My story: Cancer and babies and surgeries, oh my!

[MindiJean 93]

I'm not sure if there is already a thread here for cancer survivors or people who currently have cancer, with the sleeve or pre-sleeve?

Would love to know that I'm not alone!

I am a bladder cancer survivor. I have my 2.5 year scans coming up next week, along with all my pre-testing for my sleeve surgery. I have my story all printed up already because it's a long one...but I wanted to see if others have gone through cancer here? I believe it puts things into a different perspective if you've come through cancer.

I was diagnosed with bladder cancer when I was 42. We found out that I was pregnant, surprise! We had already lost two babies, our son Daniel in the second trimester and then an early loss. We are foster parents and had already had three failed adoptions as well. When we found out I was pregnant, they did an ultrasound. They could not see the baby, but did find numerous tumors in my bladder. There started a whirlwind of tests, day surgeries, chemo, and finally major 12 hour surgery in March 2011, to remove my bladder and rebuild a "fake" bladder inside of me. 2.5 years later, I'm recovering still, have a hernia the size of a basketball due to the surgery, and need to lose some weight before I can have my "big" hernia surgery to fix my hernia, and start living again.

My story

This is what we consider to be our "last chance" at having a child in our lives. I'm 45 now. I've lost three children and two years ago lost my bladder and uterus to cancer. We've fostered children for years and had four failed adoptions. Last chance adoption. If we can afford it.

My life reads like a soap opera. When I was 11, my sisters and I were hit by a car while waiting for the school bus. My little sister Kathy didn't survive. I was raised by a wonderful Mom and an abusive alcoholic Father. And then I married an abusive, drug addicted husband. Stayed with him for 12 years until I had the strength to leave.

In 2001, I met Mark, the most wonderful man ever. We married in 2003. In 2005, at the age of 37, Mark and I conceived our first child. In 2006, I gave birth to our son Daniel, too early for him to survive. Later that year, we lost our second child.

Fast forward to 2010 (time spent between 2006 and 2010 resulted in our becoming foster parents and having three failed adoptions). At the age of 42, I found out I was pregnant. Went for an ultrasound, where they found numerous tumors in my bladder. I lost the baby and started chemotherapy in Dec 2010.

In March 2011, I had my bladder surgically removed, along with my uterus....losing any chance of having our own baby. But, in the end, I was/am currently cancer-free. We named our third baby "Angel" for saving my life.

We became licensed as foster parents again, and had a 15 month old baby girl placed with us. On March 1, 2013, after living with us for over a year, baby girl was taken and given to an Aunt in another state. Failed adoption number 4.

Through all of this, my husband Mark has been the best friend, nurse, Father, husband, caretaker ever. He deserves to have a child. WE deserve to have a child. We've looked into adoption and have started the process, which could take years.

[gloryfadess 28]

hey! I decided back in January that I were to get sleeved and then in may I was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer of the gallbladder.. so my surgery was literally a twofer.. I also suffer from PTC pseudo tumor cerebri which is the buildup of spinal Fluid in the brain causing me to black out and have a Migraine everyday mostly caused from being a heavy girl.. I was also sleeved the 22nd and I was released at 9am today.. I am 21 years old and my highest weight was 307. I lost 17 lbs on my preop diet and my surgeon says my surgery went flawless. the funny part is my hair got died during the leak test and I have blue tips!! ahaha

night one was literally the worst for me.. nothing could stop the gas pain I was experiences and I began walking as soon as I got to my room. I suffered from terrible dry mouth and couldn't keep any Water down.. I literally rubbed the ice chips on my lips put them in my mouth and spit them out... I literally forgot how to pee as well.. but as soon as my body got caught up from the anestisia I peed like 8 times every hour.. I found the best way to take in Water besides the iv was the "lollipops" but honestly that night was very uncomfortable.

day 2 was a lot easier I began burping and I got to drink my first Protein shake and the nausea was pretty much non existent.. my pain from the gas was still there but walking is the most important!!! it may be terrifying to get out of bed but indepence is key! my throat was and is still killing me..

day 3: I was released at 9 am on day three I would recommend who ever is bringing you home gives you a pillow to hold to your stomach for the ride home... I felt fine until the car started going and with every turn and bump I felt so sick.. when I got home I sat in my recliner and as soon as I sat I had to pee.. it was pretty difficult to get out of the seat because of my fear of a tear or leak.. I then decided since my restless nights in the hospital a nice nap in my bed would be perfect I ended up calling my dad almost crying because my bed felt so low to the ground and I couldn't figure out how to get into bed..but little did I know that that was just the beining.. getting out of bed was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.. and my throat feels like knives every time I swallow still.. when will this all pass I am so panicy...

[adoptapup 0]

Mindi, I am so sorry for everything you have been through. GOD wouldn't give us something we couldn't handle. I wish you health and happiness always. I wish you the best on your journey to weight loss.