STEAM ROOM FOR ANGER

People are so inconsiderate and try to help by sending articles about cancer that are wrong. Sad thing is its from one of my parents who just doesnt get it.

Exbrnxgrl, so Im not alone in this? Thank goodness, it just seems like people need a class on how to speak to someone you love who is diagnosed and or/ going through treatment.

Jinx, you’re definitely not alone in this. When I was first diagnosed, my mom sent me tons of stuff about lemons and alkaline water. I knew it was coming since she also bought me shoe inserts, which were to help me lose weight somehow, lol

Sunshine99, after he bonks you on the head you will be fine!Afterwards you can send him to my house.

One of the phlebotomists, while attempting to draw blood for my labs, proceeded to tell me about her family member who was dying from breast cancer but had a really positive attitude! That's when I appreciate wearing a mask, so I can mouth "please fuck off" underneath it.

Regarding the blaming yourself, I do believe my lifestyle was/is a contributing factor to my health (as to what percentage it's probably not that high?). I don't know. Over this past year my wine consumption was way up. There were weeks I was having a few every night. Mostly so I could sleep and not remember my dreams. I'm sure grief and being alone, you know the whole life adjustment, had something to do with it. Eventually, I cut back to a few nights per week and started noticing on the nights I don't drink, I can't sleep, and I wake recalling wtf was I dreaming about? Then, I find out my liver is enlarged (which isn't a disease in itself, but a symptom of something causing it), and thereby treating that will hopefully not lead to further damage or disease. I am on day 5 of no drinking at all, and sure enough, I can't sleep. I have trouble falling asleep, and once I do, I am up every 2-3 hours so a couple of times per night. When I feel I can finally have a good dose off, it's then time to get up.

I've been reading some on all this stuff.. Taking the AI has been talked about here. I am on year 3 and it is metabolized in the liver. I am also on a statin. Year 4 or 5 of that. Plus, the wine. Which one is it, or is it a combination of all three? Or something else? Going for a liver function blood test soon (never had this before), and I'm also considering buying some melatonin, but not taking it until after I do the test. Also read it may be beneficial to the liver, and it may help the sleeping issue. Anyone take melatonin?

Apparently my years of taking NSAIDs plus smoking gave me kidney cancer. My dad also had kidney cancer, non-smoker, only took a few prescription meds. But I guess it's easier for doctors if they have a way to blame people because they don't want to say "We don't know."

That Martha Stewart article -

Did I possibly get cancer because of the air pollution caused by leaded gasoline, and that I lived on a busy street in an urban area my whole childhood, with cars and buses going by 24 hours a day? Lead in the water pipes? Dust from lead paint? Other toxins in the air and water, since it wasn't regulated in the 1950's and 60's? Parents who smoked ALL THE TIME?

No it was probably because I don't dust my house often enough, and I don't eat enough vegetables.

Environmental exposures contribute to cancer - but these aren't the same as "Lifestyle choices". The article pissed me off, I don't like the attitude of superiority implicit in an article like that.

Is anyone else having trouble accessing some sections on this forum? Since yesterday I have been getting “internal error” for the stage iv threads and active topic section.

Saw a message on there they were working on it last night. Have a feeling a server crashed or something.

Asshole at work: Do you drink alcohol?

Me: Yeah, occasionally. I like a glass of wine every now and then. Why?

Asshole at work: See? It's your own fault you have cancer.

For real. She totally said that to me, then went outside the building and chain-smoked cigarettes for fifteen minutes, as she does three times a day, every day. For a moment I thought, I would never ever say something that cruel to anyone. Mostly because I'm not an asshole, but mainly because I don't believe anyone brought this on themselves. I don't deserve this. Neither do you. Neither does that asshole, really.

THEN, I started thinking. If SHE were ever diagnosed with cancer and I found out about it, I defininitely wouldn't be a dick about it and gloat or blame her, and I truly hope she never has to go through what we're going through.

I WOULD, however, have to MENTION that many chemotherapy formulations contain ethanol (alcohol) as a solvent. You know, just to see the look on her face. Karma's a bitch.

Sunshine,

What dose of melatonin are you taking?

I use 10 mg of melatonin and it works for me. I know my bottle says that is the dose on mine. If it stopped though I would ask my doc before taking more I imagine. I think anything in too much is not good no matter what. I know without it I get up and walk the halls at night and do not sleep.

GR4C1E, Well, you could tell her that wine keeps you from being an asshole, then look at her VERY directly and say, "I HIGHLY recommend it."

My husband and I share a bottle of wine each nite. He has a glass - I have the rest. Been doing this for years and won't stop because of my damn MBC. That has stolen enough already! Liver values are fine.