I hate cancer!!!

“My step dad had throat cancer and he had a feeding tube eventually. My mom faithfully cleaned it and fed him his ensure. He could hardly even swallow liquids. It was hard for me to comprehend not eatting.”

“My swallowing problems have improved a lot, RichB. I only get choked ever now and then. Just wanted to make the point that the brain can effect anything.”

“That's good that's it's getting better. Hopefully you get to the point to where you don't choke at all.

Crazygurl, the only good thing I can say about a feeding tube is that it keeps you hydrated and nourished when everything else isn't working. There's no dishes to wash and no food to cook either, other than those pluses, I didn't like a feeding tube. There's nothing like real food.”

“One thing I started to wonder was how long this tumor had been undiagnosed - if maybe it had been getting in his way for some time and he wasn't getting an adequate medical work-up because he couldn't afford it. Usually chronically homeless people in the US have a significant addiction, mental illness, personality disorder or cognitive disability and none of these were apparent with him.

I'm seriously thinking of giving him 40 bucks and asking him to blow it on having fun.
last edited: 7/25/07 1:23:12 PM”

“Feeding tubes. Up your nose with a rubber hose!! At least thats how I had mine. I was thrilled to get it out, but the next few weeks were much harder. Swallowing was really a challenge and I couldn't eat or drink anything I liked. Even water had to have thickener in it. Gradually it got easier and less stressful and I passed the swallowing test that said I could stop using thickener. I still have to be careful about how I eat and things get caught on a fairly regular basis - but I eat what I want and enjoy it.

Stove - did you have to use thickener? Did you get swallowing exercises to do?”

“That is true Rich...good points. Syd's was in his side.

Ped...do it! Wonder what he would use it on...would be interesting to know.”

“Yes, I was on thickener for four weeks.
They could not get a tube into me thru the nose. It kept making a turn out my mouth.
Very unpleasant.
last edited: 7/25/07 2:02:08 PM”

“Yikes Stove. If I'd know, I'd have sent you some of my left over "Thick-it". The frickin' therapist told me I would need it for life, so I ordered it in bulk.”

“Please keep that crap. ;-) I don't use it anymore.
last edited: 7/25/07 3:28:50 PM”

“I met a guy in a lobby of a hospital in 1998 that was treated for a brain tumor. He told me they took a tumor out of his brain the size of a lemon and treated him with radiation. He said he was doing well and there didn't seem to be anything wrong with him. I remember him raving about the doctors in Minnesota that treated him and he said he wouldn't go anywhere else.

I had the nasal feeding tube also. I remember the stares I'd get from people when I was out on the trail hiking with it.”

“This is so weird...

After talking about the feeding tubes and choking etc..there was a story on the news this morning about just that! It said there is a new treatment that is being used and found to be very successfull. Forgive my lack of explination but best I understood it is like a type shock treatment. Like they use on back injuries...and muscles. They hook pads to the throat and mouth and the muscles are stimulated by low amounts of electrical shock! There was also a gentleman who was recovering from a stroke who was under going voice therapy..not for speech but for the swallowing difficulties!

Cool huh?”

“It's amazing what medicine can do. That sounds promising for people with nerve damage and still have normal anatomy.

I received a newsletter in the mail yesterday with some new research they are developing now to treat genetic disease. They are developing a process of using small molecules that act as drugs that may delay or correct the onset of the disease. They said it's extremely complicated, but offers great hope. Since many cancers are genetic this could be a way to keeping cancer from developing for those at high risk.
last edited: 7/26/07 6:22:49 AM”

“crazygurl, I had that on my cheek and throat every day for an hour for four weeks.
It's not so new. ;-)”

“One member's signature from a rare cancer board I signed up for:

"Whenever God Closes One Door He Always Opens Another, Even Though Sometimes It's Hell in the Hallway'"”

“I just heard that a dear friend of mine has pancreatic cancer. Her life included an abusive husband and a daughter who committed suicide....those experiences left her good and kind, and always seeing the bright side of things. She is the voice of reason to me.

We've backpacked together many times, trying to get together over Columbus Day weekend each year...great trips...we've missed the last couple of years...always thinking there would be next year...”

“Big hugs to you Twiggy...I hate cancer too..seems like it hits the best folks!!”

“thanks crazygurl - it's occurred to me that I've never lost anyone close...

Why can't it hit someone like the kid's mom's dirtbag boyfriend...”

