Hi New here
edited...waited a little and keep refreshing. Guess no one is available to talk. Hub and kids are asleep and I am just feeling down right now
Will check back tomorrow.
Be Blessed
Comments
-
welcome
you have come to the right place .we are all semi colons here.when were you dx. i was dx in sept 08 stage 3 with tumor in my rectum. i did 5 wks of radiation and chemo pills, had two surgeries and tomorrow i get to start my journey with more chemo which is oxy and 5fu for 6 months.i have made many friends here.you have found a good place and sorry to hear about your cancer.Godbless.....johnnybegood0 -
Thanks for the welcomejohnnybegood said:welcome
you have come to the right place .we are all semi colons here.when were you dx. i was dx in sept 08 stage 3 with tumor in my rectum. i did 5 wks of radiation and chemo pills, had two surgeries and tomorrow i get to start my journey with more chemo which is oxy and 5fu for 6 months.i have made many friends here.you have found a good place and sorry to hear about your cancer.Godbless.....johnnybegood
Thanks for the welcome
Guess I should tell a little about my situation.
Last year before the holiday's I started losing my appetite. When I did eat, it was like a hand full of grapes or some fruit, just small amounts. But, it felt as though I had eaten enough for 10 grown men. Then I started having stomach pains. I went to one of those emergency clinics one day when the pain got so bad it took my breathe away. They did xrays and told me I had gas! Gave me some pills and sent me home. After a week of taking those and correctals to make things tolerable, I contacted my NEW family physician (our family physician that we had for 15 years sadly relocated last year).
This new lady was so welcoming and concerned when I told her what was going on and the fact I had now lost 20lbs in 2 months (I contributed it to caring for both my parents (alzheimers and dementia) and just being stressed. She did a stool culture and found blood, something I had not seen. Sent me directly from her office to get an xray at the imagining center to rule out a bleeding ulcer. The next morning she called me and had set up an appointment to go immediately to a gastroenterologist. I met with him and he scheduled me for a endoscopy the following week on 1/20. On 1/22 I had a cat-scan. Then on 1/27 I had a colonoscopy.
Coming out of sedation from the colonoscopy my husband and I were informed that I had stage-4 colon cancer, with 2 masses the larger was causing 95% blockage. The cancer had also spread to my various areas of my liver that would make it unoperable. My surgeon felt surgery on my colon was an urgency and I was scheduled for 2/2. My appendix was also removed.
That went well and I was able to leave the hospital in 5 days, instead of the 10 he had recommended. I was determined to get back home and did everything they suggested and then some, even turning myself in bed the same night after surgery.
I have since had several ct-scans to check my liver and it seems to be holding.
On 2/27, I had a port implanted in my chest to prepare for the chemotheraphy that I will need to undergo for treatment of my liver. That again went exceedingly well. Other then the raised bump and 2 places where i was cut being visible I have had no problems or soreness. The doctor was careful to place it away from my bra-line but at the same time its not visible with the right shirts on.
Overall...I consider myself blessed to have had to deal with this devastating news and all the many procedures I have endured in this short period of time. Because last Tuesday, they buried my neighbor of 10yrs...a rare skin cancer that spread. Then tonight my best friend across the street called to tell me her brother-in-law died today from cancer
Now the battle is getting myself mentally prepared to begin chemo sometime next week.
I guess the most devastating part for me is the weight loss. I have now lost about 35lbs. In actuality I needed to lose that plus some. But, its just knowing the reason behind it. A year ago I would have been in love with my scale. Now it scares me to look at it when I am weighed or see myself unclothed. But, thats just being a woman I guess.
I still have so much to be thankful for.
And now I add this group to the list!!!!!!
I hate really talking about my fears with my children (24yr son & 19yr old daughter)because I see the fear in their eyes already. And my husband of 27 years, well while he is very compassionate and understanding, it hurts to talk to him, because it reduces him to tears.
We are new at this, but I know our love for each other but most of all our Faith, will get us through this.
Sorry I went on a little long, was waiting for my ambien to kick in and figured I would sit here and share a little.
Thanks for listening. I look forward to meeting more of you soon.
Be Well, Be Blessed!!!!!0 -
Welcome aboard, sorry you're herealuckylady said:Thanks for the welcome
Thanks for the welcome
Guess I should tell a little about my situation.
Last year before the holiday's I started losing my appetite. When I did eat, it was like a hand full of grapes or some fruit, just small amounts. But, it felt as though I had eaten enough for 10 grown men. Then I started having stomach pains. I went to one of those emergency clinics one day when the pain got so bad it took my breathe away. They did xrays and told me I had gas! Gave me some pills and sent me home. After a week of taking those and correctals to make things tolerable, I contacted my NEW family physician (our family physician that we had for 15 years sadly relocated last year).
This new lady was so welcoming and concerned when I told her what was going on and the fact I had now lost 20lbs in 2 months (I contributed it to caring for both my parents (alzheimers and dementia) and just being stressed. She did a stool culture and found blood, something I had not seen. Sent me directly from her office to get an xray at the imagining center to rule out a bleeding ulcer. The next morning she called me and had set up an appointment to go immediately to a gastroenterologist. I met with him and he scheduled me for a endoscopy the following week on 1/20. On 1/22 I had a cat-scan. Then on 1/27 I had a colonoscopy.
