Sugar Magnolia

[northland10]

[Dr. Caligari]

Not to mention:

[Fiascoist]

HER2 positive breast cancer 12 years ago after an ovarian cancer diagnosis 4 years before that. (NO cancer in my entire family ever) Chemo first, surgery then radiation. Continued to work through the entire process although to this day, I have no memory of much of it (brain fog) even after looking at notes of my cases. No trials or heavy hearings but with the help of my staff I managed. Any time you want to talk, let me know and I will pass on my number.
Also, the best book I have ever read on cancer is The Emperor of all Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee. It actually gave me great comfort while I was still in treatment (5 years after treatment). I needed answers from the professionals and was frustrated that answers weren't forthcoming and it wasn't til I read that book that I finally understood that cancer treatment is an art form without consistent firm answers. Cancer is like a moving target, something like COVID.
Treatment sucks but it sure isn't the worst thing I have done in my life.

[Maybenaut]

[roadscholar]

What everybody else said, and then some.

[scirreeve]

Damn it. Cancer sucks but if anyone can beat it it is you.

[Frater I*I]

No No NO!!!!

Sugar, you're gonna curb stomp cancer's ass!!!

[slq]

Sugar, sending healing energy your way.

[filly]

Sugar my friend so sorry to read this and sending you all positive energy!

[Patagoniagirl]

I'm so shocked by this. I cannot imagine what this all must feel like. I'm so sorry.

[poplove]

Sending you virtual hugs and lots of love.

[Danraft]

[sugar magnolia]

Thinking a little clearer this morning and trying to take it all in. I did a mass facebook msg to a bunch of my women friends last night (I know, I know, but it kept me from having to repeat the entire conversation a dozen times) and the responses from them ranged from 4 pages of texts just cussing about how miserable cancer is (she started off with "cancer can slide down a mile of rusty razor blades into a vat of salted alcohol before being flung into a pit of fire" and then went on from there) all the way to shocked smiley faces and "I don't even know what to say." One offered a hit man, another one offered to pay for the hit man, one offered food, one offered her place in NOLA if I wanted to escape, one offered to drive down from SD. My krewe don't all know each other but they should. I could not have picked a better tribe of women for their support through this.

Oddly enough, even though I know those women personally, I posted here before I told them, and I have gotten as much support from y'all as I have from them.

The real shit starts next week when I meet with the surgeon and the oncologist and have all the big tests done. I'll probably be doing some journaling type posts so I can come back in the future when my memory is fried from the chemo brain. I'll try my best to keep it in this thread, and don't feel like you have to chime in at every post. It will mostly be for me. Foggy, I'm depending on you not to lose the board again!

I have fabulous doctors and even more fabulous friends, and I'll get through this, and probably be really pissed at cancer when I get to the other side. My doctors all know and like each other and I'm discovering what a good thing that is. They're giving me tips about each other like "he's an Ole Miss fan and hates State but loves the Saints" and "he is a huge fan of bad puns". It will be interesting to hear the story of why my PA said to tell my oncologist to "bite her" when I see him. It must be funny because she literally threw her head back and laughed when she gave me the message to pass along to him.

I have completed 5 quilt tops since last week, working only out of my stash, just to give me some mindless activity that I have to (sort of) concentrate on. I may die with 200 unquilted tops my kids will have to figure out what to do with, but by god they'll have some damn quilt tops! If the sewing keeps up, by the time this is all over with I'll be able to cover the entire Southeastern US. I hope everyone likes black and purple.

[bill_g]

(((((big hugs for Sugar)))))

[Lani]

I'm borrowing from LMK because I feel the same way, but she says it better.

Omg. I don't know what to say other than I adore you and I want the very, very best for you.

You're a kick ass woman, my dear.

[Phoenix520]

Moar hugs, moar love!

[neonzx]

Let me say a small amount more than "Oh fuck"...

My sister (you've seen her and her two children) chose to terminate a pregnancy and have all her stuff removed... because she is genetically (thank you 23&me) predisposed to cancer.

FUCK CANCER

[Tiredretiredlawyer]

I love black and purple!!!!!!!!!

You can do this, sugar, with everyone's support and strength. We love you!

[Slim Cognito]

Just my arrogant opinion but I suspect cancer will regret fucking with Sugar.

[sugar magnolia]

Just my arrogant opinion but I suspect cancer will regret fucking with Sugar.

Yeah. That made me laugh.

[June bug]

Oh Sugar, so sorry you have to deal with this. But I agree with Slim-cancer will regret messin’ with you!

My 85 year old cousin was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer a little over a year ago. She had chemo, then surgery and is now on her second (different type) round of post-op chemo. And this one looks like it’s working!!

You’re going to beat this shit too and we’ll all be here for you while you do. Anything you need, any time you need it.

We love you!

[Foggy]

Just my arrogant opinion but I suspect cancer will regret fucking with Sugar.

That's the spirit.

[MsDaisy]

Beaming all the healing energy I can muster your way. Keep positive thoughts always

[sugar magnolia]

Oncologist this afternoon to get the official game plan. Port will be put in Friday and my first chemo is Oct 11. It looks like 4 rounds of chemo, 2 weeks apart, and then surgery. I'll know more about the course of treatment, what stage, prognosis and all that good stuff later this afternoon. Thursday is a full day of tests. CT, bone scan and echo, which I am assuming has the potential to alter the current plan if any of those show weirdness.

[p0rtia]

Thanks for the update. Glad it's only four rounds.

Is it my age group or a further sign of World Mayhem that I have three friends/acquaintanced getting/schedule for chemo this month? Ugh.

Good luck!