I just discovered this channel and have been binging on all the videos. It is bewildering at how fast this cancer was and how aggressive it was. I can't believe she's already gone RIP 💕

Like you said…one step at a time. I was diagnosed in November with endometrial cancer that spread to other places. I went through radiation, chemo and finally surgery in April. I am still recovering from it all. I did not want to be called brave, or a warrior, or be told to think positive-I was a mess through the torture they put you through, but somehow we get through it. One bit of advice I can think of is you do you. I found that doctors, nutritionists, nurses tell you what you should be doing, but it seemed they were so disconnected from what their patients are really going through and I felt extra pressure trying to follow their recommendations. If you can’t walk and need to sleep, do it. If you cant eat according to guidelines they give you, don’t. Eat whatever doesn’t make you sick and for me it was better not to eat when I couldn’t because it just made me more sick. You’ll learn as you go along. Don’t let anyone pressure you and make it extra stressful. If there’s anything you need to know, I’d be happy to answer any questions. I watch these videos of you and others and I feel all the emotions you’re going through. Stay as strong as you can, but it’s ok to fall apart too if you need to. Wishing you the best. ❤️

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

Great advice - thank you. I hope your recovery starts to go better for you, it seems like it has been tough. What gets frustrating to me is people trying to simplify what I will need to go through to recover. Unfortunately, it isn't "just" surgery or a couple months of chemo. It will be a long process and I accept that but comments trying to tell me it will be shorter somehow rub me the wrong way. I definitely struggle on the bad days to keep hope but for me, that's something I need for myself.

@gailmatt1734

Жыл бұрын

@@MyCancerJourneyMaria I know exactly how you feel, and yes it will be a long process. Nothing is “just” anything and nobody who hasn’t gone through it will ever understand. I’m at the point now where people think that because my treatments ended months ago, I am well enough to live life like normal again. It’s almost like they’re getting tired of hearing you’re still not feeling well…like you’ve just become a “Debbie Downer”. They don’t realize the toll this took on your body and mind and the effects from treatment that don’t just get better once treatment stops. I’m sorry to go on and on, but I just want you to know someone understands. If my health hasn’t returned to normal yet, as least my sense of humor has and for that I’m grateful! 😁 You’ll get through it! 💕

@jenniferrobbins8439

Жыл бұрын

@@gailmatt1734 Hi Gail, I will be starting Chemo with cisplatin and radiation for my uterine cancer in a few weeks. I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago at that time I was stage 1 Grade 2 so the hysterectomy was supposed to be a complete cure. Sometime in June I was having severe lower abdominal pain so I went to the ER, the pain was radiating from my left flank are to the middle of my pelvis, I thought Kidney Stones. I has a Cat Scan while I was there and the doctor comes back and says I have a enlarged lymph node, he acted like it was no big deal but he knew it was probably something bad. Why they don’t just say it, because he didn’t seem worried about it neither was I. I had a lot going on at that time, I was in the middle of packing because my apartment was being renovated by management and I had to move out for 10 days with my pets. It was horrible. I just literally forgot all about it. That was June 15 when the node was found, around September 3 I went to potty and I found some blood on my tissue after I wiped, I remember thinking Oh My God not again. It wasn’t much blood so of course I googled it and there we so many benign reasons I stopped freaking out. That was it no more blood. About 1 week later I was bathing and I thought I would feel around my vaginal Cuff area with my finger and see if I feel anything that might have bleed, that’s when I found a small hard weird feeling spot up on my left side, after I touched it with my fingernail it started bleeding badly. Of course that’s when I really freaked out. Of course I googled and I found stuff about Graudation tissue and other benign things and I was relieved. I just never thought cancer because I was reassured I was cured because they got it all. Th next day I called my oncologist and she wanted. To see me in 3 days, that scared me because it takes forever to get a appointment with her. I went in and she started the exam and she said it was definitely abnormal and she just came out as she was still looking and said it was Cancer, she did a biopsy right then that hurt so bad, I broke out in a sweat. Anyway to make a long story short , she scheduled a PET scan and the lymph node was even larger like the size of a egg. The Cancer had spread from my Vagina to my lymph node. I just had surgery last Friday to remove it and they found 12 more nodes. Luckily no spread to any other organs. I met with my radiation team and meeting the Chemo people next week. I’m to have 5 weeks of Chemo and radiation 5 days a week. Anything you can tell me I would greatly appreciate, I’m scared to death of the treatment but I don’t won’t to die yet. It made me feel not alone when I read you are a stage 3 that’s what my stage is… I pray you start feeling better soon. God bless you ❤ I’m going to do it but I’m nervous as can be. Did you ever take any tranquilizers like Valium or something for your nerves? Thanks 😊🎉

