OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

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weisssoccermom
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Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 2:32 pm
Location: Pacific NW

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby weisssoccermom » Fri Jul 25, 2014 12:16 am

Lois,
I will have to look you up when we come up to the island next year. We own WM which has a timeshare at Deer Harbor. I've been to Orcas twice now...beautiful place to explore. Loved walking around the Rosario Resort last time I was there. Hubby has never been to the timeshare....it's always been a girlfriend weekend so I finally relented and said I'd go with him next time :)
Jaynee
Dx 6/22/2006 IIA rectal cancer
6 wks rad/Xeloda -finished 9/06
1st attempt transanal excision 11/06
11/17/06 XELOX 1 cycle
5 months Xeloda only Dec '06 - April '07
10+ blood clots, 1 DVT 1/07
transanal excision 4/20/07 path-NO CANCER CELLS!
NED now and forever!
Perform random acts of kindness

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Bev G
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Facebook Username: Bev Golde
Location: Quechee, VT

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby Bev G » Fri Jul 25, 2014 4:44 am

What a pleasure to get to know some of you guys as "real people" in your "real lives", excluding our diagnoses. I'm so glad for those of you willing to share this part of your lives. Quite a brain trust around here. I've always wanted to know what rp1954 does, so I hope we'll hear.

And, this just a formality, because I've mentioned it, but I became an RN in 1977, became a Board certified diabetes educator in 1980 and a certified legal nurse consultant in 2009 (a week before diagnosis). I worked exclusively with pregnant women with diabetes. Through those years I also had moonlighting jobs in neurosurgery, labor and delivery and ICU/CCU, and some other areas I can't remember right now. I was the weekend supervisor at the scariest hospital in LA for a couple of years. (gang territory=very scary ---> got mugged for the pharmacy keys :twisted: :twisted: ) Wrote a bunch of papers and got to speak all over the country. Delightfully fun career (usually).

Thanks again, all, for sharing. We will be able to utilize so many of your skills for any of you willing to help with the get-together!

Good morning, all.

Bev
58 yo Type1 DM 48 years
12/09 Stage IV 2/22 nodes + liver met, colon resec
3 tx FOLFIRI, liver resec 4/10
9/10 6 mos off chemo, Neg PET&CTC CEA nl
2/11 finished total 10 rounds chemo

9/13 ^17th clean PET/CT NED for now

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elise
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Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2012 5:09 pm
Location: Ontario (Canada)

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby elise » Fri Jul 25, 2014 7:32 am

I love seeing what everyone does/did as a career!

I was/am an aquatic program coordinator. I put my business degree managing 100 lifeguards and a few pools. I love working in a place where all clients come in to play a sport, all smiles.

I really hope I will get to return to this work in 2015.

Elise
2012
Feb - Stage 2 (T3 N0 M0) CC @ 30
Mar - R hemicolectomy, 18 LN
May-Nov 6 - Chemo (8 Xeloda)
2013
Feb - NED
2014
Feb - NED
May - Stage 4 - 1 liver met @ 32
Jun - Liver resection
Oct - CLEAN SCAN
Aug-Jan - FOLFOX 5 rounds, 5FU X 6
2015
Ap, Oct - NED
2016
Mar - NED

michelle c
Posts: 1929
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:58 am

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby michelle c » Fri Jul 25, 2014 8:14 am

I'm an RN but I've been out of the acute hospital setting for a few years now. I work in a government mental health facility at the moment. I wish that I had some relevant expertise to help with the BBQ. I'm willing to do anything to help. I've been racking my brains trying to think of something :)
May 25 2009 Dx with CC (sigmoid colon) 2 days after my 44th b'day
CEA prior to surgery 4.7
Jun 3 2009 LAR - Stage III 3/10 lymph nodes
Jul 6 - Dec 10 2009 - 12 cycles FOLFIRI
Genetic testing - inconclusive for Lynch
Jul 2012 port removed & hernia repair

coloradowalt
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Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:32 pm

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby coloradowalt » Fri Jul 25, 2014 8:23 am

I work in the IT industry. Early in my career a Programmer, DBA and Systems Architect. Last 15 years IT sales.
DW 53
12/13 DX Stage IV liver, Peritoneal and LN
12/13 Colon resection
02/14 FOLFOX with Avastin (thru 08/06)
08/26 Aborted liver resection
09/22 FOLFIRI
09/26 Obstruction, massive tumor (pelvic floor and left abdomen)
10/02 Our journey ends

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BrownBagger
Posts: 7954
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:56 pm
Location: Central NYS

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby BrownBagger » Fri Jul 25, 2014 9:09 am

I edit and produce special interest magazines in the forestry field.
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.

