Need support (kinda long)

It has been a very tough year.  School started out bad and by the third six weeks, it resolved itself.  My dad has had colon cancer (the best for what it was), cancer removed from his ear and had a pacemaker put in.  Then in March my mom had a pain in her back.  She was put in the hospital with a plueral effusion...which contained malignant cells.  Eventually they did a pet scan, and found that the cancer was in the uterus...the probably source.  She had a radical hysterectomy in May...and now we are beginning the process to get her chemo.  She is terrified and so am I.  She is extremely sensitive to medications...even the dye in lipstick....and the gyn ocnologist and the staff is wonderful and very supportive...but the cancer center we are going to ... very abrupt and to the point...not much time or patience with questions.

I had lap band surgery Dec. of 2007...I was doing great with losing about 85 pounds...During this last year I have gained about 20...I have found that I am resorting back to stressful eating...I don't want to mess up but I am if I don't get in control.  I had an xray done and I know that I told them about the lap band...I don't know if it is the lap band showing up or if my pouch is enlarged.  I pray to goodness that is not the case.  I still have so much to lose...I don't need to be going the other direction.

If you care to keep in touch...or supply encouragement...please email me.

Hi there.  I don't have any particular advice, other than to do what you know to do--find a good healthy outlet for the stress you are under, and keep your eye on the goal!

I hope your parents are ok. 

I hope you're ok--it sounds like you're going through a whole lot right now.

On another note, cancer centers are often very abrupt.  It's the nature of what they do.  They're specialists, presumably the best in their field, and they've got a 'long line' behind each patient.  They assume that the oncologists or PCPs are giving the patient the information about diagnosis and treatment, and that the cancer center is strictly practicing their expertise in whatever cutting-edge treatments they're offering.

 I would recommend writing down any questions or concerns your mom has about her treatment or diagnosis, and speaking to them about it during her check-up time rather than her treatment time if she's doing chemo or radiation.  They are supposed to take time during check-ups to answer your questions.  If not, take the questions to her medical oncologist.  She/he should be able to either answer them right away, or get in touch with the cancer center and get back to her.

I hope this helps.  Hang in there!