Guest guest Posted May 21, 2007 Report Share Posted May 21, 2007 Wow! I thought I was the only one who when through some bad times after I was dx.Ive been through something similar be strong God bless & hang in there it only gets better as we get stronger [ ] Re: Gleevec Time of Day-sorry so long but hopefully worth the space. Melisa, Here's a story that will make you feel even better. I was dx'd in May 2000 almost 7 years ago. Just a year and a half before that my 27 year old sister in-law died -she had 3 kids. A 2 year old boy from my brother (who went on drugs and ended up with a 6 yr prison sentence so I stepped up and became mom again after having a 15yr old and a 17 yr old of my own. Then 6 months before my dx I also became a parent of one of her 2 girls (age 7 at the time) that she had before her marriage to my brother and all because her aunt who had her after her mother died couldn't handle having a biracial child. My first year of treatment was interferon and ARC injections, which I chose over the BMT because I was so scared that if I didn't survive the BMT these children would have lost mother # 2 and mine would also be without. These injections made me so, so sick. But still had to work full time because I was blessed with an alcoholic husband who didn't work and pushed me out of the bed while I was sick to go to work. I say blessed with a bit of humor because it's painful to remember but I sometimes wonder if I hadn't gone to work to get the moral support I had there, would I have done so well? In 2001 I started gleevec and I was doing great compared to the other stuff, but my teenage son was battling some serious depression and he ended up accidentally overdosing 4 times in one year over daddy being like he was and the thought that he may loose his mother. He was hospitalized each time, received therapy for his depression and was doing well for about 8 months and had another episode. This time he ended up in the intensive care unit after being resuscitated. But he was also 18 years old and although I begged the hospital to keep him for an evaluation they sent him to the physc unit and released him the next day. On the morning of June 19th 2002, only 2 weeks after the last incident, I found my son not breathing when I went to his room to check on him before leaving for work. I lost my baby that day. And still his father only found another excuse to drink. I cannot explain what the pain of loosing a child feels like, but its nothing like loosing a man who doesn't love you enough to stick by you through sickness and in health. Through good times and bad. Finally last January 2006 my husband was told he had developed a severe heart disease at age 42 and his liver was so bad that he would die soon if he didn't care for himself better. I begged him to think of his only son he had left and our 3 beautiful granddaughters. Forget about me, I wanted my son and granddaughters to remember a few good times. He didn't stop and things were worse with his drinking. I finally decided after 27 years that it was gonna be either him or me and possibly both if I didn't do something. I filed for divorce and made him leave the home November of 06. In January of this yr he went into the hospital with back trouble and 2 days later we were having DNR's done as the Dr had suggested it because his lungs were filled with fluid. He never came home because regardless of how sick he was I couldn't do it and I could have never done it if I wanted to. Day by day his brain was poisoned by high levels of ammonia from the liver and he ended up in a facility needing 24 hrs care until he died almost 2 months ago. I became so bitter after loosing my son that I couldn't deal with his selfishness. I also realized that I was going to live, I wanted to live and the kids love me way more than he did. So I tell you this to say it could be worse. Be glad that someone who was so selfish wasn't selfish enough to put you through all the above. And being an alcoholic was only the tip of the iceberg. I'd rather have cancer any day than live that life over again. Once again' I have to add that at 42 I have decided that I am only half way through my life and I have a lot behind me. I prefer to say I am advanced in my classes of life and I pray that the second half will be much better due to the lessons I've learned and all that my first half of life has added to my character. If I could say anything to you it would be to trust that God knows exactly where you are and to know that you would have not made it to today if he wasn't there to pick you up and keep you going. Life is not over because we have CML. It's only just beginning. I don't wish any tragedies on any one. But mine sure has made me stop to smell the roses. (Sometimes I move too fast, but I try to slow down when I can) As for your weight, I agree we all want to have perfect bodies, but sick or not it does require work for most of us and it really shouldn't be all about our vanity but rather our health first. Somehow, someway, try to start exercising. Even if you start with a brief walk. What it does for you mentally and emotionally is indescribable! Then eventually you can focus on the weight part. You know if you think good, you'll feel good and if you feel good, you'll look good! Get up girl and have a great day! You're gonna be just fine:-) ez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2007 Report Share Posted May 21, 2007 big hugs to you . Bless you. [lmartinez@...] wrote: Melisa, Here's a story that will make you feel even better. I was dx'd in May 2000 almost 7 years ago. Just a