Just found out I have cancer

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  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #62
    ScaredButFighting said:

    Update - May 2018

    I dont come here too often anymore, as I have been trying to live as normal life as possible.  However, I do want to update y'all.  I had 9 rounds of chemo (switched from FOLFIRI to FOLFOXIRI upon advice from surgeon), and now have my HIPEC next week.  I am excited, and also scared that they might find much more extensive (and unresectable) disease.  I have mostly been living my life as a "normal person," except for chemo days and a few days after.  It has almost been like denial or fiction - like I don't actually have stage IV cancer.  Well, here we are - no denying it anymore!

    This whole "journey"  is one hell of a ride.  Surprisingly, some of it is good.  What is truly important comes into focus, and I now ignore trivial stuff.  The joy of a nice spring day is that much sweeter, as is time with my family and true friends.  Don't get me wrong - cancer sucks, and I want to beat this thing.  Just saying, it's not all crap. Smile

     

    Thank you all again for your kind words over the past few months.  Onwards!

    Update

    Thank you so much for the update.  Sounds like you've had a plan in place and just moving forward with everything.  I'm not familiar what you have coming up but just wanted to let you know that you are wished the best outcome.  It's great that you are living life as much as possible - that's important to move on as much as you can and allow yourself to do what you want.  Thanks again for update and keep us posted on how the new procedure goes.

    Kim

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,280 Member
    #63
    I grew up watching things

    I grew up watching things like Star Trek, and I always admired that Spock would see some horrible fate coming at them, and he would always call it "fascinating". I felt some of that detachment when I was diagnosed, just not enough to crowd out all the fear. To cope I worked, read, stayed in the moment, and took a benzo{Xanax] when it felt overwhelming. Most don't want to advocate a drug, but I'd be disingenuous to not say it helped at times, a lot. I'm not religious so what was going to help me would come from what we know of the human condition. I read on Stoicism, mindfulness, and other philosophy, to gain perspective, but time and distance do help. It's also true that I don't take things for granted, especially the simple things, walks, sunsets, a beautiful spring day. I hope it all goes well Thursday, and you beat this stuff back, life is better when distilled down to the few things that really matter.............................................Dave

  • kim_dude
    kim_dude Member Posts: 7
    #64
    It's doable!

    I'm 20 months into treatment and still kicking with inoperable, incurable St 4 so there's no point in getting your head down, it can be done.  As my onc said on the first appointment, "I'm bringing 25% to the table, 75% is your attitude.  I can't fix someone who thinks there are going to die."  It's just a roller coaster you have to ride so make the best of out it that you can.  Can't do stuff you used to love to do?  Find new stuff that you can do.  I had to give up competetive sports but can still swing a golf club so that's what has become my little zen activity. As far as maintaining your mentla state that's gonna be bup to you to find what works.  Maybe it's using a forum like this, maybe it's having a cancer "coach" (someone you know who has been through it or is even going through it, even if it was a different cancer) that you can shoot the **** with and understands where you're at, maybe it's a little help from mother nature whether it's just being outside or enjoying some of her natural "mood enhancers".

  • ScaredButFighting
    ScaredButFighting Member Posts: 21
    #65
    Update

    surgery was complete success.  Surgeon optimistic.  Now just dealing with painful recovery.

  • Tunadog
    Tunadog Member Posts: 235 Member
    #66
    Best of luck during your recovery..

    Good news 

  • LearningAsIGo
    LearningAsIGo Member Posts: 27
    #67
    Trubrit said:

    Five years and counting....

    and counting high at that. I'd say at least 20. 

    I was diagnosed exactly five years ago this week.  Because of an almost complete blockage, I had my surgery within two weeks. Oh, it was a long two weeks. Filling my head with all of the horrors that a Cancer diagnosis brings. I'm going to die! I'm going to have chemo! I'm going to lose my hair! I'm going to die! Oh yeah, the 'I'm going to die' part came up over and over again, until I thought my head was going to explode (and I mean, I literally thought my head was going to explode). 

    Because of the blockage, there was no time to do any research into a surgeon. I live in rual Nevada; the big city (hospital and Oncologists) 600 miles round trip. So, off I went for surgery. Successful, yes. Thank you Mr. Surgeon. 

    Then it was back to the big city for many appointments. Oncologist - assigned to me by my PCP. Radiatoin Oncologist - assigned to me by my Oncologist. Another surgery to place a port - God bless that port. If you're offered one, GET IT. 

    Then there was chemo. Six months of it. Then there was Radiationa and 24/7 chemo. Six weeks of it. Then there was CT scans. Then there was Liver met. Then there was surgery. Then there was THREE YEARS SEVEN MONTHS NED - No Evidence of Disease - Those beautiful words. 

    Now I wait for my next Oncology visit on the 27th, and expect to hear those beautiful words 'you have no evidence of disease', again. 

    So yeah. Rough journey ahead. Whats that road sign 'BUMPY ROAD AHEAD'  

    Those first few weeks though, my oh my, they are tough. All the dark thoughts flooding in. Terrible time! But, as soon as you get started on scans, surgery, treatment, you start to feel more in control - for the most part - Doing something about it, ireally helps put it into perspective. 

    Being here on the forum, meeting these wonderful people, some are in the fight, some are surviving, some have loved ones fighting, and some loved ones pop back in now and again to share their thougts. You have it all, right here.  You will find someone at each point of the journey who can relate, and help you though. 

    Take the time to feel the pain, the shock of this diagnosis. You life is about to change, but your life is definitely NOT over. Stats are old. Out of date. We have come a long way these past ten years. Many, many Stage IV survivors, and I am one of them. 

    Chin up. Onward and upward, new friend. You will do well. 

    image

    Tru

    I needed to come here and

    I needed to come here and read this today. Thank you Tru for your post, I’m so appreciative already for this group, with my new diagnosis of Stage IV with mets to omentum. One day at a time, and I’m latching on to positive outlooks as much as possible! So many unknowns, but I have to believe this is going to be okay. Thanks again -B.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #68
    Surgery

    Glad it was a success.  Hope you have a speedy and fast recovery.  If you need additional questions or suggestions for recovery please let us know.

    Kim

  • Sammy2067
    Sammy2067 Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2018 #69
    Looking forward to an update!

    Looking forward to an update!  Hope all is well

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