MD Anderson is amazing! I am sure if it is so scary, so quick, so much information. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Please tell your family. I know someone that chose to tell their teenager daughter some, but not the whole story. Near the end, the daughter felt so blindsided, it really did not protect her from anything.
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Unknown
His, don't you dare apologize. You continue to be in my prayers every day. I am s sorry you have to have this difficult conversation with your loved ones. I echo everyone else to just tell them what you've told us.
And because I will be optimistic, I am projecting into the universe that in 5 years we are going to be seeing your beautiful face on one of those commercials about MD curing your cancer. You are going to be running through a sun filled yard with Kiki and your hair is going to look fabulous.
DO you think something would be eased off your shoulders if you let your loved ones really know how serious this is? I understand your reasons for perhaps not wanting to put that on them, but maybe not keeping that will be a good thing? I might be way off base here, and feel free to tell me so. You have so much love and support around you.
I am so glad that they have options for you. It sounds terrifying, but I am hoping so much that this is good news for you.
My mom lives in the area and doesn't know a lot of people (she just moved there recently). She's a Christian and has been through breast cancer and a lot of health problems herself. If you need anything or want a friendly visitor who is a good listener, let me know and I'm sure she'd be thrilled to visit.
Please reconsider keeping this from your children. They would probably love to be there for/with you. And having their support could be so good for you.
Someone already called me. She said I'm being expedited as high priority, they'll have my records today or tomorrow, and I'll get a call from a New Patient Rep tomorrow to schedule my appointment.
I'm sorry, so many hugs. MD Anderson is amazing, and you're going to get the absolute best care. It's a lot to take in. I'm local to MDA, and I know I'm an internet stranger but I am happy to help you and your family however I can.
I'm a lurker, but I wanted to say I'm so sorry you are going through this. My grandpa was diagnosed with cancer when I was about 4-5 years old (so I don't know a lot of details) and was only given a few months to live. He went to MDA and they tried an experimental medication on him. He lived another 17 years. He died at 76 years old and it was not from cancer. They can do amazing things there! Good luck!
Please don't ever feel like you have to apologize for coming here to talk about what you're going though! We're here for you! And it's easier to process things when you can write them out.
I'm continuing to pray for you, His! I'll add special prayers for you as you tell your family, and as you prepare to go to MDA.
Post by textbookcase on Feb 2, 2017 13:54:46 GMT -5
Praying daily for you, V. Don't ever feel the need to apologize! We love you and totally understand the need to unload. I can't imagine how overwhelming this all is for you. Love you, lady.
Post by karinothing on Feb 2, 2017 13:56:11 GMT -5
I am so sorry. MDA is really amazing. When my mom was sick I wound up on a flight sitting next to one of the executive members. He comforted me as I cried on the plane and then told me to get my mom to contact him ASAP. It was really amazing.
I am just going to ditto on talking to your kids. Obviously you need to do what makes you feel comfortable, but I think my parents told me that my mom was terminal a while after they already knew. By that point she had very little time left and I had a lot of anger for them not telling me sooner. I am not saying this to try to make you feel bad, just from a kid perspective, I am sure they want to know so that they can be there for you as much as possible. You are in my prayers.
Someone already called me. She said I'm being expedited as high priority, they'll have my records today or tomorrow, and I'll get a call from a New Patient Rep tomorrow to schedule my appointment.
Oy.
lurker here.
First, our church has an outdoor prayer garden w/ an altar for Our Lady of Guadelupe. I stop by there after Mass each Sunday and say a prayer for you and your family. I hope that's not creepy, but I remember reading that Our Lady held a place in your heart.
Second, my husband saw Dr. Skibber at MD Anderson's Gastrointerology department. Yes, once they get your info, they move FAST. I remember that three days passed between the time they first heard my husband's name until we were sitting in the waiting room at the hospital.
I'm replying b/c I wanted to give you a heads up about your day(s) at MDA. They are long. They try to make the most of your visit, but that often means that you will start the day w/ labs (8am or earlier) and then appointments throughout the day/ following days. It was not unusual for us to wait upwards of 2 hours for a scheduled appointment. It made it easier for me to acknowledge that the doctors and nurses are often seeing these patients for the first time, so they don't have a full picture on how long the visits will take. All this to say, bring something to do (a movie to watch, a book to read, whatever makes it easiest for you to pass the time).
Your schedule will be available online, but they will be flexible if you are running late to an appt. b/c a previous appt. went long.
Finally, if your new patient rep lets you know that you'll be there for more than a day, consider trying to get a room at The Rotary House. It's directly across from MDA, and linked to the hospital via a skybridge. It's nice to be able to pop back over to the hotel for a nap between appts. They don't have an online booking system, but you can find their number online. If they don't have a room, see if they can keep an eye on cancellations.
Post by sunshineandpinot on Feb 2, 2017 14:30:41 GMT -5
MD Anderson is really amazing. I have 2 dear friends there currently receiving treatment. I pray that the treatment exceeds everyones expectations with no complications. I pray for nothing but the absolute best for you. Godspeed.
I'm growing older but not up. My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck, let the winds of time blow over my head. I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead.