CancerCompass message board discussion started by dcnbama on 9/27/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,16570,0.htm Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ HelloI have just completed all the recommended treatments for cancer of the ampulla of vater.  (whipple procedure, gemzar, xeloda, radiation)  Soon I will be going for my CT scan and labs and to meet with the multidisciplinary team to find out where things are at this point and how often I will need to return for followups.I had no other organ involvement but did have 5(out of 20 something) positive nodes in the area of the tumor.Looking for folks with similiar stories.  Just wondering how others have felt at the conclusion of the therapies, emotionally, that is.   How is everyone coping with the "what's next?" dcnbama Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT While we're undergoing treatments, everyone is so supportive, understanding and we're seeing medical personnel SO regularly.  After treatments have ended, we see then only every couple of months or so, friends and family quit waiting on us, asking if there's anything we need, keeping us busy mentally and emotionally and then, all of a sudden, that's gone.  We're left in the quiet to imagine every ache and pain is a new battle to be fought.It's up to us at that point to get off our rears and find people to fill the void.  Find others that have similar survival stories to talk to since no one else quite understands what it's all about and what we've gone through.  Join a dinner club, join a social club, find a dance establishment, don't be afraid to talk to people in stores or the hospital waiting areas, anywhere.  Does your hospital have a cancer survivor's group?  Contact the many websites for cancer survivors that are online and look for support groups, then make yourself known.  There are so many people out there that have been through the same or very similar battles with the "Big C" and most all of us need the understanding that only another survivor has.I never needed people so badly as when I was going through treatments and then afterward a different type of personal interaction was required.  A connection to the outside world I had never needed before had to be dealt with and cultivated.  I joined a small group put together by my hospital.  We started out with 10 and through moving away or whatever other reasons, we're down to a core group of 5 that meet every month for dinner at a restaurant, go to cancer survivor functions together and we talk regularly online and by phone.  If one of us is having a bad day, there's always one of the others that will cheer them up or provide suggestions for whatever the day's problem might be.Being alone to worry about that next ache, pain or imagined illness is not a fun thing to do and we all worry about how long remission will last or what the next treatment will bring.  It is part of being a survivor and no one escapes without being in serious denial.  Find a group or even become part of the online community.  It's really quite wonderful!  If there's anything I can do, just let me know. Logicat Sat, 13 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT Oh, darn, I jsut noticed that my icon is male.  I'm not!  LOL Logicat Sat, 13 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT