Marty,
Hi again! Can't remember if I had told you all before, but I was dx'd with
both renal cell carcinoma (kidney), and colon cancer in Oct '98. I was
very, very fortunate, in that both cancers were contained, with no spread to
the tissues, lymph glands, and they successfull removed both. I had no kind
of treatment, and as of today, I am NED. Have regular checkups, every 3
months, so I'm sure if anything else should ever show up, it will be caught
early also.
With my friend, who has the cancer in her liver (I just found out the
primary cancer is unknown, but it has metastized to the liver. They can't
find any traces anywhere else. They THOUGHT it was her breast, but further
testing ruled that out.), it was easier to know what to say to her when she
was first diagnosed, but as time went on, it became harder and harder
because I've run out of things to say. I've always told her I feel she's
going to be fine, etc., and I've sent her some survivor stories of people
who were given very little chance of making it, etc. But when I call her and
she's so sick, I can't honestly say that, because I get scared for her.
After three chemo treatments, they've found that the original tumors haven't
changed, but she has new nodules, and her liver is more firm than it was,
which her doctor said is good. They've changed her treatments to see if
there will be any changes. She is SO tired, all she does is sleep and when
she's awake, she cries. She's lost 40 pounds since December. I just feel
so bad for her and I"m really worried. I know they say "Just listen". But
that's tough at times too. Most of our communication is over the phone
because she doesn't feel like having visitors, so that makes it kindof
awkward at times because since I can't see her face, I'm not sure how she
really is. She always asks me how I'm doing, and we eventually get around to
her situation. I'm hoping to be able to visit her soon, and maybe spend a
little time with her. We do usually laugh a little over the phone about
things we used to do together, or joke about how we'll go to cancer
screenings together when they're offered at the hospital, etc. And,
sometimes, I do feel (Don't know if "guilty" is the word) guilty that I'm OK
and she isn't right now. I just don't know how to deal with that. Since my
experience with cancer, I have talked to alot of people, my family, my
coworkers, etc. and stressed the importance of going to the doctor for a
checkup so if they have cancer, they can find it early. (I had NO symptoms
of the colon cancer at all, and with the kidney, I happened to find the
tumor myself when I started to raise up from the bed, something caught on my
rib, so I laid back down, and felt around, and felt the mass. Stupid me,
didn't go to the doctor right away, though, until it started hurting about 3
months later!) I have "preached" this to SO many people, but for some
reason, even though Debbie and I had had alot of contact last year, I never
suggested it to her. She hadn't been to the dr in over 4 years. She may
not have gone anyways, but at least I would know that I tried.
Sorry to be so lengthy. I've been telling EVERYBODY about the HBO special
on March 30th, so maybe that'll encourage people to go to the dr and be
screened.
Brenda
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