@gailmatt1734

Жыл бұрын

@@jenniferrobbins8439 I’m sorry about your experience. I met doctors who blew things off in a CT scan, and I didn’t know how interpret it and was never sick, so I trusted them. A year later when my problem got worse, my radiation doctor said the CT scan from the year before clearly showed probable cancer and in that year it was left to grow and spread. Anyway, it was too much to do surgery first. I started out with 25 radiation treatments-they were Monday through Friday for 5 weeks. On the Mondays, from my radiation treatments, I went to the chemo section for Cisplatin treatments like you’re getting. I only had 4 treatments. I was supposed to have 5 but was too sick on that 5th week, and the doctor said as long as I had 4 treatments in me it was good enough and she wouldn’t make me do the 5th. I healed for 4 weeks then got another scan, and my oncologist agreed to do the hysterectomy. January/February were my treatments and April was my surgery. I will not lie to you like the doctors lied to me, but the treatments were rough…but somewhere you get the strength to get through it and when it’s over you start feeling better eventually. I was a mess through it all. I took Klonopin before each treatment, but it didn’t work. My brain was so nervous that it would override the meds. It only kicked in after I got home and then I’d crash. I am a big nervous wreck with anything medical and everything is so traumatizing to me…there’s a reason, but too long to explain, but if I got through this you can too. Everyone has a different experience and can tolerate things differently. You do whatever makes you comfortable (sleeping as much as you need, not forcing yourself to eat if you can’t, not exercising). If you can then great, but if you can’t don’t be hard on yourself. I do have lasting effects still from the treatments-bladder pain, neuropathy in my legs, aversions to certain foods-but you get used to the way things are. Ask me anything else if you want and best wishes to you. ❤️

@jenniferrobbins8439

Жыл бұрын

@@gailmatt1734 thank you, I will be asking you for advice after I start the treatments. I really appreciate it to, you have no idea. I will be all alone. I’m 61 and all my family lives in Louisiana, I live in Utah, I moved her with my boyfriend 8 years ago. He’s not in my life now, and I have very few friends. I’ve always been a loner, so it’s just me and my 2 cats. I’m petrified to do these treatments, but if I don’t, we’ll you know.. I’m still in pain from the oncologist surgeon removing the egg sized lymph that was full of cancer. It was in my lower pelvic area on the left side near the iliac nerve. That was 10 days ago. Now I’m having what feels like lymphedema in my inner thigh area close to my Vagina. It’s swollen a little and burns and stinging like pain when I get up. I meet with the Chemo oncologist for the first time in 2 days so I will let him know. Yes, I agree with what you said about the doctors and nurses, they don’t seem to be very empathetic. I asked the nurse that was explaining everything to me at the radiologist office if she thought he would prescribe me something for my nerves, and it’s like they think your a dope head if you ask for anything. Do they not know that’s what those drugs are for?? My life is flashing before my eyes, I have cancer in several areas of my body and my lymph nodes shouldn’t that warrant a Valium or something? She said, well.. do you have a primary doctor? Well to me that’s just another appointment I have to make and try to remember. My Calendar is marked with appointments.. Anyway, I don’t want to be those people that day, I’m sorry you will start feeling better, but that’s true, but you don’t want to hear it all the time. You have to get to that point slowly when you get ready. I don’t think the chemo scares me as much as the radiation does because my cancer is in my vagina that’s where it returned to. I have to have a full bladder before each treatment, that’s going to suck because I already have issues holding my urine in. Plus I’m scared of the radiation burns. I want to put it off but I know I can’t, the longer the cancer is in there the more it could spread to a major organ. When I wake up every morning I feel mentally good for about 3 minutes until I remember what I have going on inside. You don’t need to respond to every message I send you lol 😂 I’m venting..

