| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Gadget Girl |
Posted - June 02 2004 : 10:45:33 AM
Some of you may remember Rich referring to some folks struggling with cancers and health issues that either affected themselves or a loved one. Well, I thought I would update everyone since the time has come for extra thoughts and prayers.
A lot of us remember or have met Dana (the original WooooHooo girl!) She is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. I talked with Dana the other night (and Jayne has talked to her recently too) and she has let me know it is OK to let folks know what she is facing as she can use all the good thoughts anyone cares to send her way. This little lady's attitude just blew me away! Her ever effervescent curiosity is strong as ever! Of course she has her down times, but for the most part she is making the best of it and she says she has great support from family, friends, and the company she works for. We talked and talked about old Mohican times and she asked about many of you and was disappointed that she would not be able to make the Gathering (she originally had planned on bringing her boys) this year. She is a very strong and inspiring and brave girl and I hope you will all keep Dana in your prayers. If any of you would like to write to Dana, you may email me and I will share her address!
For today and tomorrow in particular we need to remember Ilse. Her Mom has been ill and she is scheduled for surgery tomorrow, Ilse will also not be making the gathering due to the need for her to stay close to her Mom. We'll miss our Dutch Trader!!!
Finally, I will humbly add the concerns I've dealt with this spring. My daughter, Jordan, was diagnosed in April with a rare cancer, called a desmoid tumor, of her right upper arm. This is a non-metastasizing fibrosarcoma (non-metastasizing - a good word, fibrosarcoma - not so good) that doesn't spread to other organs, but is locally aggressively invasive. Some call this the best kind of cancer to have - IF THERE IS SUCH A THING! We waited until after school was out (she is right handed and wouldn't have been able to finish her junior year) for her surgery and in the meantime the tumor has grown. The surgery will remove a chunk of tissue about the size of a baking potato from the back part of her upper arm. She, like Dana, has a great attitude about all this and I'm sure will be a trooper through her recuperative process. Her surgery is this Friday morning and our prayer is that the surgeon will get all of the tumor. She will likely have some radiation therapy afterwards as this tumor has a 40-80% recurrence rate and limb loss is a reality for some with this type mass. Jordan's tumor is the same tumor that the baseball player Dave Dravecky of the San Francisco Giants had - he pitched a game after coming back from his first surgery and was known as the Comeback Kid. In his second game back, after winning the first, he threw a pitch and broke his humerus - it was called the "pitch heard round the world", because all the folks in the stands could hear the crack. He had exactly the same tumor, same location, and same size as Jordy. He now has an organization that offers support to amputees and those with cancer. Two Monday's ago Dave actually called Jordan and that made her feel so special to know she had a connection with someone like Dave - He and his wife are some really good folks!!!
In keeping with Kurt's Thought for the Day from good ole Ben... "Prayers and Provender will not hinder a journey"...while we need no provender, prayers won't hinder our journey! 
GG  |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| caitlin |
Posted - June 29 2004 : 01:09:32 AM
My condolences, Christina on the passing of your mother.
Thank you everyone for your kind words. They are all very much appreciated.
I just got back from the memorial service and it was very uplifting. Paula was a very spiritual woman and her service was full of song and laughter. She called God, "Sir", and said that "Sir, if you have a plan then you better make sure it all makes a point and touches people." Well, she definitely touched me. I'm hugging my children and husband a little tighter and breathing in long, slow breathes.
Hug your loved ones and tell them you love them - you never know what the future may hold.
Peace with you all,
caitlin
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| Christina |
Posted - June 28 2004 : 1:22:21 PM
Caitlin...
so sorry to hear about this. What happened to your friend IS heart-breaking. I know how you feel about doctors...after my mother passed away from stomach cancer in Feb. 2000 I remember thinking how many things I thought could have been handled better by her doctors. I will keep you and your friend's family in my thoughts and prayers...
peace,
Christina |
| Stephanie |
Posted - June 27 2004 : 9:46:11 PM
Caitlin I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Even worse is that it probably could have been handled better. My thoughts and prayers are with you...
Sincerely,
Stephanie |
| caitlin |
Posted - June 27 2004 : 6:22:29 PM
quote:
Originally posted by richfed
Oh, Caitlin ...
That one broke my heart. So young ...
Thank you, Rich 
You know the aggravating part of it was that she didn't have any history of breast cancer in her family and even though she thought something was wrong, her doctor kept telling her that she was "too young to have breast cancer", "don't worry". She finally had it checked out and by that time she was at stage 3. If they would have caught it earlier, it may have been halted. Then after she went into remission, her back started to hurt and the doctor told her again, "don't worry". Finally she went to her onocologist who then told her it was only a matter of time because it had moved into her spine. *sigh* I know doctors are human, but we give them such power. I urge everyone to give themselves the power and take charge of your health. Make those doctors give you tests even when they try to disway you from them.