Coppercent
Posts: 262
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2012 4:00 pm

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby Coppercent » Fri Jul 25, 2014 9:19 am

Being a former military spouse I have done different careers. School Teacher, Security Background Investigator, Human Resources, Adult Education, Business Manager. Hey you take what you can get!
07/15/11 Stage III Rectal, 08/11 - 09/11 Chemo/rad 11/11 LAR - Whole rectum gone, ostomy, hysterectomy
01/12 Port placed, 01/12 thru 06/12 Folfox, Xelox 10/03/12 Reversal, Clear scan
And then the story continues.
Currently, remission round two!

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exaussie
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Location: Silverton OR
Contact:

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby exaussie » Fri Jul 25, 2014 11:43 am

Ok so my son was a lead mechanic for Bell Foods International.
While I am official care taker, appointment maker, runner to pharmacy in middle of night, chemo sitter, maker of strange food requests after chemo,wedding planner to son, and care for husband and 4 daughters and run business selling sports protection clothing from home.
DS 26 yrs old diagnosed 6/13 T3N2aM1b
Resection 6/13
6 rounds chemo folfax
12/13 Fissure
hernia surgery 12/13
5 months break
Maintenance chemo 3/14
Crazy growth. Liver failing. Folfox and vectibex 7-29-14
Chemo failure Hospice 8/26
Left us 8/28

WifeOfMike
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Location: San Diego, California

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby WifeOfMike » Fri Jul 25, 2014 4:43 pm

OMG....... I've done lots of stuff:

FIRST & FOREMOST:
Mother of 3 sons.... now 21,27 & 29...... :lol:
which means I am also the "MOM" of 2 girlfriends of sons:....... now 22 and 19.......... and "MOM" to a whole fist-full of kids in the neighborhood over the years (Old Mother Hubbard syndrome going on) 8)
Wife to MIKE........ EVENT Manager (haha) You all know what that NOW entails as researcher, bill payer, clinical trial coordinator, appointment setter, keeping Dr's in line, ETC :shock:
Daughter & Sister & Aunt (although Pop passed away on 96th Birthday, brother at 44, sister at 36 & nephew at 4).... so Mom & 1 sis, 1 nephew left

By trade:
Hairdresser specializing in cuts/ color & perms
Delivery of auto parts (probably 6 months & not too soon to QUIT)
Advertising Sales/ Advertising design, copy etc
Manager of our Vintage Jewelry/ Rare Coin/ & bullion store (bullion is gold, silver & platinum for investments)
Owner of Rare Sterling Silverware business ( such as tea sets, bowls, candelabras, dresser sets & complete sets/ rare pieces to eat with- sold nationwide to dealers/ collectors)
Back to Advertising as Sales Manager
Back to Managing our Vintage Jewelry/ rare Coin/ & Bullion store........... Training to take over the whole tamale IF NEED BE

and to wrap up stuff that may be of use to EVENT:
I can do some pretty mean cooking. Raising 3 sons & a long host of friends in tow, I am known as "FOOD CENTRAL"
Have been know to set up quite a few "EVENTS" in my days as Manager of advertising companies
I also helped setup THE ROOMS for an annual fundraiser for a Hospital down in San Diego as a 'FREE VOLUNTEER" Huge Charity event- they had lots of KOOL SIGNED Sports Memorabilia donated for Silent Auction
I am also on the Board of Directors (as event fundraiser coordinator) for a local small REHAB for drugs/ alcohol.............. which hits way too many families too
I can wrap "GIFT BASKETS" of donated stuff VERY PROFESSIONALLY, which are GREAT SILENT AUCTION FUND RAISERS

Cheers!
Vicki
Bad Ass WIFE
Hubs: CRC IVA,T3, N0, M1A
Resect/LN Mets 10/12
Folfox4/Avastin 11/12-5/13
Folfiri/Erbitux 6/13-10/13
Stivarga 12/13-4/14
Trial 4/14-/14
Trial 8/14-11/14
HOME Hospice 11/17/14
Guardian Angel 1/1/15
Cost of HOPE? PRICELESS

skypup
Posts: 2598
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 12:12 pm

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby skypup » Fri Jul 25, 2014 5:42 pm

Started as a mathematician and research seismologist. That career now pays me a whopping $270/mo in early-start pension (better get it while I can.) Then cognitive psychology researcher/grad student, studying human memory systems. Then housewife for a year. Then music history/theory grad student, focusing on 20th century music and the reinvented role of the Mass when taken out of its liturgical function (yea, I can still get excited about it.) Then massage therapist for the most time (18 years.) Now professional goof-off. Or maybe it's professional cancer patient. Guess it depends on whether it's chemo week...

