:talking to myself (again):

7.20.2005

07.20.05 Gilda would be Pissed!

Last night I went to Gilda's Club, like I normally do, but this time my wife and kids were coming along, partially because we have been reduced to a one-car family for the time being, the other reason was that my wife wanted to see what Gilda's club may have to offer her as a 'caregiver' to me, who has cancer. They also claim to be kid friendly so we thought the boys could hang out while we were in group support meetings. Well, was I wrong! First off, they looked at us like we were ready to come in and ransack the place or some shit. Then, the lovely receptionist said that we would have to meet with Julie, who runs the place. So we figure, okay, we'll explain that my wife wants to check it out to see if it's a good fit, and the boys are great socially and would not be a problem at all. Well, that dopey f-ing #$%&* tells us 'Well, we have to do a screening first and see what group might be best suited for our needs'. HELLO, I have FUCKING CANCER, this is NOT a FUCKING news flash to our family. Then, she was real condescending to us and just really rubbed me the wrong way. She offered to let my family 'wait in the reception area while I go in for a support meeting'. They offer as much support as my Grandmother's panty hose! NADA! I told the woman that I'm out of here, I saw my facilitator and told her I was not going and I wrote her an email last night explaining what had transpired. I may not go back. I mean who the fuck needs this shit. I went through a similar thing with CancerCare.org. I had a counselor who I didn't 'gel' with, I asked if I could see another one and they told me I would have to work out my issues with her. I felt like I was in a Seinfeld episode! See my counselor to figure out why I don't want to see my counselor???
She SUCKED, THAT'S WHY. OK?
I guess it could very well be me???????

meanwhile,
let the controlled poisoning begin.........(again)
;-)

posted by :phil: at Wednesday, July 20, 2005

6 Comments:

  • "They offer as much support as my Grandmother's panty hose!"

    Ha ha! Good one, Phil. And I got a boot out of that bit about working things out with your counselor. That's like if your wife is a marriage counselor and the both of you aren't getting along, then all she needs to do is put on her counselor hat and she fixes things up for free!

    Phil, this is just a suggestion (or maybe a request) and, if it's crossing a line, then I totally understand and you can tell me to shut the hell up, but I thought it might be interesting if you took us through a chemotherapy session, what it's like, how it makes you feel, the aftermath, etc. Again, if this cuts too close to the bone, I understand and I won't bring it up again. And good luck with that, by the way. For some reason I feel like everything is going to work out OK (although how would I ever know that?).

    By Blogger mr. schprock, At July 20, 2005 12:00 PM  

  • I agree with everything Mr. Schprock said, especially the last part. I have such a good feeling that you will be well again.

    About Gilda's club...it's so sad when a good organization turns into an unfeeling beaurocracy.

    I don't know how cancer chemo compares to interferon(which I took for hepatitis C and which is a form of chemo), but the interferon knocked me on my butt for six months. I have really thick hair, but it became so thin that I looked like a ninety year old woman. I was so nauseaus all the time that I lost thirty pounds. I didn't have the energy to do laundry, cook or clean. So, when I say I'm with you in spirit, please know that I mean that from my heart.

    By Blogger fugusashi, At July 20, 2005 6:39 PM  

  • mr. schprock, I think you have a very good suggestion. I have just started a blog that will deal with chemo/cancer issues, my experiences and people can ask anything they want, no holes barred, only ass-holes (pun intened). I need a few days to get it setup.

    Paula,
    I've had no experience with interferon, but I imagine that it could knock you on your butt. My hair thinned and I lost much of the feeling in my toes and some in my fingers, which sucks because I play guitar, but now I no longer use my toes for playing and my fingers are not too bad. It really didn't make me too sick although the first round I had, made food taste real bland...not much interest in eating. The second round gave me MAJOR constipation (joke 1: What does a mathematician do when he's constipated? He works it out with a pencil. joke 2: What is the German name for constipation: 'Far-From-Poopin')
    My third round is giving me stomach issues plus, as a bonus, a pretty wicked rash (otherwise known as ZITS) all over my torso (and spreading south) and on my face. So far, my georgeous feet are unscathed). I'll get into more detail (oh-goody) in my other Blog

    Thanks for the well wishes, I kind of feel the same way. I think this is the other shoe dropping and when I get through this, I'm good for a while.
    ;-)

    By Blogger :phil:, At July 21, 2005 6:59 AM  

  • I don't mean to maybe intrude on personal issues, but I know a couple people who have found this organization to be extremely compassionate and helped them into remission. I'm sure you have heard of them, but here is the link nonetheless. http://www.cancercenter.com/

    By Blogger Wendy, At July 22, 2005 12:51 AM  

  • thanks

    By Blogger :phil:, At July 22, 2005 7:40 AM  

  • grrrrrrrrr--this post about made me explode! WTF indeed!

    I'd like to gnaw her ankle off.

    By Blogger SquirrleyMojo, At July 23, 2005 5:41 PM  

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