Surgery--Again

Checking in...

Hugs x

Back with info.

A cd was made of the growth. I will have a CT scan on Monday, a potentially dangerous procedure for a person with asthma, so I have to take prednisone ahead of time.

This particular cancer has absolutely nothing to do with the other kind I had. (I asked this twice.) This kind can be virulent, but it was caught at a very early stage.

I met with the chief doctor for throats. He thinks the best treatment would be laser surgery, possibly alone or in conjunction with radiation. The planning board will make this ultimate determination. I will know its decision next Wednesday.

I did not meet with the finance people. It would be pointless without knowing what the treatment is to be. I'll probably see them next week.

At the moment I'm emotionally and physically spent. I've been depressed (diagnosed as clinically depressed) for a while. This makes taking action a challenge for me. But I'll do what I have to do.

Don't wanna get sloppy and soppy, but I want youse guys to know how much your support means. How much your kind and supportive words mean.

I know that Noddy would be telling me to hold onto my dominion. And as I've said to her many times in the past, I'm hanging, Noddy. I'm hanging.

A few specific responses to some posts.

Thomas, I grew up in the Bronx, but I live in Manhattan. I may take you up on your offer. Having someone around would be a wonderful thing.

Squinney, how I wish you could swoop in and take over. Sigh.

osso, I have no idea why you view the phone call as questionable. The doctor called me with results and to confirm that I would be showing up. Nothing sinister. In fact, greatly appreciated.

To the rest of you I send a smooch. I'm feeling a bit fuhblungit (look it up), but that is not a deterrant to holding each of you in my heart. (Fuhblungit is a head problem. My heart is fine--so far.)

So.... that it's not related to the former cancer is great news, no?

I view it as great news. Makes decision making easier.

Well, Roberta, driving around in eckveldt makes no sense.
And since you noticed that, I'm sure that you're not farklempt at all and a solution will be found. With a very good end!

Take this good news as such.
(Edited: just notice you did already)

Is this throat cancer in the early stages, Roberta?
Listen, now you throw away every cigarette you still have in the house.
You cannot smoke another cigarette, dear.

Don't worry about the cost now, your health should be your primary
concern, money secondary.

What if we all chip in with 10 bucks each? How many active members
do we have who are willing to contribute?

I am raising my hand!

That's good. Well, you know, not good, but good.

Different is better than an extension of the old, eh.

But still, Murphy's got some explaining to do.

<smoooches from the goils>

Yeah, I'm rather miffed at Murphy.

Rather.

<sigh>

OK, early stages... good!

Completely understood about the way depression makes it harder to take action.

You've got a big ol' cheering section ready to cheer the actions you take (you did good today!!) and ready to listen when it's kvetch time.

Hugs.

Early is good, it's very good. Early like one second after midnight. Early like before the worm the early bird is supposed to catch is up.

Early. A meditation on earliness. On mornings, firsts, seeds and eggs. Early.

Here with you.

Encouraging news.

Another hand up here.

Also standing in the cheer squad...

Here too...

k - laser surgery...now these days they are pretty top notch on the laser surgery - and this is an early catch - right, not easy to take - not easy to think about - little consolation in the bigger picture at this very moment - but, from the outside looking in - this is something to work with positively. Possibly no radiation at this point. K - this is a positive too.

Clinical depression will be a big battle for you in dealing with this illness and surgery - so you need to reach out whenever you can, if only to hear some perspective. Will you do something for me (not that I have the right to ask anything of you) but, please would you give your phone number to people here who you trust and feel comfortable with, if they do not already have it. My reasons for that are - with depression, as you are probably well aware, causes folk to shut down and shut away - and if you start feeling as though everything is too much - if you let someone have your number - just so they can keep checking in on you - then when things may wear you down - you know that someone will be there when you can't call or talk.

I know about steroids - I'm not sure what doses or how long they are suggesting you take them for - or whether this is just for the surgery - but they mess with your head too - personal experience of 6 years of steroids messed with me, tho of course each individual is different. Hopefully it will be just for the surgery and maybe a little after that and in small doses - or even as an IV infusion during surgery. They will be very important tho to ensure you do not have an asthmatic attack. Very important.

Another week to wait for more decisions you do not want to even contemplate - I hope there is some editing for you to do which will allow you to kvetch very loudly.

Hugs to you. xox

It had sounded early, as I was trying to get at in my flabbergasted and emotional post yesterday, and I'm very glad it's early. Also, they sound like they know what they're doing there.

On the call, I didn't mean sinister. But some people have a hard time with news on the phone, and you had an appointment hours away. But now I understand, he wanted to make sure you'd be there. I like it, actually, when the doctors bother to call me; the best of them always have.


More support and some chocolate ice cream.

On steroids, there is prednisone and prednisone. Years ago I used to get this allergic type bronchitis after colds. (I have asthma too, but not like Roberta does.) The internist I was seeing at the time had a specialty in endocrinology though I just saw her as "my internist". She prescribed very low dose prednisone and the allergic bronchitis cleared right up. A milacal! So what I'm getting at is dosage may vary re asthma or collagen disease and length of usage.


More chocolate ice cream. Do you like cherries on top?

Oh! Very early stage! Laser surgery plus maybe radiation! This is TERRIFIC news! Really GREAT!

(Taking three deep breaths)

OK, this is doable.

Wait a minute. You're still smoking??? Cut that out right now. I mean it, Roberta, right this minute. As they told my husband when he was diagnosed with throat cancer, smoking is no longer a risk FACTOR for you. It's simply and plainly not possible for you any longer if you want to live. You cannot have those toxins passing over the cancer site and expect the cancer not to recur. In addition, quitting smoking BEFORE surgery increases your chances of survival more than quitting after. (Hubby paid attention, thank God. He stopped smoking as soon as he got the cancer diagnosis. He has now been cancer-free for 14 years.)

Good thought for you, Roberta, heading your way from just three blocks away in Central Park.........

Joe(those butts gotta go though)Nation

Sounds less badder than I had feared.



Hoping it is the goodest bad that could be found.

Raboida, try not to laugh too hard.... :wink:

I've always known that being bi-polar had certain advantages. Good thing we both appreciate craziness.

I've been reading along and thinking of you...
but haven't known what to say.
I still don't, but wanted you to know that I'm here to listen ...


And I quit smoking in Feb., not that that makes it any easier on you or anything.

Basically, bitch away.

Yooooooooooo hooooooooooooooooooo...... checking in!