Comments on: Life is what happens while you are making other plans…

By: Fran

Fran — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 08:53:57 +0000

John~ Sounds like you have been through the full gambit with this disease. The supervisor said she’d be back at work a bunch in between chemo, but the general consensus is she is probably going to need more time off than she thinks. They did do the drive-by style surgery- a radical mastectomy (total removal of a breast & lymph nodes), a few hours post op recovery & out the door.
Not even an overnight for observation! Sorry, that just seems so wrong to me. I am glad to hear of your wife’s cancer free status- for 3 years– that has to be the best news in the world to you both. You sound like a very supportive compassionate partner. May the cancer free trend continue.

By: John

John — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:40:23 +0000

I can relate so well to this. My wife was diagnosed with stage II/III breast cancer just 3 years ago. Our worlds changed in an instant. At one point, she said she would not undergo chemotherapy. That frightened me beyond comprehension. She changed her mind; I’m so thankful for that. She’s been cancer-free for three years. But while she was undergoing chemo, her life was horrible. I wept for her and wished I could reach into my mind to find religious solace, but it’s just not there. I wished I could “take the bullet” for her, but I couldn’t. It’s so damn hard to deal with. It’ just so damn hard.

By: Dusty

Dusty — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:49:28 +0000

Fran, don’t apologize for your posts. It was a worthwhile endeavor and if it helped you to write it, then that is even better. Hey, it make me think and that is all I want when I read something someone has written.

I can not fucking believe they are doing that to your boss..Jesus Christ on a crutch, that is total bullshit.

By: fran

fran — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:38:39 +0000

I do the blackouts of news sometimes too.
I stopped by the supervisors desk to wish her well on tomorrow’s surgery– I asked her how long she’d be in the hospital– Total mastectomy & lymph node removal– came to find out they are doing what is called a *drive by mastectomy*, outpatient surgery! I bit my tongue & shut up, because I did not want to upset her– but I understood there are laws and protections in place to have at least 2 or 3 days hospitalization post mastectomy. Plus they probably start the chemo right away, which is known to wipe people out. I asked, can she stay in the hospital if she wants to? She said she is OK with the outpatient scenario, because she hates hospitals & would rather not be exposed to other sources of infection.
I consider a Stage III Cancer mastectomy to be a pretty major surgery, and can’t believe the bean counters have it set up as a revolving door outpatient surgery! Ugh!

Anyway– thanks for the welcome.
I hope to be more entertaining or edgy in future posts.

By: Dusty

Dusty — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:35:59 +0000

I immerse myself in baseball. Sports in general, but baseball is my other passion.

My season commences tomorrow. I am so damn glad I will get a break from the constant 24/7 news cycle about Obama, Hillary and Weathervane McCain.

By: Betmo

Betmo — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:17:20 +0000

i guess i write controversial posts recharge? i walk away from the blog for awhile- and retreat to my artsy blogs. i fill those full of nature and art and music. i shut off the computer and fill up my 5 cd changer with bob dylan or john lennon or george winston and self impose news blackouts. you have to give your mind time to process all of the corruption and dysfunction- or you shut down completely. i am delving into the tenets of buddhism- peace inspired- to make peace with myself. i tend to be a bit high strung and a touch of a perfectionist- so this is a journey i have to make so i don’t stroke out welcome fran!!