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Happy NY Everyone!!!! Happy almost birthday to me!!!! Happy almost 10 yrs since stage 3 diagnosis!!
Moesimo
CSN Member Posts: 1,072 Member
Hi everyone,
I used to be a regular on this site which helped me SO MUCH almost 10 years ago.
On Sunday I will be celebrating my 56 birthday. WOOOHOOOO I love birthdays!!!!!
On 3/17/2003 I was told by a GI doc after a scope, "I have bad news, you have a mass." I was 46 years old. My kids were 14, 17 and 21. Life will never be the same. I had stage 3 rectal cancer. I had surgery, chemo and radiation. I had a temp ileostomy that was reversed. I then spent the next 18 mos. in the bathroom or looking for one. I opted for a colostomy and havent looked back. I have had 13 hospital admissions. I work full time as a nurse. My 2 older kids are married now. I have a 2 yo grand daughter and another one on the way due in June. My husband has been my rock through all of this.
I am sharing my story again to give hope to all of you. When I was first diagnosed I wanted to hear from long term survivors.
When my husband was wishing me a Happy New Year the other day, he said we had a really good year. Our grand daughter just turned 2. She has changed so much in the last year. She will be a big sister soon. My oldest son was married in June to his college sweatheart. He is 28 and recently bought a house. He was only 17 and in high school when I was diagnosed.
Yes we did have a good year. I had no hospital admissions. Yeah. I have issues with adhesions and have had way too many bowel obstructions. Two years ago I spent my birthday in the hospital and was out of work for over 3 weeks.
Hang in there. It does get better.
Maureen
Comments
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G'day Maureen
Lovely to see you. Apart from the day to day adjustments we all have I am glad you have been able to resume life as normally as possible and been able to see all of those precious family moments. I continue to struggle thru life but basically remain upright and breathing.... Hugs Ron. -
Absolutely!
You are right. We need to hear from long term survivors and I for one am grateful for your post.
I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer in November, so I am at the beginning of my journey. You can be sure I will be remembering this post as I travel along the road to recovery.
Happy Birthday for Sunday. May you enjoy many, many more.
God bless! -
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