Hello everyone. This is my first post. I have had a good look around the site and must say there are lots of great people here. Best wishes to you all and thanks for all the helpful info.
I haven't had a positive experience so far with diagnosis/oncologist etc. I am fortunate in as much as I am with a cancer specialisation hospital in central London so the mechanical end of things may be good. What has really knocked me down (ok - nobody wants to be diagnosed with this disease; we are bright girls, we already know that) has been exacerbated by the way I was given the diagnosis and the negativity of some of the attitude of the oncologist (a woman, highly regarded in her field).
The thing that really attracted me to this site is the diversity of people on here and that there are other career women like me, (if you have other kinds of focus in your life, please don't take any offence that my career is my focus.). There seems to be a lot of people with a great sense of humour!
To cut a long story short, I feel that the oncologist was utterly dismissive about my concerns for my work, my livelihood and my ability as a single woman to cope financially. I voiced my concerns clearly over these matters (I have got quite a number of difficulties due to recent redundancy) because it clearly states in the hospital brochures that it is important to express ones fears, concerns etc. Obviously this is just BS literature!!!.
I await full diagnosis (may get it Tuesday May 26, 2009).
My career is pretty high powered and has taken a long time to build. It isn't just something I want to forget all about and actually, I can't see why on earth anyone would.
I would love to hear from any other career girls that have any positive input.
I don't underestimate there arehard times ahead (Iget it, I really do get it.....) but so far there has been nothing positive for me to absorb.
LADIES - HELPPPPPP!!!!!!!!
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London-Virg… Joined: May 2009 Posts: 827 |
Aug 27, 2009 03:45 am
London-Virginia wrote:
Hello Katie F - good to hear you sounding so up. No time to think when you've got so much to do! How are the red shoes standing up to the strain? Biggest hint to you at the mo is get some tummy drugs sorted out - I am explosive and it's a bit painful actually! It is the one thing I haven't quite got right so far. Might also be worth talking to the docs about taking Acidophilus to restore your bowel flora. Failing that, I've checked it out - plenty of plain yog is good. Very good news on the heart isn't it. Good news really means so much more to my energy these days - I expect everyone finds this. excellent MacMillan brochure on FEC: www.cancerbackup.org.uk/treatments/chemotherapy/combinationregimen/FEC Glyada should be ok as its South of Athens. It is a sad thing when one sees the forests burned as they are such a lovely part of Greece. It is very difficult in such a hot country when the winds get up - there is so much coastal wind really and it can spread things very quickly. Imagine if this were happening around say Croydon, which is sort of roughly the distance of some of these fires. Sorry you can't get to Cyprus. At the moment I am planning (or dreaming) of a month in Greece next Spring. Mid May onward is absolutely stunning - warm, uncrowded, joyous with the flowers still out and everything smelling gorgeous. I can't wait to get back. It seems such a long, long time away. Dear Homelaone - hope you are feeling reasonably ok. The weather looks like it is breaking on your coastline - Autumn is coming I think. At least all the colours will be lovely. I am told there will be a bumper crop of blackberries and berries this year and am looking forward to making one or two crumbles. I have some work meetings set up over the next couple of weeks so hope something comes of that. The money would be welcome. ~With love to all - Virginia.
