I just found out that my Mom has breast cancer.

[cherokeeprogressive]

She found a lump about a month ago. They biopsied it last Monday. This morning the doctor called and all she could relay to my Dad before breaking down was that she's got a consult on Dec. 1, and the doctor's first impression is a radical. He's also worried that it might already have spread to her lymph nodes.

Fuck.

How about a some metaphysical good feelings sent to Virginia in Nampa, Idaho? Regardless of what you may think about me, she's a beautiful Cherokee Indian, daughter of a full-blood who was born on the res in OK. Back in the day, she was Miss Norwalk, CA. I always look at her high school picture and tell her what a beautiful woman she was. Never fails get me a bruise. Sometimes even at the hands of my Dad.

Sorry for laying this out there, but I love this place and maybe pulling as a group, we can ward off the really bad stuff I fear is in store.

Love You Guys and Gals
Chris

[eleny]

1. So sorry for ths news

:hug:

[Maine-ah]

2. sending some of those patented DU vibes

:hug:

[monmouth]

3. My heart goes out to you Chris and of course to your Mom Virginia..n/t

[LisaM]

I'm sorry.

I hope that the biopsy shows better results than they think.

[SeattleGirl]

4. You got it, cherokee

Sending good healing vibes and light to your mom, and some calm and soothing ones to all of you.

:hug:

[Faygo Kid]

5. Hang in there, and all the best.

That's very tough news. I know you will be there for her.

[closeupready]

6. Sending positive, healing thoughts to you and your mother.

:hug:

[villager]

7. all good wishes, mending vibes, etc.

As many as you & yours need!

Take care!

[John Q. Citizen]

8. Sending good vibes!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. My dear Cherokeeprogressive...

I am so sorry to hear this...

Huge vibes to Virginia in Nampa, Idaho! Breast CA is very scary and I hope so much that she will be OK...

And hugs to you, to help you get through this very difficult time...

:grouphug: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :grouphug:

[Maven]

10. Oh, man.

I'm so sorry to hear that Chris.

There's a history of breast cancer in my family and it's a constant worry for my mom, too.

I hope the consult on Dec. 1 goes well. Try to think positive thoughts - the treatments for breast cancer are far more effective than they used to be. Let's hope the doctor's concern is unfounded and it hasn't spread.

Good thoughts to you and your mom.

[EFerrari]

11. You got it.

(((cherokeeprogressive family)))

[JDwho]

12. Chris, I'm so sorry...good feeling sent your and your Mom's way.

Strange. Right now, I'm waiting for biopsy results for one of my best friends. Not for nothing, but I'm part Cherokee, myself. My Grandmother was full Cherokee. She was a beautiful person, inside and out. My greatest hopes for healing and sympathies for what you and your family are going through.
JD

[cherokeeprogressive]

13. I can't thank you guys enough.

I'm going to print the replies and take them with me to Idaho when I go. She'll be tickled pink, and I'm sure that it'll lift her spirits.

DU'ers are the greatest.

Thanks again.

Now, where's that Jack Daniels...

[annabanana]

14. Dear cherokeeprogressive, My Mom also went through this.

There were also a couple of nodes involved. She underwent several courses of chemo and had a radical mast. She is fine. She opted not to have reconstructive surgery and chooses from a large selection of special bras that look completely natural and are quite comfortable.

I know you are all scared right now, and it is quite a blow to deal with. But if they've caught it early, she should be ok.

Stay positive and listen to the doctors...

[Midlodemocrat]

15. If this helps any, I have a friend who I play bunco with that had cancer

like you describe lymph node involvement.

She's totally cancer free going on 7 years.

:hug:

Hang in there. It'll be okay.

[Parche]

16. Hey

Back in 1975 my mom was diagnosed, and had both removed, and she lived a good life
but sadly passed away this last July from Heart failure etc.....
Keep your chin up, as your mom can make it through
:hi: :hug:

[FloridaJudy]

17. Good vibes on their way.

As well as a tiger-sized hug.

[pinstikfartherin]

18. Sending positive, healing vibes her way...

:hug:

[Mike 03]

19. You have plenty of company here

I went through this last year with my dad. I'm so happy you shared this, but I'm so very sorry you are having to experience this. It is hell. Your mother sounds like a very special person.

It's a shocking, terrifying experience when a parent is diagnosed with cancer. For me there was nothing to compare with it. It was... indescribable.

You and your mother are in my thoughts, prayers, and even my dog is staring at me now like he knows something important has entered my mind.

We are on your side, and please post here whenever you feel like it. Please.

Best, and thinking of your mom and you.

mike

[Peacetrain]

20. Cherokeeprogressive, hang in there and hold on..

You are and your Mom are in my thoughts. One eighth Cherokee myself, and very proud of that.

