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Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 4:30 pm
by Niabi
Awe Tarn! I'm touched! Thank you :hug:

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:05 pm
by Silivren
I hope you're feeling good and well on your birthday Niabi. You deserve that. <3

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 8:34 am
by Niabi
Oh jeez Melle! You remembered my birthday!? Omg, that means so much to me just for you to mention it! Thank you.

I had made plans with the husband for a nice lunch and movie if my stamina was up for it for the day. Didn't happen though. I'm slowly being weaned off of my temporary thyroid medication to prepare for radiation in January (yes, I'm finally having the procedure done, but that'll be a whole other long story in itself). Going hypo for radiation has done some rather weird things to my body and mind: the two biggest culprits as of now having zero energy almost all the time and being emotionally unstable. Plus, to boot it's raining where I live so I didn't want to add getting pneumonia to the list too.

As an alternative measure, my husband called the restaurant we had planned to visit to find out if they'll do to-go orders, which they do, and he went to grab the food and bring it home for me instead. We then laid in bed watching a few new movies we had purchased: Divergent, Seven Pounds, and How to Tame Your Dragon 2. I then finished the night off playing a little World of Warcraft. Overall, I'd say it was a very good birthday. :mrgreen:

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 8:40 pm
by Niabi
I know it's been a while but I feel well enough at the moment to finally bring everyone up to speed on my treatment.

After fighting to the tooth and nail on the matter, I was scheduled for RAI treatment on 1/12/2015. I was admitted into the hospital and kept under quarantine until I was safe enough to be released out into the world (3 days). As an extra precaution, I transferred over to a motel for an additional 5 days. Don't worry though, my hubby wrapped everything (and I do mean everything) in plastic in my motel room so I wouldn't contaminate the room for future guests. I am finally home now and undergoing scans/blood work for follow up.

I am experiencing side effects such as dry mouth, loss of taste (or everything tastes bland or salty ... yuck!), mouth sores, nausea, diarrhea, GERD, bloating, muscle cramps, hair loss (not bald yet though), extreme mood swings, fatigue, lymphedema in the jaw, and occasional memory loss/brain fog. There is not enough bottled water in the world to combat the dehydration I have either ... it sucks!

Before my RAI treatment, a CT scan showed that the cancer had indeed, began to grow back in my neck. The radiation seems to be working however and my post RAI scan showed no metastasis in the lungs and bone. My endocrinologist says it is too soon to tell if we killed all of the cancer so I'll have to go in for more blood work in about a month.

That's pretty much it for now. As always, I'll post updates as they come in. :hug:

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 9:19 pm
by Dewclaw
Sorry to hear you're having such a rough go of it. hang strong. <3

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 2:22 am
by Ana
Niabi
Image

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: not sure what else to say.

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 2:56 am
by Wain
Hi Niabi,

Thanks for posting an update and letting us know how you're going. I can only imagine what you're going through. I'm glad the RAI is working, at least. So it's been worth it. Please take care and stay strong till your results come in! In the meantime I hope you're doing well enough to get plenty of game time in :)

*hugs*

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 5:17 am
by Niabi
I just want to thank those of you who have shown a genuine concern for my well-being these past few months. I'll confess, a lot of people who I once considered friends, kinda dumped me once I informed them of my diagnosis. I tried not to be judgemental about it because I know it can be an awkward topic to discuss and everyone gets busy with their own lives but man, does it sting! A few of them have even taken up avoiding me at all costs. Oh well.

I'm feeling better and most of the side effects have eased off. I'm not cancer free yet but I'm starting to go back to a somewhat normal life again.

Thanks for being a supportive crutch through all this! :hug:

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 7:15 am
by Dewclaw
Glad you are feeling some better and continued hopes on you getting cancer free!

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 11:33 am
by Syleye
Its good to see that you are feeling better, it's hard to watch people you care for suffer. Sometimes people fail. I am truly sorry that those you considered friends are failing you, but it sounds like you have a good support system with family, and well you have us. Take care of you and don't worry about the extra

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 5:50 pm
by Anyia
Really good to hear you're on the improve! Keep it up! :)

I can't say much about people... they're people, just as messed up as the rest of us - sometimes in a sufficiently compatible way which allows us to hang around through tough times, but you never really find out until you're there. That said, may your tough times be in decline!

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 8:08 am
by Ana
Good to hear that your feeling better. Huggles from me

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 6:48 am
by Niabi
Hey guys. I have some news for those of you who are keeping tabs :hug:

Recent bloodwork indicates that there is a chance that the cancer was not fully obliterated by surgery and radiation. My doctor hopes it is just a random fluke since I am still in the process of stabilizing my hormone levels through medication and he will monitor my thyroglobulin tests very carefully.

It's probably my unstable hormones talking, but I just can't shake the feeling like I may be in for some heartache. I'll keep you posted and hopefully should know more in a couple of months.

On a good note: My husband received a kidney!!! He's home now where he can recover over the next couple of months and get spoiled with tons of my homemade cooking and kisses!

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 7:12 am
by Dewclaw
Sorry to hear about the blood work. keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 9:41 am
by Syleye
Thank you for keeping us informed. I will hope for the best for you, and that's great news about your husband :D

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 5:09 pm
by Niabi
Some of you have made notice of my absence from the forums. I still make attempts to log in whenever I can and I will often pop in every now and again on Flight Rising to pass the time.

I really don't feel like getting into the finer details at this time, but the short and sweet version of the story is that I have symptoms that inhibit me from socializing as I normally would. I'm sorry and I hope you can understand.

* Edit: I just realized this post have come off a bit abrasive. I don't mean it to be. I'm dealing with so much and I'm not always in control of my words and emotions. I still love y'all. I'll try and do better. Hugs.

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 5:29 pm
by Dewclaw
Sorry to hear you're dealing with some symptoms. :( Big hugs, and we are here if you want to talk/need us.

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 4:33 am
by Wain
Niabi wrote:Some of you have made notice of my absence from the forums. I still make attempts to log in whenever I can and I will often pop in every now and again on Flight Rising to pass the time.
I really don't feel like getting into the finer details at this time, but the short and sweet version of the story is that I have symptoms that inhibit me from socializing as I normally would. I'm sorry and I hope you can understand.
* Edit: I just realized this post have come off a bit abrasive. I don't mean it to be. I'm dealing with so much and I'm not always in control of my words and emotions. I still love y'all. I'll try and do better. Hugs.
You didn't come across that way to me. I think most people will expect you're tired and worn out from the treatment. It's not something I've ever been through with anyone close to me (thank god), but from what I've seen people under treatment really need to be cut a lot of slack and given a lot of understanding. I hope you pick up soon, though. Hugs and take care!

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 6:17 am
by Ana
Hugs to you Niabi!! Sorry if I seemed to pressure you on fr. I know you are in treatment :hug: All i wish is that you do better :D :hug:

Re: A Cancer Journal

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 9:14 am
by Niabi
Thanks guys.

I'm experiencing so much anxiety and depression (side effects of treatment and medication) that I have a tough time handling it in the best way. It makes me extremely sensitive and paranoid over almost everything. I'm just not used to this new "me" yet.