Dx 5/9/2009, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIb, Grade 3, 1/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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KatieFantas… Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 28 |
Aug 30, 2009 03:52 pm
KatieFantasia wrote:
Hello Ladies Virginia I'll catch up with you on the other post - my red shoes are well thanks, bit scuffed but determined to move forwards. Homealone, I'm thinking of you and sending love your way. A friend of mine has a hotel in the Isle of Man, I'm thinking of going with my family for a long weekend. Inbetween the E chemo Anna still wish I was in greece or cyprus, our lovely hot summer never happened.... Keep aswell as you can, take care love katie Katie
Dx 6/30/2009, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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homealone Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 95 |
Aug 30, 2009 09:25 pm
homealone wrote:
Hi Katie Thank you for your kinds words they are much needed and appreciated.Things are now slowly progressing and I am having some abdominal discomfort but I am not in pain.I am slowly getting more exhausted as I try to do a few normal things,so obviously I am taking more rest. I am pleased to hear that you are doing well,it must be those red shoes!! The weather here has been dreadful,it is the manx grand prix at the moment and many races have had to be cancelled due to the weather. I have been trying to sort out a house to rent for my daughter who is presently in the South of France and is desperate to get on the island as soon as she can.I think trying to arrange schools for the grandchildren and all the utilities has given me a diversion from all this cancer lark.I have decided to go down the hospice route and they keep in touch with me regularly until my condition alters to the point that I will have to be hospitalised.My daughter arrives on the island on the 10th September so maybe that is what I am hanging on for. How are you doing Virginia,have you had any more side effects from your first chemo? Love and hugs to you all. |
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homealone Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 95 |
Sep 1, 2009 11:32 pm
homealone wrote:
I thought I would just give a quick update as my condition continues to deteriorate.I am still at home but find the smallest of things exhausts me.I think this will be my final message to you all but will continue to read all your messages for as long as I can.I just hope I can continue until the 10th Sept when my daughter will finally be on the island. You are a great bunch of girls and I wish you all a long and happy future and hope this dreadful cancer journey is not too traumatic for you all.I still cannot believe that 2 small tumours with no nodes involved can lead to a liver full of mets without me knowing.However I am grateful I did not know as I would not have taken trips to Cananda and Alaska and the Med last year.At the beginning of May I was in Prague for a friends wedding.with wonderful sunshine and feeling really well,no symptoms whatsoever.I have had a wonderful life,travelled the world,I just wish I could have had longer,but there again one only has to look around you and there are so many tragic cases,so I have a lot to be grateful for. May God bless you all.Loads of love and hugs to everyone. |
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annadou Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 114 |
Sep 2, 2009 01:00 am
annadou wrote:
Dearest Homealone I pray and hope that you will see your daughter . God Bless you and give strength to your family . XxAnna Dx 3/13/2009, IDC, <1cm, Stage II, Grade 2, 4/21 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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London-Virg… Joined: May 2009 Posts: 827 |
Sep 2, 2009 06:50 am
London-Virginia wrote:
Dear Homealone, I am so glad your daughter is coming. I am completely inspired by your bravery and marvel at how you have managed to cope with this stunning situation. Years ago I used to come for the Grand Prix races with a boyfriend who was a bike fiend. It was loads of fun and usually dreadful weather! But the Island is beautiful and we always enjoyed ourselves. You are like me, you enjoy your travelling. I'll have you in mind when I am able to start travelling again next year - come and enjoy a spiritual glass with me wherever I fetch up. Yopu are much in my thoughts, and our other friends here. I am doing pretty well with chemo so far, other than an upset tummy and ferocious bottom explosions! I am nipping into the Marsden this afternoon to see if they can do something. I have interviews next week so would prefer not to e3xperience a public peformance!! I am getting lots of sleep and still managing to do my exercise. I have taken to eating tons of ice cream. IT must stop as it is too fattening........ If you are able do keep in touch. with much love - Virginia.
Dx 5/9/2009, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIb, Grade 3, 1/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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KatieFantas… Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 28 |
Sep 4, 2009 01:12 pm
KatieFantasia wrote:
Dear Homealone just to say my thoughts and love are with you, I so hope you see your daughter. I've started Chemo now (yesterday) and thought it was going to be ok but an hour after treatment finished I had a severe allergic reaction and had to stay for another 6 hours to stabalise. I will be seeing the allergy clinic on the 18th, the week before next treatment, to see if they can identify what drugs created the reaction after this treatment and after the re-excision. I might not be able to carry on... this worries me as the % improvement meant there was no choice really. Onc will discuss with me before treatment, perhaps antihistimins/different steroids during treatment will help. Today I only have tiredness (but have had a lot of piriton) and am starting to get mouth ulcers and dry eyes but otherwise ok. Nothing as bad as I thought, My love thoughts and hugs with you everyday Katie X x x Katie
Dx 6/30/2009, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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KatieFantas… Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 28 |
Sep 6, 2009 05:43 am
KatieFantasia wrote:
Hello Homealone, just popped in to say hi and give you a cyber (((hug))). Dry mouth and eyes not too bad today and mouth ulcers ok, that salt mouth wash must be helping. The worst thing is the stink in my nose, all chemically and I can't get away from it.. It looks overcast today, yesterday was sunny and I went for a lovely walk (all be it short) and to get a coffee in the next village. The fresh air was lovely. I hope it's sunny for you and you can get the sun on your face. Watched I don't know how many "Horrible histories" on the telly with my little one this morning! We've been up since 7 watching, think he needed a good cuddle. I hope your family are well, coping and supportive. My love and thoughts are with you and all the other lovely ladies on this site. Katie xxx Katie
Dx 6/30/2009, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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