My "I lost 10 lbs on this cruise" review of the Getaway 6/7/2014-6/14/2014

[kirian]

Just wanted to tell you that I am thinking of you and wishing you sanity while you wait for your testing and results. I also agree that if the Dr. thought that it was something truly serious, they wouldn't wait weeks to do further testing.

Heaven forbid it is something serious, I want you to know that I am a 27 year cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia 2 weeks before my 16th birthday. My 43rd birthday is next month! They thought that I probably wouldn't be able to have children because of the chemotherapy, but I have a beautiful 7 year old daughter. :D

Sending hugs, strength, love, and sanity.

 

This is the best post of encouragement yet (IMO). I'm sure the OP will get an extra sense of comfort since your message was written by someone who had such a positive outcome from such a serious diagnosis when you were so young. I for one, want to thank you for sharing!

 

Melissa

[peg013]

I love all of your well wishes so much.

 

This is the whole story.

 

When I went for my gallbladder surgery, before I was sedated they took a chest xray.

 

Right before I was put under anesthesia I was told they found a small shadow on my lung. It was so close to me going under that I actually woke up crying from the surgery about my lung. The recovery nurse thought I was dreaming.

 

Anywho dr told me not to worry. Then I go to my follow up and am told I need a ct scan and once again not to worry

 

I went to the ct scan last Wednesday and found out Thursday I now need a PET scan to determine if it's cancer or not.

 

Apparently it's to small to biopsy.

 

After speaking to a member of my family who is in the medical field and looking at Google I have come to two conclusions.

 

1 - I am fine and this is all overkill since alot of people have small nodules on their lungs

 

2- the Dr already knows it's cancer and wants to see if it has spread.

 

And since I think at this point you all know how much of an anxious person I am, I have decided the worst.

 

Both of my parents have suggested I speak to a Pulmonologist and an oncologist before I subject myself to more radiation.

 

To be honest I can't take the not knowing.

 

I'm 28 no kids not married and what I think is a lot of life left for me to live.

 

 

I never have a cold more than once a year if that. The past 4 weeks have truly been hard.

 

It actually doesn't even seem like this is real life.

 

I have been writing my cruise review on paper though. It keeps my mind occupied and so does work.

 

My pet scan isn't until the 25th but I have the specialists next week.

 

I have my fingers crossed.

 

If anyone has advice or just words of wisdom I would appreciate it.

 

I just feel like there is no gray area. It's like either cancer (one extreme) or nothing. :(

 

Again I appreciate all your well wishes. It warms my heart that even strangers on the Internet can care.

 

This is why I love blogging. I'm an open person about things/experiances I go or have gone through because I feel like there are probably others out there.

 

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

 

I too went for one thing and several other nodules showed up in other places. My lung nodule was CT scanned, PET scanned, went thru pulmonary test to see if I had good enough lung function in case they had to totally remove the lower left lobe, finally had a CT guided biopsy that confirmed it was benign. Of course with all those test they found a nodule on my thyroid (also benign when biopsied) and several other nodules that all tested out okay. We have been following all of them for 4 years now and all is well. I hope your results are the same as mine. We finally determined the nodule is probably scar tissue from when I pneumonia when I was a child.

 

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. :)

[ncklhaus]

This is the best post of encouragement yet (IMO). I'm sure the OP will get an extra sense of comfort since your message was written by someone who had such a positive outcome from such a serious diagnosis when you were so young. I for one, want to thank you for sharing!

 

Melissa

 

Kirian - Thanks for that. I wasn't sure if I should post that or not. And BTW, my daughter's name is Melissa. :)

[Susie51]

Thank you for sharing. My prayers are with you.

[bean24]

Keeping you in my prayers.

 

 

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[CasinoCruzGirl]

Another poster made me remember my story. 3 years ago I found out I had a problem with my parathyroid and had to go for further testing. My endocrinologist sent me for thyroid scans and when I went to her to get results she said is anyone here with you I said yes my husband is outside on the phone. She said go get him. This was the worst 3 minutes of my life I knew the results were bad because she wanted me to have someone with me. She then proceeded to tell me yes it's cancer and you have to have your thyroid removed and scheduled me for surgery. A few weeks later my thyroid was removed and when I went for my follow up at the surgeons office she said pathology came back and nope it wasn't cancer there were nodules so they decided to still take it out so there would be no risk of the nodules turning into cancer.

