STEAM ROOM FOR ANGER

For decades, from when I was a young child until I was in my 50s, my aunt would send a box at Christmas, with cookies packed in coffee cans and oat cannisters. She'd place them so carefully, and cushion the containers so well, that there was seldom any breakage. Any time I've sent cookies, carefully packed, using regular nice plastic containers, they turn into crumbs. I did not get the cookie shipping gene.

KBL,

Actually, I didn’t. I simply had no desire to get into what probably would have devolved into a pointless back and forth with a person who would post something like that. You have to have a certain amount of sympathy for someone who is so cold hearted as she must be a hurt person herself.What a way to live. Of course, I ignore this member and hope that she finds peace in her life. You can’t have peace in your own soul if you spend any time being cruel and unkind to others. This happened at least 5 years ago. I forgive her as she must be hurt soul, but I haven’t forgotten.

KBL--thanks so much; you are very kind. I know I'm not going through anything that millions of women haven't had to endure before me, but I'm whiney today. I want my boring life back.

You definitely deserve whiny days. I find when I’m having a rough day, I give myself permission to feel the feelings.

COVID rant warning

Yes, I finally got vaccinated. It's been stated that's enough. Do I want others to be vaccinated? More of us, yes. Why? So I feel safe? Well, data show that vaccinations are highly protective against severe illness and death. At least one of us here got COVID though fully vaccinated. She was hospitalized and survived. If infected, I'll likely just feel sick. I'd rather not have that either. With vaccination, masks, and limited public indoor time, I feel fairly safe from getting infected and suffering serious illness. It's a good feeling. Highly recommend. I'm lucky to be able to physically distance and enjoy it.

Recently an unvaccinated nurse here tested COVID+, and one of her patients has developed symptoms. In this instance did she really infect her patient? Doesn't matter. Last year in QC we had many instances where HCWs and visiting families infected patients. Thousands died. Sucks for them, right? I mean, they were in the hospital so immunocompromised. Wait, I could be one of those.

COVID cases are on the rise again, but is it really a great threat? A NV hospital released a letter begging their citizens to get vaccinated. Texas hospitals have ordered morgue trailers. COVID-19 made the top 20 of epidemics by population percentage dead (top 8 by raw count dead). Counters still going. I'll check back in a few, but seems to be bad. By the way, I have a smallpox scar. Would smallpox be eradicated now if people had rejected the vaccine?

Should we just let the virus wash over us? This gets tested in some areas. The town in the link is practically shut down. I'd prefer not to go through that. I'd prefer to be like Iceland or New Zealand.

https://www.kalb.com/2021/08/24/texas-town-reeling...

Today I read an anti-masker/anti-vaxxer who lead rallies is in a Texas ICU. Got sick in July. Tried the ivermectin cocktail. Hospitalized July 30th. He's on a ventilator now, and his wife has been asked by the hospital to sign a DNR. Obviously they have not refused to treat an unvaccinated person. Sure, ICU stays can be lengthy, but COVID patients take up lots of resources. Bodies are stacking up. Not just COVID bodies. A 46 y.o. Army veteran in Texas died because they couldn't find him an ICU bed. It wasn't COVID, heart disease, or cancer. He had gallstones and died because he couldn't get treatment. He probably needed an ICU bed for just one day. But couldn't get one day. That shouldn't happen...ever. So, for someone with advanced cancer, the idea of hospitals being full of patients who linger is scary.

I guess I'm selfish, not altruistic, for wanting people to follow public health guidelines. I want to be sure the healthcare system always has room no matter the reason. My hospital is fine at the moment. I'd like to keep it that way. Since it's a pandemic, my hospital isn't safe until the pandemic ends. And I want to travel again.

What does your hospital recommend? If you trust them with your cancer care, please trust their public health guidelines. If you don't trust them, you probably should get a different hospital.

I have been going to a writing group for coming up to 7 years with women with cancer at Callanish. We have 2- 8 week sessions a year and I have come to love these women. We had to do it by Zoom last year which was ok but next month we are hoping to do it in person again but our covid numbers are again rising daily. I am afraid to go indoors in a group but badly want to be with these people and some might not be around until this effing pandemic ends. I hate covid and really resent people who prolong it.

I'm glad you edited your post. Now it reads less like you're booting people out.

I've been posting on a different thread. It's not always about you.

Oh, trust me, I have never felt anything was about me. We can certainly take this private if you have an issue with me. You have a good evening as well.

Nice of you to edit out that you called me sassy.

I was perfectly fine with my last post, but please don't send me a PM after you said you won't respond to me.

Don't respond to me. Don't PM. Please ignore me.

LW422

I am so sad that your very valid complaint about painful drain is being overshadowed by the petty meaness that this thread has devolved into.

I know all too well how uncomfortable those drains can be. Especially that stitch that holds it in place. However, that drain is necessary. The first time I had breast surgery the doctor pulled the drain after 2 days. I kept forming fluid that had to be needle drained every other day for weeks. That's no fun either. The last mastectomy I had I asked the surgeon to please leave the drain in for 3 weeks. She agreed. Still had multiple needle drains even after a 3 week chest drain. I've had 6 lumpectomies, 2 mastectomies, and a re excision of the mastectomy bed. So lots of chest drains. My right side is pox marked from drain scars. You have every right to say ow! Damn those drains! This the steam room. Scream away!

Hope you feel better soon. I've been following your posts from the beginning. I admire how well you handled the cards you were given. Hang in there. Sending hugs.

De

ddfair--thanks; I appreciate the kind words and for the reminder that all this unpleasantness will pass. Sounds like you've had more than your share of the crap show of cancer treatment. I hope you are well these days. Take care.

To All: Holy Sh*t!! I haven't been on to read for some time. I think Covid rants belong here because the pandemic is making us ANGRY. There was no Covid-19 when the thread was created. If politics are involved it is to rant that politicians are making it hard for those who need their fellow citizens to mask up and get the shot, if they can't for medical reason then at least mask up. If you are Stage IV, like most of us on the thread, our time to live our lives, to travel, to see family/friends, QOL---- all of this depends on getting the pandemic in the rear view mirror. Covid and cancer are related.

KBL: none of my business but I would like to now where you live. Canada is finally doing quite well and BC is trying its best but the hospitals are getting strained by the unvaccinated falling ill. Florida has a governor who quote "Doesn't give a blip about Covid" What kind of attitude is that? He doesn't care that his own citizens are dying? Does he have shares in monoclonal antibody companies? He is more fixated on treatment than prevention.

By the way, Typhoid Mary did not obey health officials orders to stop working by preparing food for people. She was locked up. I am not suggesting that for the unvaxxed.. But I will safer going into a closed environment like a restaurant if I know the other customers are also vaccinated. Stores are an essential service but I want everyone masked up at least for now. I don't expect stores to have a guard at the door checking everyone status.

LW422, I never had a drain but did have a seroma drained in office. I'm sorry you are so dang sore! My seroma is still there. Latest visit nurse said it probably will be "for years". WHAT! That area still tender and numb ha ha if you can have both at the same time. Almost 2 years in I don't think it's going to get any better. Every time I mention it, it gets brushed off . That and SE of letrozole. The attitude seems to be suck it up, see you in 6 months. Damn annoying