Coming out of sedation from the colonoscopy my husband and I were informed that I had stage-4 colon cancer, with 2 masses the larger was causing 95% blockage. The cancer had also spread to my various areas of my liver that would make it unoperable. My surgeon felt surgery on my colon was an urgency and I was scheduled for 2/2. My appendix was also removed.
That went well and I was able to leave the hospital in 5 days, instead of the 10 he had recommended. I was determined to get back home and did everything they suggested and then some, even turning myself in bed the same night after surgery.
I have since had several ct-scans to check my liver and it seems to be holding.
On 2/27, I had a port implanted in my chest to prepare for the chemotheraphy that I will need to undergo for treatment of my liver. That again went exceedingly well. Other then the raised bump and 2 places where i was cut being visible I have had no problems or soreness. The doctor was careful to place it away from my bra-line but at the same time its not visible with the right shirts on.
Overall...I consider myself blessed to have had to deal with this devastating news and all the many procedures I have endured in this short period of time. Because last Tuesday, they buried my neighbor of 10yrs...a rare skin cancer that spread. Then tonight my best friend across the street called to tell me her brother-in-law died today from cancer
Now the battle is getting myself mentally prepared to begin chemo sometime next week.
I guess the most devastating part for me is the weight loss. I have now lost about 35lbs. In actuality I needed to lose that plus some. But, its just knowing the reason behind it. A year ago I would have been in love with my scale. Now it scares me to look at it when I am weighed or see myself unclothed. But, thats just being a woman I guess.
I still have so much to be thankful for.
And now I add this group to the list!!!!!!
I hate really talking about my fears with my children (24yr son & 19yr old daughter)because I see the fear in their eyes already. And my husband of 27 years, well while he is very compassionate and understanding, it hurts to talk to him, because it reduces him to tears.
We are new at this, but I know our love for each other but most of all our Faith, will get us through this.
Sorry I went on a little long, was waiting for my ambien to kick in and figured I would sit here and share a little.
Thanks for listening. I look forward to meeting more of you soon.
Be Well, Be Blessed!!!!!
Thanks for sharing your story, you've had quite a trial. You will find the most amazing people here and they will become close friends through the common experience. This support has been wonderful. And to have someone else who "understands" has been priceless. Hang in there!0 -
Same here....aluckylady said:Thanks for the welcome
Thanks for the welcome
Guess I should tell a little about my situation.
Last year before the holiday's I started losing my appetite. When I did eat, it was like a hand full of grapes or some fruit, just small amounts. But, it felt as though I had eaten enough for 10 grown men. Then I started having stomach pains. I went to one of those emergency clinics one day when the pain got so bad it took my breathe away. They did xrays and told me I had gas! Gave me some pills and sent me home. After a week of taking those and correctals to make things tolerable, I contacted my NEW family physician (our family physician that we had for 15 years sadly relocated last year).
This new lady was so welcoming and concerned when I told her what was going on and the fact I had now lost 20lbs in 2 months (I contributed it to caring for both my parents (alzheimers and dementia) and just being stressed. She did a stool culture and found blood, something I had not seen. Sent me directly from her office to get an xray at the imagining center to rule out a bleeding ulcer. The next morning she called me and had set up an appointment to go immediately to a gastroenterologist. I met with him and he scheduled me for a endoscopy the following week on 1/20. On 1/22 I had a cat-scan. Then on 1/27 I had a colonoscopy.
Coming out of sedation from the colonoscopy my husband and I were informed that I had stage-4 colon cancer, with 2 masses the larger was causing 95% blockage. The cancer had also spread to my various areas of my liver that would make it unoperable. My surgeon felt surgery on my colon was an urgency and I was scheduled for 2/2. My appendix was also removed.
That went well and I was able to leave the hospital in 5 days, instead of the 10 he had recommended. I was determined to get back home and did everything they suggested and then some, even turning myself in bed the same night after surgery.
I have since had several ct-scans to check my liver and it seems to be holding.
On 2/27, I had a port implanted in my chest to prepare for the chemotheraphy that I will need to undergo for treatment of my liver. That again went exceedingly well. Other then the raised bump and 2 places where i was cut being visible I have had no problems or soreness. The doctor was careful to place it away from my bra-line but at the same time its not visible with the right shirts on.
Overall...I consider myself blessed to have had to deal with this devastating news and all the many procedures I have endured in this short period of time. Because last Tuesday, they buried my neighbor of 10yrs...a rare skin cancer that spread. Then tonight my best friend across the street called to tell me her brother-in-law died today from cancer
Now the battle is getting myself mentally prepared to begin chemo sometime next week.
I guess the most devastating part for me is the weight loss. I have now lost about 35lbs. In actuality I needed to lose that plus some. But, its just knowing the reason behind it. A year ago I would have been in love with my scale. Now it scares me to look at it when I am weighed or see myself unclothed. But, thats just being a woman I guess.
I still have so much to be thankful for.
And now I add this group to the list!!!!!!
I hate really talking about my fears with my children (24yr son & 19yr old daughter)because I see the fear in their eyes already. And my husband of 27 years, well while he is very compassionate and understanding, it hurts to talk to him, because it reduces him to tears.
We are new at this, but I know our love for each other but most of all our Faith, will get us through this.
Sorry I went on a little long, was waiting for my ambien to kick in and figured I would sit here and share a little.
Thanks for listening. I look forward to meeting more of you soon.
Be Well, Be Blessed!!!!!
