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Topic: RE: Eating issues after chemo treatments
Hi. I will be having my last round of chemo. tomorrow. What I do is make popsickles out of Glucerna (LOVE the Butter Pecan flavor). Especially good in hot weather (like summertime). You get a "treat" that is good for you. A sneaky way to get down the nutrition in an enjoyable way.
All my best Barbara
Topic: RE: pre wls and and questions on RNY and cancer
I am a colon cancer something,...not sure if I can call myself a survivour or not, but I am a WLS survivor and I am not a surgery pusher either but I did have a different surgery then band or RNY. I had the DS and I know that I had my colon resection just 3 months after my DS and have been doing fine so far. I was very lucky because I am able to eat what I need to eat and if I need to take NSADS I can because I have a full working stomach I can eat which helps when you have cancer I have read the post here of the people with cancer and having the RNY and they don't post any longer and I don't know what has happened to them at all. I know that it is really scarey to me, I can just imagine what your thinking. My brother has been fighting stage 4 colon cancer just a little over a year now and my dad died with cancer not sure what kind his was but not colon, several uncles and cousins have had it also. Just lost a cousin younger then I last summer to colon cancer, she had fought it for several years. So I can understand how you feel. I hope you know that if you need anything you can pm me cause I don't come here very often,...but I would be glad to chat with you anytime. Good luck with your journey and research all your options and don't let anything stop you from doing what you feel is right for you. If you are having trouble then you haven't found what you need for you and keep looking it will happen. When it does it's like a light blub goes off in your head, or it's like you just found a pot of gold and don't know what to do with it. I really don't know how to explain but when you find what your looking for it really does feel like you found your long lost friend and you will feel like you are on top of the world.
Good luck to you and your family and I wish you nothing but the best and hugs baby you will get there.
Marylin
Topic: RE: pre wls and and questions on RNY and cancer
Thank you sooo much for all your advice and a bit of your story. I appreciate any and all words/advice. Congrats to you and best wishes for you also.
Jill
Topic: RE: pre wls and and questions on RNY and cancer
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
Jlynn, I can share my two cents if you would like. I am a colon cancer survivor. I had to have my entire colon removed 4 1/2 years ago and then went through another round of cancer a year later (tumor in my pelvic area, cancer in my lymph nodes and also vaginal cancer). I did the chemo and radiation rodea and am now 3 1/2 years out and having wonderful check-ups. Because of my health history my surgeon did not recommend the lapband. I am prone to urinary tract infections which bring with them (at least for me) a high fever. The surgeon believes that with the high fever and having something foriegn in my body that my body may try to reject the lap band. As for the RNy, that is a possibity but not the best option in my case. Since I no longer have a large intestine neither I nor my doctors want my small intestine tampered with in any way. Please know, I consulted NUMEROUS doctors and surgeons so I would be well informed and make the right choices. At all of the surgeons and doctors suggestions I am going with the vertical sleeve. With the sleeve there is no, or limited, concern of malabsorption as no part of the intestine is sliced, diced, spliced or in any way touched. With the sleeve a section of the stomach is removed, everything else stays in place.
I am not a "pusher" of any one particular WLS over another, I believe it is an individual choice and that the decision should be made only after that individual has spoken to more than one doctor (second opinions are a must in my book) and the best course of action is determined.
A side note, please.... I'm not a "pusher" of which WLS you opt for but I am a "pusher" of colon cancer awareness. For too long colon cancer has been kept quiet because it was "that" cancer that dealt with "that" part of your body. From the family history you descibe I can only hope that you are on top of your check ups and, depending on your age, have a routine colonoscopy. I was a "freak", so to speak, no one in my family had ever had cancer, let alone colon cancer but once I was diagnosed my entire family went in for checkups.
What ever your choice I wish you the very best. Please be informed (looks like you are on a good start as far as your research) and please give my best to your Mom for a future of continued good health.