May your beautiful soul rest in peace ❤

@clairestephens4916

Жыл бұрын

I can't believe how fast this evil cancer spread and how aggressive it was. She was a fighter but those doctors should've caught it sooner because she was telling them she was hurting and one Dr. brushed it off as worry and it was in her head. He should be sued for malpractice.

Rest up sweet lady , that’s the best thing you can do for your body! Hi Maria, 😊 hope and pray things get better for you 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 with time I feel they will. God bless you 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🤗😀👍🏼💪🏻

You are such a brave warrior! And inspirational! I know you would never choose to be where you are but know we are all thinking about you and sending up prayers. Also, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey…❤❤❤

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

Thank YOU Lynn!

You are a very brave Lady! I can just see by watching your video what a lovely person you are. I am so sorry that you are going through this, you definitely have the right attitude in place. You will overcome this Cancer!

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

I love your positivity. I truly feel that the way I approach this and try to focus on the positive, the better chance I have of success.

@WLB505

Жыл бұрын

@@MyCancerJourneyMaria Absolutely! I will most definitely keep watching and sending all my positivity your way .

Omg. Yes. The burping. Me too. Immediately following first chemo. It’s awful. Many gi. Symptoms I was unaware. That night of first chemo had crazy diarrhea. Now two weeks later the opposite. Had no idea about all the other gi probs other than naseua. Your. Videos. Are so important. In the beginning it’s so overwhelming. It’s so important to have others stories to compare. To not feel isolated. U. Rock. U. R. A warrior

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! It is pretty amazing how the side effects change from day to day. Sounds like you also ran the gamut as well. Did anything help you with the burping that you learned? I never knew it could be so uncomfortable!

❤Sending you healing vibes from hawaii. You are very brave and I admire you. Aloha

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your support. I hope to visit your islands some day soon.

Hello lovely lady I hear from others that chemo can be tough & not nice to deal with but you got this stay positive & strong you have support we are here for you love/hugs from the UK 🇬🇧 💕🌹💕🌹💕🌹

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

I’m working to stay strong and positive. Thank you so much for your support!

Carbo is a tough chemo. Be glad you weren't able to do the taxol this time around. As side effects get worse, you'll learn different ways to deal with them better.

Its gonna be a rough period but somehow we just push through..there are no other option. The immense fatigue was real.. I remember how I barely could walk up three steps to my frontdoor. Rest and save up energy!! Sending positive thoughts and strength from Sweden

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

Thank you ☺️

Hi just found you . I'm sorry it's so hard for you ...yes one step at a time ...rest is good it's healing time ...sending you hope 🍀🙏 and cheers 🥰 from Melbourne 🇭🇲

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

I just need to keep focusing on that - one step at a time and by resting, I’m healing.

You sound so brave and courageous! Any updates?

Hi, with all the youtube videos I have watched on this subject and any kind of cancer, Dr. Eric Berg on youtube said SUGAR feeds cancer, theres actually a special diet you can do to help cure cancer, any kind of cancer, I'm not a doctor just saying what i saw on youtube videos from these doctors . I feel your struggles. I have survived 2 times flatlinning with open heart surgery I had 18 years ago..I remember a nurse sitting right beside my hospital bed when i woke up said to me "FOOD IS MEDICINE" "The right kind of food...Be super positive, I always said outloud, GOD GIVE ME STRENGTH, over and over and over again and those are powerful words that got me to surviving a near death time. BE WELL

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

I am definitely eating a clean diet and think that what we eat during treatment can have an impact on treatment. I am challenged with eating enough each day but am working with a nutritionist to best address those issues. I will eat the smallest amount, yet I feel like I have overeaten each time and will feel pain like I gorged.

Sending hugs. Hang in there.

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. Trying to focus on the end result of hopefully a cure.

I’ve heard only great thinks about Dana Farber. I may travel up there at some point to see a specialist. Glad they were able to get things under control.

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

The treatment at Dana Farber has been exceptional. It is worth the travel to get the care you need.

