topic Re: Hi There, First time for me blogging in Living with cancer

Hi There, First time for me blogging

Loulou — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 05:14:51 GMT

Hi Everyone, This is my first time blogging. I was diagnosed with Gallbladder Cancer in August last year, following routine surgery for gallstones. I am told Gallbladder Cancer is uncommon, does anybody know anyone else with it?? I am told it is very aggressive. I have since had liver resection, the abdominal lymph nodes removed,and bile duct removed and reconstructed. I was given a prognosis of 3 months without chemo or 12 months with chemo. So after 5 months of chemotherapy (finished end of February) I am still taking things one day at a time and setting small goals for myself. My scans in March showed they think the cancer had not spread further at this stage, but I do have an 8cm ovarian cyst. Hopefully unrelated. Advised this type of cyst usually not cancerous, so keeping my fingers crossed. I have two teenage kids (16 and 13) who are having a pretty rough time. It still throws me how your whole life can be turned around, physically, emotionally, mentally and financially. I am staying as positive as I can. Hoping for a miracle to happen. Each extra day I get to spend with my family with never be taken for granted again. I haven't used any of these sites before, but I guess as time ticks by I have to admit I am getting scared, and looking for more support. I quit my job last week. I kept hanging on to "when I am better I will go back to work" but I have to accept that this is not my reality for the moment. I have a great family,very supportive, but I want to talk to people who understand where my head is. Hope this isn't too long. LouLou

Re: Hi There, First time for me blogging

harker — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:16:46 GMT

Hi there Loulou I have been posting on this site for a couple of years now and not many days pass without me at least looking around. I agree with you it is wonderful to have somewhere that feels right for writing and sharing what we as cancer sufferers/patients/survivors - or whatever we want to call ourselves - feel or think at any one time. Your post was not too long. H

Re: Hi There, First time for me blogging

Loulou — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:32:15 GMT

Thanks H I go to a group support meeting once a month, but sometimes its at odd times of the night, when sleep escapes you, that you need to get something out there. I have been browsing this site for the last couple of nights and can really relate to some of the comments posted on here.

Re: Hi There, First time for me blogging

Allicat — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 13:21:34 GMT

Hi Loulou Welcome to the site. Your dragonfly picture is beautiful. Allicat

Re: Hi There, First time for me blogging

mirkir — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:24:47 GMT

Hello Loulou ,Thank you all who are able to share their experiences with in this case gallbladder cancer. My wife had her gallbladder removed,part of her liver, stomach and a big part of the colon, lymph nodes and the bile duct removed plus the associated plumbing. And on top of that a ileostomy to deal with. And that happen three weeks ago. Now we looking for chemo and or radiation therapy. We are both past the 70 mark. And did came out of the blue. You have young children Loulou for you and your family is it much harder than for us. This blogging is also new for us. We hope in this time of trial to support each other. I hope to hear how the chemo works, frankly we are not looking forward to it. mirkir

Re: Hi There, First time for me blogging

purpleangels — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:23:56 GMT

Hi there Lou Lou! I have mentioned two books that helped me immensely with my kids on this site..... One is " when a parent has cancer" Wendy Schlessel Harpham and " How to help children through a parent's serious illness" Kathleen mcCue...... They might help your two young people...... Good luck!! PA

Re: Hi There, First time for me blogging

wombat4 — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:50:25 GMT

you are right Mirkir, about the folks with a young family, hubby included, how do you explain, when My wife of 40yrs was dx with colorectal with liver secondaries, it was difficult, but our sons had been out of the house by then for 8 yrs and were 28 yrs old. The chemo, the travelling to and from, could have been more difficult, adding to the obvious stresses Children have difficulty understanding why. This disease affects not just the one in the family that has it, but all loved ones Good luck with to you and your wife the chemo Mirkir. I hope you are well loulou wombat4

