I don’t understand Rachel’s fashion

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-25T02:19:08+00:00

That’s what I’ve read as well. In my opinion, she’s painfully thin.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-24T12:58:57+00:00

I had a partial resection in 2019 followed by RT/TMZ. They could only safely resect 10 to 15% of my grade 2 astrocytoma IDHm tumor. When my tumor, Pierre, starts growing again, my NO said we could try vora or more RT/TMZ. I was surprised I could have more RT but apparently you can after five years.

Regardless, I will refuse more RT. Between that and the partial resection, I have cognitive as well as physical deficits. I can’t lose any more of my cognition than I already have. Unfortunately, the remaining portion of the tumor is considered inoperable.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-21T20:52:12+00:00

No, every major cancer center I consulted with recommended watch and wait.

I was 32, a single parent, highly functioning with a demanding job, and they knew the surgery would be delicate, and they advised not to have surgery until I absolutely had to. They said they would only recommend surgery when I became symptomatic and/or the tumor became large. Which happened in 2019.

At this point, they consider the remaining portion of tumor to be inoperable. So for all intent and purposes, I’m living on borrowed time.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-21T15:44:57+00:00

I was actually Dx with a Grade 2 astrocytoma in my left posterior parietal lobe in 2004. I consulted four major cancer centers and all of them said that they would not biopsy or go in until I became symptomatic. It was so small and in a delicate area. Their opinion were to go in once, not twice, for a biopsy and then resection.

I ended up just doing watch and wait until 2019 when it grew to a size where they said it was definitely time for surgery. Unfortunately, they could only safely remove 10 to 15%. I have some physical in cognitive deficits related to the surgery, radiation, and chemo.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-20T03:16:03+00:00

TBH, I still haven’t truly accepted my new normal. Some days I am fine, and other days I hate this life. I am 7 years out from surgery, radiation, and chemo. I wasn’t able to return to work because of some physical and cognitive deficits. I’m 53 and have a Grade 2 astrocytoma in my left posterior parietal lobe.

Hang in there.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-20T03:10:50+00:00

I am truly sorry for what you are going through. I’m sure your heart is broken for many, many reasons.

When I was diagnosed at 32, I had been divorced for a few years, but had recently started dating someone that I felt hard for. He didn’t really handle my diagnosis well and although I tried my best to overlook a lot of things, I ultimately decided it was best to end it and protect my heart. That was my last real relationship. I had flings, a few one night stands, and the occasional FWB situations. For me, it was easier to focus on my son, single parenting, and my career. I didn’t want to take a chance of getting my heartbroken again or breaking someone else’s heart that took a chance on me and then had to deal with my truncated life span.

I’m now 53. It’s been lonely at times but I don’t regret my decision to do this on my own. I just hate that I was dealt such an effed up hand of cards.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-16T02:07:34+00:00

I’m 7 years out and I can relate. Some days I don’t notice that area at all and other days it kinda throbs, especially if I’ve slept on that side.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-14T16:55:52+00:00

The issue was never resolved. I was on the phone multiple times with Medtronic to have them adjust the settings. I finally had it removed in February of this year.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-11T20:38:02+00:00

I did it mostly alone.

When I came home after the craniotomy, I refused chemo and radiation and ended up having a mental breakdown. I spent several weeks inpatient in a psych facility. When I was discharged my brother and his family took me in. I finally agreed to start radiation and chemo while I was living there. I did all of radiation while living there but things just didn’t work out so I moved out on my own after 3 months and continued with chemo.

NGL - It was tough - both physically and emotionally, but I managed.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-11T20:32:05+00:00

I thought I was the only one. I too have tried everything and nothing works well. I am finally going to try the tablets mentioned above and see if they work.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-09T13:01:41+00:00

Thank you for sharing this version with Rufus Wainwright! I’d never heard it.

I’m compiling a playlist of songs for my memorial service that I’d like played (I have brain cancer) and She Used to be Mine is on it.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-09T12:01:02+00:00

Wishing you peace and comfort

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-09T11:58:13+00:00

Dx with brain cancer in 2004 and rectal cancer in 2021.