year and a half before that my 27 year old sister in-law died -she had 3 kids. A 2 year old boy from my brother (who went on drugs and ended up with a 6 yr prison sentence so I stepped up and became mom again after having a 15yr old and a 17 yr old of my own. Then 6 months before my dx I also became a parent of one of her 2 girls (age 7 at the time) that she had before her marriage to my brother and all because her aunt who had her after her mother died couldn't handle having a biracial child. My first year of treatment was interferon and ARC injections, which I chose over the BMT because I was so scared that if I didn't survive the BMT these children would have lost mother # 2 and mine would also be without. These injections made me so, so sick. But still had to work full time because I was blessed with an alcoholic husband who didn't work and pushed me out of the bed while I was sick to go to work. I say blessed with a bit of humor because it's painful to remember but I sometimes wonder if I hadn't gone to work to get the moral support I had there, would I have done so well? In 2001 I started gleevec and I was doing great compared to the other stuff, but my teenage son was battling some serious depression and he ended up accidentally overdosing 4 times in one year over daddy being like he was and the thought that he may loose his mother. He was hospitalized each time, received therapy for his depression and was doing well for about 8 months and had another episode. This time he ended up in the intensive care unit after being resuscitated. But he was also 18 years old and although I begged the hospital to keep him for an evaluation they sent him to the physc unit and released him the next day. On the morning of June 19th 2002, only 2 weeks after the last incident, I found my son not breathing when I went to his room to check on him before leaving for work. I lost my baby that day. And still his father only found another excuse to drink. I cannot explain what the pain of loosing a child feels like, but its nothing like loosing a man who doesn't love you enough to stick by you through sickness and in health. Through good times and bad. Finally last January 2006 my husband was told he had developed a severe heart disease at age 42 and his liver was so bad that he would die soon if he didn't care for himself better. I begged him to think of his only son he had left and our 3 beautiful granddaughters. Forget about me, I wanted my son and granddaughters to remember a few good times. He didn't stop and things were worse with his drinking. I finally decided after 27 years that it was gonna be either him or me and possibly both if I didn't do something. I filed for divorce and made him leave the home November of 06. In January of this yr he went into the hospital with back trouble and 2 days later we were having DNR's done as the Dr had suggested it because his lungs were filled with fluid. He never came home because regardless of how sick he was I couldn't do it and I could have never done it if I wanted to. Day by day his brain was poisoned by high levels of ammonia from the liver and he ended up in a facility needing 24 hrs care until he died almost 2 months ago. I became so bitter after loosing my son that I couldn't deal with his selfishness. I also realized that I was going to live, I wanted to live and the kids love me way more than he did. So I tell you this to say it could be worse. Be glad that someone who was so selfish wasn't selfish enough to put you through all the above. And being an alcoholic was only the tip of the iceberg. I'd rather have cancer any day than live that life over again. Once again' I have to add that at 42 I have decided that I am only half way through my life and I have a lot behind me. I prefer to say I am advanced in my classes of life and I pray that the second half will be much better due to the lessons I've learned and all that my first half of life has added to my character. If I could say anything to you it would be to trust that God knows exactly where you are and to know that you would have not made it to today if he wasn't there to pick you up and keep you going. Life is not over because we have CML. It's only just beginning. I don't wish any tragedies on any one. But mine sure has made me stop to smell the roses. (Sometimes I move too fast, but I try to slow down when I can) As for your weight, I agree we all want to have perfect bodies, but sick or not it does require work for most of us and it really shouldn't be all about our vanity but rather our health first. Somehow, someway, try to start exercising. Even if you start with a brief walk. What it does for you mentally and emotionally is indescribable! Then eventually you can focus on the weight part. You know if you think good, you'll feel good and if you feel good, you'll look good! Get up girl and have a great day! You're gonna be just fine:-) ez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2007 Report Share Posted May 22, 2007 you are such a brave Mom God Bless your heart and fill your life with joy and good health. T dxd 1/2003 CCR 7/2003 Gleevec 400mg PCRU 3/2007 -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: " ez " <lmartinez@...