Bad News Today

from JoeUser Forums
My mother went to the doctor today. The doctor informed her that she has cancer yet again. This is the third time. First it was her throat, then breast, and now it's on her ear. I'm assuming the cancer on her ear must be some form of skin cancer, but that's more of a guess than anything.

Naturally she is upset about it as she's been through the whole chemo/radiation thing twice already. I had to get a little harsh with her as she was doing the whole "why doesn't God just let me die" thing. I guess she's just tired of dealing with it, and I'm not sure I blame her, but I tried to make her buck up a bit and maybe piss her off enough to slap her out of the self pity thing.

I'm sure she thinks I'm cold and don't care about her but I firmly believe that attitude is everything and she has to maintain a fighting spirit to beat this crap. It's when a person gives up that illness takes over.

I am worried about her. It's not fair that she has to deal with this disease yet again, but life isn't fair and I know this but it doesn't make it any easier. But one has to fight it to the bitter end or there's just no point.



Any prayers, regardless of religious conviction or spirituality, would be greatly appreciated.
blogging
3,761 views 22 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

If this latest is skin cancer, then there will be no chemo/radiation.  It would be cut away surgically (minor procedure really), and there would be some antibiotics prescribed, but otherwise it shouldn't be that bad depending on how deep the cancer is and where it may have spread to (if anywhere).

Hopefully it'll be very minor and your mom will get through it all fairly smoothly.

I've dealt with skin cancer myself and continue to have to go for regular check-ups but it really was fairly minor and wasn't that much trouble.

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
If this latest is skin cancer, then there will be no chemo/radiation. It would be cut away surgically (minor procedure really), and there would be some antibiotics prescribed, but otherwise it shouldn't be that bad depending on how deep the cancer is and where it may have spread to (if anywhere).

Hopefully it'll be very minor and your mom will get through it all fairly smoothly.


That's almost word for word what I told her, but with her recent history with cancer it's hard to say what type it is (she said the doc didn't say) or if it's spread. They're running tests. Her last chemo was just year before last.

Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

That's almost word for word what I told her, but with her recent history with cancer it's hard to say what type it is (she said the doc didn't say) or if it's spread. They're running tests. Her last chemo was just year before last.

The worst thing for me was the bandages.  Small spot on my arm, up near the shoulder.  I developed an allergy to the adhesive in the bandaids that were available and had to stop using them quickly.  I wound up switching to a piece of gause pad and an ace bandage that held it in place.  It was annoying not having full range of motion for a while, but it wasn't that bad.

If it's a small spot on the ear, I can imagine that there might be cosmetic/appearance concerns, but it shouldn't be too bad, and the important part is that the docs get in there and get it all even if it means one side doesn't look like the other.

Again, hopefully this will be a very minor problem for your mom and the docs will get it all dealt with quickly and smoothly.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Again, hopefully this will be a very minor problem for your mom and the docs will get it all dealt with quickly and smoothly


Ditto on this as well. I'll say a prayer for her.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yeah, that's pretty much what I told her but with her history, throat and breast cancer, I'm a little worried (ok, a lot) that it's a more serious form that is already in her system. I know she is as well. It seems like they kill it out in one spot and it shows up some place else.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Again, hopefully this will be a very minor problem for your mom and the docs will get it all dealt with quickly and smoothly


Ditto on this as well. I'll say a prayer for her.


Thanks, prayers are appreciated.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sorry to hear this Mason. Hope they got it quickly tho, I've seen so many here get thru these things successfully. They can do so much more nowadays. Of course the earlier the better. Seems like she's had more than her fair share already.

I also will keep her covered in prayer tonight.

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sorry to hear this Mason. Hope they got it quickly tho, I've seen so many here get thru these things successfully. They can do so much more nowadays. Of course the earlier the better. Seems like she's had more than her fair share already.

I also will keep her covered in prayer tonight.



Yeah, she's been through the wringer.

Thanks.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sorry Mason that you and your mom should go through this. keep her spirit up as you are doing already and I hope this episode passes quickly. May all the blessings and mercy of God get her well soon.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sorry Mason that you and your mom should go through this. keep her spirit up as you are doing already and I hope this episode passes quickly. May all the blessings and mercy of God get her well soon.


Thanks
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

I'm sorry to hear that, Mason.  I've asked and will continue to ask the oversoul/universe/god for some healing and peace for your mom and also for you.

I don't want to be the voice of doom here, but skin cancer isn't always just a case of cutting the offending patch of skin out.  If it's malignant melanoma, there's a chance that it's metastasised to other organs.  My husband's aunt had malignant melanoma that spread to her lungs and then showed up in her brain too.  She's had surgeries, more radiation and chemotherapies than I can count, and is incredibly lucky to be alive.  She stays out of the sun completely now; if she has to go out she wears pants, long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat.

I'll be praying that it's just a basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, Mason, and that it can be removed easily. 

Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm sorry to hear that, Mason. I've asked and will continue to ask the oversoul/universe/god for some healing and peace for your mom and also for you.

Thanks.


but skin cancer isn't always just a case of cutting the offending patch of skin out. If it's malignant melanoma, there's a chance that it's metastasised to other organs.


Yeah that's what I'm concerned about considering her recent history with cancers.

She stays out of the sun completely now; if she has to go out she wears pants, long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat.


Yeah that's what I told her. She doesn't go out in the sun much at it is. She complained about wearing a hat but I told her it's for her own good. I'm going to go and buy her one today as she doesn't own one.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm sorry Mason.

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm sorry she has to go through this, Mason, and sorry you have to witness. I will include you both in my thoughts, prayers, and rituals, and hope that it was caught in time and that the treatment will be bearable.



Thanks. She goes back to the doc on the 31st for the test results.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sorry to hear this Mason.  My thoughts will be with her and you.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top

Sorry to hear this Mason.  My thoughts will be with her and you.


Thanks
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
My prayers are with you and your Mother Mason.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
My prayers are with you and your Mother Mason.


Thanks my friend. I took her out and bought her a sun hat today and made her promise to wear it whenever she's outside (she doesn't like wearing a hat).

She's in better spirits today.
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
Holy crap...that's a hell of a thing to go through, let alone three times.

Prayers, thoughts, and any else I've got to you and yours, Mason.

~Zoo
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
Holy crap...that's a hell of a thing to go through, let alone three times.

Prayers, thoughts, and any else I've got to you and yours, Mason.

~Zoo


Thanks, yeah it sucks for her.
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
Know you & your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Give an extra hug.. and you'll both feel better for it.

Keep a positive attitude, and turn the cancer into the thing you are angry at. I know you worry, and let her know.. but also keep the we will win attitude.

Just be sure & you use the sun screen & hat as well ok? Cancer can run in families....


Big Bear hugs!
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
Know you & your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Give an extra hug.. and you'll both feel better for it.

Keep a positive attitude, and turn the cancer into the thing you are angry at. I know you worry, and let her know.. but also keep the we will win attitude.

Just be sure & you use the sun screen & hat as well ok? Cancer can run in families....


Big Bear hugs!


Thanks. I never go outside without a hat, it's just an old habit for me. I wear sunscreen if I know I'll be out in the sun for an extended period.