Family Update: Last week, a very close family member had surgery for Colon Cancer; it has spread to her lymph nodes and she will undergo Chemotherapy in about 3 weeks...She is like my sister, a vital, strong woman, only 52 years old...She gave me permission to write about this on my blog, to urge each of you to consider getting a Colonoscopy if you are 50 or older; if found early, this is relatively easy to treat...Since my "sister" is being courageous to discuss this subject so openly, I would like to come forward as a Cancer Survivor myself; I was fortunate to be diagnosed very early in my disease through a Pap Smear and subsequent biopsy, which resulted in surgery in 2003...I am so grateful to be well and I continue to monitor myself with checkups every six months...We hope to encourage everyone reading this to become proactive in regard to your health...Thank you all for the good wishes and for keeping my family in your prayers...Unfortunately, these instances are not the only time (Liver) Cancer has so closely touched my immediate family: Happy Birthday, Rob, you are with me always...July 6, 1964-May 1, 2002.
50 comments:
Oh Jacqueline!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. You are so right about being proactive with one's health. I'm glad to hear you are ok - keep healthy and vital and strong!
I am and will keep your friend in my thoughts and prayers. I wish her all the best and all the healing hugs on this planet! I have everything crossed for her!!!
And Sukki is adorable as always.
take care
x
We're purring hard for you and your loved ones my friend.
I am so sorry to hear about your "sister" and my heart goes out to you all. Hopefully the chemotherapy will help her. I was also sorry to hear about your diagnosis but pleased it was found early and you were clear after treatment and remain so. I will pray for your "sister" and also for you to remain well. My mother had cancer but it was growing in an area that showed no sign until it was too late for her and so please everyone take every test you can so that you have more chance of survival.
On a lighter note lovely picture of Sukki.
Hannah and Luc's mum Sue xxx
Milo and Alfie's mom speaks:
First of all I am so sorry to hear the news about your relative. I will think positive thoughts for her and pray that all goes well.
I am also sorry to hear you had cancer. I am a cancer survivor as well. I was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma (a rare type of primary bone cancer) way back in 1995. I had surgery to remove the tumour in the bone of my leg ~ and have since had 2 further surgeries (the third one was a bone graft in September last year)and am currently still recovering.
My husband recently had surgery for skin cancer (fortunately one of the less dangerous varieties) ~ and my own beloved father died of prostrate cancer in 2006 (it had been diagnosed 10 years before but was already inoperable at the time).
My best friend Gilly died of malignant melanoma in 1992, and my mother-in-law died of pancreatic cancer in 1996, and the same year one of my dearest friends, Rod, died of liver cancer. My maternal uncle is current terminally ill with prostrate cancer.
I live in a small close with 6 neighbours ~ one died of cancer of the spine last year, and two others are cancer survivors (excluding myself and my husband). There is only one house in our close that cancer has not touched yet (ans I hope it never will).
So I agree with you wholeheartedly ~ we should all be aware of our health and not be afraid to seek advice. Cancer is often survivable (I was originally diagnosed 15 tears ago) if help is sought quickly enough. Knowledge is power.
I sincerely hope your lovely strong "sister" is going to join us survivors. Blessings to her. please wish her love and luck from me for her journey.
Jan
(((Jacqueline)))
You know I'm sending tons of healing Light to your aunt, who is more like a sister to you. And to all your family, especially at this time.
Blessings and Peace,
Kim
Jacqueline, that is too bad about your sister/friend having cancer. I too have cancer but so far doing all right. I have learned that being positive is so important. The chemo is no fun and really hard but tell her that just get lots of rest. But then you know all that. Sorry to hear about Rob. Cancer is horrible. But you have proved that you can get through it.
Keep us updated. It is so true that we all need to take care of our health. It is so important.
Take care.
Prayers, and purrs for you and yours.
Thanks for sharing that with us, we were concerned about you. We sure do hope that things turn out OK and please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Yes, everyone needs to look after their health, pay attention everyone!
