tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609734477228946286.post2034611541598526742..comments2023-05-05T11:16:53.367+02:00Comments on The Adventures of OBB: A Slight CurveballTeamobbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600496247006586002noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609734477228946286.post-72569126522499685132011-10-30T22:52:54.124+01:002011-10-30T22:52:54.124+01:00Dear Kate,
I am glad that the day that you have b...Dear Kate,<br /><br />I am glad that the day that you have been looking forward to for a long time has finally arrived. Your "first trip to the C-spa which felt like a lifetime ago" was already in history. You now have a whole lot to do: new thinking to consider, new knowledge to be embraced, new fears to conquer, new measures to take,new steps to walk on. Of course,I hope, new inspiration, courage, and belief, which should help you move on as you step into a new legacy in your precious life!<br /><br />I truly understand it's not easy for a young mother like yourself to undergo all these fears, struggles, treatments and pains in fighting cancer. But you've said it so honestly before, "life is fragile", and surely, vulunerable too. As cancer patients and survivors, what we can do is keep on ACCEPTING the challenges which are and will be ahead of us: accept the destiny (if you so called it), or misfortune (if you lament over it),or frustration (if you are angry over it),or the unexplained (if you're scared of what the future would be). However, one thing I am sure: this path has given me a lot of chances to contemplate and understand real messages unfolding in my eyes, my personal defects, and a stronger desire to be a better person. <br /><br />I sincerely pray that the result of your genetic testing would be a favorable one. Whichever the outcome would be, it looks like you are quite prepared: "pray if I don't carry this gene but if I am, then of course we will deal with it just as we have been dealing with every curveball so far." And "how lucky am I to have this gorgeous little girl in my life!" Well,try not to speculate the worst, just wait what will happen, then face it, discuss measures with your medical caretakers and family members, and dare the challenges. You have done it, you can do it.<br /><br />No,you are not greedy to hope for a smooth path, but does this roller coaster ever stop? Who knows? Nevertheless, only you yourself must gather all necessary courage to ride on it,if you have to. It's wonderful of you to realize that "many people never get the chance to even have one child" but lucky that you have a gorgeous little girl in your life before your cancer hit you. Good also that your husband and you want your health to be the number one priority and you are prepared to do everything possible to ensure you remain in remission. <br /><br />I don't have the experience in dealing with radiation and Tamoxifen treatment. But a lot of my breast cancer survivor friends have had radiation and found it easy to handle,except the fatigue part. Also, it seemss like the 5 years of Tamoxifen treatment has given them a guarantee of 5 years longer life span at least(I would say,it could be my misconception),as they are all surviving well. Anyway, the previous post comment from Sue has a lot of valuable information and feedback regarding this aspect.<br /><br />Take care dear! Be thankful anyway for having gone so far, so courageously, and so successfullly. Keep embracing HOPE and BELIEF! Together we can conqquer. You are not alone!<br /><br />Hugs and Prayers.survivorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09140087604698531750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609734477228946286.post-79534037716403242372011-10-30T10:03:38.123+01:002011-10-30T10:03:38.123+01:00Babies: I had had mine by the time I had my ovarie...Babies: I had had mine by the time I had my ovaries out (age 38)- but we considered having 3 at one time. We have two, both with other diagnoses within the system as well- a challenge, but we have become very closely knit from all the adversity and use HUMOR HUMOR HUMOR. I am still alive, kicking, thriving- even after cancer and genes, chemo and radiation, aspergers and bipolar in the family.<br /><br />My sister had a baby some years after her cancer and after chemo was out of her system. That boy is so intelligent and athletic to boot! And my daughter's previous assistent (whom is now a close friend) is expecting a baby in one month's time and she is 44. <br /><br />Breasts- because you have the gene does not mean you have to remove your breast. I still have one and chose so far not to have reconstruction. My sister chose to remove both and reconstruct. I am for minimal interference, she goes for surgeries she doesn't have to have (works at hospitals). You can also choose to wait, and do it later, think about it, wait for new better methods. <br /><br />Tamoxifen/Novaldex: I took it, my sister didn't. My doc told you me have better chances at long term health if you are on it. I have not had a return of my cancer.I did not have alot of problems being on the drug. There can be some weight gain- varies in various people, some lose their periods. I was having all my treatment at once so it was hard to distinguish what was what but I had my period every 3rd month regularly during all this til my ovaries were out. <br /><br />My life is not your life and we all have different challenges. When bad things happen I remind myself "this too shall pass." Use lots of humor, do things you enjoy, absorb all the LOVE around you, and believe in your caretakers. Seems like you are doing all those things already- so you don't even need my words. I just want to say- I have been through it myself and I have lived to see my children grow to near adults, lived to be a part of all sorts of things, witness, feel alive, love, and I even turned 50 the other day. I never saw myself as this old- and I celebrate every silver hair and every wrinkle. Birthdays are to be celebrated! Next Sunday my son turns 17, and I am here to celebrate that too- the treatment did its job and I thank God and my doctors. <br /><br />I wish the same for you.