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Posted 2/14/2009 12:34 PM (GMT 0)
For our older board members, I'm sure that you can remember that when I had radiation, I was among the "lucky" few who had to have double radiation, 6 1/2 weeks of radiation twice a day. Which led to burns, which led to gangrene, which led to surgeries, etc. I always wondered why you could only have radiation to an area once. Since I have had it the dreaded twice, I now know why. Because it will eventually lead to cancer. Needless to say, they do have a point. That's just what the double radiation has given me. I have basal cell carcinoma on the chest wall. Since the area they radiated was so big, the dr says this will probably happen again. So, he did a biopsy but he is an excellent and experienced dr and all he had to do was look at it to know what it was. They're going to call me next week to set up the surgery.

Then, my right arm is covered in granulara annuloma. He said that this is also common for people who have had cancer. My net research shows it is usually because of diabetes and a suppressed immune system. He also did a big biopsy of one of the areas, hurts like hell, but he thinks it's not cancerous. If it is, I don't know how he'll cut this out. My arm will look like craters on the moon if he does. Anyway, I sent away for Graviola for the cancer and a new, herbal, product for the annulara. There is no medical treatment for it. I'm praying that works.

Frankly, I'm more than a little sick and tired of going to my grave pieces at a time. I've also reached that stage of grief where I'm angry at Mitchell for leaving me here to face all of this alone. Where is a good man when you really need them. I'll tell you. Dead, that's where they are. I used valium and tylenol 3 to have a right good pity party and now am just disgusted.

Anyway, I hope everyone else has a nice day. Screw Friday the 13th, Thursday the 12th is worse and there's another one coming up next month. Oh joy.

Love, Jo-Ann
Posted 2/14/2009 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Jo-Ann, I am sorry to hear about these new problems, and thanks, I did not know why you could not have radiation twice. My very best to you as you muddle through all this. And I thought I had it bad -- I am ashamed of myself.

Judy
Posted 2/16/2009 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Oh Jo-Ann...we're in this together. Some out there think that my thyroid cancer may have been a side effect of my breast radiation too....and now I am dealing with side effects of being thyroid-less and having had a radioactive iodine pill. Most likely, I have scarring in the salivary glands from the pill. Oh joy.

The gifts that keep on giving...

Sorry you have more BS to deal with. Hopefully this is just a little bump in the road and will be easy to take care of.
Lori
Posted 2/19/2009 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Jo-Ann, this just has to stop! We have to figure how many times can it be "my turn." I was petrified of the radiation because I saw what it did to my husband. He had Hodgkins when he was 19, then 24 years later a huge sarcoma shows up on his arm in the radiation field and he nearly lost his arm and his life with all of the additional chemo and radiation and blood clots. All this while we had an 18-month old! I nearly lost it. Then, when I was dx and had the initial consultation with the surgeon, radiation came up and I nearly begged him to just go and do the mastectomy. No, he said, you're young (39) and he was sure I had an easy cancer to remove. NOT - the cancer went from the nipple to the chest wall. Next surgeon (we moved states) asked me what I wanted, another lumpectomy or a mastectomy and I told her to remove both breasts. Guess what there, cancer in the other breast too!

So, my dear friend and sister in this mess, we can be called back to fight the battle even harder. Here, I'm just waiting for the last 6 months of radiation on my DH to claim another part of him. Plus, the harsh chemos he took have left him with some heart issues, although they are minor now. And he's only 47. Geesh!

Know that you are in my thoughts - today and every day I come to the board. And you too, Lori, with the repeated gifts from cancer. There is a lot coming out in the medical literature of 18-25 years post-radiation for cancer and it's effects. No surprises there, I guess. Just time we buy, I guess. Let's all cheer up and give it our best shot and know that the love here on the board will keep us sane!!!!!

Blessings,
Lauré
Posted 2/20/2009 3:47 PM (GMT 0)

Jo-Ann,

I am so sorry to hear this news.  I tried to email you but it came back.  I am sending a ton of hugs I found lying around here.  Apparently, my granddaughter left them for me.  Please know you are in my prayers.

Lots of Love,

Ann

Posted 3/5/2009 2:25 PM (GMT 0)

You are as tough as shoe leather, girl.  Whatever comes, you, like always, will handle it.  But I do hate that you are having to go through anything else.  BTW, I've lost the website you created for Mitchell.  Is it still up?  If so, I'd like to see it again.

Love, Glenda

Posted 3/14/2009 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Jo-Ann,

 

I'm sorry I haven't checked in for quite a while.  Wow, you have a lot to deal with!  I am so sorry to hear what you are going through (yet again).  This just has to stop.  When in the he__ are they going to find a cure for this darn disease!  I hope you are doing better now.  Sending hugs your way.

 

Love, Kathy

Posted 3/22/2009 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Jo-Ann,
What you have endured over the years. You have fought wars. But you always came out standing tall, full of spunk, and taught us all the lessons you learned from the battlefield.
NO- it is NOT FAIR what you have been through. Losing Mitchell was just too much to add to your burden.

I am SO SORRY for all that you are going through. You are one, tough, Texan. But, I know, being "tough" gets old after a while.

I am sending you my love and prayers and hope that things improve for you. Whether you wanted to be or not, you have always been a role model to me, someone I always looked up to.

May God just plain give you a break already.

Sending you Yankee Hugs (((((((((((Jo-Ann))))))))))))))

Love
jessie
Posted 3/22/2009 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Lori, I am sending you hugs too, my friend. I am SO SORRY for the problems you are experiencing with the thyroid CA after-effects.
Love,
jessie (g)
Posted 4/12/2009 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jo-Ann,
Sorry it's been so long. I apologize and would like to come back on the board. I think of you often. You will be receiving lots of love coming your way and of course, God will be receiving lots of prayers. I can't believe this has happened after everything. I think the gangrene was enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I certainly felt like it was. I haven't kept up and don't know what drugs are out there now. Certainly hope they have come out with new drugs since I last checked. I have an oncologist appointment next Monday and I am going to ask her. This hospital is connected to Mayo.
Love, Di
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