Katherine
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
Topic: pre wls and and questions on RNY and cancer
First i do not have cancer i just come from a long line of colon cancer. Both my grandpas and my dads brother died of cancer that was first found in the colon. My mother went through chemo for colon cancer last year and is doing well. Just doing the pro and con list for RNY and lap band and wondering a few what if's. like what if you have cancer how bad could it be if you had RNy and the malnurousment factor. thanks all !
Topic: RE: CML and Gleevec
I am scheduled for Gastric Bypass and also take Gleevec to control CML. I am trying to find someone that has been succesful in this operation with the Gleevec. Please anyone respond.
Topic: RE: 19 days from WLS and got a call ...
I am so sorry, I don't know what to tell you. I understand about not knowing whether to have or not to have RNY. I think I would go by what the GYN doc says. If he thinks you should wait then I would. That is if you know and trust him. My WLS surgeon is who did my cancer surgery because he offered and because I trust him. I trust him completely and know that he would only recommend what would be best for me. I hope you have someone like that to trust. The other thing is if you have WLS first and have to have NSAIDS or other drugs it may really hurt your tool window and you may not loose the weight after all. I wish you nothing but the best and I hope all works out for you. This forum is so slow if you want you can pm me anytime.
Marylin
Topic: RE: 19 days from WLS and got a call ...
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
Engel, I am so sorry to hear your news but please try not to panic. I know, that's easier said than done. I have been where you are now with a few differences. I am a two time cancer survivor, colo-rectal cancer in 2003 and vaginal cancer as well as tumors in my pelvic area and lymph nodes in 2004. Add to that, in mid 2004 they also found a lump in my right breast that needed further screening. My WLS journey was put on hold in 2003 when my health started to fail. I am not at all sorry I put the WLS on the back burner at that time in my life... #1, I would not have survived the WLS and the colo-rectal major surgery. #2, I never lost my desire, drive or commitment to get rid of this weight, a little detour just happen to fall in my path. I am now healthly, just heavy, and back on my WLS journey. I have gone through all but one of the pre-testings and my surgeon is looking at mid May, early June for my surgery. PLEASE, PLEASE, do not put off having your breast issues taken care of, IMHO, that is not a wise move at all. As for your statement that "CANCER KILLS!", yes, it does... but so doesn't stepping in front of a fast moving train. Quite possibly your breast issue may be something as simple as a plugged milk gland or even one of the little benign tumors that most women get but you won't know unless you are checked out by a doctor. And if it is something as simple as that, there would be no need to postpone your WLS. Again, PLEASE have your breast issue checked out.... harsh words here but, wouldn't you rather know your breasts are find and then start your weight loss journey, or do you want to have the WLS just in time to fit in a small casket? I know, that is terribly hard to hear, but having been down the cancer path and facing my mortality I have learned what is important to me.... living. God speed and please know you are in my prayers.
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
Topic: 19 days from WLS and got a call ...
I decided to go ahead and get my gyn testing done along with mamo and bone density recently. I got a call from the nurse that the left breast needs further intensive screening. I have always had fibroids in this breast and have gone through this drill before, but this is different this time. I am only 19 days from having RNY surgery after months of waiting, testing and clearances ... If it is still just the fibroids issue no worries ... but what if it is cancer? Should I get the WLS then have whatever done with the breast issue? If I take care of the breast first then I will have to wait to reschedule WLS which means I have to start from scratch again and get all of the clearances again, etc. But on the other hand ... CANCER KILLS! I am so bummed out. I worked so hard to get this surgery.
Topic: RE: This board has passed on!
