cancer

Peggy, please know that swimmers all across the country are wishing you the best. If swimming teaches us anything, it's how to endure pain with grace. I'm sure what you are going through now is not easy, but you will make it. Keep your stroke count regular and pace yourself! Make sure, as Marcy suggested, that your doctors know how important swimming is to you. Hopefully, they can figure out a way to let you keep in the water during chemo--or, if you must stay out of the pool for a while, get you back as soon as possible. Good luck and just keep telling yourself that there will be better times ahead.

Hi Peggy: I have no knowledge of catheters.....I do have a fair amount of knowledge regarding trudging up hill in life....I am very sorry to hear your fighting this awful disease. I will keep you in my Prayers...and my thoughts.... Keep your chin up and fight like heck to get well soon. I can speak for all of here at USMS when I say we hope and Pray you return to the pool soon. God bless... Kindest regards, Tom Ellison

Hey- I'm really sorry to hear that- good luck with your recovery... I would simply suggest asking your surgeon or oncologist. BTW- I hear 'ya when you said that you need to swim through this- my father (with whom I am really close) has just been diagnosed with cancer and is awaiting major surgery- one of the first things I told my husband was that i was gonna swim through this, no matter what... Actually, it's my dad who drives me to practice (long story: he's elderly and needs a structured day, so he drops me off in the early am, and then goes to the beach to walk and then I help him with his errands after swimming), and I need to continue going to practice whilst he's battling this, because swimming has become rather emotionally charged for me on many levels. I hope you get back to the pool (and into remission) ASAP! peace...

Peggy--the best person to check with about swimming with a catheter is your oncologist or surgeon. Do let them know this is important to your health (and mind) to be able to do it. You may have to substitute some other activity if they say no. Alot would depend on how the catheter is "capped" -- if it's a "port" covered by skin--your chances might be better. But keep in mind--the last thing you want is an infection in something going directly into your bloodstream. I had a friend with a port last year for his chemo. I don't think he was allowed to go in even his own hot tub or take a bath where the water might contaminate or get into the site. Good luck in your battle. Half the battle is the mind-set of the person undergoing treatment. The other half is left to God and the medical personnel.

healing vibes to you~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ prayers are with you, and wishing you the best. keep us posted on your progress. I just had a friend of mine who went through radiation, etc, and she is doing well. I'm sure you'll be just as much of a champion. Best, JoAnne

Dear Peggy when you check with your oncologist -- do try to see if there are alternatives to the port. My sister is now in her 11th week of treatment for *** cancer (four chemo sessions and two to go!) and she discussed the port issue with her doctors who agreed in the end it wasn't essential. Every case is different, but if my sister hadn't asked not to, it seems she would have had the port. Her treatment is going very well and I hope that yours will be as smooth.

Peggy, My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Peace, Denise

I have a friend who just finished her colon cancer treatments. Her port was more trouble than it was worth, they were never able to use it because of infection, and finally took it out. I am not saying that will happen with you, I just knew she wishes it had never been put in. Prayers are with you through this trying time, good luck.