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Post by donna on Mar 20, 2017 10:13:12 GMT
It has been a week since I found out the cancer was stage 4. In that week I have had to talk to a lot of people. It has been a hard week.
I told my brother, M, who lives close to my Mom first. He cried but handled it well. He then headed to my Mom's house and I told her. At least on the phone, my Mom handled the news the best of my family. I think she did her crying when we got off of the phone. Then I had to tell my youngest brother, R. It was awful. He has struggled with depression for a while and had been having a good day until I called. He sobbed on the phone. He has also sobbed on the phone with my Mom. My first brother's wife, who is a hospice nurse, then called me. I had held it together pretty well until that conversation and then I lost it. After getting off the phone with her I had another asthma attack and had a hard time breathing for a couple of hours. (It also could have been a panic attack.)
My brother, M, is having a really hard time understanding why I can't go all over the country right now to all of the cancer centers. My husband checked and my insurance will not cover it. M is being pretty pushy, but that is his way of trying to get some control. Our Dad died of colon cancer almost 13 years ago. I hope he can reign in his pushiness before my dh loses patience with him. The questioning of my decisions is getting old pretty quickly.
I told my bosses Wednesday and my coworkers Thursday. I took Friday off for a chemo class and to go meet with HR about my benefits. It was a teacher workday, so it gave my friends a chance to digest the info without getting me too upset. Within minutes of telling my inner circle they had a Google calendar set up and by lunch on Friday they had meals arranged for M,W,F for the next 3 weeks. "Whether I wanted them or not." My principal is concerned that I will focus too much on trying to work. He and one of the APs are cooking up some technology ideas to help.
My principal and the school nurse are going to tell my students what is going on today. I am out today to have my port installed. I will be back at work tomorrow and then have chemo on Thursday. I took Friday off this week because I didn't know how I was going to be feeling and Friday subs are a bear to get on Thursday night.
Thank you so much for the support and prayers. I have to leave now to get my port. This is getting very real now and is pretty scary.
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Post by gypsymama on Mar 20, 2017 10:17:28 GMT
it sounds like you have a really amazing support system, meals lined up and your boss and nurse talking to your students... good stuff! all the peas are sending our thoughts and prayers with you through all of this!
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Post by christine58 on Mar 20, 2017 10:21:08 GMT
Are you going to be able to stay teaching while doing chemo?? Please be careful and if there's a way you can be away from that many people with that many germs...do it. Your immune system will be shot. When a dear friend was doing chemo for breast cancer, she could not teach. You need to stay healthy so you can fight this dick head called cancer. That's a BIG question you need to ask when you start chemo. lunch on Friday they had meals arranged for M,W,F for the next 3 weeks. "Whether I wanted them or not." My principal is concerned that I will focus too much on trying to work. He and one of the APs are cooking up some technology ideas to help. I knew your your friends would step up and do this for you!! We're all here for you!! |
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Post by idahopea on Mar 20, 2017 10:28:27 GMT
You have been through so much in a short time. I have been thinking of you this week. You are strong! You can fight this! Don't be afraid to get a long-term sub if you need one. This is the time to make taking care of you your top priority so you can focus on beating this.
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teddyw
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,868 
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Post by teddyw on Mar 20, 2017 10:36:16 GMT
Thank goodness for supportive people. Hopefully your brother pulls himself together soon.
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,633
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Post by janeliz on Mar 20, 2017 10:50:00 GMT
I'm sorry your brother is having a hard time with it. I know it just adds to your stress to have someone second guessing the already very tough decisions you've had to make. I hope he settles down soon.
I'm so glad to hear you have the love and support of your friends and colleagues.
Stay strong---we're here for you, too. ((Hugs))
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Post by Linda on Mar 20, 2017 10:51:14 GMT
((((Hugs))) and prayers
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Post by ScrapsontheRocks on Mar 20, 2017 10:54:31 GMT
I am in awe of your strength (without being patronizing about it or saying you can't rant & rave when you need to) and I send you all good thoughts.
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 14:33:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2017 11:01:14 GMT
I'm so pleased that your friends and colleagues are being so supportive. I have to agree with christine58 though. Please re-consider your decision to carry on working during your chemo treatment. Schools are a magnet for infections of all sorts, colds, flu etc and you will be at your most vulnerable during this time. This is the time to take care of yourself and I'm sure they'll sort something out at school for you. Sending prayers and good thought, take care x |
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IAmUnoriginal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,894
Jun 25, 2014 23:27:45 GMT
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Post by IAmUnoriginal on Mar 20, 2017 11:08:09 GMT
Thanks for updating us. I've been thinking about you and checked for an update a couple times this week. Your school sounds like a wonderful, caring place to work. I love that they jumped right into action. Hopefully, as the news ages a little, your brother will calm down. He's being annoying out of love. The only silver lining I can find is that his current behavior is better than indifference. Take good care of you, Donna!
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Post by gailoh on Mar 20, 2017 11:09:42 GMT
I wish you all the best...prayers and hugs
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Mar 20, 2017 11:11:45 GMT
Prayers and lots of (((hugs)))
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Post by piebaker on Mar 20, 2017 11:13:20 GMT
Supportive thoughts being sent your way. Your dedication to your students is admirable, but please put yourself first.
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Post by ss on Mar 20, 2017 11:17:30 GMT
Thinking of you Donna! Prayers and hugs!
