the 'C' word (it's a long one!)

[python.princess]

You know, the one nobody likes to say. Possibly the most scary word in the dictionary. Cancer. I'm not talking about the Zodiac sign! Cancer affects more and more people everyday. Billions of dollars go into cancer research every year, and still, we can't stop it. Skin cancer is on the rise. So many young people go tanning 3 times a week to get that 'just got back from the beach' look without thinking how it will affect them in the long run. Many women don't go to the doctor and get their yearly screenings for breast or uteran cancer because of their 'it won't happen to me!' attitude. Men cringe at the idea of yearly colonoscopies.

One of the scariest things I've ever experienced, was my aunt sitting her children and I down and telling us that she had breast cancer. So many things went through my mind. 'Is she going to have Chemo?' 'Is she going to be sick all the time now?' 'Will she have to have her breast removed?' and the scariest of all, 'Am I going to lose her?' It's amazing how much more you appreciate life once you've seen your family go through this. I can't even imagine what it's like for a cancer patient! And, honestly, I wouldn't want to. Aunt Diane had a successful lumpectomy in 2005 and has had regular checkups ever since. She's always checked out clear. Until now. She had an ultrasound that revealed two shadows. Not in her breasts or her uteris, like is common after having breast cancer once, but in her abdomen. She's been horribly sick for the last two weeks and has had incredible pain just below her rib cage. The doctors did a CT Scan on her today but, unfortunately, we most likely won't hear the results until Tuesday thanks to the holiday. Waiting is the hardest part, both for my aunt, and those who love her. We've been down this road before, and even though she came out on top that time, who's to say we'll be so lucky this time? We're all being very hopeful and encouraging, but underneath it there are still all those questions that you don't want to think about.

Sorry this is so long, but I just really needed to verbalize what's going through my head. And I want to let people know that IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU! Do whatever you need to do to cut your chances! Make sure you have regular screenings, because the longer it's there without you knowing, the more time it has to grow and destroy valuable tissues! Please. If not for you, do it for the ones who love you.

[qiksilver]

Sorry to hear it! I hope all goes well. Unfortunately I know exactly what your family is going through, so I hope everything turns out well.

[tigerlily]

I too understand what you're going through. I have quite a few relatives that have been struck down by breast cancer. Heck, I've even had one scare myself. (lucky though it turned out to be nothing) The waiting is the absolute worst thing. Being stuck in a state of limbo and uncertainty can wear you down FAST!

Everyone deals with it differently too. Some like to talk about, while others would like to ignore it. Stay strong and do everything you can to support your aunt. I will definitely keep you and her in my prayers. I hope that the tests come back ok.

[hoo-t]

She'll be in my prayers. Unfortunately, I know about it too. My dad had bladder cancer about 25 years ago. Next was my turn at the same thing. First diagnosed about 5 years ago, in remission for most of that time, and I had a recurrence about 6 months ago. My last checkup came back clear. Finally, my mom has been taking chemo for the past month or so for non-hodgkins lymphoma. So, yeah, I hate the "c" word. And I triumph a little with each person that beats it. I can't wait to celebrate with your family as well!

Steve

[python.princess]

thanks for your kinds words every one! and, steve, congrats on you good checkup!!! i can't imagine how relieved you must've felt! how is your mom doing on chemo? i wish her all the luck in the world!


i just found out that the results came back sooner than expected, but didn't really say much! it looks like there are two small masses in her stomach. they are going to do an endoscopy next week. more waiting....

[Ginevive]

I am going insane myself dealing with cancer and it is not even anyone that is closely related to me. Two of my friends at work are dealing with it; one of them is again going through chemo and will probably lose her hair all over again. my other friend has lumps in her breast and in her uterus and could possibly lose both. And my cousin is undergiong chemo for breast cancer.. she is not doing good. My other friend has to go yearly for a mammogram b/c she had it in her breast (and lymph nodes?) God I hate it.

[frankykeno]

My large extended family seemed blessed, almost immune from this awful thing.....seemed that is...

Then within a relatively short few years it hit us hard. My aunt who met the love of her life at age 14, married him at 18, raising three beautiful kids had her life ripped open when her husband was diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer. He had symptoms, he hid them, he was too embarrassed to have that "kind" of exam. They gave him six months. He fought and went through hell, as did the whole family, and made it six years before thankfully he found his rest. When he passed his wife had spent more of her life with him then without him...there are no words to express her grief, it eminated off her so bad it hurt to see it. They deserved to grow old together!

At almost the exact same moment my baby sister went for a checkup. She hadn't been feeling well and blamed it on the stress of her divorce. I pushed her to see her doctor, something seemed so wrong. Thyroid cancer...at age 30. Life isn't very fair. Thanks be with quick medical intervention, surgery, etc. my sister has survived, has remarried and even gave birth to a lovely baby 2 years ago (her second....one pre cancer, one post cancer). She will always have to be on thyroid meds and has a very high risk for breast cancer but she's here and she's beautiful!

Lastly, my grandmother, the mother of my heart. She made it into her 80's and then just 6 months after we buried Rick, cancer called her name too. A very fast, aggressive cancer that entered her spine and brain before much could be done. She passed when I was 8 months pregnant and never got to meet our son Mikey but she's his angel, her picture sits her on my desk as I type this.

I will never forgive this disease that had me standing, my big belly full of life, while I had to say goodbye to the most important woman in my life. I hate beyond words this disease!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I can understand what you are going through.

I lost my grandmother to breast cancer 22 years ago.

On one end it motivates me to have regular check-up not to become a victim myself on the other end it terrifies me to go to a doctor fearing to hear the worse someday.

It is not a disease that I take lightly due to my family history.

The hard thing is to wait for the results, stay strong and be there for you aunt .

[hoo-t]

thanks for your kinds words every one! and, steve, congrats on you good checkup!!! i can't imagine how relieved you must've felt! how is your mom doing on chemo? i wish her all the luck in the world!


i just found out that the results came back sooner than expected, but didn't really say much! it looks like there are two small masses in her stomach. they are going to do an endoscopy next week. more waiting....

Thank you so much! When I went for my checkup, I was convinced that I would have to have surgery. I was prepared. When he said I was clear, I almost cried in relief! Mom's doing good. Her last checkup showed no signs of cancer. She still had to have one more round of chemo, and then more tests. She has lost her hair, and has had some problems with the chemo, but she's held up a lot better than many.

Sorry to hear about the masses. I will keep praying for the best!

Steve

[hoo-t]

... it terrifies me to go to a doctor fearing to hear the worse someday....

I fight with this one too.

Steve