 

So the moral of the story is some doctors just like to scare the crap out of you for no reason. Needless to say I haven't gone back to that endocrinologist again. She had no right to scare me the way she did.

[sjn911]

OP you are a delight I am praying for your condition to be fixed..you are too sweet and positive and needed in this world..

 

I love your food story because..we all need to learn to eat better..you probably got better fresher food on a big ship and that is helping you now..

 

You are not alone in being anxiety prone..me too..that and depression.

 

I had 4 years of gallbladder attacks and understand that journey...i also have a benign calcified stays the same size nodule on a lung they found during all this..my delight in your personality and your family trip partially shared send me smiles and I know for sure that we here are blessed to support you and know you..it is how it works...Let us know as you can...how you are and ask for Spiritual Support..as you understand it...it helps (MY opinion) to begin to know we are not alone and loved and helped here..By God as you understand Him/the Universe..etc. in many ways...

 

[BritChickBN1]

Op really enjoying your review. Sending you positive vibes!

[acruisingpeach23]

Just wanted to tell you that I am thinking of you and wishing you sanity while you wait for your testing and results. I also agree that if the Dr. thought that it was something truly serious, they wouldn't wait weeks to do further testing.

Heaven forbid it is something serious, I want you to know that I am a 27 year cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia 2 weeks before my 16th birthday. My 43rd birthday is next month! They thought that I probably wouldn't be able to have children because of the chemotherapy, but I have a beautiful 7 year old daughter. :D

Sending hugs, strength, love, and sanity.

 

I am so happy for you that you are here healthy and have a beautiful 7 year old daughter.

 

Thank you so much for sharing your story, strength, and words of encouragement. :):):)

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

[acruisingpeach23]

The overwhelming responses I have received here have been so touching, inspiring, encouraging, and more!

 

I actually teared up (ok fine I cried) reading all of everyone's words!!

 

Whether you have been through a scare, an illness, or dropped in to be supportive I am just truly appreciative!

 

I will eventually respond to everyone individually but I do want everyone to know I have read all of your words!!!

 

Hugs and kisses to you all!

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

[NayRN]

The overwhelming responses I have received here have been so touching, inspiring, encouraging, and more!

 

I actually teared up (ok fine I cried) reading all of everyone's words!!

 

Whether you have been through a scare, an illness, or dropped in to be supportive I am just truly appreciative!

 

I will eventually respond to everyone individually but I do want everyone to know I have read all of your words!!!

 

Hugs and kisses to you all!

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

 

When I read your replies to everyone else, it makes my heart fill with joy (cheesy, I know!). Just remember you are never far away from someone with a listening ear (or reading eyes in this case) who will give encouragement whenever you are in need!

 

Prayers to you for a good outcome from all your testing!! 🙏

[ncklhaus]

I am so happy for you that you are here healthy and have a beautiful 7 year old daughter.

 

Thank you so much for sharing your story, strength, and words of encouragement. :):):)

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

 

Thanks! There is soooo much more to my story, but that is for a totally different board.:rolleyes:

[Susie51]

There are so many encouraging replies. This thread reaffirms CC members not only have a passion for cruising, but are also compassionate people.

[sjn911]

There are so many encouraging replies. This thread reaffirms CC members not only have a passion for cruising, but are also compassionate people.

I am all teared up and feel supported from God....over several wonderful threads going on....I so agree Susie51...maybe more emotional heart types like us are just not as loud sometimes..

 

OP...you are wonderful...

 

and an inspiration...

 

Faced so much as it happened with us in a real, honest, yet positive way which "ain't" easy...and that is a great support to us all..on our challenges..bless you...prayers...and as you go through the sorting it all out..please feel the prayers that i am sure are very real here...very real...

Sarah

Edited July 10, 2014 by sjn911

[CruiseIreland]

Hi. I have been following your story from the start and was checking the NCL boards only for this thread. I haven't commented before because I felt I would not be contributing anything. However, you should know that very many are following your story and wishing you well in this time of worry. All the best. Ken

[Seago2]

Girl you're going to be just fine! A doctor secretly knowing it's cancer and not telling you is the LEAST likely scenario. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, stick to your prescribed eating regimen, and follow through on the lung issue. And thank you for telling us how accommodating the crew was (so far) regarding your dietary restrictions. I really hope you ended up having a fantastic cruise.

