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Date Posted: 10:39:54 12/16/12 Sun
Author: GoodWillTalking
Subject: Raven's lastest FB posting

Here's the latest from Ravenbeauty:
Guys, I wanted to check in with you and keep you in the loop as I have always done. I know that most of you understand why I haven't been out here as much as I normally am, and I genuinely love you for it (truly grateful for your understanding). It's almost impossible to focus on stuff like this when you have what I have going on right now. You know I wear my heart on my sleeve (it's just how I am). It's hard to hold in the kind of fear, sadness, and heartbreak that I have felt walking through this nightmare. I was so excited when I began my new show in June, and kicked my alternative regimen into high gear. It was just a mighty fall that I took when those results came back from the PET Scan in late September.

It's just taken me a hell of a lot longer to come around this time because a very dark door opened in on me that I just wasn't fully prepared for. I told my Oncologist that I felt like Karen Silkwood working at a Plutonium plant, who had just learned that the protective suit she had been wearing day in and day out was leaking all this time. I went from clean margins to new masses and finding out that the Angiosarcoma has spread clear across to the other side under my right arm. I kept telling myself it was all on the left side, and that this palpable lump under my right arm was my primary breast cancer from 2001, which had returned with the Angiosarcoma in October of last year. I was so wrong. To learn that this monstrous thing was sneaking it's way all over my chest all this time made me feel sick to my stomach. I have gone from angry to tears and pure fear over and over and over again, but then I got furious, and that's what I needed. I realize that the anger is what is holding me together at this point.

I said I would never do chemo, and three of the four cancer centers that we went to said it was not even all that effective against this type of Sarcoma anyway, but thank God that the fourth center did not completely agree with all of their assessments. I thank God that I opened up my mind and allowed myself to contemplate chemo because as my Oncologist just pointed out on December 5, this would be my last Christmas without it. First time he has ever given me any kind of timeline in any way since this all began. I know it was hard for him to say this, but in my gut, I knew that he was right. I guess you don't truly know what you will do until you are at that door personally. I just received two emails from actors that I have had on my show that made me realize even more so that I must do anything I can to buy myself as much time as possible because I am not done. I'm just not ready to go.

There is so much more I want to do. I miss you guys. I miss my shows. I miss going out and having fun. I miss a lot, but I am in combat mode. Sometimes you just have to find the strength to dust yourself off, pick yourself up off the floor, and say bring it on. We've been alone in this room locked up together since October of last year. but now two others will enter that room on January 3, 2013, and long shot that they keep reminding me that I am, I intend to give this monster the fight of it's life for as long as God will allow. Let's see how he likes Abraxane and Avastin. Let's see him squirm for once. I am just so done with this you have no idea. I won't be all alone in that room with just him and I after January 3, 2013 anymore. I have no idea what this chemo will do to me, but I care more about what it will do to him. The Avastin is supposed to stop new blood vessels from being created, so I hope he starves himself to death.

This cancer is so monstrous and so utterly bizarre. Please know that all breast cancers do not come in the form of lumps you will be able to feel. Examine the skin of your breasts closely for any strange marks or what may appear to be a mosquito bite. Any lesion should be biopsied. My mammogram and Ultrasounds were crystal clear until they took a piece of this thing. Angiosarcoma is a rare, aggressive, cancer that usually strikes women who have had prior radiation for breast cancer (this risk increases if you were left with any Lymphadema from your nodes being removed). I felt no lumps. I only saw a strange looking, red mark on my left breast where I had extensive radiation done in 2001. Do not dismiss things like this if you see them on your breast. A mammogram and an ultrasound can miss this cancer altogether! Please insist on a punch biopsy if there is ever a question mark. Discuss this with a breast surgeon if your family doctor brushes you off and dismisses your concerns. I was dismissed by the imaging center I first went to and was told that I had a little dermatitis.

As for me. I just had a long meeting with what appears to be a really educated and capable Orthopedic surgeon. We are doing an Epidural Steroid Spinal Injection on Wednesday of next week in the hospital (I didn't realize it would be a hospital deal, but it is what it is). I was kind of hoping for an office procedure, but this group uses the hospital, and I will be given Twilight (Propofol). He said I was one of the easiest cases he has ever seen as the moment he viewed the Lumbar MRI disc, it was rather clear as to why I have been in so much pain. He said that the herniated disk on my L5 was quite large. I almost got spooked from doing this shot after reading some of the horror stories online about people having more pain and other strange things happening afterwards, but I can't go into chemo this way. Not only that, but these oral steroids are not something I want to live on (crazy side effects). They made me clear it first with the hospital that is putting a port in my chest on December 28, 2012 to make sure that's enough clearance time, and they said they are OK with it.