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cakediva
Drama Llama
Making the world a sweeter place one cake at a time!
Posts: 7,463
Location: Fergus, Ontario
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Post by cakediva on Mar 20, 2017 11:19:30 GMT
Hugs to you and your family!
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Post by bearmom on Mar 20, 2017 11:21:11 GMT
Prayers for you and your family. Take care of yourself and keep yourself healthy. Hopefully your brother will come to accept your decision in time.
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 14:33:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2017 11:24:01 GMT
Rooting for you from the other side of the ocean. I can't possibly imagine what it must be like to have these conversations, and I'm amazed at your strength.
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Post by baslp on Mar 20, 2017 11:24:34 GMT
Sending you prayers and hugs. Thanks for the update.
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Post by jenjie on Mar 20, 2017 11:24:35 GMT
donna this makes me so happy! I remember you shared once on one of my threads that if something ever happened in your family, you would not receive support because you didn't live close to your family and friends. I have been concerned about this for you. I am so glad your coworkers jumped right in to serve you and let you know you are not alone. Praying for you today. May God's peace flood and overflow you. Praying He surprises you with how calm you are! THIS is the day the Lord had made. He is here with you today. He is going with you. I'm sorry I owe you a pea mail! Much love 😘
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Mar 20, 2017 11:38:28 GMT
You've been in my heart and in my thoughts a lot this week. I'm glad you have so much support from your school.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Mar 20, 2017 11:40:43 GMT
If you have to go through an experience like this at all, how wonderful to do with all the support and love you've been receiving. Things are moving along quickly and we are all rooting for you from pea-land. I wish you all the best.
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Post by dasmith2 on Mar 20, 2017 11:44:34 GMT
It has been a week since I found out the cancer was stage 4. In that week I have had to talk to a lot of people. It has been a hard week. I told my brother, M, who lives close to my Mom first. He cried but handled it well. He then headed to my Mom's house and I told her. At least on the phone, my Mom handled the news the best of my family. I think she did her crying when we got off of the phone. Then I had to tell my youngest brother, R. It was awful. He has struggled with depression for a while and had been having a good day until I called. He sobbed on the phone. He has also sobbed on the phone with my Mom. My first brother's wife, who is a hospice nurse, then called me. I had held it together pretty well until that conversation and then I lost it. After getting off the phone with her I had another asthma attack and had a hard time breathing for a couple of hours. (It also could have been a panic attack.) My brother, M, is having a really hard time understanding why I can't go all over the country right now to all of the cancer centers. My husband checked and my insurance will not cover it. M is being pretty pushy, but that is his way of trying to get some control. Our Dad died of colon cancer almost 13 years ago. I hope he can reign in his pushiness before my dh loses patience with him. The questioning of my decisions is getting old pretty quickly. I told my bosses Wednesday and my coworkers Thursday. I took Friday off for a chemo class and to go meet with HR about my benefits. It was a teacher workday, so it gave my friends a chance to digest the info without getting me too upset. Within minutes of telling my inner circle they had a Google calendar set up and by lunch on Friday they had meals arranged for M,W,F for the next 3 weeks. "Whether I wanted them or not." My principal is concerned that I will focus too much on trying to work. He and one of the APs are cooking up some technology ideas to help. My principal and the school nurse are going to tell my students what is going on today. I am out today to have my port installed. I will be back at work tomorrow and then have chemo on Thursday. I took Friday off this week because I didn't know how I was going to be feeling and Friday subs are a bear to get on Thursday night. Thank you so much for the support and prayers. I have to leave now to get my port. This is getting very real now and is pretty scary. Again, I am so sorry you are going through this. I am glad you have family and friends to support you and I wish you the very best. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for the update |
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Post by Really Red on Mar 20, 2017 11:45:49 GMT
You are so spanking brave!!! I love that everyone is rallying around you and I know it's hard when others tell you what they think you should be doing/reading/eating. Please get a standard phrase together for those people. They mean well, but you do not need that now. Your entire focus should be on being the best you that you can be right now.
Lots and lots of love and support and cyber hugs and everything sent to you!
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,976
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Post by Nanner on Mar 20, 2017 11:46:07 GMT
Donna, It's good to hear that people are all coming together to be there for and help you how they can. I have been thinking about you a lot this past week, and send you my very best wishes.
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Post by peasapie on Mar 20, 2017 11:47:00 GMT
Thanks for updating us; I've been thinking of you. The conversations you are having must be exhausting and I admire your strength.
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 14:33:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2017 11:57:54 GMT
Another one here who is thinking and praying for you every day.
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
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Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Mar 20, 2017 12:06:00 GMT
Prayers and hugs, Donna.
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Post by mikklynn on Mar 20, 2017 12:13:47 GMT
It takes such a toll to have these conversations. I encourage you or a trusted friend to start a CaringBridge site. It's an easy way to keep everyone updated. It's free. You can make it public or private.
Hugs, dear Pea friend. I'm so happy you are being supported and loved.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Mar 20, 2017 12:25:08 GMT
Thinking of you. Sending strong healing thoughts.
Just know you are surrounded by love.
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scrappert
Prolific Pea
RefuPea #2956
Posts: 7,811
Location: Milwaukee, WI area
Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Mar 20, 2017 12:31:01 GMT
Sending healing thoughts and prayers to you.
Good luck today getting your port.
Lots of cyber hugs being sent, so glad to hear everyone knows now and you can get moving forward.
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