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DU Home » Latest Threads » Forums & Groups » Topics » Health » Cancer Support (Group) » New Years updates/check i...

Mon Dec 29, 2014, 08:24 PM

KaryninMiami (3,073 posts)

New Years updates/check ins from warriors and care givers

Hi all-
First of all, wishing everyone on this journey a happy new year. I for one, will be thrilled to bid farewell to 2014 which was by far, the most challenging and difficult year of my life. Ironically, my diagnosis happened the second week of January 2014, which means it's about to be my first anniversary. A full year of managing through some really difficult days as well as some extraordinary life lessons. For many of you, I realize one year is but a drop in the bucket considering how long you've been dealing with cancer either as a survivor or a care giver.

Many of you have been incredibly kind and supportive as I've moved through the different experiences and procedures of my illness. I am wondering how everyone is doing now and where you all are (those who feel like sharing of course). I also want you all to know how much I appreciate I appreciate this very special community and all of your wonderful messages and the amount of caring and support that this group is just brimming with.

Check in when you have a minute. And to all- a toast to a healthy and happy 2015.

Cheers!

Karyn

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Replies to this discussion thread
Arrow 19 replies Author Time Post
Reply New Years updates/check ins from warriors and care givers (Original post)
 KaryninMiami Dec 2014 OP
LineReply we're getting ready
 onethatcares Dec 2014 #1
LineLineReply Best of luck with that
 Tab Dec 2014 #3
LineLineReply Please keep us posted on how things are going
 KaryninMiami Dec 2014 #4
LineReply The problem with cancer is you can't easily measure its impact.
 Tab Dec 2014 #2
LineLineReply Every case is indeed different.
 KaryninMiami Dec 2014 #5
LineReply you guys are great
 onethatcares Dec 2014 #6
LineLineReply Please remember to check in after surgery ...
 slipslidingaway Jan 2015 #8
LineReply We can all only hope for a wonderful 2015 ...
 slipslidingaway Jan 2015 #7
LineLineNew Reply Sparkling cider is a lovely touch!
 KaryninMiami Jan 2015 #11
LineLineLineNew Reply They also handed out bottles with a lovely card attached ...
 slipslidingaway Jan 2015 #17
LineReply I'm late to the party,
 cate94 Jan 2015 #9
LineLineNew Reply No such thing as late to this party!
 KaryninMiami Jan 2015 #10
LineLineLineNew Reply Thanks
 cate94 Jan 2015 #13
LineLineLineLineNew Reply No such thing as being a wimp either by the way
 KaryninMiami Jan 2015 #14
LineNew Reply I am almost 3 years out from diagnosis of breast cancer, Stage I.
 Nay Jan 2015 #12
LineLineNew Reply 3 years out - congrats!
 KaryninMiami Jan 2015 #15
LineLineNew Reply congrats added
 onethatcares Jan 2015 #16
LineNew Reply I'm six years out from Stage IV cancer on my tonsils. Still carrying around a
 sinkingfeeling Feb 2015 #18
LineNew Reply Hey! (((KaryninMiami)))
 Solly Mack Feb 2015 #19

Response to KaryninMiami (Original post)

Tue Dec 30, 2014, 05:08 AM

Star Member onethatcares (13,141 posts)

1. we're getting ready

surgery is scheduled for the 8th of January.

my wife was asked to try to lose a little weight prior to, from 121 to lower.

As the surgeon said, "On January 8th, 2015, one of the most important surgeries in the world will take place, YOURS"

Now to get emotionally ready for this thing we've waited for.

Best wishes to you all and may the next year bring you nothing but great news.

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Response to onethatcares (Reply #1)

Wed Dec 31, 2014, 01:04 PM

Tab (11,093 posts)

3. Best of luck with that

we're with you. PM or post if you need support.

