Recently diagnosed, surgery on Monday
Comments
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I'm positive about being positive!Julie 44 said:I am a newbie too
Hey Mike'
I am new at this too. I had surgery on 9/18 to remove a large mass from my colon stage 3. Had many lymph nodes removed also. Going to start chemo next week. So I know exactly how you feel...
The people here have helped me sooo much. Not only with advice but encouragement too..Do yourself a favor and keep reading and writing to people here. Try not to read to much anywhere else because it can really freak you out. Yes we are all different but the thing is here we all went through it one way or another anywhere else you are not sure about what the people write..
Good luck and the main thing to remember is to stay POSITIVE because I know for a fact that if you are not upbeat you will have a much harder time with recovery. My surgon can't believe how quickly I healed and he said it was do to my POSITIVE outlook.
Good luck and try not to let you head get the best of you..We are all pulling for you and remember you will get past this too....Hugs
Thanks for your encouragement. It means a lot and is comforting. What a great group. Sorry about what brought you here, though. You're right about the power of positive. What has bothered me is the medical establishment here, while as great as can be about care and skill, doesn't match that skill and care with communication. If it hadn't been for the Internet and Google, I'd not have found this site. Also, there just wasn't enough information available to answer all the questions I had. After all, how hard is it to list some web sites on a sheet of paper?
But, now that I have it, I feel more engaged and much of the fear of the unknown is gone. In addition, my brother in law is an MD, so he has been a great source for me. He can't practice anymore since he now has Parkinson's disease and I think this development has energized him. He's been heavily involved in Parkinson's research as well.
Thanks so much,
Mike0 -
Thankstootsie1 said:Good luck
Hi, Mike.
Just want to wish you the best on your surgery. Hope you end up with Stage 1 and a quick recovery. We'll be anxious to hear the results.
Gail
Thanks for your encouragement, Gail. Much appreciated. FTW, are you from Texas? I'm guessing based on the items on the wall in your photo.0 -
Thanks for the hugsKathiM said:Good luck, Mike!
Sorry this is so late...I was gone for awile.
I'm sending my best hugs.
Hugs, Kathi
Hey, don't use the word "gone" on this board, you'll freak people out! Thanks for the hugs. I'm getting so many virtual hugs that I might not need the "cancer cozy" my wife knitted for me.
Later, Mike0 -
Dear Tattooed ladymsccolon said:Tattoo
Mike, I got the colon star ribbon put on my right shoulder, with a butterfly for rebirth. A dear friend put the ribbon on her left shoulder (so we could stand shoulder to shoulder in this fight!), with the chinese characters for friend. My daughters both got the ribbon with some "fireworks" around it and my sisters got it with the chinese characters for little sister inside. Now I have 3 brothers to talk into getting the tattoo, and when she gets a wee bit older, a brand spanking new grand daughter! Good luck with yours and especially with your surgery tomorrow. I will be praying for you and your family.
mary
Don't tell me, you also ride a Harley? Have you ever visited a web site called The Colon Club? They produce a calendar each year, or rather, they call it a coloendar. They're well done. Not sure how many they sell, but all the models, male and female are posed, very nicely and modestly, not x-rated, but showing their operation scar. Several have had the star tattooed near their incision. Guess we've all had a wake-up call that lets us know what is important and what isn't. Thanks for your prayers. They will help.0 -
Dear Tattooed ladymsccolon said:Tattoo
Mike, I got the colon star ribbon put on my right shoulder, with a butterfly for rebirth. A dear friend put the ribbon on her left shoulder (so we could stand shoulder to shoulder in this fight!), with the chinese characters for friend. My daughters both got the ribbon with some "fireworks" around it and my sisters got it with the chinese characters for little sister inside. Now I have 3 brothers to talk into getting the tattoo, and when she gets a wee bit older, a brand spanking new grand daughter! Good luck with yours and especially with your surgery tomorrow. I will be praying for you and your family.
mary
Don't tell me, you also ride a Harley? Have you ever visited a web site called The Colon Club? They produce a calendar each year, or rather, they call it a coloendar. They're well done. Not sure how many they sell, but all the models, male and female are posed, very nicely and modestly, not x-rated, but showing their operation scar. Several have had the star tattooed near their incision. Guess we've all had a wake-up call that lets us know what is important and what isn't. Thanks for your prayers. They will help.0 -
Do I ride a Harley?trainer said:Dear Tattooed lady
Don't tell me, you also ride a Harley? Have you ever visited a web site called The Colon Club? They produce a calendar each year, or rather, they call it a coloendar. They're well done. Not sure how many they sell, but all the models, male and female are posed, very nicely and modestly, not x-rated, but showing their operation scar. Several have had the star tattooed near their incision. Guess we've all had a wake-up call that lets us know what is important and what isn't. Thanks for your prayers. They will help.
ROFL! If you knew me you'd know how funny that one is! In fact, I got the idea for the tattoo from the colondar a few years ago where everybody had the star ribbon air brushed on! I buy that colondar every year for my loved ones! 2009s is a great one again! I was going to get a tattoo of a winding vine around my abdominal scar, which extends from my just below my sternum to just above my pubic bone, but thank God I didn't since I had to go in for a second surgery that went into the same scar! Matching that up on closure would have been fun! I have begun a minor revolution in my church in that I've become a spring board for other women who always thought tattoos were for the underbelly of society! Just yesterday there were 2 women who had gotten small tattoos on their shoulders and they both were raised Baptist! Too funny!
