Cancer

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

• November 19, 2011 5:17 p.m.

  I've read all ur comments and especially moved and honoured to read Jim's will to survive. I am taking care of my cousin who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it looks like he's losing the battle emotionally. I don't know what to do to help him be more resilliant. Mid-Eastern pple are not very resiliant and I am feeling helpless and believe it or not there is nothing on the net for pple like me. (carers) one thing I've found out and would like to share with u guys (cancer survivors, with re-occurances)pls pls pls check wher u r sleeping for GEOPATHIC STRESS. it plays a role in ur cancer, recovery and remission. don't call me crazy, but since I've been taking care f my cousin, I've tried it out on pple and magically, and to my astonishment and amazement,IT WORKS. I wish u peace and health (I need it too!)

  - amira

• October 27, 2011 5:05 a.m.

  Knowedlge wants to be free, just like these articles!

  - Jace

• October 19, 2011 6:38 p.m.

  I feel fearful all the time. I'm afraid of what the chemotherapy did to me. I don't know where people get inner strength. I don't know how people survive and thrive.

  - Betsy

• October 13, 2011 2:25 p.m.

  Hi Andrea, I am recovering from breast cancer surgery, almost 1 year ago. Currently feeling fearful about recurrence possibilities and health not up to what I had hoped it would be. Struggling to cope effectively and do get emotional about other people's thoughts and feelings about my course of treatment. I am sorry for the loss of your dear son and can so relate to your comments from Sept 7th about the guilt associated with dying from not trying hard enough to live. This is so important for me as well to try to get past worrying about what others may be thinking that I should do or not do. I read once that.. "There are no wrong answers. There are no wrong paths. Everyone is unique." So therein the freedom to handle things the best way for us. And also the Desiderata helps a lot... I wish you peace. It is so true also that until someone walks in your shoes they cannot completely understand. I find this isolating and lonely in a way I can't explain beyond just that. Thank you everyone for sharing. Wishing you all many great blessings.

  - Marie

• September 30, 2011 11:35 p.m.

  i am a 3 time cancer survivor and my faith helps me get through things. i have 2 beautiful grandkids that have really helped me through my chemo sessions. now i have 3 grandkids and if weren't for the strenght of my family and friends don't know ahat i would have done.

  - christine

• September 24, 2011 5:21 p.m.

  I'm writing this as I'm recovering from shingles. The pain is bad more than my stage lV Hodgkins lymphoma. What has kept me going is my positive attitude,faith in God,mediation, myhusband , family, friends , and my pets. As my Dr. told me after my 2nd round of chemo I should have been dead but because of my inner strength I made it. I have a petscan in two weeks to see if Im cancer free. My motto is ” From stage lV to stage no more!” Stay healthy my friends! Love you all. San.

  - Sandra

• September 12, 2011 8:59 a.m.

  This post is for Andrea. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with the group. I appreciate very much what you are saying...resilience cannot save a life. However, I felt it was a topic that survivors of cancer may be interested in discussing because I have heard the words "inner strength" so many times from this group. I am so sorry that your son was taken from you so early. I can't imagine how difficult this is for you and your family. Children have such amazing inner strength. His legacy will live on through you.

  - Sheryl

• September 10, 2011 6:52 p.m.

  Andrea, I am sorry about your difficult loss. I agree that resilience and inner strength does not necessarily save one's life. I recall thirty years ago an uncle standing at my Dad's bedside telling him not to give up and to fight his pancreatic cancer. It upset me at the time. My Dad was not leaving a family of six children by choice. He was a stong person. The cancer was stronger. His strength taught me alot though. I currently have cancer with a poor prognosis. I often think of how difficult it must be for parents to have a child with the disease. I have been fortunate to have lived a number of years-57. My guess is your son gave you and others so much and taught you so much in a short amount of time. I do believe that life's difficulties help us grow even though the emotional pain can often be so unbearable. It sounds like your son had more strength than many adults ever will or could hope to have. Cancer is just what it is.

  - Sue

• September 7, 2011 10:29 p.m.

  I have a personal issue with the idea that resilience and inner strength will somehow save ones life. I think it gives a better quality of life and makes one a better patient,but there is guilt associated with dying because one "doesn't try hard enough to live". My 12year old son died of a brain tumor. No one tried harder than him to live or had more resilience.

  - Andrea

• September 6, 2011 8:54 p.m.