> > Melisa, > > Here's a story that will make you feel even better. > > I was dx'd in May 2000 almost 7 years ago. Just a year and a half before > that my 27 year old sister in-law died -she had 3 kids. A 2 year old boy > from my brother (who went on drugs and ended up with a 6 yr prison sentence > so I stepped up and became mom again after having a 15yr old and a 17 yr old > of my own. Then 6 months before my dx I also became a parent of one of her 2 > girls (age 7 at the time) that she had before her marriage to my brother and > all because her aunt who had her after her mother died couldn't handle > having a biracial child. > > My first year of treatment was interferon and ARC injections, which I chose > over the BMT because I was so scared that if I didn't survive the BMT these > children would have lost mother # 2 and mine would also be without. > > These injections made me so, so sick. But still had to work full time > because I was blessed with an alcoholic husband who didn't work and pushed > me out of the bed while I was sick to go to work. > > I say blessed with a bit of humor because it's painful to remember but I > sometimes wonder if I hadn't gone to work to get the moral support I had > there, would I have done so well? > > In 2001 I started gleevec and I was doing great compared to the other stuff, > but my teenage son was battling some serious depression and he ended up > accidentally overdosing 4 times in one year over daddy being like he was and > the thought that he may loose his mother. > > He was hospitalized each time, received therapy for his depression and was > doing well for about 8 months and had another episode. This time he ended up > in the intensive care unit after being resuscitated. But he was also 18 > years old and although I begged the hospital to keep him for an evaluation > they sent him to the physc unit and released him the next day. > > On the morning of June 19th 2002, only 2 weeks after the last incident, I > found my son not breathing when I went to his room to check on him before > leaving for work. I lost my baby that day. And still his father only found > another excuse to drink. > > I cannot explain what the pain of loosing a child feels like, but its > nothing like loosing a man who doesn't love you enough to stick by you > through sickness and in health. Through good times and bad. > > Finally last January 2006 my husband was told he had developed a severe > heart disease at age 42 and his liver was so bad that he would die soon if > he didn't care for himself better. I begged him to think of his only son he > had left and our 3 beautiful granddaughters. Forget about me, I wanted my > son and granddaughters to remember a few good times. > > He didn't stop and things were worse with his drinking. I finally decided > after 27 years that it was gonna be either him or me and possibly both if I > didn't do something. I filed for divorce and made him leave the home > November of 06. > > In January of this yr he went into the hospital with back trouble and 2 days > later we were having DNR's done as the Dr had suggested it because his lungs > were filled with fluid. He never came home because regardless of how sick he > was I couldn't do it and I could have never done it if I wanted to. Day by > day his brain was poisoned by high levels of ammonia from the liver and he > ended up in a facility needing 24 hrs care until he died almost 2 months > ago. > > I became so bitter after loosing my son that I couldn't deal with his > selfishness. I also realized that I was going to live, I wanted to live and > the kids love me way more than he did. > > So I tell you this to say it could be worse. Be glad that someone who was so > selfish wasn't selfish enough to put you through all the above. And being an > alcoholic was only the tip of the iceberg. > > I'd rather have cancer any day than live that life over again. > > Once again' I have to add that at 42 I have decided that I am only half way > through my life and I have a lot behind me. I prefer to say I am advanced in > my classes of life and I pray that the second half will be much better due > to the lessons I've learned and all that my first half of life has added to > my character. > > If I could say anything to you it would be to trust that God knows exactly > where you are and to know that you would have not made it to today if he > wasn't there to pick you up and keep you going. > > Life is not over because we have CML. It's only just beginning. I don't wish > any tragedies on any one. But mine sure has made me stop to smell the roses. > (Sometimes I move too fast, but I try to slow down when I can) > > As for your weight, I agree we all want to have perfect bodies, but sick or > not it does require work for most of us and it really shouldn't be all about > our vanity but rather our health first. > > Somehow, someway, try to start exercising. Even if you start with a brief > walk. What it does for you mentally and emotionally is indescribable! Then > eventually you can focus on the weight part. > > You know if you think good, you'll feel good and if you feel good, you'll > look good! > > Get up girl and have a great day! You're gonna be just fine:-) > > > > > > > > ez > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 oh wow it was such a heart warming stroy that i have to read it over and over again....it really touched my heart that i cried knowing that i wasn't alone in this journey. i admire you for the courage in facing life despite all those tragic moments..yeah we all go through a tough road in life..i just felt that mine was tougher..but when i read your story, i have realized that i should be brave also for my kids sake. i am glad to have joined this group. i know i am not alone in this journey called....life...thanks so much and hope to hear more kind words from you..you're great!! you're a wonderful person and i wish you more love to give and continue being a blessing to others! take care and Godbless us all!! mtadros9@... wrote: you are such a brave Mom God Bless your heart and fill your life with joy and good health. T dxd 1/2003 CCR 7/2003 Gleevec 400mg PCRU 3/2007 -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: " ez " <lmartinez@...