The General Rant/Bitch/Moan Thread.

I've already let people know on Facebook, as it was the easiest way to tell both friends and family, but I also wanted to say it here: I've been diagnosed with breast cancer.  My diagnosis was about 1 week ago, and since then it's been a crazy-busy time of medical testing and meeting with the oncology team.  

On Tuesday I start a long process of treatment: I am having a port installed in a vein, and receiving my first chemotherapy treatment.  Chemo will last 16 weeks overall, then comes the surgery and possible radiation.  Although I have a good team of doctors, and a great support system, this is still an emotional process and I've been having intense panic attacks as I come to terms with all this.  There are a good number of unknowns at this point, but I do know I'm going to lose my hair -- I've got wigs on order now.  There are lots of other side effects, some of which I'll get, some I won't.

I know I will beat this, but I'm still so scared of what the next few months will be like, how much I can keep working, and what I will be like when I'm through with it all.  I'm trying to stay positive, because it's important to my recovery and because honestly I don't know how else to stay sane through all this.

The chemo room has wi-fi, at least.

You can take some solace in that breast cancer is one of the easiest forms of cancer to treat (when caught early).  Did the doctors tell you that you were going to loose your hair?  My aunt went through breast cancer treatment and didn't loose hers; I know each treatment can be different and hopefully you don't have one of the more aggressive forms of breast cancer.

Just so everyone else can see, you can get breast cancer at very young age, so if you feel a lump anywhere on your breast and a doctor says you are too young, get a second or third opinion.

They did tell me to expect hair loss, which makes me sad, but at least there's a chance that I'll only experience a few of the other side effects.  And as far as cancer treatment, at least I'm in a great part of the country for medical care.

Yeah, that's the thing: I know even very young kids can get cancer, but it still seems so weird to me.  They handed me catalogs of wigs with Golden-Girls hairstyles, and it took a little hunting to find something more youthful.

Thanks for the support Ginger.

^^^I'd have gotten the Morticia one. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that nothing goes wrong.

Oh Red,
I'm so sorry to hear about this, but it really makes me happy to see how positive and forthcoming you about how you'll combat this. The gal that's been my focal interest all these years, has a procedure coming up dealing with removing a similar medical issue. I've been away from online for a while being that my hard drive crapped out on me, but I'm backs now that my pal fixed me up better than ever. Though we're the online pals; I adore you all kinds Red and let me/us on here know if you ever need anything we the intangible friends can provide.

Love you girl, I'd tell you to keep that pretty head up, but I already know you will.

Thanks so much for your support, Nsane and Spooky.

So, here are the wigs, if anyone's curious:

For everyday, the Zara wig.  They haven't quite got my color, but I'm willing to compromise a bit because the length and cut and quality are gorgeous.  Synthetic, so won't be scratchy (also makes it a few hundred rather than a few thousand dollars).  The filaments are hand-tied so they'll sit very naturally.  And it's got a "lace front" -- sheer nude mesh so they can design a more natural-looking hairline instead of one that all starts at one place.

The other one is probably lower quality, but I couldn't resist the color, style or the price: Auburn wig from Kekeshop  I showed this one to my boss, and she bought it for me on Monday -- so it's on its way to me now.  If I like the design/quality, I might go for an alter-ego Morticia-style one myself.

I guess other gals are after that pale pretty chick with great cheek bones and red hair look; luckily you came into the world rocking that winner.

Over the last few months my lovely and her sister labeled me their hero while dealing with this medical nonsense, work troubles and some other issues. Though I felt I could only do so much, I was told just being there was enough for this kooky thing to build into something, because for a month I was the only non relative informed. I know you have some great people around you, and I'm sure they'll be the Red Angel Fan Club and cheering section a person as awesome as you deserve.

Thank you for that.  It's a time like this when I need friends and family, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  It's a long process and one that's different for anyone who goes through it.  And it does mean a lot just to know that people are there.

Hair loss starts in 10-14 days, and then moves fast.  I have a transitional haircut (a long bob) planned for this Tuesday, and a Look Good/Feel Better class coming up that evening -- brow and lash loss or thinning will be part of this too, and the class offers tips to improve appearance in this process.

so, just found out my mothers got thyroid cancer and has to have her thyroid removed and whatnot... I don't know what to expect... also I don't know what the "whatnot" is, it's whatever they do after the removing part...

f**k Cancer.  I just really wanted to state that.

RedAngel wrote:

I've already let people know on Facebook, as it was the easiest way to tell both friends and family, but I also wanted to say it here: I've been diagnosed with breast cancer.  My diagnosis was about 1 week ago, and since then it's been a crazy-busy time of medical testing and meeting with the oncology team.  

On Tuesday I start a long process of treatment: I am having a port installed in a vein, and receiving my first chemotherapy treatment.  Chemo will last 16 weeks overall, then comes the surgery and possible radiation.  Although I have a good team of doctors, and a great support system, this is still an emotional process and I've been having intense panic attacks as I come to terms with all this.  There are a good number of unknowns at this point, but I do know I'm going to lose my hair -- I've got wigs on order now.  There are lots of other side effects, some of which I'll get, some I won't.