I went through the pull offs on the side of the road thinking about passing and leaving my children....my wife, everything. There is no control in this journey, only picking the paths you decide to make for yourself. Pick the ones that are best for you and let God work His miracles with it. You have to allow yourself crying time, relief time, and then you have to allow yourself smiling time. I had to have help with anti depressant meds for a while to help not dwell on it. I think I have my head back now and am heading in the right direction. Don't be afraid to ask for meds to help cope. It will allow you to become the person you usually are. It is difficult being thrown into a situation such as this, use your best judgement and don't allow yourself to dwell on it. Be open with hubby and allow yourself to be helped and pampered. Allow yourself to have a pity party when you need it. But most of all be open and it will help all of you cope with it as treatment moves along. Take it as it comes and deal with the "now" and don't linger on what ifs or why mes....It only serves to bring you down....Keep a positive attitude and half the battle is already won......God Bless ya hun......0 -
welcome
Hi,
I like your tagname (a lucky lady). Thank you for sharing your story. I, too, was diagnosed as stage IV right when I was diagnosed (1-1/2 yrs ago). Mine had gone into my liver and into both lungs. I'm still here and doing alright! I was not considered a surgical candidate at first because there was too much in the liver and lungs to deal with surgically. After Folfox/Avastin chemo for 6 months, most of the stuff in my lungs shrunk away and my liver went from 12+ tumors down to 3. I had the liver surgery in May. I recovered well from it Had to go back on chemo again this past August & am still on it. Will have a scan in 2-3 weeks to check on everything.
I feel good most of the time, though! God has carried me through this all and He has been amazing. I've had lousy cancer, of course, but I have been so protected through it all from any illnesses, complications, etc. Yes, it was the hardest to see my husband and kids be sad. My kids do well with it now, because they see that I look pretty normal and so I try to not talk about it too much anymore, for their sakes. I did a lot at first- I think being open and honest with them was important. My husband has had his ups and downs- he's prone to depression, so I feel like I had to be the one bolstering him up for the first six months. That was hard, because I felt like I was the stronger one, yet I was the one with the cancer and the one having to go through the chemo and surgery! Knowing how my husband reacts to any difficult news, I knew this would be the case & so I was always praying for strength for him and for me to be able to be strong. Yes, it was him who would have been left behind without me and with needing to raise the kids (ages 16,13,9). God pulled him through too & now he is really there for me, thank goodness.
I'm sorry you're having to go through all this. Boy, life throws some lousy curves, doesn't it?! You WILL get through this and be okay! The people on this board all understand what you're going through and are also very, very helpful any time you have questions about anything at all. I have been given some great answers to questions I've had in the past! Even answers at times I'm sure my doctor would never have come up with.
Take care and I'll look forward to hearing more from you here on this board.
Blessings,
Lisa0 -
I was opposite...Buzzard said:Same here....
I went through the pull offs on the side of the road thinking about passing and leaving my children....my wife, everything. There is no control in this journey, only picking the paths you decide to make for yourself. Pick the ones that are best for you and let God work His miracles with it. You have to allow yourself crying time, relief time, and then you have to allow yourself smiling time. I had to have help with anti depressant meds for a while to help not dwell on it. I think I have my head back now and am heading in the right direction. Don't be afraid to ask for meds to help cope. It will allow you to become the person you usually are. It is difficult being thrown into a situation such as this, use your best judgement and don't allow yourself to dwell on it. Be open with hubby and allow yourself to be helped and pampered. Allow yourself to have a pity party when you need it. But most of all be open and it will help all of you cope with it as treatment moves along. Take it as it comes and deal with the "now" and don't linger on what ifs or why mes....It only serves to bring you down....Keep a positive attitude and half the battle is already won......God Bless ya hun......
...I actually was gaining weight and looking very swollen in my face for months, I went from being pretty thin, to being 5'2 and 151 lbs, I looked actually pregnant, and I knew I wasn't eating much either, but it felt so uncomfortable, that it was hard for me to even tie my shoes, I thought maybe it was from me having a few beers or something, but knew I shouldn't have gained that much weight! I then started feeling a hardness above my abdomen that made me think, this wasn't normal, and went to the ER room finally, where the x-rays showed that I had a thick mass on my colon, and a tumor in my liver. The ER room in my town then sent me by ambulance to Columbus, which was a 2 hour drive, because they said The James Research Cancer Center had accepted me, and wanted me to go there...so they transferred me there where I stayed for 5 days going through all these tests, I am very anemic, so I was losing blood also and didn' know where, and they couldn't find it either, but suspect it was in my stools, even though I never saw it..I had to get a blood transfusion because it was so low..but after those tests, they found the thick mass to be cancer, with no blockages, so I didn't need surgery, and the tumor in my liver to be cancer, so that made me Stage 4, since it was in another organ. The onc suggested chemo to shrink the tumors now, before they do anything else.
I know how scary it is, I was crying for days, I have 4 kids, who were all scared, I thought I was going to die in like a month, but the doctors told me even though my cancer wasn't curable, it was very treatable! so they suggested chemo like you, and now I'm in this fight like everyone else here. I never felt sick, never had symptoms, and I have no plans on giving in to this beast.