- Tab

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Response to onethatcares (Reply #1)

Wed Dec 31, 2014, 03:05 PM

KaryninMiami (3,073 posts)

4. Please keep us posted on how things are going

Remember you are not alone! Wishing you only the best and here's to a better year for all of us!

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Response to KaryninMiami (Original post)

Wed Dec 31, 2014, 01:03 PM

Tab (11,093 posts)

2. The problem with cancer is you can't easily measure its impact.


I think I'm to 6 years now since I was diagnosed. I've had time to wrap my head around it.

A friend was recently diagnosed with Stage IV of an unusuually rare type of cancer. He's 20 years younger, has a wife and an 8 year old daughter.

Who am I to say 6 years trumps 6 months like that? Granted, it's not a competition, but some people insist on comparisons.

Every case is different.

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Response to Tab (Reply #2)

Wed Dec 31, 2014, 03:10 PM

KaryninMiami (3,073 posts)

5. Every case is indeed different.

And everyone responds to treatment differently. What we all have in common is the desire to be finished with this chapter once and for all and to live our lives without the shadow of relapse, which as I understand, never really goes away. I'm four months post Stem Cell transplant and in January it will be one year since the diagnosis. I am so grateful that at this moment I feel well and strong and look forward to drinking champagne tonight, saying goodbye (with joy) to 2014 and welcoming in the new year.

Cheers to you Tab and hope that things work out for your friend.

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Response to KaryninMiami (Original post)

Wed Dec 31, 2014, 04:59 PM

Star Member onethatcares (13,141 posts)

6. you guys are great

thanks for all the kind words this past year and thanks for the understanding ears.

what is going to happen on the 8th is that the surgeon will make an incision and remove a section of my wifes bile duct that has
a cancerous growth in it. He will somehow stretch the remainder in order to sew the two ends together. I am amazed at this.

That will expose the hepatic artery which if it has cancer in will need to be excised and whatever section is removed will be
replaced by a section of vein from her leg. If there is too much cancer he will come to me to make a decision as to going on or
closing up.

He will also remove the right lobe of her liver and her gall bladder.

THis is major surgery and I'm scared of how it will turn out. She hasn't let me know her feelings yet.

Talk to you guys later.

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Response to onethatcares (Reply #6)

Sat Jan 3, 2015, 01:17 AM

slipslidingaway (21,210 posts)

8. Please remember to check in after surgery ...

we will all be sending our best to you and your wife that day.

All you can do is be supportive, hold her hand ... we are all scared and need some human touch

Wishing you both the best!



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Response to KaryninMiami (Original post)

Sat Jan 3, 2015, 12:48 AM

slipslidingaway (21,210 posts)

7. We can all only hope for a wonderful 2015 ...

and wish that you celebrated the New Year with family and friends. As my husband is currently an inpatient for another BMT they did bring in some sparkling cider with some pretty, yet plastic, champagne glasses and a lovely card. It is what it is and we are thankful to be celebrating another year.

He is doing well with supportive drugs such as Ativan for nausea and we'll await the 30 day BMB at the end of January to see if things worked.

Day by day!

Wishing all the best in 2015!!!

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Response to slipslidingaway (Reply #7)

Sun Jan 4, 2015, 11:37 AM

KaryninMiami (3,073 posts)

11. Sparkling cider is a lovely touch!

And yes- celebrating getting through another year is a great thing to do- as is toasting the year ahead. Any opportunity to be grateful is so important as you know- it's one of the lessons I've learned on this bizarre journey.

Big hugs and happy 2015 to you both.

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Response to KaryninMiami (Reply #11)

Mon Jan 12, 2015, 12:56 AM

slipslidingaway (21,210 posts)

17. They also handed out bottles with a lovely card attached ...

and lovely looking plastic flutes.

It was too sweet, but also sweet that they acknowledged New Year's with what fit the guidelines and we were happy to celebrate.

Thanks, hugs and the best in 2015!





