As I wake up this Thanksgiving morning, I have a lot to be thankful for. Sunshine (my girlfriend of 13 years) just woke up; she had a rough night – but slept some. She is slowly recuperating from recent breast reconstruction surgery.
Sunshine’s journey started in late May when she received the news of an abnormal mammogram. From there, it seemed like countless trips to doctors, imaging centers, MRI centers and a cancer center with even more doctors. A double mastectomy was required, then tissue expanders and finally reconstruction surgery.
Today…
I am thankful to the technician who caught the cancer in the first place.
I am thankful to the imaging centers who found even more cancer – still in the early stages.
I am thankful to the Surgical Coordinator who helped us keep all of the details and many appointments straight. Making sure we were at the proper facility, on the correct date and at the right time.
I am thankful to the Cancer Surgeon who skillfully removed all of the cancerous tissue.
I am thankful to the Oncologist who is still keeping a watchful eye on my Sunshine.
I am thankful to the Breast Reconstruction Surgeon for making my Sunshine feel whole again.
And I am very thankful to have a healthy Sunshine in my life.
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Harters
(Who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong? DEMAND ANSWERS)
2
Also, be thankful that you are the supportive sort of guy that I’m sure you are. My bet is that Sunshine appreciates that you’ve been around even more than you think she does. My very best wishes to both of you.
My best to you both, @Desert-Dan. Sunshine is very lucky to have you in her life, standing alongside her and supporting her, holding her up when she needs it.
The worst part is the waiting (for test results). It is so hard to distract your mind to think about something else.
Is it cancer?? How bad is it?? What stage is it in?? What do all of these stages mean??
As an adult man, I’ve only cried twice… Once when my father died and in a front waiting room for one of Sunshine’s tests. My mind started to think about my life without her and (this time) I lost it.
Luckily, I pulled it together before she came out of the test, as I didn’t want to upset her. She had been traumatized enough and I didn’t want to add to it.
It feels so good not to have this hanging over our heads.
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Harters
(Who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong? DEMAND ANSWERS)
9
PS: I also think Sunshine is a great nickname for said girlfriend.
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The waiting was the worst. I had treatment and it cleared it. But ii’s back - and being managed. Now, every time I have a blood test prior to the annual check up, I worry about how bad the results are going to be.
Time and time again, I’m struck by how much I feel for people I’ve never met, much less seen/spoken with. The loss of loved ones (2- and 4-legged), living through natural disasters, illness. Thankful for our little community where folks can share good and bad news and maybe feel a little bit better.
Hope 2025 holds good things for you, sir. Perhaps another trip to Tenerife for what ails you.
Well, crap, John. Glad it’s being managed. Hope the tests continue to come back positive (meaning nothing is showing up that’s bad). Sending you {{{hugs from Boston.}}}
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Harters
(Who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong? DEMAND ANSWERS)
14
Thanks. January is fast approaching.
But you’re right about our little food community. I did mention this some years back but, round about the time Jan was planning early retirement, she became ill. The medics struggled to diagnosis and it was, of course, a worry. One of the aspects of her illness is that she lost her appetite and, more importantly, her enjoyment of food. It knocked a big hole in our lives. But I’ve always been grateful that, over those months, I could come to a forum - Chowhound then - and still chat with like minded folk about dinners and restaurants. Certainly life felt less lonely - and these are folk who, in the vast majority of cases, I’ll never meet in real life.
John, I’m so sorry to hear that. Hoping the NHS takes good care of you, and that you kick this shit to the curb (again) once and for all. Checkups are scary, for sure.
You know we’re always here for you, even if it’s just to lend an ear
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Harters
(Who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong? DEMAND ANSWERS)
16
Generally speaking, they’re great. With my PSA levels up, I’m being put back on three monthly hormone therapy injections. Not great, as there are side effects but better than the alternative - I’m not ready to take advantage of our newly proposed assisted dying law. The treatment doesnt cure the cancer but slows it down very considerably,
My GP surgery (family doctor) has been its usual pain in the arse trying to arrange it but the support nurse at our local specialist cancer hospital has been excellent
@Desert-Dan - So sorry to hear what Sunshine and you have been going through. It sounds like things are improving though. I’m glad you have each other. We need you here!
