Newly Diagnosed And Frankly, It's Scary

Discussion in 'Health & Wellness' started by Beth Gallagher, Jan 30, 2021.

  1. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
    Staff Member Senior Staff Greeter Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    May 29, 2020
    Messages:
    25,233
    Likes Received:
    37,049
    Thanks, dear. I think things turned the corner, and not a moment too soon.

    That "time is relative" thing is supposedly because the older one gets, the smaller a percentage of one's aggregate life a year represents.

    1 year to a 5 year old = 20% of their life
    1 year to a 50 year old = 2% of their life

    Or so goes the theory.
     
    #1126
  2. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,055
    Likes Received:
    47,073
    Thanks so much, sweet friend. I hope all is well with you, and have a very Merry Christmas!
     
    #1127
    Ruby Begonia likes this.
  3. Thomas Windom

    Thomas Windom Very Well-Known Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2022
    Messages:
    1,810
    Likes Received:
    3,065
    I haven’t read this whole thread but just wanted to say also it’s nice that someone else is giving a big F.U. to cancer. My wife was diagnosed by a routine annual mammogram. No one could feel it, they couldn’t see it with ultrasound but confirmed it by biopsy. It appeared to be low stage/grade and well differentiated, so the plan was lumpectomy and radiation.

    During the surgery, the surgeon would routinely take two “sentinel” lymph nodes as a just in case. We were all shocked and surprised when one of the lymph nodes came back positive for a metastatic tumor the same size as the primary and which had already eroded through the lymph node. So, back in for a second surgery and 9 more lymph nodes all along her side and arm were removed for histopathology. They were all clear so then the plan switched to chemotherapy, followed by radiation therapy and long term hormone therapy. It’s been 8 years now. She sees her medical oncologist every 6 months for some sort of blood test that looks for any increase in several breast cancer specific markers. So far, nothing has reared its ugly head.

    I hate cancer. My work experience involved working in labs involved in differential diagnosis of tumors by electron microscopy in one lab and mammary gland carcinogenesis in another. I literally hate it.
     
    #1128
  4. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,055
    Likes Received:
    47,073
    Just counting off another year. I should go back and read this whole thread sometime. Amazing that it's been three years already. Happy holidays, everyone.
     
    #1129
  5. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
    Staff Member Senior Staff Greeter Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    25,487
    Likes Received:
    45,666
    I think I know how you feel in that respect. It's been about fifteen years since I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. When I got that diagnosis, it felt a lot like a death sentence. In my experience, prior to that time, the only people I knew personally who had cancer (as far as I was aware) died from it, and, as a paramedic, the people I transported with cancer were pretty much in the process of dying from it. So, despite having head knowledge that told me that people can survive cancer, that's not how it felt to me, so I am sometimes amazed that I'm still here.
     
    #1130
  6. Tony Page

    Tony Page Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2021
    Messages:
    4,216
    Likes Received:
    10,378
    Beth,

    It is amazing how fast the time went by, more amazing was your journey and your determination.
    Happy Holiday,
    Tony
     
    #1131
  7. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,055
    Likes Received:
    47,073
    Exactly. When I was diagnosed with "IBC," all my googling convinced me that I'd be dead within the year. It is the most aggressive type of BC and the prognosis is grim. In fact, many of the women who started treatment around the time I did are deceased... some of them young and with small children left behind. They all wanted to live so badly. :(

    Typically IBC has a high rate of recurrence up until year five, so I still have "holding my breath" moments. Congrats on your 15 year mark, and I hope you have many more.
     
    #1132
  8. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,055
    Likes Received:
    47,073
    I have said it before, Tony... but all of you made my 'journey' so much easier. You all kept me company with words of encouragement and lots of prayers and I will forever be grateful. I hope Mrs. Tony is doing well, too. Merry Christmas to you and your family and I hope you are getting settled in your new home.
     
    #1133
  9. Lois Winters

    Lois Winters Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2019
    Messages:
    5,218
    Likes Received:
    8,063
    Beth, You'll never know how pleased I am for you. I remember that first message you sent me and how you were taking it all. I had to talk a blue streak to myself so as not to alarm you at what to expect, but to also give you reasons for all the hope in the world. It was like walking on eggshells for awhile, as I then was hit with the lung nodules and facing radiation. Well, dear girl, you see how it all played out, but now I am facing another possible go round with 2 new ones. The last cat scan showed that the two faint ones are presenting themselves, and I told my doctor we'll have another look in 3 months before going back to the Oncologist. He agreed, as these are a tad too small to do anything about. Meanwhile, I will not worry about it. Let's celebrate what we've achieved and I am so very, very happy for you.
     
    #1134
  10. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,055
    Likes Received:
    47,073
    Yes, we're still standing my friend. You will have to keep us informed about your checkup in 3 months; we will all be here for you. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Lois.
     
    #1135
    Lois Winters likes this.
  11. Hedi Mitchell

    Hedi Mitchell Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2017
    Messages:
    9,429
    Likes Received:
    16,586
    @Beth Gallagher - so glad your with us,and came through it all like a real warrior ;)
     
    #1136
  12. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,055
    Likes Received:
    47,073
    Thanks, G. I was happy to have you all to lean on through a dark time. Merry Christmas to you, hubby and the pup.
     
    #1137
    Hedi Mitchell likes this.
  13. Hedi Mitchell

    Hedi Mitchell Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2017
    Messages:
    9,429
    Likes Received:
    16,586
    Thank you ..and hope yours is merry .
     
    #1138
    Beth Gallagher likes this.
  14. Shirley Martin

    Shirley Martin Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2015
    Messages:
    56,522
    Likes Received:
    24,137
    Beth, I'm so glad that you are doing well. Keep it up. :)
     
    #1139
    Lois Winters and Don Alaska like this.
  15. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    22,055
    Likes Received:
    47,073
    Thanks so much, Shirley. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
     
    #1140
    Shirley Martin likes this.

Share This Page