Aa
why do we complain about inteferon and cancer patients don't complain about chemo??
"Chemo is a horrible treatment for many, radiation isn't much better. I wonder why people get angry about a rough hep C treatment that, to date, is the only chance for a cure, but don't about chemo?"
Someone recently sent the above to me in a discussion.
I thought it'd be interesting to see what you all think??
Someone recently sent the above to me in a discussion.
I thought it'd be interesting to see what you all think??
Thank you Hector, and I wish you and all the best. I just happened to look in today. My 36 yro daughter has done chemo for her MDS which is a blood cancer leading to leukemia. She has very terrible asthma and diabetes so they treated her aggressively right away. She has done chemo twice and does not want to do it again although they tell her it may be the best route. Last week she had a minor heart attack while in ICU for her breathing and blood pressure. She is an absolutely amazing inspiration to myself and all those who know her...but I assure you, to those she knows and trusts she is just as open about the brutality of her tx as any of us are or were on here. She calls me many nights crying because all she wants to do is go to her daughters ball game, go to the store w/out having to wear a mask or or not have her wonderfully supportive boyfriend hearing her vomiting in the bathroom in the morning. When she was first diagnosed a year plus ago, she told no one at all including her children and man even after she had started chemo. Eventually the gig was up when her boyfriend thought she was cheating on him because she would be MIA every week and was getting irritable & sick every am. He had previously had a vasectomy and thought she was cheating & pregnant. I can not imagine how hard it was going through it alone.
Her life did not get better medically after she told us all, but spiritually and emotionally she has risen to levels of inspiration I find mind boggling. A lot of that has come about because she does open up and tell us, and people send her love and support. I have used every bit of strength and experience this forum and tx in 2006 taught me to do what I can to help her...I started by telling her that 'real' tough guys, are brave enough to let the world see how vulnerable they are and reach out and ask for help. That's what people are doing here, reaching out for help, acceptance, love and inspiration. I suggested medhelp to my daughter but she has found a wide support group, mixed with cancer patients friends and family, in her own social media way. She is hoping to get into a trial just like others do here. She would love a magic wand to be waved, just as we do here. She will fight her way through with all of her mama bear instincts to stay alive for her 16 & 11yro daughters. She had just gotten her teaching degree a year before dx and wants to teach.
I have a few friends that are battling cancer, they also are inspiring, and also get through by opening up w/other patients, groups, or friends.
Both chemo and hep c tx are pretty ugly; disbursing the challenges you face amongst a support group doesn't lessen the grace and dignity of getting through tx or chemo and fighting for your life. It merely states that I am a human being, I need your help, 'we' can get through this. I have to add that when i was dx they told me I already had it 35 years, so the urgency to acceptance was not the same as a cancer patients.
I have no doubts about the brutality of chemo. I also know first hand how our tx can wear you down over time, or suddenly one day.When I was on tx someone that had had a transplant, possibly mike, related his wife coming to the hospital and complaining about a headache. When she realized and tried to apologize he reminded her there is no pain like your own pain. We have to fight our way through that first, to see and help others. I know that I react worse to small broken shoelaces, somedays, then the larger things like my daughters health. When you are not feeling well it is even harder to use your best reactions.
I also remember a discussion here once about it being so difficult somedays on tx because we may look relatively healthy but inside we are nauseous, aching, afraid, and unfocused yet people can't see it on us. Whatever the reasons I am grateful for this forum, I am grateful I am not going through what Hector, my daughter or others are going through...but gratitude is not my first reaction when I wake up in the morning in pain. It takes work, and part of that work in the tx days was to get on here, get mys tuff out, try to help others with theirs, and because of that I have been able to be here for my daughter on the journey she is on. I love you all and thank you for letting me be here.
Don
Her life did not get better medically after she told us all, but spiritually and emotionally she has risen to levels of inspiration I find mind boggling. A lot of that has come about because she does open up and tell us, and people send her love and support. I have used every bit of strength and experience this forum and tx in 2006 taught me to do what I can to help her...I started by telling her that 'real' tough guys, are brave enough to let the world see how vulnerable they are and reach out and ask for help. That's what people are doing here, reaching out for help, acceptance, love and inspiration. I suggested medhelp to my daughter but she has found a wide support group, mixed with cancer patients friends and family, in her own social media way. She is hoping to get into a trial just like others do here. She would love a magic wand to be waved, just as we do here. She will fight her way through with all of her mama bear instincts to stay alive for her 16 & 11yro daughters. She had just gotten her teaching degree a year before dx and wants to teach.