Not sure I have any skills to make the event happen, but I'm really happy to be a worker bee.

justin case
Posts: 4269
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:26 am
Location: Katy, Texas

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby justin case » Fri Jul 25, 2014 5:56 pm

Skypup wrote:Started as a mathematician and research seismologist. That career now pays me a whopping $270/mo in early-start pension (better get it while I can.) Then cognitive psychology researcher/grad student, studying human memory systems. Then housewife for a year. Then music history/theory grad student, focusing on 20th century music and the reinvented role of the Mass when taken out of its liturgical function (yea, I can still get excited about it.) Then massage therapist for the most time (18 years.) Now professional goof-off. Or maybe it's professional cancer patient. Guess it depends on whether it's chemo week...

Not sure I have any skills to make the event happen, but I'm really happy to be a worker bee.


I have 2 daughters that are massage therapists. That is a grueling job. Not only the skill to please the customer, but the day to day pain, that is associated to ones hands! I really can't imagine how hard chemo, must have been on that endeavor.
Regards,
Michael
7/11 diagnosed Stage 2 colon and rectal cancer
chemo/rad
lar/temp ilio
Reversal & port removal
21 round of chemo Folfox 9tx, 5fu 12 tx
Last treatment July 2012

skypup
Posts: 2598
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 12:12 pm

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby skypup » Fri Jul 25, 2014 6:17 pm

Thanks, Michael. It was really hard, and for financial reasons I had to keep going. I look back now and can't believe I did it! We humans (and especially we cancer patients) are amazing in how we can adapt!
Very cool for your girls--I hope they have great clients!

sbrainbolt
Posts: 146
Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2012 1:01 pm
Location: Houston, TX

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby sbrainbolt » Fri Jul 25, 2014 6:29 pm

Full time job: L48 Technical Skills Manager for Geo and Engineering Techs

Most important job recently, Grandmother to Wyatt now almost 6 months old!
DX 1/12 50 yrs
LAR 2/12 CR 3A T1N1M0
chemo 3/12- 9/10/12 FOLFOX, issues with platelet counts every 4th treatment
CEA normal
CT 3/15 stable lung nods since 1/2012 NED.
SBO kinked small bowel 10/13 - LAPRO surgery to fix
yrly scans now
09/25/2017 - Graduated to the Survivorship Clinic at MDA! Cured!!!

lauragb
Posts: 899
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:25 pm

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby lauragb » Fri Jul 25, 2014 8:02 pm

I just retired after 35 years in education, first as a speech/language pathologist and lastly as an early childhood intervention specialist meaning I taught an integrated preschool class for children with special needs and their peers and also evaluated and served preschoolers in other community settings. Volunteer work is on the horizon with young children and in the oncology/infusion center at a small hospital.

Lots of diversity of experiences here:)
RC 3B 7/2011 @ 53
Chemoradiation 5 weeks 8/11
LAR-Hysterect-temp ileo
pCR, 0/23 nodes
Folfox 1/12, Xeloda 2/12 to 5/12
Reversal 5/12
SBO,lysis of adhesions 12/12
NED 11/12, 11/13, 6/16

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abuttigi
Posts: 669
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 9:39 am
Location: SE Michigan

Re: OK, Kids. Come out of the closet. What do you guys do?

Postby abuttigi » Fri Jul 25, 2014 8:09 pm

Well I think everyone knows what I "do", but, for the record, I'm a (fourth year!!!) medical student. Currently studying in my mom's basement for boards while she feels sorry for me and brings me chocolate and watermelon. Glamorous, I know.

Angie
Daughter to George (64)
Dx'ed Jan '11 Stage IV CC liver and peritoneum, KRAS mutant
Folfox
Folfori, Avastin
SIRT
Aug '12- progression in liver, mets to lungs
Oct '12- mets to bone, Regorafenib
Nov '12- Hospice
12/10/12- Became my beautiful angel in heaven


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