# Finding out that you have cancer. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 19, 2012, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253 "2012-04-19T06:43:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/41 "2012-04-30T02:00:52Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:38, topic:619253”] This is very true. It varies wildly from one person to the next. I didn’t like the idea of waking up in the morning with clumps of hair on my pillow, so when I first started losing hair, I had my daughter shave my head. Interestingly, my head stayed bald throughout chemo, but I never lost my mustache. It thinned out quite a bit, but didn’t go away. [/QUOTE] One piece of advice my sister got, and I think its good, is that once you start loosing your hair (if you do), embrace it. Shave it the hell off. Have a hat and scarf party. Or buy a wig if you need/want to. But it will be easier than mourning the loss of your hair in clumps over weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/42 "2012-04-30T16:05:54Z")
> [@Rahne\_McCloud](#): > > I met with my team of Doctors. The plastic surgeon took pix of my girls and he also gave me a time line of when things will proceed when I have my surgery scheduled. First is removing the lump, about an hour, hour and a half. Then he will do his miracle work to make the girls even and perky,😃 that will be about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Next up is a 4-6 week recovery, followed by 5-6 weeks of radiation treatment. Last but not least after 6 months a new nipple.:eek: > So tomorrow I will be calling my breast surgeon to schedule my surgery. 😛 I hope it will be sometime in the next month. Czarcasm is so not looking foward to my recovery time, :dubious: but I’m sure he will like the results when all is said and done. 😉 My Love, there is only _one_ result I would disagree with. Any course you decide to take is automatically the right one, as far as I am concerned. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/43 "2012-05-02T14:54:55Z")
Awwww. Best of luck to you and your recovery! ---
**Author:** ![Rahne\_McCloud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@Rahne\_McCloud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rahne_McCloud)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/44 "2012-05-28T23:41:46Z")
An update. My surgery is scheduled for June 6, 2012. I am meeting with both of my surgeons this week for pre-op. Will be gathering clothes for when I stay at my sister’s for 2 weeks. She has no pets which means I get to wake up without my cat sitting on my chest.😃 It also means that my son will have to wait on me hand and foot.:eek: I get to bug him about the writing of a story for my sister’s birthday,🆒 and keeping an eye on him for any kind of seizures.☹ He suffered a seizure last night and it had been years since his last seizure.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/45 "2012-05-29T14:25:39Z")
> [@Rahne\_McCloud](#): > > An update. My surgery is scheduled for June 6, 2012. I am meeting with both of my surgeons this week for pre-op. Will be gathering clothes for when I stay at my sister’s for 2 weeks. She has no pets which means I get to wake up without my cat sitting on my chest.😃 It also means that my son will have to wait on me hand and foot.:eek: I get to bug him about the writing of a story for my sister’s birthday,🆒 and keeping an eye on him for any kind of seizures.☹ He suffered a seizure last night and it had been years since his last seizure.:smack: Actually, Kid Czarcasm blacked out about six times, only remembers one blackout, and doesn’t remember conversations he had between the blackouts. We are definitely taking him in for a checkup ASAP. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/46 "2012-05-29T21:23:22Z")
Best of luck, **Rahne**. Do try to make the best of things afterward. Enjoy (as much as possible) being waited on. Pick some books and movies that you’re interested in but just haven’t had time for. The distractions help. Keep us updated! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/47 "2012-05-29T23:42:27Z")
Sending out a wish for a full and speedy recovery! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/48 "2012-05-30T00:18:39Z")
A few years ago my sister underwent surgery for breast cancer, chemo and radiation. She continues to take the anti-estrogen drug. She didn’t have too much difficulty through any of it. She did lose her hair from the chemo, but she wore a wig, and got lots of compliments on it. If you do have to go through that, don’t let it worry you too much. You’ll get through it, too. Good luck. StG ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/49 "2012-06-02T19:42:56Z")
They want her to check in at 6am on Wednesday for a 9:30am op. If all goes well she’ll have the reconstructive op immediately afterwards, and be sent home the next day. I’m taking her out for a nice dinner at Trader Vic’s tonight(neither of us have ever been, and it sounds like fun!) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/50 "2012-06-02T19:57:29Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > They want her to check in at 6am on Wednesday for a 9:30am op. my gf’s surgery was scheduled similarly, but as an outpatient. We arrived at 6 am and after several delays they took her around noon. I was kept apprised periodically, then taken to recovery around 4. Because it was outpatient, she was wheelchaired out even though she was still vomiting from he anesthetic. She had surprisingly little discomfort, other than nausea. Hope all goes smoothly! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/51 "2012-06-02T20:06:20Z")
I’ll borrow her Nook, and if the hospital has free wifi I might be able to check in here. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/52 "2012-06-02T20:52:11Z")
I hope all goes well this week and in the aftermath. You have my best wishes for a full and speedy recovery! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/53 "2012-06-02T22:25:33Z")
Be sure to pamper her post-op. Of course you will, but just a friendly reminder! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/54 "2012-06-06T18:03:28Z")
We went in at 6am for the poking and prodding portion of the program, and she was taken for surgery at 10:30. They said it would take two hours…so I wait. ---
**Author:** ![iftheresaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecae2f/32.png) [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/55 "2012-06-06T18:53:27Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > We went in at 6am for the poking and prodding portion of the program, and she was taken for surgery at 10:30. They said it would take two hours…so I wait. Best wishes! I’m sure she’ll be glad to see your face when she’s all done (If not, there should be plenty of magazines laying around, so you can choose the appropriate celebrity face for her to see first thing :D) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/56 "2012-06-06T19:22:22Z")
First part went well. Now she’s in for 1/2 to 2 hours of breast reduction/reconstruction. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/57 "2012-06-06T23:42:58Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > First part went well. > Now she’s in for 1/2 to 2 hours of breast reduction/reconstruction. Long day, huh. Hope all goes smoothly. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/58 "2012-06-07T02:06:36Z")
She had to spend a couple of extra hours in recovery due to pain issues, got to her room about 5:30. She’s drifting in and out but mostly sleeping. I’ll be spending the night next to her bed. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/59 "2012-06-07T02:49:12Z")
Just when you fall asleep, the nurse will stop in. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253/60 "2012-06-07T13:27:48Z")
How’s she doing this morning? StG [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-out-that-you-have-cancer/619253.md?page=4)