Printable View
You guys are all amazing.
I've been on this forum for what, 4 - 5 years, and how many amazing women have I met here?!
Thanks for your good thoughts and supportive words. We got back from the doctor and he says it's treatable. It's nasty surgery, but hey, that's better than a death sentence!
Knott, just how close are you?
Mimi, my thoughts are with you and RD.
mimi - I'm very sorry to hear this, but glad to know it is treatable. It's overwhelming, I know. Please feel free to talk to us when you need to, or if you need our collective shoulders to cry on. Hugs to you and RD.
I am sorry to hear this news, Mimi. Please feel free to unload your thoughts here.
Oh Mimi. I'm so sorry to hear that. Hugs and prayers to both of you. Be surrounded by our light.
:( (((Mimi & RD))))
Mimi, you're an awesome chicka & you can get through this.
All I can think of is don & humour...:D
Besides the implications of cancer in general, the thing that is so frightening is that the surgery is so serious; cutting into the chest, removing and replacing the esophagus, possibly messing with his stomach too. This means he won't be able to eat for a while except through a tube. If they do any chemo or radiation, he will be rendered even more weak and this stuff is scary scary stuff. Many of you have been through this or have loved ones that have suffered through this. We just watched my stepfather have repeated surgeries in his gastric areas before he died, so we are a little nervous to say the least. Anyway, we both liked how emphatic the doctor was when he said it could be fixed. ahhh.. thanks you guys
{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Mimi & Don }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Wishing you much strength in this journey...
((((((Mimi & Don))))))
Am here if you need something.
Guess it wasn't Don that I thought I saw on a bike one day this week. :(
seriously, Beth? he's riding EVERY day. He doesn't feel bad!! (wait until after his surgery)
Good. He's a strong man. He's keeping up his strength. He'll need it to make a great recovery. Ride on Raleighdon :cool: After the surgery we'll need some slow, leisurely recovery, rebuilding rides to food or coffee. At that point I might be able to keep up with him. I might even be up there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Biciclista
cool Trek420
It occurs to me you have never met him? (but you know him very well)
Mimi, Don--with your help--is gonna kick cancer's a**! At least I sincerely hope so. We're all pulling for you.
I'm glad to hear it's treatable. We're all here for you.
Love you both.
Mimi- Just checked in here and saw this. I'm so sorry - that really, really sucks. Thinking of you both.
1. you are not alone, remember that
2. Ask for help, people are amazing but often feel helpless and don't know what you need
3. Hugs, hugs and more hugs
The Bike Hermit and I are thinking of you and thinking positive for a quick recovery.
I moved to the U District a couple weeks ago. I'm closer now, so seriously, call me for anything at all!Quote:
Originally Posted by Biciclista
Just seeing this myself now too. I wish you and Don much strength as things unfold, and the best outcome possible. Hope recovery is uneventful.
I don't know Don at all, only through your posts, Mimi. I just went over to bike journal to read some of what he had to say. What an incredible person he is! What a fabulous energy and outlook on life!
I am so sorry to hear this, Mimi.
My husband just celebrated his 20th anniversary of remission following a bone marrow transplant for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. From what I know of Donald, having read your postings here and his own blog, they are very much alike with regards to health, personality, and attitude. The two of you will get through this. I know it.
Feel free to PM me anytime. I'd be happy to share more details with you if you are interested and/or think it might help.
Best wishes and positive vibes to you both.
I'm very sorry to hear this, Mimi. You and Don have my thoughts, prayers, and best wishes.
Mimi, it all sounds very terrifying and overwhelming but I think you guys will come through this just fine. The universe never gives us more than it knows we can handle, even if we sometimes don't think we can. Sending you guys tons of positive vibes and virtual hugs for strength. :)
Mimi, I hope all goes smoothly with Don's surgery and recovery. Holler if you need anything.
thanks all you guys! Just came back from riding a 100k. I am totally wasted... and he wanted me to go faster!
Dear Upper Body injury.
Can you please heal faster??? YOu're starting to drive me nuts...Patience wearing thin...
Dear posture,
Could you please work with me...I'm doing all the exercises de physio gave us to do...
Dear guy who almost rear-ended me at 60 mph on the interstate -
Riding a foot from my bumper will not make the semi in front of me go any faster. You had an entire empty lane to your left and I even waved you around, and you still decided to tailgate me until I finally braked so much that you very nearly hit me (btw, driver, the speed limit by the tunnel is 50, not 65, so I was going plenty fast for the right lane). I hope you get some help. Perhaps some glasses so you can see the giant 14 foot truck doors over the roof of my very small car.