Nothing is more important than your health.
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| richfed |
Posted - June 27 2004 : 4:09:53 PM
Oh, Caitlin ...
That one broke my heart. So young ... |
| caitlin |
Posted - June 27 2004 : 3:23:05 PM
A friend of mine, Paula Christensen was a 33 year old wife and mother of two young girls. In the spring of 2001 Paula was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent chemotherapy for about 6 months and had a double mastectomy which was followed by radiation treatment through the winter. The cancer seemed to go into "remission" for most of 2002 only until she had back pain and found that it spread to her spine in the summer of 2003. That is when the doctors diagnosed it as "terminal cancer". Paula once again started chemotherapy in November 2003 continued it for the remainder of her life. Several weeks ago the right side of Paula's face went paralyzed from Bels Palsy. She was hospitalized with valley fever on June 9th and she just passed away Thrusday June 24, 2004.
My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone.
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| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - June 19 2004 : 4:18:24 PM
Nora,
I have often wondered which would be worse: A mother losing a young child, or a young child losing a mother. I'm not sure that is something that can ever be decided. They are both terrible, terrible things to have happen.
I am so sorry that you have had to experience one of them in your short life. So sorry.
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| UncasLover13 |
Posted - June 19 2004 : 1:11:15 PM
I didn't think that there would ever be a topic about cancer and deaths. On December 30th, 2000..my mother, died of lung cancer. I was about ten years old when it happened. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through. My family and I just got back yesterday from the cemetary from seeing her. It's good to know that you wonderful people have had the same obstacles to overcome. Thanks for the love and support.
--Nora |
| ccorner |
Posted - June 11 2004 : 12:36:00 PM
After reading this thread I felt empathy for all involved. My heart goes out to everyone affected. Family members who have to be so strong not only for the ill but for themselves and others looking for a way to cope. There are but few answers why cancer touches so many of us in so many ways.
Although the surgeries my daughter has to go through aren't cancer related, I well understand the stress our family must face and the helplessness of the situation definently doesn't help.
What I do know is that prayer is very powerful and I will pray for you all. I am just beginning to get to know some of you and would like to let you know that if you need someone to talk to through these difficult times, I will be more than happy to listen.
ccorner |
| Donna |
Posted - June 11 2004 : 11:37:15 AM
I just found these posts today.
I'm very sorry to hear of all the struggles everyone is going through.
I'll pray for everyone.
I hope to meet Jordan too. I know visiting such a beautiful area and
meeting so many nice people will definitly boost her immune system!
Take care,
Donna |
| Kaylynn44 |
Posted - June 10 2004 : 1:51:55 PM
Stephanie,
Molly is in my prayers!!! Please let her know that there are many people out here thinking about her and praying for her.  Okay?
Kay |
| caitlin |
Posted - June 10 2004 : 1:33:39 PM
Keep your strength and spirits up - Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
caitlin & jeff |
| Kate |
Posted - June 08 2004 : 8:26:31 PM
You're right, Stephanie - Mohicanites ARE the luckiest people! They REALLY CARE about what happens to each other! And - Mohicanites have proved they are capable of generating a LOT OF HEALING THOUGHTS, so...
Molly is now on my 'prayers' list, Stephanie! Here's praying she got through the day with minimum discomfort and that this is the start of her healing process!
God bless Molly... |
| soldier2lotm |
Posted - June 08 2004 : 8:00:24 PM
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.... and hope everyone recovers fast. |
| Karen W |
Posted - June 08 2004 : 3:53:30 PM
Glad to hear good news about your daughter, Diana. I have thought about you both often.
Will add Molly to the list, Stephanie!
Wishing everyone well,
Karen
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| Stephanie |
Posted - June 07 2004 : 3:29:53 PM
 Thanks for the great update, glad to hear your little lady is hanging in there, Diana. If she has one bit of your spunk she ought to do pretty well. Please keep us updated.
GG, you and the other ladies have been in my thoughts and prayers since I read the original post. I tried a couple of times to respond but got interrupted, booted off line, etc. I was so sorry to read about the challenges my Mohican friends are facing. You have so many people praying for you and supporting you, though! Mohicanites are the wealthiest people because we have SO many friends who really care.
It seems like cancer touches each of us at some point... one of my very best friends was recently diagnosed with renal AND lung cancer. She had the kidney removed a couple of weeks ago and begins her chemo today for the lung. Please keep my friend Molly in your prayers as well...