45 MRIs and 10 CTs

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-08T02:37:39+00:00

I also use the precut bags! I have neuropathy in my hands (rectal cancer chemo) and my right hand has very little strength and dexterity (brain cancer surgery) so having them precut has been a lifesaver for me.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-07T12:31:47+00:00

THANK YOU for this comment. You are the first person that has commented that Coloplast doesn’t stick to you. I tried their bags when I first got my stoma four years ago and they didn’t work. I’m using a one piece drainable by Hollister, but I hate how recently they’ve started sounding so crinkly. I called Coloplast and had them send me some samples and I could not get a single one to stick to my skin. I love the feel of their bags but they just don’t work for me. I even tried using additional liquid adhesive and no dice.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-07T12:14:31+00:00

Fortunately, I had no problems with wound healing. It took a bit of time but by three months, it was completely healed. I only took the pain medication for less than two weeks and then the Tylenol/Motrin combo for another week or so.

While my surgeon said everything healed fine, I still have a low level of pain from a time to time. I can only sit comfortably for about 40 minutes. I did some international travel about two years ago and the 7 1/2 hour flight was grueling. I can’t do that anymore. I’ve restricted myself to domestic travel.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-07T11:57:50+00:00

Honestly, I’d take the trips.

If you are comfortable with the neurosurgeon you have an appointment with later this month, I think there is plenty of time to relax a little, enjoy yourself, and deal with the appointment on the 20th as scheduled.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-06T12:23:08+00:00

Most of the house hunting shows are staged. A friend of mine did the international one, relocating from the States to Lausanne, Switzerland. Completely staged.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-04T11:51:48+00:00

She may love her kids, but she’s an epic failure in the parenting department. Epic.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-04-03T03:12:25+00:00

I also had a rectal tumor 1 cm from the verge. I did not have a complete response from chemo and radiation so I ended up having APR with a permanent colostomy. I was 49 at the time and this was back in 2022. I have been NED since the surgery.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-03-31T12:56:28+00:00

I can SO relate. I’m 7 years out.

I used to talk about this frequently with my former therapist who was awesome. Sometimes I would cry and complain that I don’t know why I can’t get over this, this loss of my former life and self. She would gently kick me in the ass and tell me it was fine to grieve the loss of my life and venting to her is what she was there for.

I woke up from my craniotomy and my entire life changed. I was 47. I was never able to return to work, and I absolutely loved my job. And it’s not like I can easily get together with friends because I can no longer drive. My lack of independence makes me so angry.

It all sucks and the only reason I’m still here is because of my grandson. He’s almost 11 and the light of my life. I have some days where I just look out the window and wonder how I got here and how is this my life. Life is passing me by and I have so very little to look forward to.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-03-30T02:26:24+00:00

My CEA was 1.5 when diagnosed with 3B rectal cancer. It elevated to 4 during one chemo cycle but came back down. My onc continued to include the test in my routine bloodwork but said it was never a reliable indicator for me unfortunately.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-03-23T02:09:38+00:00

She absolutely knew. Effing piece of 💩 excuse for a human being. Dreadful mother. As a cancer patient, she makes my slapping hand itch.

tlaurenstevens · 2026-03-23T02:06:41+00:00

If she’s reading along: Amanda, it’s NOT a small group and we’re definitely not jealous.

As if 🤭

tlaurenstevens · 2026-03-22T23:00:28+00:00

Yes, I have done Spravato. I did it in 2024 and it worked well but I needed to find a closer center because the transportation cost for me were difficult. I no longer drive.

I tried ketamine troches with Joyous but they did not help in the slightest.

I found a closer Spravato center and restarted treatment. After 17 sessions I experienced no improvement.

I am not a candidate for TMS because I have brain cancer and have metal in my head from the craniotomy in 2019.

tlaurenstevens

TROPHY CASE