I have a few friends that are battling cancer, they also are inspiring, and also get through by opening up w/other patients, groups, or friends.
Both chemo and hep c tx are pretty ugly; disbursing the challenges you face amongst a support group doesn't lessen the grace and dignity of getting through tx or chemo and fighting for your life. It merely states that I am a human being, I need your help, 'we' can get through this. I have to add that when i was dx they told me I already had it 35 years, so the urgency to acceptance was not the same as a cancer patients.
I have no doubts about the brutality of chemo. I also know first hand how our tx can wear you down over time, or suddenly one day.When I was on tx someone that had had a transplant, possibly mike, related his wife coming to the hospital and complaining about a headache. When she realized and tried to apologize he reminded her there is no pain like your own pain. We have to fight our way through that first, to see and help others. I know that I react worse to small broken shoelaces, somedays, then the larger things like my daughters health. When you are not feeling well it is even harder to use your best reactions.
I also remember a discussion here once about it being so difficult somedays on tx because we may look relatively healthy but inside we are nauseous, aching, afraid, and unfocused yet people can't see it on us. Whatever the reasons I am grateful for this forum, I am grateful I am not going through what Hector, my daughter or others are going through...but gratitude is not my first reaction when I wake up in the morning in pain. It takes work, and part of that work in the tx days was to get on here, get mys tuff out, try to help others with theirs, and because of that I have been able to be here for my daughter on the journey she is on. I love you all and thank you for letting me be here.
Don
so happy to hear you've gotten rid of the tumor. i'm sending you prayers and hugs to get rid of the new one. you are such an inspiration to all on this forum. god bless you hector. belle
All I can say is Holy Heck!!!! Way to go, and congratulations!!! What a fantastic outcome! I am very happy to hear your news. First time on the social site, and I saw your post. Keep on kicking butt! And may you continue to recover and have a great life.
DoubleDose
DoubleDose
Hey, Hector when you have that espresso in North Beach say a little hello for me,, I love North Beach,
Alas,,, Its nice to have support and love from each other.. Please be well, and the realization of impermanence has rocked me to my knees..
live each moment as if it were your last, savor it, and think good thoughts.
Alas,,, Its nice to have support and love from each other.. Please be well, and the realization of impermanence has rocked me to my knees..
live each moment as if it were your last, savor it, and think good thoughts.
I definitely don't know the answer to this question. I only know from family members in the past and what I have seen recently. Every week I go to the hospital to have a pint of blood removed due to iron overload and the hemotology and oncology are combined. When I walk in there are probably 15-20 at one time doing chemo for various reasons. Every time I walk in they say hello to me and have the most upbeat smiles on their faces while their bodies are soo frail. Honestly they absolutely amaze me and also the nurses that run the department. They are always cutting up, laughing and smiling. Truly amazing. And here I am complaining that I have a large needle in my arm to remove blood. Yes it hurts but it's nothing compared to their daily thoughts and pain. They are probably closer to knocking on the pearly gates than I am but who's to say I am not next. Maybe I am still in denial. I only have Hep C. It won't get the best of me! I'm only 49 was an athlete. I've always loved a good competition. But a competition of life? Who knows that could be me next.
How would I act if I was doing chemo? Probably the same as my mother. She had lung cancer and it was not a pretty sight. But she always had time for a smile or a good laugh. That is one thing in life I will never forget.
I firmly believe as we get older, wiser, and dealt some really crappy cards, we ALL make the best of a bad hand. I think if we were dealt those cards we would not want "anyone" to feel uncomfortable including the nurses who take care of us. I feel it's just our nature in dealing with our feelings.
Yes I ***** and complain to myself that my numbers are not going the way they should but ya know, it could be a helluvalot worse. So I am gonna stop bitching and complaining.
Sorry about the tangent!
Jules
How would I act if I was doing chemo? Probably the same as my mother. She had lung cancer and it was not a pretty sight. But she always had time for a smile or a good laugh. That is one thing in life I will never forget.
I firmly believe as we get older, wiser, and dealt some really crappy cards, we ALL make the best of a bad hand. I think if we were dealt those cards we would not want "anyone" to feel uncomfortable including the nurses who take care of us. I feel it's just our nature in dealing with our feelings.
Yes I ***** and complain to myself that my numbers are not going the way they should but ya know, it could be a helluvalot worse. So I am gonna stop bitching and complaining.
Sorry about the tangent!
Jules
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