Don't let this disease take your spirit away, I am on Zoloft, and it helps pretty good, it's an anti-depressant, and anti-anxiety meds like Ativan help me, but I also know I have 4 kids and a great hubby I have to be strong for, and won't let this disease make me stop living my life.. we're living with cancer is all, it's just a different way of life, think positive, be happy, pray and talk to God, he's always listening, I gab to him alot, so he's probably sick of me now, but your mind has lot to do with how you will battle this, give yourself time to cry, but never dwell on it, life does go on, and all you can do is live it like as normal as possible, my kids are doing great now, they help in taking care of me, and my hubby has been a godsend, here I rambling now, but after awhile, you will get angry enough about this disease, that you're just going to want to kick it's #$%!!!
And by the way, I've had just 2 chemo treatments so far, and it helped me lose all that uncomfortable fluid and weight.. I am now down from 151 to 129!! and feel much better, I am now maintaining that weight, and eat alot anyway, but at least I'm down to my normal size, the chemo is a huge help!0 -
A Place to Belisa42 said:welcome
Hi,
I like your tagname (a lucky lady). Thank you for sharing your story. I, too, was diagnosed as stage IV right when I was diagnosed (1-1/2 yrs ago). Mine had gone into my liver and into both lungs. I'm still here and doing alright! I was not considered a surgical candidate at first because there was too much in the liver and lungs to deal with surgically. After Folfox/Avastin chemo for 6 months, most of the stuff in my lungs shrunk away and my liver went from 12+ tumors down to 3. I had the liver surgery in May. I recovered well from it Had to go back on chemo again this past August & am still on it. Will have a scan in 2-3 weeks to check on everything.
I feel good most of the time, though! God has carried me through this all and He has been amazing. I've had lousy cancer, of course, but I have been so protected through it all from any illnesses, complications, etc. Yes, it was the hardest to see my husband and kids be sad. My kids do well with it now, because they see that I look pretty normal and so I try to not talk about it too much anymore, for their sakes. I did a lot at first- I think being open and honest with them was important. My husband has had his ups and downs- he's prone to depression, so I feel like I had to be the one bolstering him up for the first six months. That was hard, because I felt like I was the stronger one, yet I was the one with the cancer and the one having to go through the chemo and surgery! Knowing how my husband reacts to any difficult news, I knew this would be the case & so I was always praying for strength for him and for me to be able to be strong. Yes, it was him who would have been left behind without me and with needing to raise the kids (ages 16,13,9). God pulled him through too & now he is really there for me, thank goodness.
I'm sorry you're having to go through all this. Boy, life throws some lousy curves, doesn't it?! You WILL get through this and be okay! The people on this board all understand what you're going through and are also very, very helpful any time you have questions about anything at all. I have been given some great answers to questions I've had in the past! Even answers at times I'm sure my doctor would never have come up with.
Take care and I'll look forward to hearing more from you here on this board.
Blessings,
Lisa
Hi and welcome to the board; this is the place to be; there are many
supportive, understanding and positive folks here; they have been a
great help to me and I am sure you will find them the same. Thought
I had beaten this in 2004 when I had surgery for colon Stage 2 no lymph
node involvement. But in 2008 a spot was found on my liver and I had
to have a liver resection. After years of excellent health with no
problems, this came as a huge shock.....and so long after my 2004
diagnosis. So this time I went through chemo as well. Another shock
since I had never taken any heavy duty meds for anything. I found my
second battle became my anxiety, fear and depression. Overwhelming.
But we have a Wellness Community program here and I discovered tai chi,
yoga, guided imagery and the support of fellow cancer survivors which
have been a life saver. And I also added an anti-depressant to the mix.
I am finding myself crying a lot less; not focusing so much on the CA
and actually enjoying life more. So there are solutions to dealing
with the emotions surrounding this journey and now people who recognize
that dealing with our emotions is as major a part of the battle as the
surgery and chemo.
Hugs,
Barbara0 -
Welcome to the Lucky Bunch Club ;-)
We don't accept just anybody you know...
Sorry you had to join us but this is a very good place to be if you are the shoes we are all in. Same style shoe, just different sizes. I'm a 5 year Stage IV Living With Cancer person. I'm still in treatment but when I was first diagnosed, they thought my liver was inoperable. I did 5 months of Avastin and lo and behold, I got to a position where I was operable. I had a tumor right smack dab around my Hepatic Artery (the main artery that supplies blood to the liver). After they removed about 70% of my liver, they installed a Hepatic Pump that delivered chemo directly to the areas that they could not operate on instead of delivering it systemically. It worked. My liver and colon have been free of cancer since that operation in Sept of 2004. I have metastasis in my lungs which I have been dealing with ever since but after VERY many rounds of chemo and a few more operations it is very much under control and (dare I say it) there is talk of maybe stopping chemo in the next 2-4 months. I may or may not be NED (No Evidence of Disease) but I will have a break.
This is a great forum where you will meet interesting people who have different and interesting points of view. There is no cookie cutter way of dealing with this, you will find support and get ideas that will help you decide how you can deal with this. My opinion here but do not be afraid to ask your doctor for medication to help you cope/digest all of this. It's a big change and you will find that you will have many "New Normals" as I like to put it. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication can really help you get through the day.
It's very nice to meet you LuckyLady.
-phil0 -
welcome!
Looks like you have gotten a good welcome already, I just wanted to add something minor. I don't know if you noticed, but they do actually have a chat function here. If you click on the CSN Home link, you will see under Connect and Communicate a link to Chatrooms. I've only been once, but I know others go there and you can probably find SOMEBODY in there at any given time! They might not be colon cancer survivors, but cancer unites us all in some small way! Good luck as you move forward in this fight, you will do well!
mary0 -
Hialuckylady said:Thanks for the welcome
Thanks for the welcome
Guess I should tell a little about my situation.
