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Lack of cancer support for women
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Somya.P
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Somya.P
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Last activity on 09/07/2024 at 12:29 AM
Joined in 2023
214 comments posted | 10 in the Cancer Forum
7 of their responses were helpful to members
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Hello @Choirgirl,
How are you doing today? 😊
I must admit, this is a very interesting discussion, thank you so much for starting it! We need to break down stereotypes and have open and supportive conversations about cancer, regardless of its type.
Let's tag a few members of our community to see what they think:
@twincat1953 @Sabolw @Vickie8669 @Satariano123 @Lawton2025 @Kim761 @Jnutcurl @Sharcro248 @Amyk418 @Tammylh @Knapps5 @Mrbare @4diantha @Denise67 @BBeverly @PinkyS @Waynejunc @Mortman @Beth4mom @BlaqueSapphyre @MichelleRockholt @Libbylee @MamaWeez @Bs1020bs @DawnBush @Blevsey @Deeann @Tigermommajd @chrissy62 @Jbriede @gamboam92 @chelle031107 @Tootie @Shaybabii216 @Jules70 @Jenn79 @Sheiladatwood @Bgraff @Marcied @Wendypooh110 @Mellie77 @ZellRandle @Rdhbarbie @AlisaD @gakinolil @Deb268
Take care now,
Somya from the Carenity team 🌼
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Somya from the Carenity team
Beth4mom
Beth4mom
Last activity on 08/07/2024 at 1:59 AM
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2 comments posted | 2 in the Cancer Forum
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I agree! The stigma with a women and colon cancer is mortifying. I found myself saying to friends “it couldn’t have been some where else” it wasn’t. It is in my colon, the symptoms leading up were embarrassing and difficult to talk about. The recovery after surgery, while I am blessed with it going so well…..again was embarrassing. We need to normalize discussions about colonoscopy preps, food intake, symptoms to watch for. Bowl movements and gas are a normal part of life! Someone with colon cancer endures wearing diapers, fear of accidents, fear of socializing because of these.
Beth4mom
Beth4mom
Last activity on 08/07/2024 at 1:59 AM
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2 comments posted | 2 in the Cancer Forum
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I agree! The stigma with a women and colon cancer is mortifying. I found myself saying to friends “it couldn’t have been some where else” it wasn’t. It is in my colon, the symptoms leading up were embarrassing and difficult to talk about. The recovery after surgery, while I am blessed with it going so well…..again was embarrassing. We need to normalize discussions about colonoscopy preps, food intake, symptoms to watch for. Bowl movements and gas are a normal part of life! Someone with colon cancer endures wearing diapers, fear of accidents, fear of socializing because of these.
Choirgirl
Choirgirl
Last activity on 08/07/2024 at 1:28 AM
Joined in 2024
3 comments posted | 3 in the Cancer Forum
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I’d love to hear from more of you, Don’t be shy. We’re all in this together !
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Margaret Hodge-Moores
DCline3dogs
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DCline3dogs
Last activity on 09/01/2024 at 9:50 PM
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5 comments posted | 3 in the Cancer Forum
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I agree. I regularly see non profit groups on TV in Birmingham, AL (near me) who offer help with paying for things, support, providing or giving things for women with breast cancer. I have leukemia-AML & in a year & a half after being diagnosed, I haven’t seen ANY non profit groups or even churches offer help to leukemia patients (man or woman). Why is this not addressed. I spent 30 days in the hospital & had to board my 3 dogs because I had no one to keep them. Followed by 4 months of outpatient induction chemo. I haven’t had any family or friends to help me with anything-cooking, cleaning, housework, bring meals, check on my dogs, etc. etc. I spent all of my savings & maxed out credit cards to pay for everything since I was too weak, too sick to do it myself. Where were the nonprofits to help me?
Now I know you’re asking about national help: I contacted American Cancer Society but didn’t need rides to/from my appointments; I contacted Leukemia & Lymphoma Society & was told they had already used up the money they give to leukemia patients; I applied for Social Security for disability but was told my monthly SS & retirement checks were enough to cover my expenses; I applied for hospital financial aid through the hospital where I’m treated & where I get my bills from but they told me I made too much money (I wasn’t on Medicaid & received no government assistance). I didn’t mismanage my money-I spent all my money & even canceled so many services I was accustomed to having. It’s just horribly unfair that so many people with cancer (not breast cancer) have to struggle, especially if you have no help from family or friends.
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Dianne Cline
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DCline3dogs
I completely understand as I don’t have anyone to talk to also. I’m a widow & I live alone. My oldest son died in 2021 & my youngest son & his family live 3 hours. My father is dead & my mother has chronic back pain & is immobile. My younger sister lives with our mother & she is going through a divorce from her husband who abandoned her. My sister doesn’t visit me, help me, call me & rarely texts me. I have various cousins, a niece & nephew that are spread out in nearby states but are hours away from me. After I told my friends I had cancer, they quit contacting me. I have learned how to be my own care giver. It has been very difficult. I’ll admit I’ve been depressed, cried a lot, felt sorry for myself but I never gave up. I prayed & read my Bible everyday. Then I found cancer groups online like this one where I could share what I was going through & got empathetic responses. That really kept me going. I hope you find someone to talk to but I highly recommend the online cancer chat groups.
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DCline3dogs
I completely understand as I don’t have anyone to talk to also. I’m a widow & I live alone. My oldest son died in 2021 & my youngest son & his family live 3 hours. My father is dead & my mother has chronic back pain & is immobile. My younger sister lives with our mother & she is going through a divorce from her husband who abandoned her. My sister doesn’t visit me, help me, call me & rarely texts me. I have various cousins, a niece & nephew that are spread out in nearby states but are hours away from me. After I told my friends I had cancer, they quit contacting me. I have learned how to be my own care giver. It has been very difficult. I’ll admit I’ve been depressed, cried a lot, felt sorry for myself but I never gave up. I prayed & read my Bible everyday. Then I found cancer groups online like this one where I could share what I was going through & got empathetic responses. That really kept me going. I hope you find someone to talk to but I highly recommend the online cancer chat groups.
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Choirgirl
Choirgirl
Last activity on 08/07/2024 at 1:28 AM
Joined in 2024
3 comments posted | 3 in the Cancer Forum
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I want to address the apparent lack of support for women who have cancer, but not breast cancer. Some of us wear pink rather than blue. Why the stigma if you’re a woman with colon cancer?
I say let’s stop the ignorance and end the stigma! Let’s begin some healthy conversations!