[Breeze54]

21. That's pretty scary, cherokeeprogressive.....

:hug: :hug: :hug:

..... But chin up! Maybe they found it in time!!

But why are they waiting until Dec. 1st?!

My sister went through that and I was very upset too but

she went through the chemo and surgery and she's fine today!! :D

Sending good vibes to you, your Mom and Dad and the whole family. :hug: :loveya:

[Uncle Joe]

22. I wish your family the best and may your mother heal soon.

I would suggest, she eat a lot of veggies, particularly broccoli, and carrots, lay off any fried food, ice cream and such.

Peace to you,

Joe

[kimmerspixelated]

29. Yes, and also

suggest that she switch to a natural deodorant, as the MS ones have been known to be the cause of breast cancer in the first place. She must try to become toxin free. (I know easier said than done!)

[Berry Cool]

34. Deodorants do NOT cause breast cancer.

Please don't spread that misinformation here. Thank you.

[Kahuna]

23. I'm sure she'll be okay. My thoughts are with you all...

:hug: Breast cancer apparently runs rampant in my family. We've had many success stories.

[bobd0]

24. Metaphysical good feelings sent to Virginia in Nampa, Idaho!

All the best, Virginia.

[TygrBright]

25. I will hold your mother and you in the Light, n/t

[StarryNite]

26. I'm so sorry :(

I'm sending good thoughts out to you and your mom. Also, do some research on holistic medicine to use in conjunction with what her doctors are advising. :hug:

[XOKCowboy]

27. My mother was half Cherokee also and I remember the day I got that call...

Pancreatic cancer. Prognosis of 4 months. She stuck it out for 11 and spent most if it in incredible pain but with her grandkids. She was a tough ol' bird. I'll be sending all sorts of positive energy up Nampa way. Good luck to you and your Mom.

[SammyWinstonJack]

28. .

:hug: for your Mom and your family, chris.

[Chorophyll]

30. Metaphysical good feelings, good vibes, good thoughts...

and even prayers (whatever you prefer) ascending toward Virginia in Nampa, Idaho. Keep us posted.

[renate]

31. good vibes headed your way

This must be so scary.

When I'm faced with an uncertain and high-stakes worry, I find it MUCH more comforting to visualize positive stuff (like your mom blowing out the candles on her birthday cake five years from now) than to merely try to avoid the scary thoughts. It just feels better to replace unpleasant thoughts with pleasant/opposite ones than to try to stuff the unpleasant ones away.

Keep us posted. We're all thinking of you.

:hug:

[Subdivisions]

32. Directing positive energy to your dear mother. All our best, Virginia. n/t

[Festivito]

33. I wish great understanding, incredibly agile moves, and

that's for the doctors.

I wish your mom a long and happy life.

[cherokeeprogressive]

35. See? Now this is why DU has a special place in my heart.

You all have made my smile come back today. I can't wait to show my Mom the wonderful things you've written. I know I'm not the most popular person here, but in instances like this it doesn't seem to matter and that's what makes YOU so special as a group. DU comes together and takes care of its own when it counts.

It's been a very bad day, and this is a huge bright spot in it. I will never forget this feeling.

I just got off the phone with my Pop, and he's a nervous wreck. I had the darnedest time convincing him that it wasn't a death sentence. He was standing in line at the grocery store and lost it. I had to make him hang up the phone. I wish I didn't live so far away from them.

I'm going to take every suggestion I've read in this thread and pass them on to her. I have a childhood friend who's dying of liver cancer, and my Mom's always after him to live healthier. She's been on him since day one, but I'm afraid that ship has sailed. I WILL be on her though about making herself as healthy as possible. I have seen first-hand how radiation and chemo can bring a strong six-footer to his knees and make him wish he didn't have to endure another day.

My fondest wish is that I can head those things off at the pass and keep them from becoming part of her struggle.

Again, I Thank You All
Chris

[rebel with a cause]

55. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in both breast in early part of the year.

I had my first operation in April, partial mastectomies although I would have rather had complete simple mastectomies. My nodes were found to be clean which was good. I came through the operation with no problem and recovered in good time. I had a very good surgeon and he said that my positive attitude was what made my recovery go so well. So I would encourage you and your mother to try to look at this as just a bump in the road and not a train wreck. It will help her in the long run. Also make sure she has a good surgeon and oncologist.

The only problems came about for me due to my case being an unusual one. Okay, here are my personal complications: 1) I had a different kind of cancer in each breast. This is very unusual, only 1% of women have this happen. 2) I have heart problems and my heart has become enlarged. The radiologist thought me having radiation was very risky because he would very likely burn my heart. 3) Chemotherapy would activate my other illnesses so my oncologist agreed with me that it was unwise for me to go through it.

