stalking...lol

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Brenda Bricco
Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I have been stalking this site for a few weeks and reading all your posts. My husband, 54 was dignosed Feb. 1st 2011 with stage IV colorectal cancer (mets in liver). It was a whirl wind of doctors, oncologist, surgeons and second opinions at the Mayo Clinic. I totally understand not wanting to down play the seriosness of this but I am very disappointed with how we were told he was dying, there was nothing to do but chemo and sent on our way. No one seemed to be concerned with how we were going to emotionally deal with all of this. If it weren't for all of your stories and experiences I would have probably believed the local oncologists and just waited to lose my best friend. Instead I read your posts, pulled ourselves up by the boot straps and went to the University Hospital in Madison. Before I tell you how wonderful they are let me just say that I give all credit to my Heavenly Father for his mercy and strength, my faith has carried me in the darkest of moments. I do however want to say that it is amazing how different the care is from our small town docs to the aggressive cancer slayers they have in Madison. First of all they told us to put the 18 months out of our minds because everyone is different. We are scheduled to see the surgeon in 2 weeks and the onc exact words were "will we get you to 80? I don't know but we will get you a big chunk, more than you are thinking". He also said that we do have other options, one being a trial that is going on there. I just needed to hear something positive from someone and it came just in time. I do realize that docs are just humans doing the best they can but some are just better cheer leaders than others. I do believe that attitude and mind set makes all the difference in this fight and you guys may not realize it but the Dallas Cowboy Cheer Leaders don't have a thing on you! ;)

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  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    #2
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    Hey Brenda!
    Glad you posted! Everyone needs to hear what you just said. I too was told the same thing...about dying...and soon...that was almost 2 1/2 years ago..... So..so important to get other opinions.... Wishing you and the hubby well...take care

    Jennie
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #3
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    idlehunters said:

    Hey Brenda!
    Glad you posted! Everyone needs to hear what you just said. I too was told the same thing...about dying...and soon...that was almost 2 1/2 years ago..... So..so important to get other opinions.... Wishing you and the hubby well...take care

    Jennie

    Love that attitude of the new hospital!
    Hugs, welcome and god luck! We will be praying for you both from our little board!
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #4
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    lurking, not stalking :)
    Hi Brenda,

    Welcome to the board! I'm so glad you got the other opinions. It just angers me everytime I hear doctors like the first one that don't give any hope at all. I know the reality is that people do die from this, but we need doctors that give us hope and ignite the fire to fight this beast in us!
    I share your faith and am glad to hear how your faith has carried you- me too :)
    It's been 4 years now that I've had my stage IV diagnosis. Things are still kind of scary, but I am still here and fighting! I'm starting a cancer support group at my church and its first meeting date is this Monday evening. It took me four years into this fight to feel the desire to start such a group. I didn't feel the need for it before, but I really think it's a need, as there aren't many in my area at all & none that I know of that have a Christian focus.

    I am so glad there are options for your husband- keep the faith and keep up the fight!

    Hugs,
    Lisa
  • karguy
    karguy Member Posts: 1,020 Member
    #5
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    Hello
    I'm sorry you have to be here,but you can find alot of answers here.But you will find that everyone is different.I'm glad you found some good cancer doctors,that will make a big difference.Be sure to ask alot of questions,and write everything down.I was so overwhelmed,I could not remember anything.We are here if you have any questions,or just want to vent.Good luck,and I will keep you in my prayers.
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #6
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    Brenda
    Glad you all pulled up on those boot straps!! I was given 6 months at most, here one year and 6 months later, at this moment NED (No Evidence of Disease). Got my surgeries (ones I was told I'd never qualify for, that my liver was too full of tumors, and ones that were too big, well, they shrunk like crazy during chemo and some of them went away and they cut out the area where the remaining two were hanging around)and living my life to the fullest I can (starting back to college on the 29th, got my first semester done while on chemo, with a 3.545 GPA going into this one just on Avastin now)and enjoying every bit of it.
    So keep on pulling up those boot straps even if they manage to slip out of your grasp now and then again, just reach down and give them another yank up.
    We're here for you and your husband.
    Winter Marie

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