  Every day I can get up and out of bed is a gift. Some days I don't have motivation to do much, so I allow myself to have a low key day. On days I feel really good, I try to make the most of my day. Each day is a gift. I recently read "There's No Place Like Hope" and recommend it for all cancer survivors. It's been less than a year since I was diagnosed with stage IIIc ovarian cancer and I'm back on chemo. It's too soon to tell if this is working, but if it's not, I'll go on another treatment or clinical trial. My life is not over. As long as I can get out and spend time with friends and family, it's all good.

  - Vicki

• September 6, 2011 5:11 a.m.

  Husband is medical miracle 10 years stage 4 with mets rediagnosed every 3-4 years. Great surgeons at Moffitt - moved here for best liver surgeon 18 years ago since I knew it would go from rectal stage 3 to his liver mets stage 4 so found best liver surgeon. His team of surgeons have keep taking out mets and our local has given wonderful chemo tx and he is ALIVE. Always on Grand Rounds as a Case study and should be the most grateful pt. but since he no longer can have intercourse - he has removed himself from our bed over 8 years ago - has no interest in any intimacy says "it is not even in his mind". Got testosterone shots with no improvement but won't even consider cuddling - I have taken care of him and made it all happen with the best care and he has no concern for my feelings of abandonment. I have become hateful since he never came near me on our Aniversary weekend away that I planned. 39 years and he says of course he loves me! I think he resents living. Won't go out for dinner, anything that brings us close so we can hold hands or dance. NO physical contact is making me crazy and hateful. Forget counseling - not interested. He needs to wake up and say Thank You God and try to please me since he has done nothing but think of himself. I am 59 and this has been tolerated way too long. Thanks for listening.

  - Rae

• September 4, 2011 5:53 p.m.

  I just turned 65 and was recently diagnosed for the 3rd time w/recurrent ovarian cancer. I always continue to be fearful, sometimes down, but my friends in an ovarian cancer support group at Gildas Club are a tremendous support as is my wonderful, wonderful husband of 46 years. He's been a gem and totally by my side throughout. My daughter and 2 sisters, however, have deserted me. They cannot seem to deal with all this and that has made some of this more difficult too. No family understanding is very upsetting to me. I am just starting third chemo (have had one treatment so far; two drugs, one of them different than prior treatments. Praying this one works for awhile. I have seen 12 women pass since I started attending Gildas six years ago. Very sad, but our group is determined to be there for each other. We are strong support for each other and we all understanding how much we need each other. It has helped greatly.

  - Maureen

• September 4, 2011 5:36 p.m.

  God, my dogs, friends and family. Without their support I don't think I'd be here. One and a half years ago I was told I was terminal. I responded better than expected to some palliative radiation therapy. I have lymphoma. This spring a benign rectal mass was found. I had surgery which was hard on me. I've had max. chemo, turned down for a stem cell transplant, two rounds of radiation, and have been in the operating room four times in two years. I have had three different physicians tell me that God is the one keeping me here. I do believe he is. I felt from the get go that there was something more I was supposed to do while here. Maybe I've done it. Maybe it's yet to be done. God knows. I have a PET scan in two more days. I have been told my cancer is apt to return again. I am trusting in God with all of this. It is ultimately up to him. I also try to live as normally as possible. I thank God for the gifts he has given me. I recently had a birthday. Two days prior, the FDA approved a monoclonal antibody for my type of cancer. A gift. I have been told it might be used on me if/when my cancer reoccurs. I am not a church goer but God is close to me. What more can I say. I also

  - No name given

• September 2, 2011 7:39 p.m.

  April 2010 I was diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian cancer. Completing treatments after surgery, I was declared cancer free. Through this whole situation I went through denial, anger, grief and finally acceptance. It was a trial I have never been through before. One day I just woke up feeling better about my situation. The thing that I believe was my moment of terror was finding out half way through chemo, that the advanced stage ovarian cancers do allow you much chance at survival. I was so uninformed. Then I went on line and stated reading and was blown away. After I got through the stages and came to acceptance I felt more at peace than I ever had. Shock I was diagnosed with recurrence, the one thing ovarian cancer patients dread. I was upset but not uneasy about it. I had to go through the trials I did in order to get to the point I am at now. I know that the chances of dying from ovarian cancer is most likely, because it was only nine months cancer free status. Now I'm back on chemo, different drugs and different regime. It may work, It may not. I may have the opportunity to do a clinical trial, I may not. It doesn't matter how things end what matters is what I do from now until then. I will continue to deal with chronic pain from other diagnosis and the side effects from the first treatment (including seizures) and following ones. I am strong and I can deal with it. I have a great support system, help with rides, a support group, and medical team who cares.

  - Marilynne

• September 2, 2011 7:28 p.m.