As a result of these complications and my not having the option of these treatments, there is a better chance for my cancer to come back, but for now I am doing okay. I am getting hormone treatment and I go for zometa therapy every six months. You take life as it comes and you learn to roll with the punches. That is the only way I know to face this. Do what you have to do to get through it and don't dwell on the negatives too much. There is always someone out there that is having a harder time than you are. Celebrate the progress you make and live your life to the fullest.

Good luck to all of you. :grouphug:

[renate]

59. hugs to all your family

As you mentioned (and as I forgot when I first read your post), this is so hard on your dad, too. My best wishes to him, and to all of your mother's friends and family, as well as to you and your mother.

:grouphug:

[mwdem]

36. Good vibes to your mom, and to you..

I went through this almost 3 years ago, and I'm still going strong (I do have some Cherokee blood in me - my great grandmother). Learn all you can about her condition and treatments. Having a good, positive support group helps a lot. A great website is breastcancer.org.

[Swamp Rat]

37. .

:hug:

[malaise]

38. Here are some good vibes

and some hugs :hug: :hug:

[babydollhead]

39. we are here. lean on us.

I just found out last week about my sister so you and I are at the same stage of what we know and don't know. Everyone here said such good things..get Susan Loves, The Breast Book...be there for your Mom. find someone outside of the circle to talk about your own fears and worries. Good vibes coming from me to you and your Mom.

[a la izquierda]

40. Peace to your family...

when my great-grandma was 87, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctors were afraid to do a mastectomy...my grannie's response: "I'm ancient! I won't be wearing a bikini and my husband's dead. Take 'em off!' They did and she lived to the ripe old age of 88.

[JeanGrey]

41. First, my heart goes out to you.

Secondly, try not to panic. HUGE IMMENSE strides have been made in breast cancer and the majority of people with it will survive. Make sure you mother gets to a MAJOR cancer center and not a local doc or hospital. This is very important.

Hang in there, and your Mom can do it! :grouphug: :grouphug:

[qwlauren35]

42. I wish YOU Strength Enough...

to give your mother what she needs.

I hope that she will have the courage to have full masectomies, as Christina Applegate did. And I hope you will pour every ounce of love into her that you can find, and help her know that her breasts don't define her womanhood, for she will always be a mother - the ultimate purpose of our design.

I wish you and your entire family all the strength you need... and then some.

Please cherish your mother, openly, frequently. I promise that it will make a difference for both of you.

[cherokeeprogressive]

45. Every one of these posts has warmed my heart. Yours made me giggle with a little guilt.

When we first spoke of this, she was really upset. I've always been able to make my Mom laugh to the point of tears. While we were on the phone, and she got weepy, I told her that she'd never nurse another child, so why would she need boobs? She laughed. I continued by telling her that even with PERFECT boobs, she wasn't going to win any wet t-shirt contests and she laughed so hard she got the hiccups.

When I call on Easter, I open with Happy Birthday. When I call on Christmas, I open with Happy Anniversary. We have an excellent relationship that I'm planning on continuing for a very long time.

Thank You.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

43. My heart Chris.

Vibes full of love and healing to your Mom, and strength for you and your family.

:hug: :loveya: :hug:

[BlueIris]

44. On its way. Come join us in the A, S, and Alt Healing forum if you want. nt

[snappyturtle]

46. Please stay positive! My mom had a radical mastectomy in 1983

with no chemo or anything afterward. It was several years later when they recommended that. I'm happy to say she's still with us at the ripe old age of 92! Still vain as they come! Will not tell most people how old she is! I hope to avoid this but I have a great role model should it come to be.

At first it is a shock, I know, but treatment methods are even better today. I'm sending all the good vibes I can muster to your mom! Keep us posted Chris.

edit: :hug: This looks like an after thought.....it isn't....lots more where this one came from!

[I Have A Dream]

47. cherokeeprogressive, I'm so sorry that this is happening.

:(

I will be sending light and healing energy your mother's way, and I will pray for her swift and easy healing for her highest good. I will also keep your family in my prayers; you need support right now as well. :hug::hug::hug:

[Chicago1]

48. http://www.breastcancer.org

When my Mom was diagnosed in 2004, this was the BEST website I found and they have quoted on The Today Show on NBC.

She's in my thoughts and prayers. Chicago has a great center in Prentice Hospital: The Lynn Sage Center which is UNBELIEVABLE. There's alot of great treatment and doctors there.


Good Luck!!!

[tnlefty]

49. Sending healing thoughts and vibes out to your Mom and

your family. :hug:

My mother in law was diagnosed 25+ yrs. ago and she had lymph node involvement and was given a 15% chance to survive for 5 yrs. She's been through a triple by pass since then, but she's still hanging in there.

I'm off to light a candle for your Mom. Take care. :hug:

edit: typing fingers

[Contrary1]

50. Hang in there, Chris...

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. You're right. It definitely sucks. My cancer had also spread to the lymph nodes. It was fairly aggressive, the "garden variety", which was good news.

