[LisaDK]

It has mine, my 21 year old sister was diagnosed with thyroid cancer about a year and a half ago. She had her thyroid removed, but they still have to check to make sure it hasn't spread elsewhere. She is doing well now, though.

[altland]

In my family, I am the only one to have the cancer. I was diagnosed with Hodgkins, a lymphoma, almost three years ago. My four year old daughter and I had just left my husband. So I went through six months of chemo while raising my daughter by myself. I have been clean ever since. I conceived a baby boy 4 months after I finished the chemo. Surprise!!! Thank God he is healthy.
The cancer changes your whole outlook on life. I don't put things off as much as I used to. But I am very reluctant to plan for the future, because who knows what will happen. Little things like traffic, colds, and bad hair days don't bother me as much as they used to. Having fun with my kids is at the very top of the priority list. I never dreamed I would have the big "C" but I believe it has made me stronger and a better Mom. My daughter and I have been through a lot and we have a stronger bond because of it.
It seems like a day doesn't go by that I hear of someone else that is diagnosed with some sort of cancer. Wish your sister good luck for me!!! Medicine can do all sorts of wonders. Keep thinking positive.

[writerchick]

altland,

What a trial you went through! The timing of things in life is sometimes so terrible.

Cancer turned my life upside down. When my mother was only 54, she was having some problems with irregular bleeding, but otherwise felt just fine. The doctors told her not to worry, her pap smears were good and it was just menopause symptoms. Then she found out she had uterine sarcoma. The doctors said she had two weeks, or two months with radiation. She chose not to do the radiation and died ten days later. It was like a drawn-out train wreck. The cancer spread through her whole body at lightning speed. The deterioration was so rapid it happened before our eyes. It was surreal knowing we would be losing our previously healthy mother so young in a matter of days.

It is so important to catch things early, and don't let anyone write any of your symptoms off if your gut tells you something is wrong.

[LisaDK]

Atland,

Thank you for your experience. My sister just found out that she still has cancer in her neck and may have it in other locations in her body. Although some tests had been coming back with some suspicious results the doctors kept telling her that it probably wasn't a big deal so this was a big shock. She's not going to be able to find out anything else until July because she has to go through some different things for her thyroid medication before they can run more tests. I think this waiting will be really hard on her and our family. We will have to keep praying and being positive!

[blossy]

Quite a few of my family has had cancer. My Grandpa had colon cancer but had a successful colonoscopy back in the 1940's/1950's, one of the first in Australia. Although I never met him he passes away before I was born. One of my Nanna's was diagnosed with cancer and the surgeon did exploratory surgery to check how extensive it was. Dad said they took one look and closed the incision. She passed away soon after.
My ex-mother in law was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her passing away was really sudden. She hadn't even felt sick until just a few days before they admitted her to hospital. She passed away a week after the diagnosis.
A few years before that my ex-father in law was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was much more fortunate though. He had half a lung removed but he passed away a year after his wife. We believe he dies of a broken heart. He missed her so much.

Lisa I wish your sister continued success and you too atland you're such a strong person.

[altland]

Lisa, I know it's hard but you and your sister must stay positive. Waiting is the hardest. I don't want to falsely get your hopes up, but doctors do make mistakes. Three months after having my son, my oncologist told me the big "C" was back. He told me I needed a stem cell transplant and I needed to find someone to take care of my kids because I would not be able to in the very near future. He wanted to do one more test to see how bad it was. I did the Pet scan and it came back clean. I did not have anything. Because the ct's were taken with two different machines, it looked like the scar tissue had started to grow. I had started to make arrangements to move closer to a cancer center. I stopped breastfeeding my son and started to talk to family members about what we were going to do. In the end, they were wrong. Thank God!!! The not knowing is by far worse. You must keep your faith!!! Your sister and your family will get through this. If it is back, there are numerous treatments to make your sister well again. Besides, she has a great sister like you!! You both will be in my prayers!!! Keep me posted!!!

[writerchick]

Lisa,

Your sister is young and there are so many people who have survived this disease! Of course you will hear the horror stories but there are many, many people who've beaten this and gone on to live a full life. Best wishes to you and your sister.

[cjfrugal]

I am 53 and found out one week ago I have uterine sarcoma. 3 weeks ago I had to have blood transfusion ( 4 units). I had very heavy periods the last few months. The biopsy the gyn took came out normal but 3 days later when he did a d&c he found the cancer. I am still waiting to see gyn cancer doctor. I can not stand not knowing if I am in stage 1 or further along. Why do HMOs take forever to push paper work thru

Originally Posted by writerchick

altland,

What a trial you went through! The timing of things in life is sometimes so terrible.

Cancer turned my life upside down. When my mother was only 54, she was having some problems with irregular bleeding, but otherwise felt just fine. The doctors told her not to worry, her pap smears were good and it was just menopause symptoms. Then she found out she had uterine sarcoma. The doctors said she had two weeks, or two months with radiation. She chose not to do the radiation and died ten days later. It was like a drawn-out train wreck. The cancer spread through her whole body at lightning speed. The deterioration was so rapid it happened before our eyes. It was surreal knowing we would be losing our previously healthy mother so young in a matter of days.

It is so important to catch things early, and don't let anyone write any of your symptoms off if your gut tells you something is wrong.

[ekd61204]

My uncle was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2000. The ironic thing is that he didn't smoke. They removed his right lung, and he went through chemo and radiation. The chemo came back, and they tried everything until the doctors finally said that there were no other alternatives left. He went home on hospice and past away less than a week later in 2003.

My sister's MIL was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy a year ago in December. Brfore she could even start chemo or radiation, they found out the it had already spred everywhere. She was in and out of the hospital until she finally went home on hospice and past away last April.

My other sister's FIL was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. I'm not quite sure what kind of cancer. He and his wife just celebrated their 40th anniversary last October, and they have two new grandchildren. He's healthy and enjoying life.

I work on an Oncology floor at the hospital, so I see the affects of cancer on patients and families all the time. You can never predict what is going to happen or when something will happen. Cancer patients are some of the most remarkable people I've ever met. They have a new outlook on life and take nothing for granted. All I can say is to hold on to your faith and surround yourself with loved ones. Enjoy your life. I truly hope your sister is one of the success stories.

[cjfrugal]

My gyn oncologist will be preforming a complete hysterectomy to treat my uterine cancer only he can't get the surgery scheduled until April 9th. Is the cancer slow growing that it won't be hurtful to my health waiting so long?