AFF Cancer Survivors Thread

[Saurs82]

Diagnosed with bilateral Breast cancer sept last year at 33yrs, 5 days before we were due to fly to the US for a disney holiday with our kids. Just finished 6 months of chemo and start radiation in 1 week. Hoping to be a "survivor" at the end of it all too.

 

[QF WP]

Thanks for sharing and my fervent hope as well, Amanda Eime. I just found out about 20 mins ago that my uncle (dads twin brother) has been diagnosed with terminal cancer - 12 months tops.

 

[love_the_life]

Diagnosed with bilateral Breast cancer sept last year at 33yrs, 5 days before we were due to fly to the US for a disney holiday with our kids. Just finished 6 months of chemo and start radiation in 1 week. Hoping to be a "survivor" at the end of it all too.

Amanda Eime, hang in there - good wishes to you. I had Ca Rt Br diagnosed in 2000 at 37 yrs. Had spread to lymph glands so 6 months chemo and 6 weeks radio, 5 years tamoxifen - and I'm still here! I remember asking for 10 years as that was what I reckoned would be enough for the kids to be grown up enough. It's been over 25! The first few years are the worst as you have tests and you always worry. Now I almost never think of it.
I do also remember thinking that at least I might lose a little weight on chemo - no such luck - now much more chubby in the scheme of things though, who cares!
Anytime there is a drink for Ca survivors I'll be in - even if it is in absentia

Sorry to hear your news WP - it's been a hard month for you.

 

[QF WP]

I've been very quiet on AFF lately due to my uncle's situation - unfortunately he passed on Saturday night after his third battle with cancer. Watching my fathers reactions very closely, as they were identical twins and 85 years with the same person in your life is mind boggling. Have a private family funeral to attend at Noosa on Thursday and definitely staying the night, as there will be quite a bit of inbibing expected at the wake.

Last photo of my Dad with my uncle (June 2016, 85th birthday celebrations)



I was in my yard yesterday and for some reason I stopped and looked down. There within an inch of each other, were two 4-leaf clovers. Very apt as they were born in Dublin. So I'm pressing them and going to laminate them as a special reminder.

 

[stoneman]

Very sad... But I do love your four leaf clover idea

 

[love_the_life]

So sorry to hear of your uncle's passing ​WP. As you say, it will be doubly hard for your father as they were not only twins, they were identical. It must be like a large piece of him has been ripped out.
The four leaf clovers were a wonderful find at such a time and the fact they were just next to each other seems to show they were meant for the brothers.
Thinking of you and your family.

 

[Pushka]

Just before mum passed away, mostly she talked a lot about her sister who had passed away a few months earlier. It surprised us as they weren't particularly close as adults.
All the best QFWP.

 

[rogerkambah]

My condolences to you and your family QFWP. A sad week for you all, and then a celebration of your uncle's 85 years of life!

Amazing, finding 2 four leaf clover.

 

[scubabe]

I'm a survivor! I had 2 tumors removed from my left breast on 6 July 2005... and woke up in England on the morning of 7/7 coming out of my drug-induced haze to watch the horrific bombings footage, I remember wondering if I was dreaming it all, was it the morphine.

Sadly my best friend passed away just 3 weeks ago, also from breast cancer. I remember when I was first diagnosed, we went through mine together she held me up when I was a mess... and it's devastating that she was not able to win her battle. She fought so hard and for so long, I am relieved that she is now at peace, and I take comfort that the last words we ever spoke before she slipped into her final coma were "I love you" to each other. So many people don't get that chance, whereas we were all lucky enough that we know beyond all doubt that she was aware how much we adored her and how much she improved our lives just by being in them!

Cancer sucks.

 

[love_the_life]

Sorry to hear of your friend scubabe. She sounded a fabulous friend and you're right, cancer sucks. it's a mean nasty disease.

 

[Buzzard]

So sorry to read your bad news QF WP.
Please let your father know that a lot of "strangers" have him in their thoughts right now.

 

[Boca68]

First time i've noticed this thread tbh.

I'll share my story, nowhere near the troubles of others.

I was diagnosed with L1 melanoma at 30 years of age, about 17 years ago, L1 is basically the earliest you could ever wish for. I went to the doctor because I noticed a freckle near my left elbow went from normal brown to almost black in a period of months. Hard to say exactly, but it went from something I never thought about, to something like, oh s**t!

So, I have checks every 6 months. Have since discovered 2 more L1 over the past 17 years. I'm ready for more. I have classic Irish suntan skin. Dark features, but burn at the drop of hat. Although I know the reason for my cancers, is because I wanted to impress a beautiful girl, who once said to me, 'OMG! get some sun, you look like a ghost" So, being the fool I was, I booked into solariums. wish I could take that decision back. I'm extra careful nowadays

Live and learn!

 

[rogerkambah]

Just noticed this thread a couple of days ago.

As some here would know, 4 weeks ago I underwent surgery to remove a large tumour and its place of residence, my right kidney. Have a 30cm scar as a memento since it was too large to remove via keyhole surgery.

My first post operative CT scan will be next week and with any luck (that I don't usually have) the few nodes in my lungs will be shrinking or at least not growing, otherwise I'm into chemo.

Feel much better though than I did pre-operative, so hopefully that's a sign and I'm a survivor.

 

[drross]

Just noticed this thread a couple of days ago.

As some here would know, 4 weeks ago I underwent surgery to remove a large tumour and its place of residence, my right kidney. Have a 30cm scar as a memento since it was too large to remove via keyhole surgery.

My first post operative CT scan will be next week and with any luck (that I don't usually have) the few nodes in my lungs will be shrinking or at least not growing, otherwise I'm into chemo.

Feel much better though than I did pre-operative, so hopefully that's a sign and I'm a survivor.

Good luck rogerkambah. A positive attitude does help

 

[Pushka]

Its a new thread spun off coz us medical weirdos were hogging the Off Topic thread.

 

[love_the_life]

Just noticed this thread a couple of days ago.

As some here would know, 4 weeks ago I underwent surgery to remove a large tumour and its place of residence, my right kidney. Have a 30cm scar as a memento since it was too large to remove via keyhole surgery.

My first post operative CT scan will be next week and with any luck (that I don't usually have) the few nodes in my lungs will be shrinking or at least not growing, otherwise I'm into chemo.
Feel much better though than I did pre-operative, so hopefully that's a sign and I'm a survivor.

Boy that four weeks has gone quickly. Hopefully the scans will come back as hoped. Fingers and toes crossed for you.
Good to hear you are feeling better.

 

[love_the_life]

Its a new thread spun off coz us medical weirdos were hogging the Off Topic thread.

Actually this thread has been around for a while. The new one is General Medical Issues and it's still being complained about

 

[Boca68]

Its a new thread spun off coz us medical weirdos were hogging the Off Topic thread.

I sincerely apologise for being weird.

 

[drross]

I sincerely apologise for being weird.

I resemble that comment

 

[Pushka]

Actually this thread has been around for a while. The new one is General Medical Issues and it's still being complained about

Ah. Wrong thread. Both are active. Lupus brain again. Sounds better than old age.