tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31526778.post7169204194656257144..comments2023-11-03T05:39:03.311-07:00Comments on Greetings from the Polebarn: Goal for Today: LiveLaura M. Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626499967303596828noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31526778.post-83585496029807315272010-09-10T05:26:40.937-07:002010-09-10T05:26:40.937-07:00Wow! What a sad story. I'm glad he's doing...Wow! What a sad story. I'm glad he's doing well. You and your family will be in my thoughts today. :)Beth Ann Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14073079033033203612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31526778.post-8261048443728279802010-09-09T13:17:41.440-07:002010-09-09T13:17:41.440-07:00Laura, Trust me when I tell you this but my kids a...Laura, Trust me when I tell you this but my kids and I can truly relate to the fears you had and probably still have too over your Dad's health problems. You see, 7 years ago this past St. Patrick's Day, I was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer. My doctor did a colonoscopy and discovered a tumor which the early pathology report said was malignant. My dr. when he spoke to my younger daughter and I after I came out of recovery, had my life totally planned out over the next 10 months. I would have chemo and radiation starting in March 19th and continuing for six weeks, a month's break for recovery from that, then surgery, followed after a 6 week recovery period with chemo for the next 7 months. Because he had my life all planned out for me and gave me no options, I followed through on his game plan. I was lucky with that surgery as no colostomy was necessary but 3 years later, I did end up having a colostomy because of other intestinal problems but not cancer. The colostomy is a bit of a pain to deal with at times but if it is a necessity of life, it's not that big of a problem, just more of an embarrassment at times is all. This past July, I had surgery again -a total hysterectomy, plus bladder repair as well a full hernia repair. The pathology report from the hysterectomy was a bit of a surprise to me and to my surgeon then too as it revealed cancer in my uterus -something that would never have been found if the only tests I had done would be the normal Pap smears and such. It was only because I had the hysterectomy that the uterine cancer was discovered so now I am embarking on another round of chemo -of the type much stronger than the first time around. So strong as a matter of fact that yesterday, when I had my first treatment, it was stopped 15 minutes after it began because I had a terrible allergic reaction to the chemo! Ended up in the emergency room of the local hospital as a matter of fact. <br />But my main point here believe it or not is to tell you to keep your heart and mind on a very, very positive level about the cancer, about any treatments recommended for your Dad as a positive attitude, lots of prayers don't hurt and a strong faith will carry you and your family through the thick and the thin days of dealing with recovery from major surgery and an illness like cancer! My own method is to find anything I can about my situation and poke fun at it whenever, wherever possible and I pay no mind to those who think I'm a bit daft for trying to find ways to laugh about the problems that can accompany a cancer diagnosis and treatments. But it works fine and dandy for me and I know lots of other people who use much of the same tactics as I employ to keep my mind at a level where I don't dwell on the illness, the issues and such. Cancer is NOT the end all disease it once was for openers. A colostomy, if needed, is also not the end of life either but rather a great giver of continuation of life! Chemo is not the nicest treatment ever nor is radiation but they do are sure a hell of a lot better than the other alternative too!<br />And attitude, above all, really trumps everything else in my opinion, in my own experience. That plus being blessed with my first granddaughter (2nd grandchild) while getting chemo after my surgery gave me even more to keep my attitude up as high as possible!<br />This is of course not an absolute guarantee of good health forever and ever but it is one way of enjoying life as long as possible and to the maximum of one's abilities too! Faith will carry you the distance you want to go, ya know. <br />Peace, love and good medicine -may they all be in your dad's and your family's future!Jenihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425701332785470116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31526778.post-6247999397045974862010-09-08T23:36:15.028-07:002010-09-08T23:36:15.028-07:00Wow, sorry to hear about your Dad Laura, but very ...Wow, sorry to hear about your Dad Laura, but very very glad to hear that he made it out of surgery OK. My thoughts will be wit you guys as you get the news from his test results. <br /><br />-Andy WeberUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03808255549902738273noreply@blogger.com