Never thought I'd be posting here asking for support...

[TaraPA]

I'm a long-time DIS-er, and frequently lurk & sometimes post on the Coping & Compassion Board. Everyone here is soooo supportive & wonderful to help, and to just listen sometimes.

I almost didn't want to post here, because there are so many others with much much worse situations than mine, but I'm just really having a down day.

My mom was diagnosed with ******l (DIS will block it out so I'll go with V for now) last week, and we just came from her first oncology appointment. It wasn't any better or any worse than we suspected, but it's just so real now. She does have a cancerous tumor in her V that has grown since her last exam 4 weeks ago. He said V cancer after a total hysterectomy is uncommon. She had a full hysterectomy 22 year ago due to pre-cancerous cells in her cervix. She also had a small bout with breast cancer 5 years ago, they got it all with just a lumpectomy & it hasn't been back.

The good news is that her cat scan seems good - they only saw the cancer in the V. He ordered a PET scan to get more definitive answers. If it hasn't spread, they will discuss radiation & chemo vs. surgery. I know my mom is practical & would opt for the surgery, but after hearing that it will not only involve losing most of her V but also parts of her colon & rectum, possibly resulting in a bag, she doesn't know what to do. She's now having to face the reality that her life is going to have some major, unpleasant changes.

So I guess we wait til we get the PET scan results, and take it from there. I just needed to type it all out to get it straight in my head. If anyone is the praying type, if you have room for one more, could you send one my mom's way? Thanks. The DIS is a great place to vent when it feels like no one else understands.

Hugs & positive thoughts to all of you out there experiencing similar things.

[Christine]

TaraPA,

So sorry to hear about your mom. I hope she is coping well herself. This is a great, caring board; however, too often too little "traffic" in my mind!!!

I know very little about this type of cancer but I'd probably want to have surgery myself, even as debilitating and awful as it sounds. But not knowing the cure rates with each type of treatment--easy for me to say, right?

Hopefully she is the care of good doctors who will help with all of those decisions.

[SevrenLuna]

I am sorry to her about the difficult time you and your mother are facing. I am adding you to our prayers for strength, guidance and healing.

[eternaldisneyfan]

many (((hugs))) That's hard-cancer sucks anywhere but to be somewhere private like that...I have several tubes and they are manageable. prayer said.

[JJ in wonderland]

My thoughts are with you an your family.

[quasar4legs]

Hi,
I am sorry your mum is facing such difficult decisions, it must be a terrible time for your whole family.

I don't have any advice but the link below is to a forum of very supportive people all facing similar decisions as your mum.
One of the other great things about this forum is that they have volunteer doctors that will give advice via email, usually within 24 hours.
Although its a uk group there are people from all over the world.

jostrust.org.uk

Thinking of you and your mum:hug

[DisneyFan32WI]

I'm sorry your mom has to go through this. Sending prayers her way...
Keep us updated.

[mommasita]

I'm so sorry to hear about all of this.. I will be keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers. I hope someone can also help you out here and there, that is an awful lot at one time.

[disneynuts777]

Hey...just checking in to see how you are doing.

[TaraPA]

Today's the day we get the PET scan results, and they decide on a plan of treatment. So.....just waiting for the phone to ring!! It's been on my mind all day.

FIL has seemed to "perked up" a little bit, once he was faced with going to a facility. His spirits seem to be up, and he is making more of an effort to try harder to do things for himself. That was part of the problem before - he always had someone to do everything for him, so he let them. His companion says she can cope for the time being, and his primary care physician is seeing if he can get him some PT or HHC. He starts an injectable chemo in his bladder next week, so hopefully I can buy more time with him, so that I can focus on my mom!

[disneynuts777]

Praying that your Mom's results have a positive outcome

May your FIL keep going on his independence. Any weight taken off your worries is a step in the right direction.

[WaDiWo]

Originally Posted by TaraPA

I almost didn't want to post here, because there are so many others with much much worse situations than mine, but I'm just really having a down day.

I've felt this way as well, that others are worse ... but don't feel that way. Everyone is important, and everyone's troubles are, well, troubling. We are here to support each other.

[TaraPA]

Originally Posted by WaDiWo

I've felt this way as well, that others are worse ... but don't feel that way. Everyone is important, and everyone's troubles are, well, troubling. We are here to support each other.