Hugs to you all,
Stephanie |
| Christina |
Posted - June 07 2004 : 1:00:40 PM
So glad to read the positive updates, GG! Prayers and good thoughts are still going skyward for both of you! It would be great if Jordan were able to join us -- I'd love to see her again!
BOTH of you take care!
peace and love,
Red |
| Jayne |
Posted - June 07 2004 : 11:54:11 AM
Diana,
Thanks for the report, especially when you must be pretty worn out. Glad to hear things are going well post-op. I also look forward to meeting your brave daughter - hope she will join us. You both take care!
Jayne |
| Theresa |
Posted - June 06 2004 : 8:37:47 PM
I can hear the joy and relief in your voice, Diana. This sounds really great and I do hope she can make it to the Gathering...I'd love to meet this brave young girl. Thanks for the news and send Jordy our love.
P.S....get some rest. |
| Kaylynn44 |
Posted - June 06 2004 : 6:02:01 PM
GG,
That is WONDERFUL news!!! I think that we have all had Jordan on our minds this weekend, and it really makes my day to know that she is fine!!! I know that y'all still have alot to go through, but just remember that you have friends that care about y'all, so we will be keeping y'all in our prayers.
Kay
PS That would be great if Jordan could make it to the Gathering. I would love to meet her!!! |
| Gadget Girl |
Posted - June 06 2004 : 5:37:15 PM
Oh WOW guys - thanks so much for thinking of Jordy!!
I'm sorry - I have been a bit lazy, sleeping while Jordan sleeps, and trying to catch up on sleep. The first night was bit rough.
Jordan did GREAT! Unfortunately, the surgeon couldn't get it all. It was attached to the humerus bone and some periosteum (the bone covering) had to be removed. This just means more risk of infection and more long term pain I'm afraid. They will send the specimen to John's Hopkins or Bethesda for an "expert" pathology reading. So I guess the radiation is inevitable (I am really not thrilled about that as any radiated tissue will not heal as well if there are subsequent surgeries, which are likely). They had to remove the middle segment of her deltoid, part of the posterior deltoid segment and part of her tricep. BUT considering all that, her range of motion is outstanding (YAY!!!!) and she is doing great so far with pain management. Just been on Motrin today (another YAY!) and she has just been an angel - even when she was waking up from anesthesia and still so groggy and wouldn't open her eyes - she would say "Thank You" to the nurses and anesthesia team. I'm really proud of my young lady!! She has done SO much better than I would have. She has a drain in her arm and is ready to get that out - otherwise, she has been a peach! Her arm looks great too - everything is so symmetrical and her surgeon made an extra effort to keep things from being disfiguring. He and I both cried at how good things looked! I think he was right proud of himself (I was too!) I knew from the beginning he was the man for the job - just had one of those "feelings" - and it was the right way to go (as opposed to going to Duke or somewhere else for someone more specialized in soft tissue tumors). SO - things went well, waiting for a final path report (to look for malignant potential) and then we'll choose the next road to go down toward eventual recovery.
Thanks So Much for all your prayers and well wishes! They REALLY do mean more than you know. I held up so well during all of this because I knew there were so many thoughts coming our way. I am hoping Jordan can make the last day of the gathering so those of you coming can see what a successful first round she has had. No doubt thanks to all your prayers!!!
GG |
| Jayne |
Posted - June 06 2004 : 11:41:37 AM
Been wondering all weekend, too, Ilse! 
We're anxiously awaiting word, GG!
Jayne |
| Ilse |
Posted - June 06 2004 : 10:27:30 AM
Diana, what's the news on Jordan? |
| Christina |
Posted - June 04 2004 : 3:14:16 PM
I'm so sorry to hear that, Ilse. I've been there, done that. Been through several surgery postponements with both parents over the years and it IS a nerve-wracker. But please know that you and your mom are in my continued prayers. I will pray not only for her recovery but for emotional peace for both of you during this trying time! 
peace,
Red |
| Kate |
Posted - June 04 2004 : 10:25:39 AM
Ohhhhh... that's a shame! Your Mum will have been all psyched up and 'ready to do it'... then, it's a no go!! That's really hard on the nerves! No doubt your Mum was resigned to going to theatre, and though nervous, she was prepared - and now she's going to have to face up to it all over again!!
I know that it's nobody's fault - heck, it was an emergency! But still, it's a shame that the hospital couldn't reschedule for later in the day.
Well... the good thoughts, positive vibes and the prayers will just continue to flow toward the Netherlands and surround your Mum! I hope that she gets over these 'blues' soon and just takes it easy till next week...
I know you'll be taking care of your Mum, Ilse but - take care of yourself too!
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