> > Melisa, > > Here's a story that will make you feel even better. > > I was dx'd in May 2000 almost 7 years ago. Just a year and a half before > that my 27 year old sister in-law died -she had 3 kids. A 2 year old boy > from my brother (who went on drugs and ended up with a 6 yr prison sentence > so I stepped up and became mom again after having a 15yr old and a 17 yr old > of my own. Then 6 months before my dx I also became a parent of one of her 2 > girls (age 7 at the time) that she had before her marriage to my brother and > all because her aunt who had her after her mother died couldn't handle > having a biracial child. > > My first year of treatment was interferon and ARC injections, which I chose > over the BMT because I was so scared that if I didn't survive the BMT these > children would have lost mother # 2 and mine would also be without. > > These injections made me so, so sick. But still had to work full time > because I was blessed with an alcoholic husband who didn't work and pushed > me out of the bed while I was sick to go to work. > > I say blessed with a bit of humor because it's painful to remember but I > sometimes wonder if I hadn't gone to work to get the moral support I had > there, would I have done so well? > > In 2001 I started gleevec and I was doing great compared to the other stuff, > but my teenage son was battling some serious depression and he ended up > accidentally overdosing 4 times in one year over daddy being like he was and > the thought that he may loose his mother. > > He was hospitalized each time, received therapy for his depression and was > doing well for about 8 months and had another episode. This time he ended up > in the intensive care unit after being resuscitated. But he was also 18 > years old and although I begged the hospital to keep him for an evaluation > they sent him to the physc unit and released him the next day. > > On the morning of June 19th 2002, only 2 weeks after the last incident, I > found my son not breathing when I went to his room to check on him before > leaving for work. I lost my baby that day. And still his father only found > another excuse to drink. > > I cannot explain what the pain of loosing a child feels like, but its > nothing like loosing a man who doesn't love you enough to stick by you > through sickness and in health. Through good times and bad. > > Finally last January 2006 my husband was told he had developed a severe > heart disease at age 42 and his liver was so bad that he would die soon if > he didn't care for himself better. I begged him to think of his only son he > had left and our 3 beautiful granddaughters. Forget about me, I wanted my > son and granddaughters to remember a few good times. > > He didn't stop and things were worse with his drinking. I finally decided > after 27 years that it was gonna be either him or me and possibly both if I > didn't do something. I filed for divorce and made him leave the home > November of 06. > > In January of this yr he went into the hospital with back trouble and 2 days > later we were having DNR's done as the Dr had suggested it because his lungs > were filled with fluid. He never came home because regardless of how sick he > was I couldn't do it and I could have never done it if I wanted to. Day by > day his brain was poisoned by high levels of ammonia from the liver and he > ended up in a facility needing 24 hrs care until he died almost 2 months > ago. > > I became so bitter after loosing my son that I couldn't deal with his > selfishness. I also realized that I was going to live, I wanted to live and > the kids love me way more than he did. > > So I tell you this to say it could be worse. Be glad that someone who was so > selfish wasn't selfish enough to put you through all the above. And being an > alcoholic was only the tip of the iceberg. > > I'd rather have cancer any day than live that life over again. > > Once again' I have to add that at 42 I have decided that I am only half way > through my life and I have a lot behind me. I prefer to say I am advanced in > my classes of life and I pray that the second half will be much better due > to the lessons I've learned and all that my first half of life has added to > my character. > > If I could say anything to you it would be to trust that God knows exactly > where you are and to know that you would have not made it to today if he > wasn't there to pick you up and keep you going. > > Life is not over because we have CML. It's only just beginning. I don't wish > any tragedies on any one. But mine sure has made me stop to smell the roses. > (Sometimes I move too fast, but I try to slow down when I can) > > As for your weight, I agree we all want to have perfect bodies, but sick or > not it does require work for most of us and it really shouldn't be all about > our vanity but rather our health first. > > Somehow, someway, try to start exercising. Even if you start with a brief > walk. What it does for you mentally and emotionally is indescribable! Then > eventually you can focus on the weight part. > > You know if you think good, you'll feel good and if you feel good, you'll > look good! > > Get up girl and have a great day! You're gonna be just fine:-) > > > > > > > > ez > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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