Last year before the holiday's I started losing my appetite. When I did eat, it was like a hand full of grapes or some fruit, just small amounts. But, it felt as though I had eaten enough for 10 grown men. Then I started having stomach pains. I went to one of those emergency clinics one day when the pain got so bad it took my breathe away. They did xrays and told me I had gas! Gave me some pills and sent me home. After a week of taking those and correctals to make things tolerable, I contacted my NEW family physician (our family physician that we had for 15 years sadly relocated last year).
This new lady was so welcoming and concerned when I told her what was going on and the fact I had now lost 20lbs in 2 months (I contributed it to caring for both my parents (alzheimers and dementia) and just being stressed. She did a stool culture and found blood, something I had not seen. Sent me directly from her office to get an xray at the imagining center to rule out a bleeding ulcer. The next morning she called me and had set up an appointment to go immediately to a gastroenterologist. I met with him and he scheduled me for a endoscopy the following week on 1/20. On 1/22 I had a cat-scan. Then on 1/27 I had a colonoscopy.
Coming out of sedation from the colonoscopy my husband and I were informed that I had stage-4 colon cancer, with 2 masses the larger was causing 95% blockage. The cancer had also spread to my various areas of my liver that would make it unoperable. My surgeon felt surgery on my colon was an urgency and I was scheduled for 2/2. My appendix was also removed.
That went well and I was able to leave the hospital in 5 days, instead of the 10 he had recommended. I was determined to get back home and did everything they suggested and then some, even turning myself in bed the same night after surgery.
I have since had several ct-scans to check my liver and it seems to be holding.
On 2/27, I had a port implanted in my chest to prepare for the chemotheraphy that I will need to undergo for treatment of my liver. That again went exceedingly well. Other then the raised bump and 2 places where i was cut being visible I have had no problems or soreness. The doctor was careful to place it away from my bra-line but at the same time its not visible with the right shirts on.
Overall...I consider myself blessed to have had to deal with this devastating news and all the many procedures I have endured in this short period of time. Because last Tuesday, they buried my neighbor of 10yrs...a rare skin cancer that spread. Then tonight my best friend across the street called to tell me her brother-in-law died today from cancer
Now the battle is getting myself mentally prepared to begin chemo sometime next week.
I guess the most devastating part for me is the weight loss. I have now lost about 35lbs. In actuality I needed to lose that plus some. But, its just knowing the reason behind it. A year ago I would have been in love with my scale. Now it scares me to look at it when I am weighed or see myself unclothed. But, thats just being a woman I guess.
I still have so much to be thankful for.
And now I add this group to the list!!!!!!
I hate really talking about my fears with my children (24yr son & 19yr old daughter)because I see the fear in their eyes already. And my husband of 27 years, well while he is very compassionate and understanding, it hurts to talk to him, because it reduces him to tears.
We are new at this, but I know our love for each other but most of all our Faith, will get us through this.
Sorry I went on a little long, was waiting for my ambien to kick in and figured I would sit here and share a little.
Thanks for listening. I look forward to meeting more of you soon.
Be Well, Be Blessed!!!!!
Well, first of all - let me say - everything is going to be ok and work it's self out. My husband was diagnosed last August with Stage 4 colon cancer that has spread to his liver and lungs and that too is unoperable. He did have 18" of his colon removed and has done remarkably well. Next week will be his last Chemo treatment and then he gets a month off and then starts his maintenance chemo - which will be for the rest of his life. As you, I was terrified and scared and could not even imagine what my husband was feeling (after all he's the one that is sick) He decided that he was not letting Cancer take him down, we still have too many things to do together. You have to have a good attitude, the "i'm not letting this win attitude", I can beat this attitude. Treatments have come so far in such a small amount of time. Make sure you research everything, but do not pay attention to statistics, they are outdated and incorrect. Make sure you eat probably and get exercise it helps the chemo get out of your system faster so you can have more good days between treatments than bad days. Embrace your weight loss as a stepping stone, but don't try to lose weight until the doctor tells you too, eat to maintain your weight. As my husband says, it's terrible that I have to sit here and do nothing and eat everything I want, and watch all the sports I can...LOL! If you have questions, or fears do not hesitate to get on here and ask. If it wasn't for this website, I probably would have gone crazy. It was the people on here that helped me through the worse time of my life and I will be forever grateful for that. Thank you all!
Good Luck with everything you have to do. It's a long road, but you will make it. And always remember to Fight the Good Fight, cause it's worth fighting for!
Sandi0 -
Welcome aluckylady!msccolon said:welcome!