Jacqueline, I am praying for you and the family. We sort of take our health and other things for granted until we are touched by an illness such as Cancer or other horrendous diseases. Glad you are well and back to your blog, we missed you.
I bet Calle, Halle, Sukki, Mommy & Daddy Cat are glad you are home. I know we missed your thoughtful and caring comments. May God touch your "sister" during her treatment and she has a good recovery.
Hi Jacqueline,
Thank you for the health update.
Oh are we ever so 100% behind you on the preventive tests for everything. Folks always talk about the prep being so bad for a colonoscopy. Inconvenient messy etc but my word that is nothing compared to alternative. Please give your friend my very best wishes and you my friend are indeed a survivor!!
Madi and Mom
Sukki, you have the prettiest tummy!!
We are sorry to hear about your "sister." We purr for her for a complete recovery. We purr that you continue to do well too. Cancer has touched too many of our lives...both human and furries.
Jacqueline, I'm so sorry to hear this and my heart goes out to you. It is a very important message you offer. I recently lost a SIL to cancer and now her sister has ovarian cancer. It is a sad thing as you surely are aware of. Here's to your good health!
we are purrring for you all. cancer is an ugly beast.
A good reminder to never take our health for granted Jacqueline ~ for if we do not have our health ~ we have nothing. Our health is so precious and there are so many people who won't go to the Doctor's Office as they don't like all those embarrassing / uncomfortable tests.
I send the warmest wishes and thoughts for your dearest friend today.
xo Catherine
Purrs to you and your family Jaqueline. We're glad you are home and we will keep your family in our thoughts.
We are thinking of you and your family members. Sending you all our love...
Thank you so much for the update; we've been wondering how you/your family were.
Thank you also for the "rest of the story" you posted. I, too, know several someones who have experienced cancer in some form or other.
I'm glad you were successful in catching yours early.
And because it is "tummy Tuesday," that Sukki never disappoints!
Wonderful post, J!!!!! Several years ago I went through several colon related surgeries. I was very fortunate as mine was not malignant, but I nag my family and friends all the time to have colonoscopies.
I will be praying for your family member. Sending love, hugs and comforting purrs to you and all of yours. xxxxxxxxxxx
We are sending you lots of hugs Jacqueline to you and your friend. You are so right to keep up with your health and have all those tests. Sorry to hear that you had cancer too but you made it so your friend will too, we just know it. We are also sending lots of purrs.
So take care and don't wear yourself out with worry.
We are purring so hard for your family member! Purrs and hugs from all of us too, for you being a strong survivor too.
--JB
Let's try again -
Thanks for the incredible PSA -
Our best wishes and thoughts for your friend and for you -
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra & Phyll
Hugs and purrs to your sis - and thanks for the reminder, it's an important message and one our humans should heed!
This is good advice about being proactive with your health. I do go for regular checkups. All the best to your 'sister'. Hugs and purrs to you.
Sending love and light to your sister and to all involved. My mom had breast cancer and my father passed of pancreatic cancer so I know the importance of check-ups. No one is immune to this disease. Thanks for sharing this personal info with us all.
cats of wildcat woods
Is very sweet to share this very personal story with a desire to help others.
We sends healing purrs to your sister. And as I celebrate a birthday for my sister who has passed, I purr for your friend Rob as well, knowing that the energy of love is too dense to ever fail.
(Nice belly Sukki!)
Jan speaking ~ I had to pop back because I suddenly realised it was Rob's birthday today. I know only too well how painful such anniversaries are ~ the years may dull the ache but they never ever remove it.
Blessings to Rob, wherever he is now. And (((((hugs))))) for you.
Jacqueline, thanks for sharing such a personal story with us. Im so glad everything has turned out O.K. for you. I am sorry about Rob. It sounds like he was much loved.
I pray your dear friend makes it through the Chemo. I've heard it is a hard road going through Chemo. I will include her in my prayers.
