Cancer

MellowGa wrote: »

thanks all, I am ok going through this, it is my Kids and wife I ache for, they have to sit by and watch me fight this. My kids friends are all "part of our family" as we are the family where the kids feel at ease, can hang out, and have fun....they all know I have this now, the awkwardness is evident, I am trying to lighten things up. It will be a long and grueling process I understand that.

Those whom have had cancer, did you try and work out strength wise help keep some muscle mass? or were you just to fatigue? Nutrition wise any advice?

So, I used to have RIDICULOUSLY thick hair, and I would shed a LOT. My husband had said he'd help me shave my hair if/when it started coming out from the chemo. So when I noticed it, I told him it was time to cut it off, and then shave the rest. And... he kind of balked at it. Asked if I wasn't being premature, if it wasn't just typical shedding. He was really resistant until I finally reached up, ran my fingers through my hair, and produced a thick handful of what came out and said, "THIS is not typical." So we went out to the back porch, I leaned over the railing, and he took a pair of shears to my hair. It looked pretty silly because it was so uneven, but he looked at me and started to tear up. He said, "This is the first really visible evidence I've seen of how sick you are." It was SO HARD seeing him upset, and there wasn't really much I could do about it.

I didn't really work out any differently when I was going through chemo or radiation than I had before... which is to say, not much at all! Nutritionally, I always suggest eating what makes you feel good - things that make you want to get better. That's going to vary from person to person.

Praying and laughing... I did alot of both. Walk if you can as well, great mood boost and clears your head. Find someone to talk to, outside of your family, someone who isn't emotionally invested in you and won't panic if you tell them how you really feel. I had a Macmillan cancer nurse who was my rock during and following treatment. She was the only one who ever saw me cry, I kept a brave face for my family at all times and I'm sure you're doing the same. But you can't keep all your fear bottled up... That can cause chest pain and nightmares Feel free to add me if you need to chat.

It's reassuring to hear it hasn't spread. Keep us posted. Thinking of you too

Hi to you, treated for breast ca earlier this year (lumpectomy & radiation, now on hormone blockers). Went to the gym a day after surgery, figured could still use the lower half. Kept going thru radiation tho no swimming due to the chlorine. Any exercise will help you feel better and maintain a more positive mental attitude. Keep up as much of your routine as possible to feel normal. Yes it's the big C but that's not automatic death anymore. Think about your bucket list items - I'm swimming Alcatraz next year - where do you want to do, try? You have a future! Once all the treatment starts just keep going forward.
Share what you are going through, it helps. This too will pass
Add me if you'd like.

I'm pulling for you. I had Colon Cancer. I got lucky they caught it early.

Hi there Mellow~~

I've just done battle with breast cancer--bilateral mastectomy, axial disection, chemo, radiation, reconstruction.

This caught my eye:
You posted:
"so the big challenge so far is sleeping, my tumor makes sleeping very difficult breathing wise, just a ton of pressure and the loudest snoring because I am gasping for breathe and extremely dry mouth. So I have positioned my pillows so now basically I sleep in an upright position, this seems to be working for me...and my wife, we are both getting more sleep, I still wake up and snore, but not as often and getting longer then 20 min intervals, getting a few hours each now."

Please look into getting a CPAP or BiPAP--some sort of breathing machine for nighttime. They are wonderful. A CPAP will stop all your snoring, and it has a built-in humidifier. I swear by mine. Ask your GP, cardiologist, or oncologist about getting a sleep study to fit you up for one. I know you are dealing with the cancer now, but I urge you to investigate getting one. You'll be able to sleep flat again!

Also, Mem. Sloan Kettering offers its breast cancer patients the generic of Ativan during the months of treatment. This drug serves three purposes: anti-nausea, sleep-aid, and anti-anxiety.
Ask your oncologist about this.

Healing vibes coming your way~~

Lana