kbienapfl
kbienapfl's Cancer Blog
November 20, 2008
| Patience | Views: 512 |
I am restless! I sit in what I refer to as my apartment with a cleaning service and pass my time. I once thought having my own little place to escape would be something that would take me away from daily stresses. I realize now that what I once thought were daily stresses are just a part of life that I now miss.
I have four and a half weeks of treatment remaining. Hawthorn Suites is very accommodating, but I miss the bark of my dog, Bert, Dick’s nightly back rubs and the young energy Eileen brings to our home.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America is located in Zion, Illinois. It is not a very convenient location. It is located smack dab between Chicago and Milwaukee along Lake Michigan. It helps me appreciate where I live in Minnesota. To get to a mall or a decent restaurant while staying in Zion, it requires at least a half hour drive. This is difficult, as I am accustomed to great food and entertainment ten minutes from home. Here, I think twice just taking off and going out, as it takes energy to get from point A to point B here in Illinois.
Treatments are going well. They are not scheduled until evenings as they have so many patients scheduled each day. Some nights I do not leave the radiation center until 9:00 p.m. This makes evening socializing with friends and family difficult. I return to my room and crawl into bed and sleep any sign of depleted energy away. With that, I am able to wake in the mornings with good energy and the ability to be out in the world. Late mornings find me exercising at the gym CTCA provides for their patients. It is my afternoons that find me stir crazy and looking for things to do.
The staff at CTCA continues to impress me. Their philosophy is that all members of this amazing organization treat all patients the way they would want their mothers treated. I must say, there are some very lucky mothers out there, as the staff shows so much respect for each and every patient.
CTCA takes care of everything from free breakfast, lunch and dinner to limousine service to and from the airport. They provide the feeling of security as they go above and beyond the call. I just learned that my airline tickets to and from home as well as mileage from my driving trips are reimbursed through insurance. CTCA does not want its patients to be concerned about the small details. They take care of that for you.They can only do so much. Accepting the quiet that faces me on a daily basis is my part of treatment. I am once again learning the next level of patience. Appointments run late. Afternoons are long and lonelines sets in. In the end, I know this will be a small portion of my future and this time away from home will be well worth the sacrifices.
pa⋅tience /ˈpeɪʃəns/ Show Spelled Pronunciation
–noun
quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.
Peace and blessings to all of you.
Chris and Jaime 
Brian Aagaard 
Thanks for your support -
It sounds like a great service. And glad you are doing well. Rest, rest, rest and let your body kill that dang cancer. Visualize it and think happy thoughts.
Time is hard to do alone. Like Jill said, good thoughts and rest. Allow your body to heal and your mind time to wander to a happier place and time.
God bless
Mac
I hear you about loneliness, it must be hard being away from home. I hope time will pass fast for you. It sounds like you’re in great care at CTCA. Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Yuyu
Kathy,
Just 4.5 more weeks. You can do it. You have to be one of the most positive people that walks among us. You are walking the road to recovery and being away from your surroundings will be a small price to getting back to normal. Thinking of you and wishing you well.
Kim
Hi gal! It looks like things are going well with you. You would think it was a great Vacation if it were not for the treatment.
think about ya!
Love Sherri
Friends:
A few months ago they detected a carcinogenic tumor to me in the back, and for it they prescribed Theirs Lorcet that is a medicine for the strong pains, this medicine for my is the suitable one since really it(he,she) calms the pain, because they are agonies that are terrible, for it I try always to know on the different topics of this medicine since always it is advisable to know his(her,your) effects and consequences, I found one article in www.findrxonline.com/lorcet.htm that he(she) says:
Precaution: Lorcet is the formation(training) of habit and only it(he,she) must be in use under narrow supervision if you have an alcohol or the addiction to the drugs. Before taking this medicine, say to his(her,your) doctor if you have renal disease, hepatic disease, the asthma, urinary retention, an enlargement of the prostate; hipotiroidismo; the seizures of epilepsy, disease of the biliary bladder; an injury in the head, or Addison’s disease. Do not take this medicine without speaking first with his(her,your) doctor if you are embarrassed or nursing a baby. If you are 18-year-old minor of age or major of 60 years of age, they can be more inclined to experience the side effects of the therapy Lorcet. Precaution uses extra.
