the sunrise/sunset. Enjoy the sun, rain, snow, fog. Enjoy the fresh smell of a new day. Enjoy your family, friends, strangers. Be kind to yourself and others. Enjoy each and every minute

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 14, 2019

@leannn @IndianaScott @kathleenkin @hannahkeels @naturegirl5
I want to thank all who posted in this thread since @leannn's original post. You have given me much to think about. I have dealt with a rollercoaster of issues including an ultra-rare kidney disorder with no treatment nor cure. In October this year I was diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma. Now I face the quarterly testing of waiting-for-the-other-shoe-to-drop to see if the MM will morph into active status. But you have shown me the positivity of living each day for now. Thank you.
Ginger

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Sundance(RB) | @sundance6 | Dec 14, 2019

Ginger, You have a Ton of Us that are sending you thoughts and Blessings!
Sundance(RB)

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Sundance(RB) | @sundance6 | Dec 14, 2019
In reply to @kathleenkin "In this busy hectic world we have a tendency to forget to stop and enjoy life...." + (show)
@kathleenkin

In this busy hectic world we have a tendency to forget to stop and enjoy life. Enjoy the sunrise/sunset. Enjoy the sun, rain, snow, fog. Enjoy the fresh smell of a new day. Enjoy your family, friends, strangers. Be kind to yourself and others. Enjoy each and every minute

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kathleekin, What you say is so True! Remember the old poster in the 60's and 70's, "Stop and Smell the Roses"! We all need to stop and enjoy!
That is what is so Wonderful about Mayo Connect! People on here are so compasionate and kind! We may be suffering some other Malady, but we Stop for a Moment and give our encouragement to others!
I start my mourning off when I come in my office and read the night before postings! Then end my day to sit down and read what has been posted during the day!
The Kindness and Thoughtfulness that eveyone gives to others is a Testament how Wonderful people can be and how lucky we all are to be conected!
Thanks,
Sundance(RB)

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