Thumpelstiltskin Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 I saw this on the first day and can't stop thinking about it. My father/best friend/coolest guy I ever met died from cancer three years ago. He felt bad for a long time before going to the doctor and the cancer had spread throughout his body by the time he received the diagnosis. He tried chemo, but it didn't help much, and he seemed to give up hope a few months before he passed. In his last days, I asked him if there was anything he wanted me to know. The very last words he spoke to me were "Never give up". Lynn, you said you weren't feeling well for some time before being diagnosed. If it's not too much to ask, would you care to tell us what the earliest signs were that something was wrong? Many of us here are middle aged guys, so this kind of info could be vey helpful. Most of all, keep a positive attitude and NEVER GIVE UP!!! Rick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynnm Posted October 14, 2005 Author Share Posted October 14, 2005 Good point Thumpelstiltskin! Irregularity of bowel function...frequent constipation....usually followed by persistent diarrhea Weight Loss Fatigue Excessive Bowel gas Later I also developed: Loss of apetite Chronic low level pain in the bowel Sudden unexplained "Sugar Crashes" ( I also have Type II diabetes ). My thanks to all who have responded directly to my post and to those who have contacted me by emil and PM. Your expressions of goodwill have helped ease my burden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluless Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 Lynnnmmmm, I'm sure that with your strength of character you'll whomp the daylights out of that stinking disease! We're all rooting for you! Clu, Less, Blacky,Stripe and Barnie the Bat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 Free medicine in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Canada right? So you are not going to lose everything I read last night that 8-01 new cancer drugs are coming to market in next 1-2 years!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynnm Posted October 14, 2005 Author Share Posted October 14, 2005 Not exactly free in all parts of Canada but certainly at a manageable cost. Most provinces have eliminated Health Care premiums but Alberta collects a premium of about 90.00/mo. per adult. Seniors get a reduced rate and low income families are subsidised. Medications are not covered under Medicare but many companies have prescription benefits as part of their overall employee benefit plans. In my case there is a $2.00 per prescription co-payment which my pharmacist always waives. I nearly quit my job about 3 months ago because of a run-in with my boss but in retrospect it is a damned good thing that things got patched up as the benefit package is pretty decent . My employer has started me on Short term disability which gives me 100% salary for the first month and 70% until I have been off for 26 weeks. At the 26 week point I can be put on Long Term Disability which guarantees me about 67% of my salary until age 65. In addition I have Term Life rider that will pay my estate 65,000.00 on my death. That along with Canada Pension ,Old Age Security and other Private coverages and insurances pretty much guarantees that I will have no serious financial problems during my illness and further that my wife will be well provided for in the event that I do not recover. Taken all around things could be a lot worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Shmoe Posted October 14, 2005 Share Posted October 14, 2005 Ah, that's great to hear about the disabitlity available.... I did not have that luxury. I went 7 months without anything, & then also was denied by social security. It's tough enough to go through Cancer, but then to also have to deal with finances, just is alot of stress... glad to hear that it will not be that much of a burden for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
space_cowboy Posted October 15, 2005 Share Posted October 15, 2005 Really can't say much more than what has been said. Things WILL get better lynnm... Hang in there pal......... Best Regards, Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lost_at_c Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 Others have already said it all and better than I can, lynnm. You ARE a class act and a right guy. You will come through this and until then, you will be in our prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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