Adverse reactions: Stop taking Lorcet and looking for medical attention of emergency if you experience anyone of following reactions: an allergic reaction (impede on having breathed, closing of his(her,your) throat, swelling of the lips, language, or face, or beehives); slow, the weakness of the breathing; seizures; cold, sticky skin(leather); serious weakness or motion sicknesses; unconsciousness; yellowish coloration of the skin(leather) or the eyes, or unusual fatigue, bled or bruises.
This allows me to inform me mas about this medicine since I know to certain science that it is what I owe and must not take, looks like to me a good topic for it I recommend to them this medicine for the strong pains that we have….
Kathy,
I have lived in both Milwaukee and Chicago, I know what you mean about the “No Man’s Land” in between them. Be glad you don’t have to be there in the throes of winter. You have been so strong undergoing so many different treatments. I pray this works and is worth the time away from family and pets. I am impressed that CTCA does so much for it’s patients, I had no idea. Lucky you to be a part of that. Hang in there! Gaile
Dear Kathy,
It’s been far too long since we have communicated. I live in IL. but about 300 miles from Chicago for I am just across the river from St. Louis. When you spoke of those lonely afternoons I was trying to think if it was at all possible to come visit you and hopefully brighten your day and take you away to a mall a great restaurant, any or all? It sounds very positive about your stay there. To be quite honest the physicans that I have dealt with since my dx. in 1994 @ Washington University in St. Louis starting with transplant to oncology didn’t have anything good to say about Cancer Centers of America. But, according to what you have to say the were very misimformed. Take care, stay positive ( though I already know you will be) and try to enjoy your holidays. If you ever think you want a day trip just let me know. It’s just 5 hours. Be Happy, Patty
Dear Kathy; I hope your 4 1/2 weeks of treatment, still allows you home in time for Xmas. I guess that is what your focus can be. Shopping and wraping, xmas cards, anything to stave off the boredom of those lonely afternoons. There’s nothing worse. Do you have your own car at your disposal or do you have to use public transportation to get to those far away Malls. just curious. I hope time flies while you complete your treatment, that soon you will be resting in your own bed, hopping out to your favourite restaurants, and getting those missed backrubs. I’m sure you see the point in doing this, and aren’t you lucky to have such wonderful people taking care of your needs. Sometimes things that seem horrible at the time can actually have its moments of surprise and greatefullness. Take care you trooper, and poof before you can say Jack Robinson, you will be home.
Weezie
I felt lonely during treatments. But I was tired all the time, so I really couldn’t do anything anyway. And like you, I am 45 minutes away from any large city. And with traffic in Houston, a drive anywhere during the day can take hours. Hopefully these weeks pass quickly and you get home soon.
Hi Kathy,
I happen to stubble upon your blog today and was so thankful that I did. I am 38 yrs old and was diagnosed with scc or rectum.
I had scc in my groin area in 2001 and it was removed in office. First pathology came back margins not clear. I had to have more area removed. I did great. No follow up treatment required.
I had surgery on Oct. 27th to remove the mass. Pathology came back that all margins are NOT clear. In addition I have 3 spots of dysplasia, which the surgeon left.
I went in for my 1 week post-op appointment and was told about the margins and other 3 spots. Then she tells me that she doesn’t think chemo/radiation are needed at this time.
I was in shock. I thought the sooner you get to it the better off you are. Also that once you mess with it, it can go crazy. So I didn’t trust her. I got a second opinion.
At second opinion the oncologist agreed with surgeon stating that at this time it would not be good to start chemo/radiation. He said to stick with my 3 month appointment and at that time they will take a look and see what it going on. He said that the radiation will be “devasting” to my body.
I am worried that waiting is the wrong choice, but I have 2 oncologists and 1 surgeon that all agree. It’s just very hard to trust them, knowing that my margins aren’t clear, I had surgery so stuff was messed with. Am I over reacting? I’m sorry to bug you with all that you are going through, but I believe you know what I am going through and I trust you…if that makes sense. :o)
I am here for you as well and will keep checking in on your blog. Thank you and many positive thoughts being sent your way!
Hugs, Dawn