[cruisenfreak]

We know LN Hospital up close and personal...

 

After a day in FL, a 30 day November and December cruise in Europe and then Transatlantic, we arrived in Fort Lauderdale, FL on December 23 and drove up to St. Augustine where we spent several days over Christmas seeing all the sites and enjoying the food and drink. We planned to go home on 12/27. That morning at 4:00am my husband woke me up saying he had severe abdominal pain. After waiting some more time and after debating on dialing 911 which he didn't want to do; I called the local hospital and asked for directions to their emergency room. We got there at 6:00am and were told no one would see us until after the shift change at 7:00. What?!?

 

At 7:15 he was seen and tests were ordered - CT, blood work, urinalysis, etc. About 10:45am the doctor reported back to us that they found nothing. I asked if he could make the ride back to NC if I drove. The doctor said since he found nothing, yes we could go home. I put my husband in the car at 11:00 and drove straight through with only 2 pit stops. We got home at 6:15pm. We didn't even unload the car - remember we had spent 1 night precruise in FL, 30 days on a cruise and then 4 more days in FL - lots of bags and lots of dirty clothes.

 

I went to bed at 9:00pm and didn't even wake up to check on my husband. At 5:00am (getting to be a habit now), he again woke me saying the pain the previous morning had been a 7, now it was a 10. Again he debated what to do since nothing was found in FL and again he did not want to call 911, so I drove him over to the emergency room getting him there at 6:15 or so. They didn't wait until shift change and began redoing all the tests that he had had the previous morning (we had copies of everything with us). The difference was this time he was given dye. The results came back at 8:45. He had some kind of intestinal blockage, cause unknown. He went into surgery at 9:15! Thank God we had come all the way home the day before!

 

It turned out he had probably thrown a clot which lodged in his intestines and 30 inches was now necrotic! The surgeon removed that section, reattached everything and 13 days later and weighing 27 pounds less, he came home with a wound vac to speed up the healing process.

 

We got to know lots of different doctors being there over the Christmas and the New Years holidays, lots of different nurses, lots of ancillary staff and absolutely everyone was wonderful to us both!

 

Jim is fine now, has gotten all his strength and energy back, but has regained none of the 27 pounds. He was thin to start with, so he is skinny now, but that is the only thing that would let anyone even suspect he had been so ill.

 

I hope your tests go well and I hope you have and will continue to have as positive an experience with the hospital as we did.

 

Prayers and positive thoughts...

Mary Jane and Jim

[cruisenfreak]

DH was not in the hospital over Christmas Day but, rather, had his surgery on 12/28 - the beginning of his 13 night stay. That first weekend was considered by the hospital to be the Christmas Holiday weekend and many doctors, nurses and staff had taken that time off. No surgeries except emergencies were performed until the following week, so the hospital was nearly empty. Mary Jane

[acruisingpeach23]

Hi everyone. Sorry for not updating..I have been all caught up with work and this cloud that's hanging over me.

 

Today I go to the Pulmonologist and I am going to demand an answer.

 

I don't even care if it's a bad answer, I just want something other than "well I don't know. Take this test and that test..."

 

On another note I really want to book another cruise and because of this I feel like my life is on pause.

 

well ill come back and update with what the DR has to say..If he/she says anything at all :rolleyes:

 

Have a good Monday!

 

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[mabones]

Best wishes today!!!!

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Hi everyone. Sorry for not updating..I have been all caught up with work and this cloud that's hanging over me.

 

Today I go to the Pulmonologist and I am going to demand an answer.

 

I don't even care if it's a bad answer, I just want something other than "well I don't know. Take this test and that test..."

 

On another note I really want to book another cruise and because of this I feel like my life is on pause.

 

well ill come back and update with what the DR has to say..If he/she says anything at all :rolleyes:

 

Have a good Monday!

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

 

 

Good luck today

[kirian]

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers! Best of luck today!!!!

 

Melissa

[bean24]

Good luck

 

 

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[All-ready2cruise]

Best of luck, we're still here for you. :)

[Denett2005]

Praying you get good news from your doctor's!