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Grandmother with adopted grandchild


Posted: Mar 5, 2017

I posted on the prayer request board when I first got the news.  It was confirmed on Friday that I have clinical stage 3 breast cancer.  The surgeon's office is going to call me when they set up an appointment with an oncologist this week to start workup before planning chemo.  This is going so fast!

I talked to my girl to tell her what to expect.  The 5-year survival rate is 72%.  I'm praying I will see her graduation.  She is in seventh grade this year.  My son set up a GoFundMe account, but he just set one up in October for his mother-in-law as she had a brain tumor.  It was excised and she is undergoing a half dozen sessions of gammaknife to keep it from growin back (it was benign so no chemo or radiation, thankfully).  My son and his wife haven't even been married 2 years yet and both inlaws are going through this.  I know it is a lot on them and I hope to not be too much of a burden to them.  They live 2000 miles from me, anyway.

I don't know what to expect as far as keeping a job.  I did resign from a small account, though, as I know I'm going to have to let go of some work, might as well start with the most insignificant.  I have a friend in the community who I think could help with finding a possible guardian in case one is needed. 

 

I do feel alone, but hey, that has been both a necessity and a choice because of the dynamics of the adoption.  My oldest sister refused to acknowledge my mother's last will where I was named beneficiary of my mom's home and land and kept everything herself, no relationship there anymore.  My brother died of lung cancer when he was 44.  My other sister, well, she is bipolar and I don't know how much she can offer.  She tells me she wants to be there every step of the way, but she hasn't been here in the last 20 years, so we will see.

I'm rambling now. I just wanted to vent.  I have a couple of weeks before chemo starts, so I'm just going to take it one day at a day and see what happens.  I know He has a plan.

;

So Sad - Sending

[ In Reply To ..]
prayers!! you will find an answer within.

Sending prayers - Backwoods Typist

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Don't give up. I know things seem hopeless now, but stage 3 cancer is not always a death sentence. A lot of headway has been made in reading the genetics of malignant tumors and the same guides the specific treatment which has the best chance of remission.

Keep your faith even though I am sure there are times where you find it hard. We have all been there. Take things one day at a time as you have been and see where things go. Sending up lots of prayers and positive thoughts for you. Keep us posted.

Grandchild Comes First - see msg

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I'm hoping your grandchild is aware of your situation and is presented with realistic expectations. I've seen people go to the extremes----telling them everything is ok, when it may not be---or giving them all doom and gloom.

She does need to be made aware of both possibilities, presented in the most positive light. There's a chance you could die, but there's also a good chance you could live. Show her success stories and tell her you hope you are one of them and will do everything within your power to be one of them.

Praying to God, of course, never hurts, but your daughter can't be led to believe that her prayers didn't work if you do die---she'll just be angry at God and wonder if she didn't pray enough or say the right things.

My very best to you, and I wish you all the best. Does your granddaughter have another trusted adult in her life? She may feel more comfortable talking to an adult besides you, because kids (and grownups!) are protective of the sick person's feelings, and she may feel she is burdening you with her fears.

You have my prayers.

Breast cancer survivor - SM

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Here is a site which will give you much information. When I was diagnosed, I spent many hours on here. Second site is run by a breast cancer survivor who answers our questions directly. She was diagnosed twice.

Most of us received mild sedative during first month. It slows thoughts down. Keeps panic at bay.

I was diagnosed 2008 and another MT on here was also diagnosed at that time. We are both still alive.

http://www.breastcancer.org/

http://www.hopkinsbreastcenter.org/services/ask_expert/

thank you for posting - slowgrowing

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I have been hesitant to ask for something from my PCP. I only established care with my PCP on the 24th and I had to sign a drug contract that the refuse to give certain drugs to new patients, and if other doctors give me those drugs , I can be dropped from the practice. Well, I saw her on Friday and then the surgeon on Monday. He did core biopsies in his office that day and wanted me to have a mammo. I refused to have a mammo w/o a pain med, so he wrote me for 20 tabs of Norco 5/325. I've only had five (in 7 days) and I feel guilty for taking those. It was pain that prompted me to seek treatment.

Now I'm going to an oncologist this week. I have Meniere's disease and have been on and off small doses of Valium since I was 19. I am scared to death of having a flare of vertigo that would require me to ask for 5 mg/day just to get out of bed everyday.

She passed me off to the surgeon who is passing me off to the onco, then back to the surgeon for port access, than back to the onco for chemo....who should I talk to about pain meds and diazepam? Should I go back to the PCP? My state has online tracking of these drugs, so the PCP can see I haven't had an RX for anything since it was established, but I still feel guilty for asking.

I would talk to the oncologist for pain meds and diazepam. sm - Long Time MT

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They know what you're going through and have other patients in the same situation and tend to be very sympathetic, although also not always with the best bedside manner because of their brilliance. It's not unusual to feel shuffled, but it will calm down once a treatment plan has been established. Hang in there!

Prayer sent. I wish you well. nm - nm

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x

You have a right to ramble and vent - this is a safe place to do it. sm - Praying for you

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First of all, stage 3 is not necessarily a death sentence, but it's not a bad thing to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. That said, I think you're doing all the right things. Your granddaughter is lucky to have you and hopefully you will be around to babysit her children and even grandchildren! Some people sail through radiation and chemo, and some struggle; hopefully, you will have no issues.

For work, do you know of a transcription who could help you out if you need it? Hopefully not, but it wouldn't hurt to find one as backup.

Shame on your sister, and let's hope your other one comes through.

Hang in there - the fear of the unknown can be worse than what the reality turns out to be.

Prayers for you. - ll

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

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