G is for the cancer support Group I attended at Christ Fellowship’s Royal Palm Beach campus last night. I plan to go back next month; I found the group to be positive and very nice. There was at least 15 people there. Most were survivors; some were currently going through treatment, and a couple were caregivers. For me, the sharing of stories was the best part. Since I was the newbie, my story was the longest since no one knew anything about me, but everyone really listened and seemed to genuinely care. And again, they were positive and talked about the benefits to being positive – something I’ve really tried to emulate. No one shared the same story as me, as usual, but there were a few throat, neck, and lung patients who connected with my first cancer. Their experiences reminded me of my surgery and radiation in 2005. In fact, many had/have the same radiation oncologist. No one had ALL or leukemia. Most of the women had or have breast cancer. I was also probably the youngest one there, which Joel says is one of our most difficult issues personally because it’s so hard to find anyone to talk to about our experiences. This is one of the main reasons I wanted to go. I feel called to share – my experiences, information, knowledge… interestingly, one of the co-coordinators introduced something he felt called to do at this particular meeting. He wants to start a team where volunteers from the group will be paired with a new member to the group based on gender and type of cancer; this is the type of thing I wanted to do. I want to help at least one person.
What remains with me in my heart today may have nothing to do with cancer. There was a couple where the wife is a 3 year survivor of ovarian cancer, but that’s not their current concern. Their concern is for their youngest daughter who has been suffering from debilitating headaches that cause her to faint. She’s only 14, in 9th grade, and so far, the only thing the doctors seem to agree on is that she is having bad migraines. The parents are beside themselves. The daughter hasn’t been able to go to school for a month and a half. The two neurologists they’ve seen are polar opposites with one wanting to drug her up and the other wanting to give her nothing. The parents haven’t been able to find a middle ground or some agreement. Your heart can’t help but go out to them. The mother kept tearing up and is so frustrated. She calls and calls. They’ve gone to Miami. They just want to know how to help their daughter, but all the tests so far have shown nothing. Shortly before writing this, I contacted one of the group’s co-coordinators in the hope of being able to reach this couple. The husband told me that the daughter currently has an incomplete as her 3rd quarter grade from her English teacher and I wanted to see if I could somehow help – possibly by tutoring or via strategies or whatever. Hopefully, I’ll get a return email tomorrow.
G is also for my visit today to my OB-GYN. My doctor was extremely happy to see me. She was always incredibly sweet and caring to me during the part of my ordeal when I was pregnant with Joshua, and she’s still the same wonderful lady. I had a fun (sarcasm) papsmear and asked her my questions. First, I needed to know if I could possibly experience early menopause. Why? Well, not to go into too much detail, but my periods have really been off and I haven’t had anything since February. I also told her that my oncologist was surprised I have had any kind of period; he literally said, “You’re ovaries still work?” In response, my OB-GYN said that with all that I’ve been through, this could all just be normal but just in case, I’m going to have an ultrasound on Monday. She said I could have a hormonal test but that the results would not necessarily be accurate, so we decided against it at this time. I also asked for a script so that I can get my mammogram done because I didn’t exactly get it done like I normally do before school starts in August, so I have to call to make that appointment. Lastly, my oncologist said I can go off of my Prozac. Mom doesn’t want me to, so I asked my OB. She asked why my oncologist wanted to take me off it, and I told her he stated that he felt the Prozac was to help me through my baby blues, which he believes is now over so the drug’s job is done. My OB said that the baby blues can last as long as a year so I could still have it, but she also said that with my mom here, now is the best time to stop the drug and see what happens. If I feel any negative feelings or depression, I should immediately go back on it and if I don’t notice any mood changes, my mom should. Plus, my OB said that if I go off successfully, mom will feel better leaving – whether she realizes it or not right now.
My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you who continue to read this blog and pray for me and my family. God bless.
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THank you for the updates. I am so happy that you are doing well and that you are healthy enough to be out!!!! Miss seeing you!!! xoxo
I think my friends brother Tim goes to a cancer support group at Christ Fellowship, he is battling lymphoma, and definately enjoyed the group and all the support he was given. I think that would be awesome if you could help that girl with tutoring or anything of the sort, God places people in our lives for a reason!
Glad to see things are going well for you Jamie! That’s really cool that you have it in your heart to help others! I will be praying for your visit on the 23rd and for Elli and Manny.