“I hate reading this thread.
Live ever day like it's your last.
:-(”

““We have lost two ladies at church, who both have young children...but fought the fight like soldiers.

Last week I found out another lovely soul had non hodgkin lympohma (sp?) thankfully it is the very slow growing kind but it still makes me ask why.””

“:-(”

“wow, I hope twigeater's comment was some kind of sick joke

crazygurl - everything is for His glory ... not ours. We'll never know how many come to know Him because of people's trials.”

“I know sarge...just doesn't make it any easier.”

“It's not easy, but at least you don't need to question.”

“I don't agree with ya there. It is in our human nature to question. I think that is why we are giving the emotions and the reasoning we are. I mean I can accept that no two snowflakes are alike, and I can believe without out a doubt that there was a flood but it is hard for me not to say "God why do you take the good ones"? I think he wants us to ask just like any parent would want their children to ask.”

“I'm saying if you already know the answer, you don't need to question "why". Not that you don't have to question initially, but you said you know, so now there is no reason to question. When you question Him after already knowing His answer, that is not what he wants - that is doubting Him. He wants you to trust Him.”

“I suppose...it is just so hard.”

“My friend died Saturday. I will miss her very much.
last edited: 1/22/08 7:30:04 AM”

“I'm sorry, twiggy. :-(”

“:-(
so sorry”

“Very sorry.”

“Geesh, why would you wish it on somebody else?”

“nm
last edited: 1/22/08 7:34:16 AM”

“I'm so sorry to hear this.”

“Big Gigantic Hugs for you Twiggy!!!”

“very sorry twig”

“So sorry twig.”

“Twig --

Sorry about your friend. Best wishes.

Lee”

“thanks guys...”

“Twig - You really are a good one. I'm sure your presence has made it easier for everyone else dealing with all this.”

“sorry to hear the bad news twig. Losing a close friend is hell. My condolensces”

“Well, it isn't all bad. I don't have to work anymore and disability is adequate. I can spend my time with my kids and grandkids. I better appreciate all the good things life has to offer, and tolerate the bad things much better.
And the women all say I look better bald than with a ponytail, lol.
I'm more thankfull than ever.”

“I'm so so sorry for your loss. I am praying and hoping that you and your friend's dear ones find Comfort in this time of grief.”

“What a great attitude you have!
You are living proof that a positive attitude can make all the difference in your quality of life. Our culture is continually trying to condition us that cancer can only mean one thing: disaster. You are proving everyday that there is such a thing as a "silver lining".”

“Those are things we all should do more often...glad you are enjoying your family!

Bald guys rock! :-)”

“Glad to hear things are oing so well Le Subtil and keep up the great attitude.”

“I am so sorry you lost your friend, twigeater...cancer can be devastating...very hard on the living...

Maybe this is not the place for this but I would like to add to leSubtil's list...

Positive things I got out of cancer or rather, chemo and radiation...
1. Went from a fat red-head with straight hair to a skinny red-head with curly hair
2. blasted me right through menopause...that was truly a blessing
3. Ended my seasonal depression and month long bawling spells...nice to bury THAT puppy after dealing with it for decades...
4. Haven't had the flu since treatment
5. Only had one cold since 2001
6. Clothes my size can be found on sale really cheap...
7. Anything I am able to eat, I can have...
8. I can freak kids out when I show them what looks like 2 belly buttons...I always do this behind their parents back...hee hee hee...”

“Thanks for checking in Le Subtil. I think you have the respect and admiration of many here.

For me: I had to redo my blood test. One level was bad (high parathyroid hormone), but the levels that would be expected to go bad with it were very good (bottom of the normal range calcium) - so I'm not worried or complaining. I'd be happy to live with many more decades of nervous monitoring.”

“Yea pedxing!!!!”

“yikes

I think I posted the above at the bottom of page 1 the other day. I somehow didn't see or read about twigeater's friend's death. I would have said something else...
sorry, and my condolences”

“it's good to hear the positive things...no prob, le Subtil...

My friend found out she had cancer when it was too late to treat it - she made the decision not to have chemo just to prolong her life a few months. She was prepared and not afraid of death, hoping to be reunited with her daughter who died 20 years ago...I believe they are together now.

I'm glad I talked with her last month, glad we said I love you, and glad she went quickly to escape the pain.

I'll miss her on the trail...
last edited: 1/25/08 7:38:15 AM”