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Response to KaryninMiami (Original post)

Sun Jan 4, 2015, 09:03 AM

Star Member cate94 (1,650 posts)

9. I'm late to the party,

but there is nothing new about that I guess. I'm on the middle of radiation therapy, so I am totally exhausted and not getting anything done. I am having pain that I didn't expect. The pain I experienced after surgery, I expected to subside- not get worse. Hoping and expecting things to improve dramatically after my course of treatment in February.

Thinking about all of you, and hoping for a better year ahead.

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Response to cate94 (Reply #9)

Sun Jan 4, 2015, 11:26 AM

KaryninMiami (3,073 posts)

10. No such thing as late to this party!

Very glad you checked in! Sorry to hear you are going through so much pain and that this is not what you had anticipated. That just sucks. Replacing "getting stuff done" with just getting through the day may be the new normal for a while give yourself time to heal and rest- and take good care of you.
What comes next in February?
Please know that you are not alone- we are all going through our own cancer journeys here as you know and this is a very special forum brimming with support.

Here's to a much better 2015!

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Response to KaryninMiami (Reply #10)

Mon Jan 5, 2015, 09:41 AM

Star Member cate94 (1,650 posts)

13. Thanks

Radiation ends the first week of February. It should be easy so I'm thinking I am probably a wimp. I'll be seeing the Dr. tomorrow, and hopefully she will have some suggestions to help.

You are right, the people in this forum are great. Most here have a much rougher journey than I do. Like Nay, my cancer was found early but in my case they also found a number of other small tumors during the first surgery. They had to re-excise and during my second surgery they took a little of my pectoral and I suspect that is what is causing the pain. I will be in radiation for a total of 35 treatments. Mostly 5x a week, but the holidays really have drawn the process out.

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Response to cate94 (Reply #13)

Mon Jan 5, 2015, 11:26 AM

KaryninMiami (3,073 posts)

14. No such thing as being a wimp either by the way

35 treatments of radiation can't be easy- and while some journeys may be rougher then others, they are all different and all impact us powerfully. Glad your cancer was found early and that the end of the radiation is in sight in Feb. Happy 2015 to you!

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Response to KaryninMiami (Original post)

Mon Jan 5, 2015, 12:03 AM

Star Member Nay (11,512 posts)

12. I am almost 3 years out from diagnosis of breast cancer, Stage I.

Yes, I'm lucky, it was caught early in my yearly mammogram. I had a successful surgery and 16 days of radiation, no chemo. My sentinel lymph node was not involved.

I feel like I have a good chance that I will never see the cancer return; the docs say the same. So I'm grateful and happy to see the New Year.

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Response to Nay (Reply #12)

Mon Jan 5, 2015, 11:28 AM

KaryninMiami (3,073 posts)

15. 3 years out - congrats!

Wishing you a very happy and healthy new year! So happy you are doing so well!

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Response to Nay (Reply #12)

Tue Jan 6, 2015, 05:20 AM

Star Member onethatcares (13,141 posts)

16. congrats added

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Response to KaryninMiami (Original post)

Thu Feb 12, 2015, 12:41 PM

Star Member sinkingfeeling (43,521 posts)

18. I'm six years out from Stage IV cancer on my tonsils. Still carrying around a

water bottle 24/7. Taste is back, but the skin on my neck will never be the same!

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Response to KaryninMiami (Original post)

Sat Feb 28, 2015, 04:00 PM

Star Member Solly Mack (81,265 posts)

19. Hey! (((KaryninMiami)))

I've been very busy getting things ready for a move. Husband is retiring after 20 plus years in the military and I've been going through 20 plus years of stuff - trying to decide what to keep, what to get rid of - which is why I haven't been around much.

I got some scan results in January and I'm still doing good. My doc wants to see me every 6 months now instead of every 3 months. Still looking to the magical 5 year mark. Survival rate is fairly low within the first 5 years. So...

March will be my first year anniversary for my diagnosis. A very long, slow dropping drop in the bucket.







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