Dear Jess, getting into a mutual road-rage contest is very tempting but also very dangerous. Please chill, we like you here.Quote:
Originally Posted by jessmarimba
((Mimi)) - I just saw your posts - like the others said, if you need anything do not hesitate to get in touch.
Mimi - just checking in this weekend and saw your post. Much love to you and RaleighDon as you enter a time of uncertainty. The women here have been a great comfort to me, and I hope that we can also be a great comfort to you.
You are both strong, and I wish you both well! If there is anything I can do, albeit from the far right coast, PLEASE don't hesitate to let me know!
SheFly
Mimi - Last year I had the pleasure (and fun) of working with Don loading the trucks for RAMROD (we missed him this year, but he did a great job w/ porta potty duty since they were everywhere I needed them). Anyhow, he made a comment to the guys loading gear into the trucks next to the water barrels. He told them not to mess up the spigots (although, his language was far more colorful & effective). A couple of us repeated his words to the crew this year. I think he needs to use that same line on his surgeon! All my & dh Bruce's best to Don & you.
Since I was late even noticing this news until yesterday in another thread, I'm wishing Don and you, Mimi big buckets of luck.Quote:
Besides the implications of cancer in general, the thing that is so frightening is that the surgery is so serious; cutting into the chest, removing and replacing the esophagus, possibly messing with his stomach too. This means he won't be able to eat for a while except through a tube. If they do any chemo or radiation, he will be rendered even more weak and this stuff is scary scary stuff. Many of you have been through this or have loved ones that have suffered through this.
Any radiation /chemo, especially repeated treatments, can easily weaken a person's immune system for awhile.
When is the surgery scheduled?
Shooting star, we don't know yet. We haven't even met the oncologist. we only found out on Thursday, but it seems like before that was another life. Life before cancer. Pretty strange.
Last night my sons came over (it was my daughter in law's bday) DH finally got to talk to them both "man to man" about stuff. My younger son gave me the best hug he's ever given me before he left last night. I guess he finally gets it.
thanks all of you for your supportive comments.
I don't want to take over this thread though :o please continue to write your dear so and sos here!
You're welcome to take over the thread, heck, the whole board with this.
Mimi, I'm so glad you got a good hug. Your son may have been channeling all of us on TE who wish we could give you a hug in person ourselves. I want to assure you that whether it's in this thread or a seperate one, we want you to continue to talk freely about what's going on with you and Don. We care about you and would welcome an opportunity to show our support and to stay apprised.
Mimi - thinking of you and Don. http://forums.relicnews.com/images/smilies/GroupHug.gif
Dear Universe,
Thanks so much for the push to make changes, we're on it. :D
Us
Yup!Quote:
Originally Posted by indysteel
+ a millionQuote:
Originally Posted by indysteel
And that goes for the years ahead too. I think one of the most difficult things about cancer is that once the treatments are finished, people think the person is finished with it, and don't want to hear about it any more. As far as I'm concerned you're always welcome to share your and Don's struggles with the sequelae of treatment, future monitoring, etc.
exactly. Life as we knew is is over, as surely as it was the day I brought home my first baby...Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf
and thanks you guys again..
But since you're all listening, I have to tell you about the Tom hug.
The first time I got a hug like that was the last time I saw my grandfather Tom Torchia.
The second time I got a hug like that was a few years later when I visited my long lost brother, Tom Torchia for the first time in many years.
and then last night, my own son Tom. how about that? I don't mean that my DH doesn't give me awesome hugs, but this is a different category.
:rolleyes:
Mimi, sending my love and healing health wishes to Don and you both.
You are one of the strongest and most caring and sensible women I know.
xoxo Lisa
Wasn't road rage! I had to brake to not rear-end the semi!! Their speed limit is 35 mph down the mountain (and it's 55 maybe? for cars?) and I was trying to wait for the guy behind me to pass me before I passed the truck. The people in that car were so weird...though I think they were from an area where you can't change lanes in tunnels (like the I-95 tunnel in Baltimore, or something).Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf
I've spent the last 2 days driving rural highways in the Dakotas. I have not had one single person tailgate...it's been quite pleasant.
*******************
Mimi, I hope all is well. I can't do much but be here for you and listen (read), but let me know if a souvenir from someplace like Amidon, North Dakota might help :)