I'm a breast cancer survivor and did a different chemo than carbonation. It was next-level fatigue. I had night sweats and nausea and body aches and back pain and the steroids made me miserable. On the worst days, I slept a lot. It helped. My appetite was erratic. One day I didnt eat all day and the next day, I think I ate an entire pizza. 😅 I let myself have comfort food because my taste changed and I ate what didnt make me nauseous. People may tell you what to eat or not to eat, but with nausea it's hard and the most important thing is to EAT and stay hydrated. But, I had good days every cycle as my body recovered before the next round. I took enormous comfort in my dog, the beauty of nature and being still, and the love people showed me. Cancer and chemo are harder than most people can imagine. But, my prayer for you is not only that it does its job and kills that monster but that you experience the joy of laughter and love through the journey. Chemo brain did bother me. It also cracked me up. One day, I went to sweep my bedroom and my hands were down and ready to sweep, but I didn't have a broom in my hands. I have never iaughed so hard at myself. Sending you a hug.

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

My dog has been a godsend. It’s like she knows what I am going through and will do whatever to comfort me. Congratulations on your recovery!

I. Feel. Your. Super powers. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

I love that shirt! I'm hoping one of them is killing cancer!

Hope feel better soon God bless you take care

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@lonewolf1556

Жыл бұрын

@@MyCancerJourneyMaria your welcome hope feel better soon God bless you

Oh, and one more thing….one thing my oncologist told me that really helped was, “Chemo isn’t a party, but it is doable.” So true! Good luck.

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

I will keep that in mind on the tough days after chemo!

My sister just started chemo. She had her 2nd tx last week, and it was not as bad as the first. They did reduce the strength though.

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

That’s great that it wasn’t as bad for her. Hopefully it will be the same for me. Wishing her a successful treatment.

♥️

Your puppy is so sweet. What is its name? I wish I could take your pain away :(. Hang in there and hugs

@crystalmckinney3151

Жыл бұрын

She passed away this February 😢

The one thing that helped me handle chemo was coffee cup of hot water, one heaping teaspoon of dark molasses and a teaspoon of baking soda! Some people say it fights cancer but I found it settled my stomach very well! Good luck

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

I don’t think I would have ever thought to put those ingredients together, so thank you for the tip!

@charlestait5303

Жыл бұрын

@@MyCancerJourneyMaria I hesitate to give advice but the book “A World Without Cancer” is an excellent read author-Griffin? Griffith? Once read you’ll be convinced on the “Bitter Almond protocol “ I did 20 per day! I found the worst part was that I felt out of control! The Molasses-Baking Soda and the bitter almonds made me feel I was doing at least something! I’ll also say a prayer for you.

Scalar energy is said to help with cancer

watch out for constipation,, prune juice helps as long as you take it the day of chemo an 3 days after ,,popsicles was my best friend still is threw chemo, helps keep the heat down in the stomach helps me so i dont thow up

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

I haven’t tried popsicles but I will. Thank you for the suggestion!

@sarhamills584

Жыл бұрын

@@MyCancerJourneyMaria i had bad constipation 3 days after chemo it was bad i cried, it was like real bad an the only way to get it out was by digging it out , i know to much info , but that is part of chemo know one talks about is how bad constipation can be,, an yest infection,, an make sure you wash your bottom every time you go the bathroom or your skin will turn dark an burn, an if you take shower make sure you wash the tub after an the toilet seat every use, or those you love can get the chemo burns, i forgot one time an my mom went in an took a bath an yea she got burns from me not washing the tub after, but yea , i eat popsicles for my belly an i also put ice pack on my belly after treatment to keep the heat down on my belly,

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

@@sarhamills584 That sounds awful, I'm so sorry that it was such an issue for you. I've been on a bunch of things to avoid this complication and so far, they have worked. Your experience highlights how important it is to do everything possible to go. I haven't heard about the chemo burns - I will check into it.

I posted before about the Inspire Ovarian Cancer message group. You mentioned in one video that you didn't know where to get information. It's hard to relay info on here to you so I hope you do post there and/or call SHARE or OCRA helpline in NYC. I so much do not want you to get erroneous information. I will tell you that when people say the effects of chemo are cumulative..not always so. For some people, it is the same throughout and sometimes easier as time goes by. The carbo days can leave you a little more nauseous than the taxol. Please don't hesitate to take the meds if you do get nauseous. They really help! You are lucky to be in Dana Farber. We see so many people treated in small towns that perhaps don't have the expertise as we do in a large city. I assume they have given you a lot of info as well as support group information. Inspire helped me with everything, where to get a wig...things I had no idea where to proceed...what day my hair will fall out (usually day 17 from first taxol treatment...for me, it was on that exact day). I was you 9 years ago, I look at my diary and my old Inspire posts and remember the terror I went though at the beginning. I hope I can help you in some way. I am a cancer counselor now and I want you to know that you to know that I will be there for you to talk (but we can't do emails on here). If you decide to post there, I'll spot it and pm you. Warmest wishes for as easy a time as possible!

