-
Julie - thinking of you !
I just wanted to post a message to "littlejulie" to let her know that I will be thinking of her family this upcoming week for her mom's surgery. (Julie - I will try and give you a call to make sure you are doing ok !!) Your family will be in my prayers and I am sure the prayers of many other people on this website. I think…
-
Beach Bum
Hi semi-colon gang, Just wanting to say that I will be even more incommunicado for the next couple weeks than I have for the past month. We are leaving for a much needed vacation to the beach....a wonderful little island in South Carolina with a ton of my relatives. Sponger would love this crowd as they drink Bloody Marys…
-
Stage III Question
Here's my story: It has already been over four month since we discovered that my dad has colon cancer. He was operated on March 24, 2004. They removed the tumor, but after the pathology test, the doctors were able to tell us, that the cancer spread to his lymph nodes. I was devastated when my mom and I got the results.…
-
Hope
Hi, I'm Elizabeth, 52 years old. A year ago I was diagnosed with colon cancer stage 4. Long story short: Sigmoid out, colostomy in, mets to both lobes of the liver, to the lymphs and lower pelvis. We were left with chemo as the only treatment option due to adhesions in the abdomen from rads I had for childhood cancer (that…
-
Stage IV Colon Cancer
Hello. This is my first time doing something like this and I'm not really sre how to go about it but here goes. My father, age 59, has just been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. The pathology report has not come back yet but the surgeon (who I am no longer impressed with) says in his opinion it is stage IV. No proof…
-
No health insurance!
If there is anyone who can help me I would really appreciate it very, very much! My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer last August. He's had his surgery last December, after having radiation and chemo, and is getting chemo now. He is very depressed, mainly because we owe so much, well over $100,000 for all the bills…
-
Happy 4th of July to all
I am hoping that all of you and yours can (and do) have a wonderful holiday weekend. After spending father's day in the hospital, Matthew's back in (as many of you know) so he and I will be there on the 4th. They reversed his ileostomy today (16 days after making it!) so we're keeping our fingers crossed. Happy holiday to…
-
help me understand...
I've read many postings that people were first treated as stage 3 but in surgery they find out they are stage 4. I don't get this! Why are there so many tests first to find out if it's anywhere else? My mother has ct scans, xrays, liver scans...the works. Wouldn't those tests pick up cancer anywhere else prior to surgery?…
-
Grandma 047(Judy)-update
Hi guys--The latest news from Stacey(Judy's daughter) is that Judy is still having problems.Judy was running a fever and they had her packed in ice to bring her temp. down.The infection is still a problem and Judy was given an abdominal scan.She had trouble keeping the "contrast" down so the tried to give it to her via a…
-
It's been a year since my surgery
It has been one year since I had surgery to remove my stage 3 rectal tumor. {2 out of 12 nodes positive.} I have had a terrible year and was just discharged from the hospital last Friday after a small bowel obstruction because of adhesions that I have from the radiation. Thas was the SIXTH time that I was hospitalized in…
-
Update on Bob
Hello everyone!! Bob started his new chemo this past Wed. and it has been a rough few days for him. He was off chemo for about 7 weeks. He was hoping that this type would be easier on him but it didn't happen. He went to the Dr.today for his bloodwork and the test showed that it hit his bone marrow very hard. So they gave…
-
CLEAR SCAN
JUST WANTED TO SHARE SOME GOOD NEWS WITH YOU ALL. MY FRIEND WAS DIAGNOSED STAGE IV EARLIER THIS YEAR. SHE HAD HER FIRST SCAN SINCE STARTING CHEMO AND IT WAS ALL CLEAR. BY NO MEANS IS SHE OUT OF THE WOODS BUT WE SHOULD CELEBRATE GOOD NEWS WHEN WE CAN. I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING ALL YOUR POSTS AND HAVE LEARNED THAT YOU SHOULD…
-
Matthew - again!
just wanted to let you all know what's been going on since you've been so supportive and fantastic. Matthew was actually readmitted to the hospital today - docs were shocked how poorly he is doing and he had to go in - really dehydrated (we had a horrendous night last night) - grade 2 sores in a 34-year old - beyond…
-
follow up from Ioana re Matthew
how much weight did you/your loved ones lose from surgery? Matthew is down almost 25 pounds in the last two weeks and it is really freaking me out (no, he was not at all fat to begin with). we're seeing the surgeon tomorrow but I was curious about your experiences.