Re: Hi There, First time for me blogging

Loulou — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:34:07 GMT

hi all, i haven't been on for a while. i am undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the moment. this is the first time i have have radiation, and we are now 18 months and 23 days since diagnosed. there are some small tumours that have grown from cancer cells brought to the skin surface from keyhole surgery. these small tumours are trying to grow out through the skin and hopefully the radiation will stop them from growing outwards. they tell me it gets very messy if they break through and grow raw with bleeding pain and infection risk increased. the kids have agreed to some councelling and canteen is also a big help, being able to meet others in the same situation. it is still very hard and we are still taking things 1 day at a time. considering i was only given 12 months tops, i really appreciate each and every extra day. you stop taking stuff for granted. thanks for your support, and good luck mirkir

Re: Hi There, First time for me blogging

Loulou — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:34:18 GMT

Re: Hi There, First time for me blogging

Pete13 — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 18:56:34 GMT

Hi Lou lou,WOW. Well I see at least some other going through very similar Ordeals as US! But surprised at the great fact That At least people are getting the FULL Surgery and nodes removed etc. I am so confused on This Cancer As well as wishing to know WHAT to expect Long term My Wife was given 12 months WITH treatment so Reading your post and Dates was seriously ENCOURAGING 🙂 Thank You! I would SO LOVE it if at all Possible You can write again soon and sloe tell US how Things are going. Karen ( My Wife) Also Had several key hole Operations She healed well, And the Major Surgery only included a resection of the Bile Duct.They never went further 😞 All we can Hope as I said Below is They KNOW What there doing! I just posted this in another Post earlier.......> Sorry to read your ordeal Above. My Wife has stage 4 But they found it AFTER removing her GallBladder She also went in for the MAJOR operation you discribed But stopped half way When it was found in Bladder and Lymph node She has started Chemo and has just finished her second dosage Sadly no Radiation will be done for Her unless the other Lymph nodes found on the CAT SCAN can be reduced completely Sad This is a very AGGRESSIVE Cancer And Although spirits are High and She is doing extremely Well! She will be having Chemotherapy for at least 6 months Sad I hate watching her go through all this As you will understand You HOPE and Rely in the Professionals that they got it all right! And I can so Relate to the comment YOU made Regarding Doctors Vagueness! PLEASE can you write again SOON and let us know just how things are going for you there. As so little is known or even documents on this form of CANCER! Cheers Peter

Re: Hi There, First time for me blogging

mirkir — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 04:06:35 GMT

Dear Pete13 I haven't written for over a year. Till this message came and asked me how things are going. Well you told me you are lonely. My heart goes out to you and I understand what you are going trough. Because my wife Marla passed away last year on the 18th of December 2012. She succumbed to the cancer which affected the kidney and liver in the end. There was some hope Oct.2012 that she would be around Xmas 2013. The ferocity when the cancer came back was a surprise for us. And it didn't took long in fact (Feb/Dec 2012)11 months after a lot of suffering with massive doses of morphine to combat the pain. I prayed that the Lord would take her away and He did. But I can tell you that the loss has affected me deeply. And even now I feel the pain esp. this time of the year. For all those who are battling with cancer you Peter and Lou Lou and everyone else your loved ones the families. May you find renewed strength in the New Year 2014. God Bless you all. mirkir

Re: Hi There, First time for me blogging

Pete13 — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 05:16:38 GMT

Hi Mirkir, So So Sorry, My Heart Sincerely goes out to you! I am told Seeing Karen So well I mean She looks normal etc. Acts Normal, But Here is this Thing this UGLY HORRIBLE THING inside her, Add to this the surgery scaring inside and out,Some Pain And Slight differences Temperature control is a huge issue, Nausia,tummy pain,Aches More than usual Etc. And I can Only assume was and is the same for so many? There are days I just can not Fathom what I hear or see regarding this type of cancer! And Yes the Children even though mine are older and independent they are like me We are simply making the most of it We just celebrated Karen's 50th had a huge Party Close friends and Family, All of a sudden the garden and house work just seems so irrelevant. and we tend to go out more for Lunch etc. I can not imagine life with out her,or the 33 years together Now having a Stupid TIME limit put on it Sigh! GOD I just can not Fathom The next year Sigh! We keep positive,We hang on to Hope After all these silly 2% and 5% survival rate things Well someone has to make that % up right? And we have the fact Karen is yet another Unique individual as was your Wife or Jane Smith down the rod like! THANK YOU so Much for coming back and writing on here for ME for US,for EVERYONE Mirkir 🙂