Your Friend,
Melody
Sending deep purrs to your "sister" and hope that all goes well in her treatment.
{{{hugs for Rob}}}
We too have been touched by cancer. I was diagnosed with Stage II melanoma in 1991.Thankfully no further problems. Friday I had my first colonoscopy --
May you continue to have good health.
purrs
Abby
Omg!! Awesome belleh pose!!Goma does this all the time and it is just soooo irresistible!
Thank you for sharing this - all us kitties need to tell our humans about getting regular check ups at the human vet, and getting things like colonoscopies. We want them to be healthy and have long lives so they can keep caring for us!
Welcome back -- we've missed you. I am so sorry for your "sister". I hope all goes well! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing. YES, it is important to get regular check-ups, no matter how unpleasant. My Dad is a cancer (prostate) survivor, and I lost a good friend several years ago to breast cancer.
I will be praying for you and your family, and I'll ask the Cats to send their rumbliest purrs.
Love, MomKat Trish and the Lounge Kats
Thank you for sharing this with us. We are praying for your "sister" that her chemotherapy is successful.
I lost my mother to breast cancer 28 years ago and sadly when it was diagnosed, it was too advanced to treat. Of course treatment was nowhere near as advanced as now.
(((Hugs))) to you as you remember Rob on his birthday.
Jacqueline, our strongest healing energy and positive thoughts go out to your heart sister. Thank you both for talking about your experience and encouraging all of us to be aware and proactive...it is only by removing the stigma and talking openly that we can fight the fear, improve the survivor rate, and eventually find a cure!
Hi Jacqueline - I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Know that your constant friendship & love will help her get through this. I'll certainly keep you in my thoughts & prayers.
Hugs,
Deb =^..^=x5
So glad your safe and we will purr and send best thoughts your friend is well very soon.
And yes the belly is super cute!
Purrs and hugs to you. The "C" word is a scary one. We make sure mum gets here checkups and tests.
We know it meant the world to your friend that you were there for moral support. We are keeping her in our prayers.
(((HUGS)))
Purrrrr....thank you so much for sharing. Sometimes mom is silly and will take us to the v-e-t before she will take herself. Good reminder to get the screening tests that can save your life!
We will purrr for your friend...and you too!
May you all be uplifted and feel healing joy by your presence in each others lives. Medicine helps, yes...but love is good medicine, too and sometimes is just that extra thing that makes a person want to go on...
You are in my thoughts...hold your family close and your kitties, too.
Um, we will focus on Sukki. We unnerstand that better.
Now THAT's a snorgally tummy!
I hope your friend does well. Shoot me an email when you have time and visit the June Prize box-as you are the winner and can choose a book out of the box.
We'll be purring loud and hard for your "sister".
Sniffie and the Florida Furkids
Thanks for sharing with us. Maybe your post will help somebuddy catch something early!
We are keeping your family in our thoughts and purrs.
Thank you for sharing your "sister's" story - as well as your own! Please know that we are praying for you both!
Tons and tons and tons of love,
Ammy
We'll be keeping woo in our pawrayers. Cancer is an awful disease, and we have lost way too many family members to it. Our mom lost her mom to cancer, 17 years ago on July 5th. Dad lost his brother (at only 58) to it too. Mom's cousin is just finishing up chemo right now and we are praying he will not need more. Can't agree with you more about testing on a regular basis.
jack a-roo & miss moo & mom
gosh, how dreadful and inspiring and information all at the same time... yep, will take it all on board... and best wishes to your friend. Helen x
Jacqueline, I am so sorry about your friend's illness. Always remember there is hope and do not give up. I'll be praying for her and for her friends and family too.
Purrs to you and your 'sister'. Hope all will go well for her. Cancer touches all of us, whether diretly or indirectly. SS's family has a bad history of cancer sending siblings and cousins off to the Bridge at a relatively early age.
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