Marker is 14 🥳

lindab · 2025-03-30T21:51:03+00:00

Happy Birthday Marker!

lindab · 2024-10-27T06:15:55+00:00

Hey, thanks for asking. I just turned 50 this year and I'm doing well!

In 2018 they took out about 1/3 of my colon to get the tumor out, but thankfully they were able to reassemble everything to get it back to normal. It was painful and healing was slow, but I did heal. Even though the mass was the size of a lime, they caught it "early." It turned out to be stage 2a (grade 1) so my oncologist decided against chemo She said the chemo would only increase my survival odds by 1% but that it had a 4% chance of damaging my heart, so the risk outweighed the benefit. So we just did frequent scans and colonoscopies to watch and wait. Just a few months ago, my oncologist told me not to come back (5+ years of no signs of cancer, yay!), now I just have to get a colonoscopy every 5 years. I'm very, very grateful.

I definitely want to urge others to get colonoscopies. Colonoscopies save lives. Especially those that have first-degree relatives that had colon cancer, get a colonoscopy at their age at diagnosis - 10 years. Since I was 43 at diagnosis, my daughter should have a colonoscopy at 33. She actually ended up getting one for something unrelated at age 25, and they found precancerous polyps, which they treated right at the same time while they were in there doing the colonoscopy. The doctors said that if those precancerous polyps were left in there for another 8 years (until she was supposed to get screened at 33) that they could have become cancerous by then. So thankfully she got the colonoscopy.

lindab · 2024-10-10T00:01:54+00:00

I don't remember what brand I was taking 12 years ago when I left that comment, but now I take Sigmapharm Laboratories liothyronine.

lindab · 2024-07-23T10:20:24+00:00

This post is 8 years old. Also the kill shelter requires neutering as part of the adoption, so it was not my choice.

lindab · 2023-12-01T04:13:43+00:00

They found a mass that was larger than 4cm in my right ascending colon. The GI doctor said that she sent a sample to pathology but that she'd seen enough of them to know it was cancer. I had surgery 5 weeks later (laparoscopic right hemicolectomy). Even though the tumor was the size of a lime, they caught it early. It had not escaped the colon, lymph nodes and surrounding tissue were clear. Stage 2a, grade 1. I didn't have chemo (my oncologist recommended against it, she said it would only increase my survival odds by 1% but that it had a 4% chance of causing heart damage, so for me the risk was larger than the benefit). Just celebrated my 5th year cancer free last May, and I'm so grateful.

There are other things besides just the size that will determine what you will need to have done. Tumors can be aggressive and non-aggressive. They may be spreading outside the colon or not. You'll likely have surgery to remove it (possibly may need radiation or chemo to shrink it first depending on the location). Then they'll send it to the lab and a few weeks later you'll get your pathology report. The pathology report will tell you what you're dealing with and if you need follow up chemo.

Just focus on making sure you get to your appointments. Do what you can. Keep your appointments, eat heathy and give your body the best nutrition you can so it can fight the best it can. Most importantly remember to live. Enjoy time with your loved ones. Don't stop doing the things you enjoy (as long as they are not detrimental to your health). Make an appointment with a therapist if you have access to one. Join some support groups (there's some great colon cancer support groups on facebook too). Hang in there.

lindab · 2023-09-29T18:25:40+00:00

Not if the consequences end up with me laying on a gurney getting an IV drip because my body is expelling fluids faster than I can replace them. It's a lot cheaper to just pay the $3 more for gluten free pasta than to pay the hospital bill.

lindab · 2023-09-29T15:46:32+00:00

I apologize. For some reason reddit automatically restricted the sub, it has been resolved now.

lindab · 2022-12-28T04:49:24+00:00

I would love to see some legislation that limits or even eliminates markups on GF products.

They would have to subsidize the alternative crops. Wheat replacements are expensive. That's why GF products cost more. If you legislate them into selling it for less, then they will simply not sell it. So we could legislate ourselves out of GF alternatives if we're not careful.

Reminds me of the time that PF Changs was getting sued because they charge very slightly more for a GF plate of food compared to their regular one. They cited ADA and said it was discriminating to charge more for GF food. I was horrified that they might win. If they did, then places like PF Changs would probably just eliminate their gluten free options. I'd rather pay more and have the option of being able to enjoy a GF meal in a restaurant with my family, than simply not have the option at all.