Looks like you have gotten a good welcome already, I just wanted to add something minor. I don't know if you noticed, but they do actually have a chat function here. If you click on the CSN Home link, you will see under Connect and Communicate a link to Chatrooms. I've only been once, but I know others go there and you can probably find SOMEBODY in there at any given time! They might not be colon cancer survivors, but cancer unites us all in some small way! Good luck as you move forward in this fight, you will do well!
mary
Your weight loss sounded alot like mine. I've battled my weight my entire life and then about 3 years ago they put me on hormones for early menopausal symptoms. Almost immediately I started dropping weight. Two jeans sizes every two weeks, wow. I went from a 14-16 to a 10 and felt great for the first time in my life. Had my yearly check up and even though my doctor was concerned at the weight loss, he agreed that the hormones could have amped up the metabolism and since it appeared to have calmed down, he was ok with it. A year later, during a general checkup, they find a smidgen of blood on the colorectal exam but because it was such a tiny amount they chalk it up to the exam itself. Fast forward another year and I am doubled over, gas pains are horrendous, can't pass it most of the time. See my internist who completes another colorectal screening test, and then walks me to the gastrointestinal doctor's office. A week later, the upper GI on Tuesday - nothing. The lower on Thursday and as I come out from the "goofy medicine" the words everyone dreads to hear. YOU HAVE CANCER and you will have surgery tomorrow. And I did. Stage IIb with no lymph node or surrounding tissue involvment. They estimate that the tumor had been present for about three years and was probably the cause of the weight loss. It has been a long and hard battle and I'm still fighting. Originally diagnosed on October 27, 2006 (Trick or Treat). Three re-sections, a temporary ileostomy and a reversal--I'm still here. I haven't got to meet NED (No evidence of disease) yet but I'm trying. Three PET scans since chemo completion, all three have lit up in the same two places, the ostomy site and the port site. Each time larger. Good news today though, the port site is actualy a small benign cyst that will be monitored closely and the ostomy site is a hernia that is trying to strangulate the colon. Another surgery in my future---geez.
Don't feel guilty about the weight loss or second guess yourself as to whether or not you should have pursued it further. I have to tell you, I was in my late 40's, looking good and feeling fine. For two years, I felt better about who I was and the way I looked than I had in a real long time. No, I don't regret it and you shouldn't either. Just keep your head up, take it one day at a time and tell yourself, that you are a fighter and you can get through it. It won't be easy and there will be days that you have a hard time dragging yourself out of bed. And its ok to give in every once in awhile, pull those covers back up and spend the day right there but the next day, force yourself back up and out the door. My thoughts are with you as you start your journey and just remember, you have a great support system on this board!0 -
Echoing what others have said - a sad welcome to this board
But this is a good place to be. I am currently an 18 month stage III colon cancer survivor. My cancer was found during a routine colonoscopy - thank goodness.
I wish you all the best on your journey. The people here are very supportive and knowledgeable.
Pam0 -
Again, I want to thank yourmcgraw said:Welcome aluckylady!
Your weight loss sounded alot like mine. I've battled my weight my entire life and then about 3 years ago they put me on hormones for early menopausal symptoms. Almost immediately I started dropping weight. Two jeans sizes every two weeks, wow. I went from a 14-16 to a 10 and felt great for the first time in my life. Had my yearly check up and even though my doctor was concerned at the weight loss, he agreed that the hormones could have amped up the metabolism and since it appeared to have calmed down, he was ok with it. A year later, during a general checkup, they find a smidgen of blood on the colorectal exam but because it was such a tiny amount they chalk it up to the exam itself. Fast forward another year and I am doubled over, gas pains are horrendous, can't pass it most of the time. See my internist who completes another colorectal screening test, and then walks me to the gastrointestinal doctor's office. A week later, the upper GI on Tuesday - nothing. The lower on Thursday and as I come out from the "goofy medicine" the words everyone dreads to hear. YOU HAVE CANCER and you will have surgery tomorrow. And I did. Stage IIb with no lymph node or surrounding tissue involvment. They estimate that the tumor had been present for about three years and was probably the cause of the weight loss. It has been a long and hard battle and I'm still fighting. Originally diagnosed on October 27, 2006 (Trick or Treat). Three re-sections, a temporary ileostomy and a reversal--I'm still here. I haven't got to meet NED (No evidence of disease) yet but I'm trying. Three PET scans since chemo completion, all three have lit up in the same two places, the ostomy site and the port site. Each time larger. Good news today though, the port site is actualy a small benign cyst that will be monitored closely and the ostomy site is a hernia that is trying to strangulate the colon. Another surgery in my future---geez.
Don't feel guilty about the weight loss or second guess yourself as to whether or not you should have pursued it further. I have to tell you, I was in my late 40's, looking good and feeling fine. For two years, I felt better about who I was and the way I looked than I had in a real long time. No, I don't regret it and you shouldn't either. Just keep your head up, take it one day at a time and tell yourself, that you are a fighter and you can get through it. It won't be easy and there will be days that you have a hard time dragging yourself out of bed. And its ok to give in every once in awhile, pull those covers back up and spend the day right there but the next day, force yourself back up and out the door. My thoughts are with you as you start your journey and just remember, you have a great support system on this board!
Again, I want to thank you all for the welcomes and sharing your stories with me.
Before now Cancer was something that happened to other people. I made donations, supported causes, etc. But, you all have put a real name and even faces to this disease for me, right beside my own.
It's been a very scary thing and so much information to learn and comprehend in such a short time. Sometimes my mind just can't process it all.
But, the reality hits when I look over at my nightstand and see all the prescription bottles. I have always been healthy. Rarely even had colds. So I find myself having to force myself and needing reminders from my family to take my medications. Right now I have Vicodin, Naprox, Flagyl,Levaquin,Zoloft. For those times when it seems to be too much to handle...Ativan.
The pity-parties I hold for myself seem to come at night. But, even those are coming less frequent now. Just the nights seem to get longer.
You all seem so knowledgeable and have such great attitudes. I have a lot to learn. Will be checking in often and keeping all of you in my prayers!!!!0 -
Welcomealuckylady said:Again, I want to thank you
Again, I want to thank you all for the welcomes and sharing your stories with me.