They have assured John and I that they have never received product from the place in question that those Fungal Meningitis laced steroid shots came from (all I would need)! Next will be the surgery to get the port in, and then the chemo will follow on January 2013. I will be doing two powerful chemos, but I have to in order to even begin to have a chance of beating some of this back. I'm as ready as I will ever be. If I did not have John in my life, I would have jumped off a cliff by now. He is the very definition of a rock. He keeps me from coming apart at the seams, and you guys are pure love, light, and magic. You do something that is priceless with every post you write. You make me smile. God bless you for that and so much more. Thank you for continuing to lift me up, and keep me going. I think my butt is going numb here, so it's time to sign off on War and Peace, part 12, however I just wouldn't be me otherwise (can you imagine me trying to tweet)! LOL! I know that it is very late, and most of you won't see this until tomorrow, but I hope you have a wonderful weekend! XOXO! Thank you so much for sending me so many wonderful messages of hope and inspiration. I will keep you posted. For now, so many prayers going out to the families of the beautiful children and teachers that were senselessly murdered in Connecticut. The evil that grows in this world is astounding. May God bless the families with comfort at a time when they are feeling so much devastation and pain. Incredibly heartbreaking. ♥

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Replies:

[> Re: Raven's lastest FB posting -- Nancee (Inspired), 15:37:32 12/16/12 Sun [1]

I am so inspired by you, Raven. You are so brave and even with all you are going through you are trying to save other people! You fight hard and we will pray hard and be right there with you in spirit. Thanks for taking the time to update us. I think about your fight with this horrible disease a lot and it makes me mad that you have to go through all of this. Stay strong and know there are lots of us sending you are strength and love. I hope your holidays are a time of peace and joy. All those poor little children and staff that were murdered makes you realize how lucky we are to be in the here and now. Make every moment count and enjoy the holidays before going to war with this cancer. Peace and love to you and your family.


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[> Re: Raven's lastest FB posting -- sherry, 22:14:47 12/16/12 Sun [1]

love and prayers


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[> [> Re: Raven's lastest FB posting -- Barbara Goodman, 06:52:53 12/18/12 Tue [1]

I also was diagnose with breast cancer in 2001. I opted for a lumpectomy & radiation. Although my cancer was stage 1 & didn't affect any lymph nodes, 5 years later I was diagnosed with MDS(Myelo Displasia Syndrome),See Robin Roberts, which after research is also attributed to radiation therapy. I underwent a bone marrow transplant 4 years ago, and I am now fine..My reason for writing this is to inform any one diagnosed with breast cancer & given a choice between lumpectomy & radiation or a mastectomy & nothing..PLEASE OPT FOR THE MASTECTOMY


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[> Re: Raven's lastest FB posting -- 5000 FB Fans!, 15:52:10 12/17/12 Mon [1]

I wish I could post my feelings on your facebook but I know you are at your friends limit over there. I read the postings daily and can't get over how many thousands of fans you have who truly love you. Take strength from that whenever you feel weak and afraid. You are an amazing woman who has touched the hearts of thousands upon thousands. Sharing your treacherous battle with this cancer could save someone's life one day. It probably already has. Your shows are as amazing as the guests you have had on them. Your writing touches my heart. Your words are honest and genuine. We feel you and love you. Never give up the fight. I pray for you every single day. Look at it this way, MOST women may not have made it THIS far with THIS type of cancer, but YOU have! YOU are a force to be reckoned with! You are strong!

We love you Raven! XO! XO! XO!


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[> Re: Raven's lastest FB posting -- wherly, 02:31:00 12/20/12 Thu [1]

I wish you and John a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I don't know if you have read about the ketogenic diet, but I just saw a program that it said it was good for helping to kill cancer because cancer lives off glucose and dies without it, it was talking about metabolic therapy and how the carbs we eat turn into glucose in the body which feeds cancer. The other cells in our bodies can feed off keytones, but cancer can't. I just thought I'd pass the information on. God Bless


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[> [> Re: Raven's lastest FB posting -- Anonymous, 10:37:06 12/20/12 Thu [1]

Dear Raven,

Wishing you a very "Merry Christmas" and a "Happy New Year". The greatest present of all is when you beat this and I just know that you can and will. Love always!!!


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[> Re: Raven's lastest FB posting -- Hannah (((((((healing hugs))))))))), 23:04:52 12/20/12 Thu [1]

((((Dearest Ravenbeauty))))

You stepped up your treatments, so I stepped up my prayers for you, too, dear. :)
You are in my daily prayers, and also in my prayers before I go to sleep each night.

As mine and everyone's prayers for you continue, please continue to fight-fight-fight and to grow stronger and stronger! There is strength in prayers, and you deserve the miracle of a total healing. (((((((big big hugs)))))
Love you!
Hannah


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[> Re: Raven's lastest FB posting -- Reklat, 07:59:30 12/23/12 Sun [1]

I know we are not talking about colon cancer, but with the Christmas season upon us, I thought this was interesting:

Mistletoe is a symbol of Christmas, but it also has the potential to play a vital role as an alternative therapy for sufferers of colon cancer.

For her Honours research project recently completed at the University of Adelaide, Health Sciences student Zahra Lotfollahi compared the effectiveness of three different types of mistletoe extract and chemotherapy on colon cancer cells. She also compared the impact of mistletoe extract and chemotherapy on healthy intestinal cells.

In her laboratory studies, she found that one of the mistletoe extracts -- from a species known as Fraxini (which grows on ash trees) -- was highly effective against colon cancer cells in cell culture and was gentler on healthy intestinal cells compared with chemotherapy.

Full article here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121130094725.htm


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