I know I will beat this, but I'm still so scared of what the next few months will be like, how much I can keep working, and what I will be like when I'm through with it all.  I'm trying to stay positive, because it's important to my recovery and because honestly I don't know how else to stay sane through all this.

The chemo room has wi-fi, at least.

Well, sh*t.

I'm no good at this kind of thing, but I'm sorry to hear that.

Somehow I think you'll come out on top though.

Endless, I'm sorry to hear it.  You might want to get in touch with Emma.  She dealt with the same cancer not long ago, and she kicked its a$$.  She's an inspiration to me right now.

Spooky, I was thinking the same thing.  Thank you.

Madelchai, coming out on top is my plan.  Thank you.

Just a side note that I hope you never have cause to remember: if you know anyone in their 20s or 30s who's got to do chemo, and is looking for wigs that don't look like something off The Golden Girls or The Young and the Restless, please put them in touch with me.  I'm kicking myself for having bought a crazy-expensive wig out of panic, and the style kind of falls into the soap-opera category.  I will direct your friend or loved one instead to Etsy (yep, they've got wigs) or to a brand called Forever Young.  They're wigs for the youthful and artsy, and they don't cost an arm/leg.

I broke my key in my bottom lock.  

I know that what I'm about to say is stepping into the arena of politics, but goddamnit it is really annoying. Why is it that, in America, we have to have some kind of shooting (be it at a school or a mall) about every other week? It is precisely these incidents that keep foreign students from visiting our universities because they are rightly afraid that they will be killed. And why is it that we have to enable people who are such pussies that they are afraid of an elderly person on their doorstep that they are given the right to grab their gun and shoot the elderly? Jesus H. Christ America! Grow the f**k up and grow a pair.

I really hate relationships. Guys only want porn stars/supermodels and girls are constantly trying to berate each other for not looking like porn star/supermodels. I wish I could just take a knife and quickly trim it all off.

Good goth. Can Facebook and the rest of the internet give it up with the Duck Dynasty crap already? He's a homophobic racist who got off easy!

NDAA 2014 passed when people were distracted by that just to put the Duck Dynasty crap into perspective.

He's allowed to have and express an opinion and his work is allowed to decide who and what represents them.

It's fine in my mind I could care less TBQH.

I don't get it....

nsanelilmunky wrote:

Good goth.  Can Facebook and the rest of the internet give it up with the Duck Dynasty crap already?  He's a homophobic racist who got off easy!

I support both sides on this. He has the right to his religious beliefs and freedom of speech and he expressed both of them. A&E has the right to suspend or fire any of their employees for any reason and since they are paying him with their money to tape a show for their network he falls in that category. Just because you have freedom of religion and speech doesn't mean you have freedom from consequences. I suspect this is the shiny shiny thing that's meant to distract us from something important, it might sound a little conspiracy weirdo-ish but there's always seems to be a distracting shiny thing when something important is happening.

I really don't like this time of year....

I converted to Islam 4 years ago just after Christmas, even though I don't celebrate any part of it I still miss the family aspect of it all. I don't get to see my family much only once every few months. But this time of year just gets to me, I try to distract myself with other things. But some days you just wana sit in front of the TV with your loved ones with sweets and chocolates and just relax. I can never relax the way I used to, especially not being in my own house. I'm just really emotional at the moment and pregnancy doesn't help the situation either. My hubby is working nights all the way up to New Year's Day so I won't be spending anytime with him. I just hope that this time goes fast and just bring on the new year.

Merry Christmas to everyone who is celebrating hope you all have a great day! X

I used to love this time of year.

Now not so much.

In a whole lot of ways life didn't turn out like I expected it to.I always thought I'd be the girl in the mosh pit forever and that hasn't been true either.

I miss stuff from before and now I look back all nostalgic and kinda sad and think is this what it all boils down to?

How did this happen?

Anyway not loving this time of year,it's making me feel even more down and sad than I normally do.

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays whatever to everyone who's celebrating it this year.

"best dvd house"

^^^^^^^^^Yep^^^^^^^^^

That's exactly how this time of year feels.

Thanks homer

endless dark wrote:

"best dvd house"

Horrible customer service or horribly expensive prices? I've never heard of the place until now, so I don't know.

Ginger_Snaps wrote:

endless dark wrote:

"best dvd house"

Horrible customer service or horribly expensive prices?  I've never heard of the place until now, so I don't know.

Service.

I made an order with them on the 4th using a credit card, got a confirmation email but no shipping or processed order emails and the money was never touched. So on the 8th I shoot them an email basically saying "hey how's my order, I never got a processed or shipping email". They send one back saying "it failed, we'll cancel it if you wish to try again" to which I say "ok". I then make another order on the 8th, this time using PayPal and go through the whole order process again, this time the payment goes through but absolutely no emails on their end, no processing, shipping, confirmation, nothing so I wait for the 10th and shoot them another email basically a "hey how's my order again, I have payment confirmed via PayPal but nothing about the status of my order"... No reply from them at all and I wait to the 14th. So now, since the 14th I've been going through the dispute process on Paypal for a refund, they gave best dvd house until the 27th to reply and surprise surprise they haven't gotten a reply yet so I haven't gotten a refund yet which means that I couldn't use said money to do anything for xmas...