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You never forget that call....

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Breast Cancer
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Posted 11/13/2004 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
As you all, I am sure will agree....We never forget that call or when and how we find out it really is cancer. If you knew it and finally proved it or the news came out of the blue... It is still news you never forget about the where, when and how you received it. Last night as I was writing a note to E. Edwards I looked up at the clock and it was 6:05. The exact minute I received my phone call 6 years ago. For some reason every year as I hit 6:05 it all comes back. I do not think any of us ever forget for a minute that we have cancer. I do think certain things trigger that feeling in the pitt of your stomach.That awful feeling you have that first 24 hours. It would be so nice if we could find a way to let people know we are here for this critical time. I can not imagine what it must be like to be alone and no one to talk to when you hear this news. I was so fortunate that I was not alone. I just wish I could figure out a way to see that no one ever was. Thanks for listening.                                L&H Joyce
Posted 11/13/2004 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
You are so right, my dear friend.  There's not a one of us who does not remember that moment.  Once I heard that awful word "malignant", I felt like someone had hit me in the pit of my stomach and could not breathe.  Thank goodness, George was with me.  We went immediately to my pcp's office, and she arranged for me to see a surgeon that afternoon.  This was a Friday; surgery was scheduled for the following Wednesday.  I wanted that thing out of me!

You are so right -- we are a board for support.  I still remember how amazing it felt to find this community of women to help me through my treatment and to continue support and friendship now.

Congratulations on reaching your 6th anniversary, Joyce!  You (and we) have indeed been blessed.  Give that dh a big hug for me.

I love you!

Becky

Posted 11/13/2004 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Joyce:

 

Congratulations on your anniversary.  It's a flashback.  I hate it, too.  Your gratitude is nice to read.

 

 

Posted 11/13/2004 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on 6 yrs Joyce. Yes, you are right. We will never forget. It was very surreal. I told myself to hang in there till I could make it home, then I fell apart when I pulled in the garage. Love you and this board, Gail
Posted 11/13/2004 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Joyce...I don't remember what time it was, but it was absolutely a surreal experience. I was still being stitched up from the biopsy when I noticed a man standing in the door to the operating room, and he was just staring at me with the saddest eyes I had ever seen. It was so disorienting, and I couldn't figure out why he was there, why they were just letting him stare at me like that....and then I heard the nurse saying to my surgeon that the pathologist wanted to see him. I knew exactly what he was there for then, and all I could think to do was lay there and pretend like I didn't know what was going on until I could get out of that room and get my clothes back on. That man's eyes told me everything I needed to know without the word "cancer" ever being said. A picture does tell a thousand words. At least he gave me a few minutes to prepare myself for the words that I knew were coming.

Congrats on your six years!

Love and hugs, Joyce.

BEV
Posted 11/13/2004 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
OK when I went into surgery I knew that I was probably going to have a mastectomy because the radiologist and the surgeon had both told me it really looked like cancer. I had agreed that if the frozen section showed cancer to have the mastectomy immediately. As I was being wheeled somewhere still very groggy, I remember hearing my husband's voice and the first thing I did was reach up to feel if my breast was gone. My husband told me that it was cancer and that the owner of the firm I worked for was there. When I heard that I sat right up and said, "Alan is here?" I remember feeling very specially cared for because I knew when I went into surgery another of the principal's had been there. They had prayed with me the day before as I left work and I knew I was in good hands. Those two men had taken turns staying with my husband throughout my surgery. I thought that was really incredible and tried to thank them for being there. Eight years ago last month, so per Connie 8 and almost 1. Where is Connie? Hugs MK
Posted 11/14/2004 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Libby,

 

Congratulations on making it to 6 years.  I wish you many, many more.

 

L&H, Rita

Posted 11/14/2004 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
I went into the biopsy with placations that this was probably nothing, just to be on the safe side, mammogram showed no indications of cancer, etc... So all I had was my gut telling me it was probably cancer, and everyone else was just trying to ease my mind of that concern. I honestly think the surgeon was more shocked than I was!

And yes...where is Connie? I've noticed her lack of activity here. Hope all is well with her.

Love and hugs...
BEV
Posted 11/14/2004 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Joyce...6 yrs..WOW.Congrats my dear friend.

I do remember that moment. I was so shocked. I had had Colon Cancer a few yrs before and figured I had done the cancer thing.
To get a new cancer was a HUGE shock. I was in a daze...

I was busy on the internet and found the Village and a wonderful
group of ladies who have turned out to be some of my dearest friends ! I am so thankful for finding all of you !

I love you Joyce...

Cathi
Posted 11/15/2004 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Joyce,

Congratulations on 6 years!!!!!!!! I remember those words like it was yesterday and it has actually been 19 (almost 20 years).

Hope you celebrated with Vic doing something very special.

Love ya,
Debbie
^j^ ^j^
Posted 11/15/2004 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much for sharing your stories. That is what I love about this board. I was talking to Jo-Ann last night and I told her how much I missed her teenytinytown stories. She was saying she was not sure that was appropriate. I was saying there are plenty of Joe Friday boards...You know the one where you write just the facts mam! The thing that makes this board so special is the warm and fuzzy stories. The laughter and the antics that go on and no matter how much we joke and laugh and complain if someone needs us all that gets put in a closet, and anyone who can help does. That is what I loved about our board and it has been missing lately. I sure hope the board where we share, our tears and our laughter comes back soon. Having rattled on I want to thank you all for for the congrats. Love and lots of Hugs Joyce
Posted 11/15/2004 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Amen, Joyce. Love, MK
Posted 11/15/2004 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Joyce, happy six years! Believe me I'm happy to say that too. Who'd have thunk it, huh?? Wishing someone happy six yrs. of cancer-free life; it's almost weird, but the impt. thing is you are HERE to receive those wishes.

Personally, I try hard not to think of how carefree I was when I went for the mammography that found my cancer. It was the most gorgeous summer day with the sky a blue that we usually only see in the fall in NY. My friend, Linda and I had were both schoolteachers at the time. Every summer we'd make those appts., drive each other there and then go out for lunch to celebrate. Linda's appt. was the week before mine; hers was uneventful, thanks heavens. Mine was a whole other story. I didn't have to say a word when I finally came out of the dr's. office (I went directly from the mammo room to the u/s room). Linda stood up, put her arms around me and said "I know, I know." That was the end me, I started to cry and pretty much cried for the whole next month, right up until I had the first mastectomy. Somewhere in there I realized I needed to fight hard. That's when I started "soldiering on" because BC is a war. Now, it's six yrs. later and thankfully you and I are both here to hug and support each other. Love, Luci
Posted 11/16/2004 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Joyce, congrats on 6 years!!!!! Many, many more, my friend!

Hugs, Michele
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