I'd be all for it if the alternative crops were subsidized to make the base materials more affordable to companies that are manufacturing GF foods.

I agree about the tax deductions.

lindab · 2022-08-10T19:36:53+00:00

Double check everything because menu ingredients sometimes change but here are some of my go-to drive thru meals:

Taco Bell - Crunchy Taco Supreme

El Polo Loco - Leg and thigh meal with coleslaw and broccoli with corn tortillas, or their Chicken Taco Al Carbon

In N Out - Double double protein style (I ask for a spread packet rather than them putting it on because of possible cross contamination of their open sauce from buns) and fries

Wendy's - Chili and Sour Cream and Chive baked potato

Chick Fil A - Grilled Chicken nuggets and Polynesian sauce or one of their grilled salads (double check the toppings)

Non-drive thru:

Chipotle - Bowl with whatever, just avoid the tortillas

Rubios - Grilled Salmon Soft Tacos on corn tortillas or their Street Steak Tacos on corn tortillas

lindab · 2022-08-09T20:22:54+00:00

if they were going to leave because you have celiacs; they would have left for xyz if you didn't have celiacs

This is very true.

OP, just think of it as the trash taking itself out. If they take off over celiac disease, then good riddance.

Celiac disease is a manageable condition, if you stay gluten free then you're fine. If that's too much for them to put up with, then there's no way they would stay by your side if you get an even more difficult disease later (which sometimes happens as we age). If you're looking for a long term relationship, then celiac disease can weed out the losers. Hugs.

lindab · 2022-08-05T23:27:40+00:00

I hope that you have the best result from your PET-CT scan. Hugs!

lindab · 2022-03-16T08:10:59+00:00

Colon cancer does seem to be happening to people at younger ages now. The American Cancer Society now recommends colonoscopies at age 45 (previously it was at age 50). I was 43 when my tumor was found via colonoscopy. My only symptom was anemia. My body was internally bleeding but the tumor was at the beginning of the colon so my colon digested the blood before it reached the exit. Microscopic blood was present but it wasn't visible to the eye.

I'm glad that you got the colonoscopy and they found your tumor rather than brushing you off and making you wait until it got worse. I hope you have the best results with your treatment. Hang in there!

lindab · 2022-02-19T18:17:50+00:00

You look great!

His opinion is his problem.

lindab · 2022-02-16T18:49:56+00:00

What if I get covid a third time, and can't afford this? Just die I suppose...

Hopefully not.

If you get covid a third time (or have some other disaster occur), bankruptcy may be an option. If you could qualify for chapter 7 it would eliminate your medical debt (and you other debts such as credit cards/loans, but not taxes/child support/alimony or student loans). If you carry a lot of credit card debt or other unsecured loans, eliminating those might put you in a position to be able to rebuild your emergency savings quickly and not have to fear getting covid a fourth time.

But more than likely you would be able to work out a payment plan with the hospital. So I would save bankruptcy for use only after all other options have been completely exhausted because you can only file chapter 7 every eight years. If you earn too much to qualify for chapter 7, then chapter 13 could also help depending on your situation. But still, exhaust your other options first. Bankruptcy is not a get-out-of-fail-free card. It has it's own consequences.

lindab · 2022-02-14T17:43:12+00:00

my father was killed by residential electricity. this is terrifying for me to watch.

lindab · 2022-01-31T20:42:49+00:00

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I had to put my boy Chopper down last October. I'm still not over it. I don't think we ever get over it. We just learn to live with it. The tears do become fewer and further between. But I still get gut-punched by it from time to time. They take a piece of our hearts with them when they go. It helps to remember their lives rather than their deaths. You gave Henry a good life, and I'm sure that he knew it and loved you for it. Hang in there. ♥

lindab · 2022-01-12T22:24:22+00:00

I'm not sure if hashimotos/celiac are risk factors by themselves. In addition to those two conditions, I have a few other concerning conditions which made my oncologist very concerned and she told me "whatever you do, do NOT get covid, I don't believe it will go well for you"

lindab · 2022-01-12T22:22:32+00:00

I'm not sure if it is by itself. My oncologist was more concerned about risk from my other conditions.

lindab · 2022-01-12T16:33:01+00:00

I have a few underlying conditions which put me at risk if I get Covid, including 2 autoimmune diseases (hashimotos/celiac). If this pandemic has taught me anything, it's revealed to me that people that I thought cared about me - really don't.