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

I am lucky to be treated at Dana Farber - particularly with my type of ovarian cancer (carcinosarcoma). Although rare, they have the experience to treat it (and hopefully cure). I think every time I go, I receive a folder or packet of information about nutrition, chemo, ports, side effects and other information. I do keep going back to the documents so it’s helpful. My comment regarding information was more focused on the patient’s actual experience as she goes through the treatment rather than the information I get from providers, although I am happy to see it is out there. Connecting with others who have gone through this has been great for me because I don’t feel so alone and I am able to hang onto many of the successes despite my diagnosis. Nine years ago - how exciting that you are where you are now. Very inspiring to me to see this 😊. Your guiding others through this process makes a difference and your comments and suggestions are so appreciated by me. Thank you.

@tatumpiano8569

Жыл бұрын

@@MyCancerJourneyMaria You're very welcome. When I went to meetings and joined the message group, I met so many people who were 10, 20 years out. I wanted to be them. I don't know what I would have done without having others to talk to. The down side is that there are some scary stories as you have probably seen by now. Please know that many women may have not have optimum care and everyone is different. Not sure about your situation, no mention of hysterectomy, (apparently chemo first?) but in any case, like the Beatles song "I get by with a little help from my friends". Having people around to help you through this is everything. I'm with you in spirit!

I found that half of a baked potato with a very thin slice of American cheese melted on top was a food that I could tolerate during chemo. Rotisserie chicken was also a food I could tolerate. Hope these ideas help.

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

Funny you should suggest this - my potassium levels are down so I'm trying to make sure to eat foods high in potassium. I definitely struggle with eating enough calories but the ones I do eat are high quality. Of course, I did have a saltine only day but I figure something is better than nothing.

Medical marijuana will save your life! I had a bone marrow transplant Aug 2020. 3 diff chemos plus a rabbit serum. It's all cumulative. I threw up once a day during transplant and after I took my 9.5mg of THC I was right as rain. I was also able to sit up and had more energy. Please get approved to be a patient. As far as fatigue, rest, just rest. Your body needs it. There may be some days you can't even lift your eyelids. That's ok, just rest and have people do things for you. Also fresh tumeric and ginger tea every day for the inflammation of the tummy and gross feeling. Sending you love.

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

That sounds awful but I’m so happy the THC worked for you. The fatigue is definitely a challenge. I will suddenly feel it and end up going to sleep. I will definitely try the ginger/ turmeric - thanks!

Sending the very best! I also did Carbo/Taxol. It’s “hard chemo”! I did 8 treatments but I’m 15 yrs out now. Each of treatment the side effects were very different. It is exhausting, main side effect! But I’d have about four good days right before next chemo. I was 52 when I went through it and in good shape! But the fatigue kicked by behind. The best advice, is tell your doctors and PA about the side effects. Call the next day to let them know. Mine had medications to counteract all of them. Don’t be shy, don’t tell yourself you’re being a bother. You are not. They truly want to help you through. Sleep, sleep and more sleep! Be very gentle with yourself and when people offer to help, let them. You can do this! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

@MyCancerJourneyMaria

Жыл бұрын

The fatigue is definitely a huge side effect for me. Just when I think I can’t sleep any more, I need to go back to sleep!

@Sushi2735

Жыл бұрын

@@MyCancerJourneyMaria , I would sleep all day, get up at 4pm, shower and start dinner for my overworked husband. Then I’d stay up till 10pm, & pills and shot in the belly, bedtime, wash and repeat. It was a slog, that’s for sure. My dear neighbors took over yard work for me and would drop off meals a couple times a week. Your body is telling you to sleep. I would sleep through the six hour chemo. 😅 You will find your own rhythm as you walk or crawl through chemo. But, the important thing to remember is you can do it. Don’t look down the road, just live today. Find small joys, when you’re awake and always have something pleasant to look forward to. Lifting you up to the sunshine 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