OT - to our friends w/cancer

[Lulu54]

This morning I read a quote from ESPN's Stuart Scott about the return of his cancer and immediately thought of Alex, Summerlvr and our other members,  and their famly members like JB, living with cancer

His attitude reminds me of how strong all of you are with getting on with your life while facing your cancer -

“Cancer s&cks, and the effects of chemotherapy su*k, and you’re going to feel like crap sometimes,” he said last year. “But you’re going to feel like that whether you’re lying in bed or going to work or working out, so you might as well go out there and live your life."

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/the-turnstile/espn-stuart-scott-announces-cancer-returned-030452684.html

I just wanted to say again how much I admire your strength in getting on with life.

hugs, Laura

[debgen]

I am always so inspired by you, Alex. Your positive attitude is something we should all try an embrace :)

Unfortunately I am guilty of not always feeling positive no matter how hard I try.

Summerlovr, I am so sorry that you are going through such a rough patch.my prayers are with you for feeling better and the blessing of a baby in you future.

Keep the faith ,
Deb

[HVAC]

Summerluvr,
  Sorry about the MM it is a rough disease.

Alex

[rendean]

I'm sorry to hear of your newest health issues. I hope it is not a relapse! I will send postive thoughts your way that it is not !!!

I understand the memory/speech issue. After a major relapse (thankfully its only been 2!) I have the same issues. I do work on retrieving these lost skills with reading on my  subjects of expertise and staying involved with the professional groups I belong to . This helps jog the memory.

The speech issues for me resolve as my body heals. I do know several people who have had chemo related issues such as yours and they said it took about 2 years to return to baseline for them.Don't know if that helps or hurts,:- /.

As for the baby issue. I certainly hope your health improves so that this is a true possibility!!!!! More ripples of good thoughts being sent. I hope it's just bad luck about the recurring infections and that you will heal soon and get on with the task of becoming a mother!!!

Warmly,
Ren

[summerluvr]

Hi thanks for this Lulu

Not going to lie, I have been feeling down lately. We fear I might be relapsing. I have had one infection after the other, even ones i take meds that are supposed to prevent. Or it could be just bad luck.  Multiple Myeloma impairs your immune system by preventing the right antibodies being formed that cure you of viruses and bacteria, especially stuff like strep, so you get a cold but then can't get rid of it so it turns into a seconday sinus infection, or bronchitis etc.. Then i've had some fevers and night sweats, which are some red flags.

Really finding it hard to think positive about my future. Really feeling the biological clock and not sure if my health will allow us to have a baby. Thought I had accepted this, but I'm at an age where my friends are all getting pregnant. My sister has two, my brother is going to try next year, my sil is pregnant a second time. Everyone talks about baby stuff all the time.

Feeling bitter about my career (lack of). I've had a few interviews but Chemo affected some of my memory recall / speech. I used to be really sharp and quick with reply,and now I struggle to organize my thoughts or find the right words when I try and talk academically.

[maestro1959]

Alex, thank you for stating your response so eloquently.  It truly about making every day count.

Beth

[PastorDan]

Yeah, what everybody said here.

[Lulu54]

Alex, your reply is exactly why I thought of you when I read his comments....  it could have been you saying this instead of him.

[rendean]

Once again, a true inspiration!!

Ren

[HVAC]

Thanks Lulu. I have friends with MS that is worse than my Cancer. At least I am still mobile at the worst of times. I am reading a book "You are Stronger Than You Think" by Dr. Peter Ubel. He researches people with bad medical conditions and he has found people are resilient. We do not dwell on the bad, we go on with our life. We can be very happy as well. I do not remember chemo.

I am sick today I will not lie. I have pain with every breath. What works for me is thinking about something else hopefully pleasant. It hurts when I ride Clara but I love it so. When I get scared I think of riding Clara.

Today I will go to yoga and a Doctors's appt. at the pain clinic. I will work on building a gate to keep the Puppy beast out of the living room and cat food. I will train Grady. Today will be a good day.

My new trick is. Reality is what you focus on. I am not focusing on MS or Cancer or the news. I focus on my husband, my friends, my animals, painting, music, good movies, and nature.

A pretty day is free to look at and feel. There is beauty in a gray day. Petting a cat or dog is wonderful. A phone message from a friend can be uplifting even if your friend is having a bad patch. My friends will tell you I call store clerks by name and use smiles with all those I meet. I form friendships and make myself feel better.

Life is good for this MSer.

Alex