Before now Cancer was something that happened to other people. I made donations, supported causes, etc. But, you all have put a real name and even faces to this disease for me, right beside my own.
It's been a very scary thing and so much information to learn and comprehend in such a short time. Sometimes my mind just can't process it all.
But, the reality hits when I look over at my nightstand and see all the prescription bottles. I have always been healthy. Rarely even had colds. So I find myself having to force myself and needing reminders from my family to take my medications. Right now I have Vicodin, Naprox, Flagyl,Levaquin,Zoloft. For those times when it seems to be too much to handle...Ativan.
The pity-parties I hold for myself seem to come at night. But, even those are coming less frequent now. Just the nights seem to get longer.
You all seem so knowledgeable and have such great attitudes. I have a lot to learn. Will be checking in often and keeping all of you in my prayers!!!!
So glad that you were able to find this board. We are a great bunch of people with a lot of different stories and different ages. You are right it is a very scary place to be right now. I just finished with my chemo/radiation treatment and am healing for upcoming surgery.
I know what you mean about the medicine you are taking. I only have to walk into the pharmacy and they are pulling another prescription. I feel like I could be a drug store - just don't come to my drive up window because I'm too tired to open it LOL.
Actually things are getting so much better for me after this last round of treatment, but I have to get my strength up for the surgery, and then the next round of chemo.
Glad to have you here.
God Bless!
Kim0 -
Welcomealuckylady said:Again, I want to thank you
Again, I want to thank you all for the welcomes and sharing your stories with me.
Before now Cancer was something that happened to other people. I made donations, supported causes, etc. But, you all have put a real name and even faces to this disease for me, right beside my own.
It's been a very scary thing and so much information to learn and comprehend in such a short time. Sometimes my mind just can't process it all.
But, the reality hits when I look over at my nightstand and see all the prescription bottles. I have always been healthy. Rarely even had colds. So I find myself having to force myself and needing reminders from my family to take my medications. Right now I have Vicodin, Naprox, Flagyl,Levaquin,Zoloft. For those times when it seems to be too much to handle...Ativan.
The pity-parties I hold for myself seem to come at night. But, even those are coming less frequent now. Just the nights seem to get longer.
You all seem so knowledgeable and have such great attitudes. I have a lot to learn. Will be checking in often and keeping all of you in my prayers!!!!
So glad that you were able to find this board. We are a great bunch of people with a lot of different stories and different ages. You are right it is a very scary place to be right now. I just finished with my chemo/radiation treatment and am healing for upcoming surgery.
I know what you mean about the medicine you are taking. I only have to walk into the pharmacy and they are pulling another prescription. I feel like I could be a drug store - just don't come to my drive up window because I'm too tired to open it LOL.
Actually things are getting so much better for me after this last round of treatment, but I have to get my strength up for the surgery, and then the next round of chemo.
Glad to have you here.
God Bless!
Kim0 -
Oh My GoodnessAnnabelle41415 said:Welcome
So glad that you were able to find this board. We are a great bunch of people with a lot of different stories and different ages. You are right it is a very scary place to be right now. I just finished with my chemo/radiation treatment and am healing for upcoming surgery.
I know what you mean about the medicine you are taking. I only have to walk into the pharmacy and they are pulling another prescription. I feel like I could be a drug store - just don't come to my drive up window because I'm too tired to open it LOL.
Actually things are getting so much better for me after this last round of treatment, but I have to get my strength up for the surgery, and then the next round of chemo.
Glad to have you here.
God Bless!
Kim
How did I get two messages - I must have fast fingers tonight, or a corrupt mouse 0 -
Welcome LuckyLady!aluckylady said:Again, I want to thank you
Again, I want to thank you all for the welcomes and sharing your stories with me.
Before now Cancer was something that happened to other people. I made donations, supported causes, etc. But, you all have put a real name and even faces to this disease for me, right beside my own.
It's been a very scary thing and so much information to learn and comprehend in such a short time. Sometimes my mind just can't process it all.
But, the reality hits when I look over at my nightstand and see all the prescription bottles. I have always been healthy. Rarely even had colds. So I find myself having to force myself and needing reminders from my family to take my medications. Right now I have Vicodin, Naprox, Flagyl,Levaquin,Zoloft. For those times when it seems to be too much to handle...Ativan.
The pity-parties I hold for myself seem to come at night. But, even those are coming less frequent now. Just the nights seem to get longer.
You all seem so knowledgeable and have such great attitudes. I have a lot to learn. Will be checking in often and keeping all of you in my prayers!!!!
Hey LuckyLady... I don't think I posted a welcome when you found us... so welcome to the club! And what a club it is. We come from all walks of life, all ages, shapes and sizes but we all have this beast in common. It certainly would be nice not to have ever met the beast and, like you say, never really know cancer personally, but continued making our donations, benefits, contributing to events, etc. But that wasn't meant to be and not only here we are, but hey, we've all met in this one little corner of cyberspace... how weird is that??
The good news... you've found us, so you will not be going through this journey on your own, feeling isolated from everyone around you who loves you but can't possibly imagine what you are going through. The bad news... you are stuck with us for the whole journey . This is a fabulous place to come and celebrate the wins and share when you are feeling down or scared. Why? Because we've all been there... or will be there, so when someone says they know exactly what you are feeling... they really do. They've had the same problem and they know how they felt when they went through it.