<br /><br />All the best for LOTS of LOVE and LIFE,<br />Sue (USA, Canada-sort of,& Norway)SueSpinsYarns4Uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06813541239170736133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609734477228946286.post-26368185082422601802011-10-30T09:58:38.553+01:002011-10-30T09:58:38.553+01:003)I carry the gene and as it turns out my 19 year ...3)I carry the gene and as it turns out my 19 year old has it too. I had a mastectomy in 1998-Radium H found cancer in ONE NODE. I had SIMULTANEOSLY chemo (7 months worth) and 25 - 5 zone radiation sessions, at the end of which- a year later I had my ovaries removed due to that gene and my age. I also went on Tamoxifen for 5 years. About chemo- I hated it, pure and simple, but praised the anti nausea drug and partway through they gave me valium to break that association of feeling nauseous just thinking about and entering Radium H. I loved and trusted my oncologist and as of this year declared I am graduated from that place. Radiation: Due to spreading to one lymph node I had FIVE zone radiation, which was done on two machines. One of my worst problems was actually baby sitting as I had a 3 and a 6 year old, had no capable family here and none of my own family. My daughters school taxi driver stepped in and took care of my son (my daughter was in 1st grade) while I waited for those rad machines and I am forever grateful to her. The skin gets tender, and the drawings remain on your skin for 5 weeks, but I discovered chiffon scarves to cover the drawings, and I use still them to this day. I love them- to cover my neck, to keep me warm. I felt like a helicopter landing pad and used humor, humor, read alot, crafted- anything to make me buoyant. Radiation is not the worst thing at all. Drink a ton of water and take chlorella algae pills, something I started then and still do and believe in, to boost the immune system and wash out toxins. Gene testing: by the time I was doing mine I knew the answer because of my sister and aunt's results. Today I am glad we KNOW my daughter has the gene(not glad she has it), because she can be followed up at Radium from the age of 25.<br /><br />part 2SueSpinsYarns4Uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06813541239170736133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609734477228946286.post-28250408632330792162011-10-30T09:48:17.003+01:002011-10-30T09:48:17.003+01:00Hi Kate! What I write here is not meant to negate ...Hi Kate! What I write here is not meant to negate in any way the emotions and experience you are going through as your personal experience, however it will give you the perspective of one(two or more)who have been there before you, and are still alive and thriving. <br />1) my sister had breast cancer at age 31. Hers was (1997) estrogen rec.negative, so no hormone therapy. AT the time she had a lumpectomy but after the gene discovery she got her (US) insurance agent behind her and had a double mastectomy with reconstruction- the best looking breasts I have ever seen! She did go on heavy duty chemo, lost her hair and wore a wig for her wedding which was that very year, and had radiation, probably only 2 zones. 14 years she has been cancer free, tomorrow she will have a new lump removed from under her arm, but the good news is it has not spread!! <br />2)Our aunt had cancer between the two of us (same year as me in 1998), then later again, but she is fine and has been working continuously as a music teacher. She has the gene but her two daughters DO NOT HAVE IT!<br /><br />part 1SueSpinsYarns4Uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06813541239170736133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609734477228946286.post-81733235067951856382011-10-28T15:36:16.703+02:002011-10-28T15:36:16.703+02:00I was so upset to read the new information you'...I was so upset to read the new information you've gotten, BUT I am a huge fan of living in the moment, and today is only about one thing: CELEBRATION!!!! Congratulations, Kate, for making it through a really hard treatment. You've done it with a remarkable positive attitude, and I love that even when you've been feeling down, you've been able able to spread positive energy to the people around you. I just love that you're bringing cake to C-spa today! And the words written on it are really spot on.<br /><br />I truly hope that today can be a happy day, free from dark thoughts and worries. Be proud of yourself because you've made it! No matter what happens in the future, you've made it through these rough months, and that's a huge job worth celebrating:) <br /><br />I really missed you yesterday, but we'll meet when I'm back on my feet again:)Annikenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10337145365604625936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609734477228946286.post-71283599452301048702011-10-27T04:55:12.620+02:002011-10-27T04:55:12.620+02:00Oh Kate, I'm so sorry to hear this news. I am ...Oh Kate, I'm so sorry to hear this news. I am so glad the little miss came into your life as an unexpected blessing before this whoe crappy cancer business. You are lucky to have her, yes. But I also understand the desire to have another and I feel for you in (possibly) being robbed of that opportunity. We're all thinking about you here. xoxoAmandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11901921122145191694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609734477228946286.post-81954050910245103982011-10-27T04:02:39.085+02:002011-10-27T04:02:39.085+02:00I know in the whole scheme of things this may not ...I know in the whole scheme of things this may not make you feel better, but I had Sarah at age 36 and Jack at age 38. So everything aside 36 is very doable for having another wee one. I am praying that you don't carry either of the cancer genes.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15479218145921512834noreply@blogger.com