-
need a pep talk
I often read the site but don't often post. my husband, Matthew, is 34 and had rectal cancer. he has a total mesorectal excision surgery on june 16. surgery itself went well but first couple of days afterwards were hell under they figured out that he was in massive, uncontrollable pain b/c his abdominal muscles were too…
-
clean out time, Yuck!
Hi everyone, Thank You for all your support and answers to my questions about surgery. I have decided to have faith in my surgeon and let him do his job. My goal is to be cancer free and home as soon as possible. Tomorrow, Sunday, I begin the clean out. I almost think that the anticipation of drinking nasty stuff and…
-
Returning to work jitters
Hello everyone. In the next few months I will be returning to work after being off 3 years. I have worked 25 years as a nurse in long term care. I loved my job except over the years nursing has been more demading for me. I felt that it was begining to take a toll on my health. I have had only 2 jobs in my life,camp…
-
Instestional strictricture Broke
Hi everyone I was a little down in the dumps. I went for a coloscopy with dialation on May 25 th and my instestine broke. I knew this was a risk because I was getting dialation every 6 months I now have a temporary colostomy until September when the doctor will reverse it. I would like to know if anyone has the feeling of…
-
Phase I II III trials/surgery
I am getting conflicting information about whether patients in my situation are candidates for surgery of bilateral lung mets-(rectal cancer). I am down to 5 mets out of an original 20+, and trying to decide whether to go back on chemo in the fall, or opt for surgery and/or a phase 1-2 or 3 trial. Is there anyone out there…
-
Thanks guys so much for the Prep Talk!
Thank you all. You are just about the best folk I've ever had the pleasure of meeting and I wish to dear God that we all could have met under better circumstances. But then again, the Lord works in mysterious ways and I consider each and every one of you my extended family that I care about very, very deeply. I am better…
-
Fear is getting the best of me
Hello All, I'm mostly a lurker on this board; however, I have posted a few times regarding my husband Jonathan. He was diagnosed with rectal cancer in January. According to PET scans, prior to surgery, a large tumor was found in his rectum, lymph nodes, and a 9 mm liver lesion. He went through chemo prior to surgery (5…
-
Time For a Prep Talk!!!!
I really felt the need to post today because I am just down...no real reason, just down. While most of my posts have been good news, and I am so very grateful, I have been anxious and yes, so worried about Bert's CEA. 9.0 is just not a number that I can easily dismiss nor can the oncologist. He too is baffeled and…
-
2 weeks today
hi, two weeks today my mother will be having surgery for stage 3 rectal cancer. i still can't believe it. i wake up at night sweating thinking my mother has cancer! im really really scared. i just want someone to tell me she's going to live.
-
Dad and FOLFOX = Very Rough Time
With only three treatments left to go, my Dad is thinking of stopping his treatment - it is beating him down. He has no appetite. He stays nauseated, and complains of a metallic taste in his mouth. He has no energy, and is constantly fatigued. His white blood cell count is down, and he's having to take a shot everyday to…
-
When can I donate blood?
Discovery of my colon cancer was partially due to the people at a bloodmobile because they said my blood counts were too low and I should tell my doctor. Their advice led me to get a colonoscopy and the discovery of cancer. As a way of saying thanks, I want to be able to donate blood again. The bloodmobile in Central…
-
Age 29, metasticized to Lungs from Stage III Colon
Hi, My friend was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in Feb 2002. Had surgery and chemo which ended Oct 2002. Today he was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer to the lungs. He's going to be going through chemo again to try and shrink the tumors and provide the best "quality of life" possible. He's onlly 29 years old…
-
Grandma 047(Judy)-update
My email today from Stacey(Judy's daughter) Judy went back into theatre for surgery to remove the infection causing so much trouble.They did so and hope they have got all the infection.They have flushed her with antibiotics and she is now recovering.She still has some bleeding coming out of the drain they put in but they…
-
Ireland Cancer Center-Ohio
Is there anyone out there who has any experience with this center in Cleveland? I've heard they are cutting edge for treatment, and would like to hear from anyone who has experience or knowledge.. Bud
-
Brother Facing 3rd Surgery
Hi everybody and thank you for you wonderful words and caring thoughts. My brother, Dave, had his 1st surgery 4/22; the 2nd on 5/27 (Stage IV with mets to the liver & peritoneal cavity). Since the beginning he has experienced intense abdominal pain and is now facing another surgery. Today a barium (through n/g) x-ray was…
-
FOLFOX4 regimen for Stage 3, T 2
Should FOLFOX4 regimen be used for treatment of stage 3, T 2 colon cancer after resection with one affected lymph node?