  God is my inner strength. My prayers & the prayers of family & friends is so important.I have 2 amazing daughters, a lot of friends & a church family, all lift me up when I am with them. I think good nutrition, exercise, leading a normal life (if possible), keeping a good mental outlook are all things that I work on everyday.

  - Barbara

• September 2, 2011 5:39 p.m.

  I kept busy. Firstly, I joined our neighborhood association as an officer. We have regular meetings and attend to community problems. I am also active in our group of HS classmates, as coordinator. We maintain our connections. Secondly and most important, trust in God. He is the only One who knows the ending of my life story.

  - L

• September 2, 2011 11:48 a.m.

  Had bladder cancer 3 times...treatment and prayer cured it. Now have been recently diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer...unrelated to the bladder cancer I had. I live alone..husband left me over a year ago...and I am still going strong. I approach each day as a gift and trust God that my life is in his hands. I receive some support from family, friends church and cancer center...but most of the time it is just me and God....and He continues to sustain me.

  - marian

• September 2, 2011 9:29 a.m.

  I survived 3 cancers, first breast cancer, had a mastectomy, second CML a deadly leukemi and third colon/rectal had a Ilesotomy and reversal so I would say I am a survivor. My oncolotist said to me God is surely watching over you...for the past 12 years I have been a cancer survivor and all I can say is I thank God for my life and pray a lot and never question HIS plan for me. It isn't easy but I do have the inner strength I need to survive and I take each day one at a time and have a positive outlook, things could definately be worse but now they are ok. that is resiliance

  - Cecilia

• September 2, 2011 9:08 a.m.

  First of all, my faith in God, knowing he is there when I need Him. Second, I try to get up each day and get dressed, make up my face, do my hair and look better. This helps a lot. Third, my three sons and husband . Fourth the Mayo Clinic Newsletters which lets me know that I am not alone in this battle.

  - Rachel

• September 2, 2011 2:03 a.m.

  Resilience is the ability to bounce back; to roll with setbacks; and the desire to get up when fatigue seems to hold every part of you down. I have been in counseling since 1995--off and on--whenever my deceased husbanda's health declined. I learned coping skills and developed deep reserves of strength. He fought two cancers and ultimately died. Resiliency made the difference. So, when I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma 2years ago, I asked my psychologist, how can I face this cancer, treatment and a stem cell transplant? He replied I already proved to have the inner strength. I just needed to "Git 'r done." so, I did. My journey has not been easy, but I have deep religious faith that sustains me, and a support group of women that lifts me up. I find fatigue to be my greatest enemy, so I develop patience as I ever have in my life. Hope is all I have, and I have been given today. I have reached complete remission for a second time by being resilient--rolling with thE setbacks, praying, living for others, and by being a model of strength for my fellow cancer survivors by encouraging them to carry on as best they can.

  - Marcia

• September 1, 2011 11:48 p.m.

  I am writing this on behalf of my now 14 year old daughter. she was diagnosed with a medulla blastoma at age 11 seven days from her 12th birthday. She went into surgery a child who could walk talk run play and ride her pony, she came out of the surgery paralyzed and mute- Posterior fossa syndrome 3 months later she started to wiggle a finger it has been 2 1/2 years she can talk ( not the same way she used to) She can walk in a walker. She and all of those who have faced cancer are the toughest most faith based people I have met. I am humbled in my daughters presence, and in the presence of all of the survivors who not only survive but thrive with there lives.

  - suzie

• September 1, 2011 8:10 p.m.

  In some time i have some stress after chemotherapy by two cycle user Maratha/mabther condbnation.i sign expect the tip of finger of hand.All time i feel hungery to eat but advise me what is berth er for non hudgukin lymopoma to ensense my imunsystem.and i feel some weakness.

  - arbab

• September 1, 2011 7:33 p.m.

  Nine months after I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I have sifted my priorities in life and now embrace the people and goals that are most important in my life. Truly, when a person is beset with his own limitations, there's is no way but to turn to God, accept his/her fate and rest his/her fate according to His will. I pray and hope and don't worry.

  - Angelina

• September 1, 2011 7:19 p.m.

  Once I realised I had faced and come to terms the possibility of dying(after breast cancer diagnosis)I seemed to have been given inner strength from somewhere to deal with each day as it comes and make the best of it.If I've tackled the greatest of all fears,that is fear of death then there is nothing left to be afraid of.Anything is possible as my mind is free. . I can look death in the eye and walk away I can do anything.......

  - Valerie

• September 1, 2011 6:29 p.m.

  I should have added that I am a firm believer in God and miracles made by his Angels. I don't have much of a tongue left either.

  - Jim