Like you say, it been a very scary thing and so much information is thrown at you... which is very hard to absorb, when you are also fighting being downright terrified. Again... this is the place to come and ask questions because something you may have been told that didn't sink in, will come back when someone else here tells you the same information or gives you a different explanation which makes sense.
Pity-parties are totally normal!! Sometimes a girl (or a guy) just needs a good POOR ME period, as long as it doesn't last too long. If it lasts too long, then it can do damage to your well-being, not to mention rundown your will to fight. And fight we will! We can put up with a lot of stuff... but none of us should ever think the Beast deserves to have the upper hand. Them's fighting words!!
So do check in often, join in on the discussions and by all means ask questions no matter how big or small... someone is bound to have an answer
Huggggggs,
Cheryl0 -
FEELING DOWN?
Good morning....Nice to meet you. Are you still up? We know about the sleepless nights and maybe you should ask your doctor for some meds. for that.
I want to say "Welcome Aboard", but I wish it were under better circumstances. We just now are recovering from Colon Cancer...."The Monster". Our journey was one of the lucky ones, but tough none the less. My husband, Captain Hop, was DX'd Dec. 19, 2008...surgery Jan. 21 2009.
Can you tell us more about yourself and your situation? When were you DX'd?...What type...What does your doctor say?
You'll find the people in this group to be very, very supportive, caring and full of knowledge. I'm so sorry it seemed no one wAs awake or on line when you needed to talk....Now's your chance....let us hear from you...and what is your first name?
Hugs and Blessings,
Hop and Marygale0 -
A LITTLE LATE BUT MEAN WELLaluckylady said:Thanks for the welcome
Thanks for the welcome
Guess I should tell a little about my situation.
Last year before the holiday's I started losing my appetite. When I did eat, it was like a hand full of grapes or some fruit, just small amounts. But, it felt as though I had eaten enough for 10 grown men. Then I started having stomach pains. I went to one of those emergency clinics one day when the pain got so bad it took my breathe away. They did xrays and told me I had gas! Gave me some pills and sent me home. After a week of taking those and correctals to make things tolerable, I contacted my NEW family physician (our family physician that we had for 15 years sadly relocated last year).
This new lady was so welcoming and concerned when I told her what was going on and the fact I had now lost 20lbs in 2 months (I contributed it to caring for both my parents (alzheimers and dementia) and just being stressed. She did a stool culture and found blood, something I had not seen. Sent me directly from her office to get an xray at the imagining center to rule out a bleeding ulcer. The next morning she called me and had set up an appointment to go immediately to a gastroenterologist. I met with him and he scheduled me for a endoscopy the following week on 1/20. On 1/22 I had a cat-scan. Then on 1/27 I had a colonoscopy.
Coming out of sedation from the colonoscopy my husband and I were informed that I had stage-4 colon cancer, with 2 masses the larger was causing 95% blockage. The cancer had also spread to my various areas of my liver that would make it unoperable. My surgeon felt surgery on my colon was an urgency and I was scheduled for 2/2. My appendix was also removed.
That went well and I was able to leave the hospital in 5 days, instead of the 10 he had recommended. I was determined to get back home and did everything they suggested and then some, even turning myself in bed the same night after surgery.
I have since had several ct-scans to check my liver and it seems to be holding.
On 2/27, I had a port implanted in my chest to prepare for the chemotheraphy that I will need to undergo for treatment of my liver. That again went exceedingly well. Other then the raised bump and 2 places where i was cut being visible I have had no problems or soreness. The doctor was careful to place it away from my bra-line but at the same time its not visible with the right shirts on.
Overall...I consider myself blessed to have had to deal with this devastating news and all the many procedures I have endured in this short period of time. Because last Tuesday, they buried my neighbor of 10yrs...a rare skin cancer that spread. Then tonight my best friend across the street called to tell me her brother-in-law died today from cancer
Now the battle is getting myself mentally prepared to begin chemo sometime next week.
I guess the most devastating part for me is the weight loss. I have now lost about 35lbs. In actuality I needed to lose that plus some. But, its just knowing the reason behind it. A year ago I would have been in love with my scale. Now it scares me to look at it when I am weighed or see myself unclothed. But, thats just being a woman I guess.
I still have so much to be thankful for.
And now I add this group to the list!!!!!!
I hate really talking about my fears with my children (24yr son & 19yr old daughter)because I see the fear in their eyes already. And my husband of 27 years, well while he is very compassionate and understanding, it hurts to talk to him, because it reduces him to tears.
We are new at this, but I know our love for each other but most of all our Faith, will get us through this.
Sorry I went on a little long, was waiting for my ambien to kick in and figured I would sit here and share a little.
Thanks for listening. I look forward to meeting more of you soon.
Be Well, Be Blessed!!!!!
Oh my, now, I finally found your initial entry. Gosh, I feel so stupid. All the questions I asked you were already answered - I just didn't look far enough.
Anyway, It IS nice to meet you. Just FYI, I get up very early of a morning, and if you can't sleep and need to talk, just give a holler...namd is CAPTAIN HOP. I'm his wife, Marygale, and we are on the road to recovery now with just this week doctor saying NED....Wonderful news. We had 3 real miracles along our journey and so, soooo many people praying for us.
I love this group and everyone in it. Just haven't checked in for a while due to working, caring for hubby, and everything else.
May God Bless you on this unwelcome journey.
Marygale0
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