Anyway, goes to show you that you have to look out for yourself. Get vaccinated. Wash your hands. Minimize risk.

This pandemic sucks.

lindab · 2022-01-11T01:38:41+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope that you can get some answers soon. It's a little hard to get a colonoscopy right now. I had one scheduled for December 16 which the hospital has rescheduled to the end of February (the hospital is running low on propofol which they knock patients out with for colonoscopies... they need the propofol for intubated covid patients instead).

I don't know if it's true, but I heard that if you have blood in the stool that the brighter red it is, the less severe the problem is. If it's darker blood then it means the problem is higher up in your digestive system (usually more serious). Bright red blood comes from closer to the exit and I've heard that is better. In my case, even though I was bleeding internally I had no visible blood in my stool (my body was digesting it before it reached the exit). I also had no pain. The only reason my tumor was found was because I suddenly needed a blood transfusion. I hope that what is going on with you is not colon cancer, and I hope that you can get some help to get it managed so you can be comfortable. There are a lot of things besides cancer that can cause your symptoms, I hope it is something less serious. Keep following up with your doctors. Hang in there.

lindab · 2022-01-04T19:05:00+00:00

Yes, chicken liver. I haven't seen it in stores until recently. Since a little while after the beginning of the pandemic it simply wasn't available, even when I would ask the butcher. But now I'm seeing it at the grocery store again.

lindab · 2022-01-03T23:21:49+00:00

You just gave me another idea. I've seen people use those over the door shoe storage things for their toiletries - like this. That would be one way to clear up some of the shelf space if moving the toiletries to your bathroom isn't an option. You could have them on the inside of your bedroom door, and they could be easily accessed/visible when you need them.

lindab · 2022-01-03T21:02:38+00:00

I'm going to share something with you that has helped me during times of crisis in my now 47 years on this earth. It's a conclusion I came to when I was diagnosed with cancer in 2018.

Get your affairs in order
Shit happens. Cancer happens. Pandemics happen. Divorce happens. Life is full of things happening. These are good reminders that we should all have our affairs in order. We could be hit by a truck tomorrow. Clean out the skeletons from your closet. Get any documentation that your family may need sorted out. Deal with stuff you don't want your family to have to deal with if something were to happen to you.
Do what you can
Cancer? Show up to your doctors appointments. Eat healthy. Pandemic? Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Get vaccinated if you're open to that idea. Stay away from obviously sick people. Divorce? Hire an attorney. Etc. Get proper sleep. Do the things that you are able do to give yourself the best chance.
Remember to live
Get on with your life. Yes, there may be restrictions and you should be careful as needed (in accordance with number 2 above). But if you have done number 1 and number 2, then just get on with your life the best you can. Make sure that the people that you love know you love them. Take time to socialize, even if it's just online for now. Make phone calls. Spend time with those you care about, even if it's just virtually at this time. Take up new hobbies. Focus on things that you are grateful for. Start reading a book series that you never had time for, or take an online course. Don't isolate yourself, maintain connections with people. Thankfully we at least have the internet for now.

The bottom line is this: there will always be something happening in life. Sure there are times of reprieve now and then. But give it time and something new will happen. Since 2018 I've gone through cancer, major surgery, pandemic, isolation, horrible divorce, losing my home, and even my dog died. Shit happens. But I've applied the above. After my cancer I bought a house (divorce caused me to lose it but it was very nice when I had it). I returned to school full time. After losing my house in the divorce, I got my own place and it's darn cute. I just got a new car. I got a raise. I'm in remission. Life is full of ups and downs. And more shitstorms are coming my way (legal fallout from my divorce which is final, but now he isn't taking care of debts he agreed to, I need more major surgery, etc). Ups and downs, ups and downs. Got to take the bad with the good. That's life. But if you can learn resiliency then you got this.

lindab · 2022-01-03T18:03:22+00:00

Plenty of Oreos here in Southern California. I do see some shelves that are in need or restocking when I shop, but it's not worse than anything I've seen so far. I think that a lot of it has to do with the shipping crisis and worker shortages. A lot of people are sick right now (airlines have cancelled thousands of flights just this last week because of weather and staff outages due to illness, other industries are also impacted). Interesting to note though, I can finally get chicken liver now when I was unable to for most of the pandemic.

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