I underwent a mastectomy, chemo, and 5 years of Tamoxifen. I also enrolled myself in a couple of clinical trials.

I am here, eleven years later to tell you and your mom...this is not the end. It is the beginning.
The start of the rest of your lives. Your mother may read that breast cancer was a gift to some. No way for me. But; I am here and surviving. We only have the now.

I have spoken to many women facing breast cancer, and I would be more than happy to talk to your mom, if you would like. Please pm me. I am here.

:pals:

[live love laugh]

51. The same thing happened to my Mom almost 9 yrs ago---and she's fine.

There is a LOT than can be done. This is not a death sentence.

Just be there for her through all phases. Be an advocate and go to the doctor with her if you can because when someone gets a diagnosis like this, it is difficult for them to really hear what the doctors are or are not saying or to ask the questions that need to be asked.

I wish your mom and you the best.

[Irishonly]

52. I am sorry

I will send good, positive thoughts and prayers your mom's way (and all of the family. I am an almost ten year survivor and had cancer in 18 lymph nodes. If you can find it as I am not sure if it is still in print, look for In Honor Of Women. I will also light a candle for her as is my custom. I started when I was first diagnosed and have done it most every night since. I figure it can't hurt and may help.

Hang in there, Chris. Your whole family will be in treatment, even the four legged members of your family if you have them. If you ever need a shoulder, I am here.

[Greybnk48]

53. Stay strong honey. My friend from H.S. Had a radical with 3 nodes

about 15 years ago and she is still cancer free. Keep the faith.

[helderheid]

54. loving healing vibes coming from Utah.

[cherokeeprogressive]

56. I cannot expresss my gratitude in any way that compares to the love you've shown my Mom tonight.

I could try, but I'd just fail. My saving grace is that I've stumbled upon a HUGE group of people who although they don't know me, feel for my Mom. I fucking love you! Your compassion has made this a day I will NEVER forget. Never. NEVER!

[roguevalley]

57. My dear one, you are supposed to come here. Very few of us have

gotten away unscathed. My dad survived lung cancer (21 years) and lymphoma. Pneumonia got him. The cancer can be beaten. Tell her never to say never. Tell her that this thing can be defeated. NEVER accept the worst case scenario because they all give it. Tell her that people in Alaska are on her
side and don't despair. I will pray for you and your family and your mom. Hug her for me and chins
up, honey. :hug:

[BobTheSubgenius]

58. My best friend has cervical cancer. We can go through this together.

[RamboLiberal]

60. Chris - Good Thoughts and Prayers for your mother and you

I hope that all goes well with your mom. I know how tough this can be. Your mom sounds like a very beautiful woman. And now I know how you got your DU moniker.

And I've always enjoyed your posts.

Love and best wishes to your mom that she gets well, and love, strength and courage to you.

Keep us informed.

[illuminaughty]

61. So sorry for this. DU is such a small weird world

Check out my post from yesterday to someone talking about Native Americans rights. It's weird to have just posted about healthcare and Native Americans yesterday and then see your post today.

We will be thinking of your Mom. My neighbor just got total clean bill of health after having cancer that spread to the lymph nodes a year ago. He's doing great now.


"Choctaw ancestry here with roll numbers
Father born in Keota, Oklahoma which means "fire went out", since the tribes came close to extinction due to "trail of tears"

I've just been researching again and I found out very disturbing things (besides the entire treatment of Native Americans in general). Many full blooded Choctaw are not getting the medical benefits they need and are in line behind those of mixed blood to get them. Bureau of Indian Affairs
encouraged people of any Choctaw heritage to become members of the tribe. It ups the numbers and dilutes the benefits the full blooded Choctaw receives and of course somehow benefits the Bureau of Indian Affairs financially. I don't fully understand it, but, it's just more of the criminal behavior of our gov't."

[Hekate]

62. Prayers to you all...

:hug: for you

Hekate

[OnyxCollie]

63. I hear you and know how you feel.

My mom was diagnosed with colon cancer last week. She starts a month of radiation and two weeks of chemotherapy today.

I didn't start crying until I wrote that just now.

(((hugs)))

[goclark]

64. Sending positive thoughts your way nt

[Bettie]

65. Sending positive energy to your mom and hoping

that things turn our well for you family.

[Window]

66. All good thoughts, vibes and prayers sent for your Mom and family.

Peace:kick:

[SidDithers]

67. Best wishes to your mom for a full and speedy recovery...

Breast Cancer is awful, but many, many, many women get through it an live long and happy lives.

Sid

[MsLeopard]

68. Sending good wishes to Virginia

Best wishes for your mother to get through this trying time with grace and dignity. I hope she has good insurance.