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
Marilyn, please don't be so hard on yourself. Before I had cancer the first time I was first very, very sick with ulcerative colitis and c-diff. I had no more energy than a wet rag and didn't look much better than a wet rag! I was in a marriage that was not the best but because we had been married so long I stuck it out. By the time I was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer (stage III) I was just down right mad. I was mad at myself for letting myself get so sick, I was mad at myself for not being happy and I was mad that something that starts out as small as a cell was possibly going to take away my dreams, my desires and my life. So, I sucked it up, put on my big girl panties and directed that anger to the disease and fought it with everything I had! The dr's did not want to do surgery on me, they said I was going to die, why put me through it. I refused, demanded surgery and said if I don't give it a shot then my life was a waste. I made it through surgery (touch and go a few times) and then a long road to recovery. One year and one week later I was diagnosed the second time... The cancer was in some lymph nodes, my pelvic are and now I had vaginal cancer (pushes things to stage IV). You can imagine, I was down right pissed now! I was finally getting some health back and, BAM, my knees are knocked out from under me.
Plan B, get REALLY anger AND get REALLY positive! My son was about to marry a beautiful young woman and I was determined to a) be around for the wedding, and b) have my hair! haha! All the chemo drugs I had were guarenteed baldness drugs! I would wake up in the night three and four times, pulling my hair, making sure it did not fall out! I did NOT want to wear a wig at my son's wedding! Well, my hair thinned a bit (I have really thick hair naturally) and I made it through the chemo and radiation. I won't kid you, vaginal cancer is a b*tch! The radiation burns the area inside and out and I became completely incontenent for a time. But I was alive! I kept my anger focused towards the cancer, not anything else. And I kept myself positive as much as possible. Something that helped me was that my neice works in a chldrens hospital and she would share little stories with me about children in the hospital. It would break your heart. I realized that there are those far worse off than me... and why would something so tragic happen to a child? I looked at cancer as an uninvited guest into my life. And once the visit was over, it was time to bid that guest farwell.
I also changed a few things in my life.... I divorce my husband (long overdue), moved 200 miles from my "safe zone" and basically started my life over. I was blessed in that I had a pension (retired management in law enforcement) so I did have some finances. I was 45 the first time I had cancer, 46 the second time and 47 when I "moved on" in my life. I have since met a WONDERFUL man, we are married and have a beautiful life.
Marilyn, I don't feel like I'm a better person.... I feel like I'm a different person. I'm different than I was before the cancer. If you look deep inside yourself I'm sure you will notice the same thing about yourself. I no longer rush through life... I stop and not only smell the flowers, I also take pictures of them, touch them and just enjoy their presence. It took a couple of good slaps in the face for me to realize that I was important, that I was only going to get out of life what I chose to put into life.
As for my son... he has a beautiful, wonderful wife (no grandchildren for me yet), they had a gorgeous wedding, I had my hair (thinner, but still there!) and he understands my journey and my next phase of living. My son was 24 when I divorced his dad (we had been married 27 years)... yes, it was a little difficult on him but he knew that if I didn't make some changes I would have let myself die. The ex hates me (his loss) but my son and I are even closer than we were before (and we were always very close).
The WLS is something I am doing for me. My DH loves me no matter what... fat, thin, average... doesn't matter to him just as long as I'm alive and healthy. He is supporting me whole heartedly in this journey.
I so wish you felt well enough to get out and be around positive people, it is such an uplifting thing! Have you considered visiting with a professional about your feelings? Please know, I am not a huge pusher of therapy but if it is something that will help then I say try it! Just the fact that you are on this earth makes you a gift. Please, evaluate what is the root of your feelings and address your findings. Have you ever sat and visited openly with your children about your weight loss and your cancer? I felt that the more my son knew of my journey the more informed he would be and the more apt he would be to be open with me about HIS feelings. Children are so funny... even though my son is a young adult it was still hard on him when Mom went through cancer and then Mom and Dad divorced. I let him vent, talk, cry... be himself with me and I never judged.
Marilyn, I wish you the very best. Please find yourself.... life is such a gift from God, why hide that gift away by locking yourself away from the world.
Please stay in touch and I wish you the very best.
Katherine
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
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