Welcome to OCF, Karina! Im very sorry you got the bad news about your biopsy. Its never easy hearing those words... "you have cancer". I still remember exactly where I was and which doctor was the one who broke the bad news to me (that was over 9 years ago).
Im sending you a private message (PM). Click on the tiny flashing envelope next to the my stuff tab to get your PM.
There will be lots of appointments in the near future for you. If you are able to find a Comprhensive Cancer Center (CCC), that would be a very good choice for a treatment facility. They use a team based approach so all the experts are on the same page and work together to create your treatment plan. There are places that provide free or very low cost airfare and rooms for cancer patients who travel for their treatments. It really is very important that you find the very best medical team you can and put your faith in them to eliminate the cancer. Studies have proven being treated at a CCC does give patients a better outcome than smaller inexperienced facilities.
Anyone who offers their assistance when they find out about your illness, tell them when the time comes you will let them know what they can do. Write down their name and contact info so if you (or someone helping you) needs a hand they can reach out to the people on your list. It could be all kinds of minor things that others can do to help, all the small things can add up to being overwhelming when you are sick. If you have radiation you may need someone to help you get back and forth to the treatment facility. When feeling bad and taking strong pain meds driving a car isnt the best idea.
There are places to go that help with things like transportation or medication co-pays. Call the American Cancer Society and ask about their patient driving program and about pharmacy vouchers. I had a voucher for $300 to help cover my co-pays for prescriptions at my pharmacy and I also was lucky enough to have someone drive me a couple times to my treatments. Since that low point in 2007, Ive become a volunteer driver myself and driven countless patients to their appointments.
Read thru the posts here and also read and absorb the main OCF site. Theres tons of important info in both places. By learning about your illness, you will become a strong advocate for yourself.
You will also want to schedule a dentist appointment to get a good check up and you may need flouride trays made if you will be having rads. You should have a complete blood work done including thyroid levels, men also should have their testosterone levels done too. Its easy to take care of this now before treatments, but its impossible going backwards to get your baseline numbers after any treatments.
As you mentioned you are on the slim side. This is something I nag everyone about no matter what size they are when they first developed cancer. Intake is one of the most important things! Every single day you should take in at least 2500 calories and 48-64 oz of water. Being slim, you should probably push yourself to get more calories so you dont lose any weight. I would suggest shooting for 3500-4000 calories daily beginning immediately. Start eating all your favorite foods now, desserts too. I used to make gigantic chocolate peanut butter shakes that were a good 1500+ calories each. If you add one or 2 of these per day you will be able to maintain your weight and hopefully even put on a couple pounds.
List of CCCs OCF main pages... Financial Assistance OCF main site --- DIAGNOSIS OCF main site --- TREATMENT (All measurements are estimates)
Giant High Calorie Choc-Peanut Butter Milkshake (1200++ calories per shake)
3 or 4 cups chocolate ice cream (regular/full fat type)
2 tablespoons peanut butter (smooth type)
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 or 2 cups whole milk (can substitute half and half to add even more calories)
1 scoop carnation instant breakfast
1 scoop high protein whey powder (check with doc if this is ok)
Blend this extra long to make it very smooth and creamy so it goes down easier. If the shake is too thick, add more milk to thin it down to what works best for you.
I hope this info helps and isnt overwhelming. Stick with us and stop by often, we are here to help you get thru your upcoming adventure. We're one big family here and we welcome you just like you are a long lost relative. Hang in there!!!