Your wife's knitting will carry her through a lot! I knit and crochet constantly and I always have at least 2 projects going! I got one of my sisters going on the helmets for soldiers project and she is loving it! She hadn't knitted in years! I moved on to caps and prayer shawls from afghans because it's easier to find recipients for those!
Mary0 -
chew gum in the hospital
Hi Mike,
I love reading all the supportive comments above! This site really is a great support to so many people. Anyhow- others gave so much advice already, that all I'd like to add is something I recently read an article about. As you probably know, you don't get the green light to go home from the hospital until they know your digestive tract is working again. They want you to have passed gas and/or a bowel movement. I've recently read that chewing gum in gets your digestive tract going & a recent study showed that patients that chewed gum in the hospital went home, on average, a day to day and a half sooner than non gum chewers. Apparently, chewing the gum is like chewing food, which a signal to the body to start the digestive process down below. Just something to try- leaving a day sooner might not be bad after you've been there several days!!
Best wishes to you-
Lisa0 -
Gumlisa42 said:chew gum in the hospital
Hi Mike,
I love reading all the supportive comments above! This site really is a great support to so many people. Anyhow- others gave so much advice already, that all I'd like to add is something I recently read an article about. As you probably know, you don't get the green light to go home from the hospital until they know your digestive tract is working again. They want you to have passed gas and/or a bowel movement. I've recently read that chewing gum in gets your digestive tract going & a recent study showed that patients that chewed gum in the hospital went home, on average, a day to day and a half sooner than non gum chewers. Apparently, chewing the gum is like chewing food, which a signal to the body to start the digestive process down below. Just something to try- leaving a day sooner might not be bad after you've been there several days!!
Best wishes to you-
Lisa
Thanks for the reminder on chewing gum. I read about that on this web site and looked it up in the AARP Bulletin. It was a study in England that showed the positive results. I asked my surgeon's office about that and they agreed it was a good thing to do, but not until the day after the surgery.
Here we go!0 -
Tattsmsccolon said:Do I ride a Harley?
ROFL! If you knew me you'd know how funny that one is! In fact, I got the idea for the tattoo from the colondar a few years ago where everybody had the star ribbon air brushed on! I buy that colondar every year for my loved ones! 2009s is a great one again! I was going to get a tattoo of a winding vine around my abdominal scar, which extends from my just below my sternum to just above my pubic bone, but thank God I didn't since I had to go in for a second surgery that went into the same scar! Matching that up on closure would have been fun! I have begun a minor revolution in my church in that I've become a spring board for other women who always thought tattoos were for the underbelly of society! Just yesterday there were 2 women who had gotten small tattoos on their shoulders and they both were raised Baptist! Too funny!
Your wife's knitting will carry her through a lot! I knit and crochet constantly and I always have at least 2 projects going! I got one of my sisters going on the helmets for soldiers project and she is loving it! She hadn't knitted in years! I moved on to caps and prayer shawls from afghans because it's easier to find recipients for those!
Mary
I think the twisting vine is a great idea. It is interesting how body art is gaining popularity. However, if you had seen some of the scuzzy tat parlors I've seen in seaports around the world from my time in the Navy, it's downright scary. The characters in the Star Wars bar scene couldn't hold a candle to the people.
OK, well, I'm packed and it's time to go to the hospital. You all will hear from me or Mary in a few days. Thanks for all the prayers.0 -
surgery went well no sight of cancer
Recently I shared with you of my recent dx of cancer and the need for a colon resection. Surgery was yesterday and I'm in the hospital now recovering. It started off with the DaVinci, but the surgeon could find no cancer, so he had to go the long route of opening me up. He still couldn't find any cancer or tumors and he took out five inches a precaution from the site.
He says this means unless the lab finds something that the gastro got all the cancer out in the polyp removal on Sept. 9. So, needles to say, my family and friends are greatly relieved and so am I.
Than k you for your prayers. Prayer is powerful and really works. I'm anxious of course to get the lab results back as final confirmation. I realize there is no such thing as final confirmation, as it could reoccur. Nevertheless, I am a lifetime semicolon and will be a regular contributor to the site. I'm still under morphine so I hope this all make sense.
Mary, my wife, who is typing this for me may want to confirm it in her own words for you.
Mary speaking, it's amazing to me how much support Mike has gotten from your group. It's truly a lifeline. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for caring and sharing. I praise God for the cancer being gone. I believe it was a miracle from God.
In His Peace.
Mary0 -
I'm dancing!!!!trainer said:surgery went well no sight of cancer
Recently I shared with you of my recent dx of cancer and the need for a colon resection. Surgery was yesterday and I'm in the hospital now recovering. It started off with the DaVinci, but the surgeon could find no cancer, so he had to go the long route of opening me up. He still couldn't find any cancer or tumors and he took out five inches a precaution from the site.
He says this means unless the lab finds something that the gastro got all the cancer out in the polyp removal on Sept. 9. So, needles to say, my family and friends are greatly relieved and so am I.
Than k you for your prayers. Prayer is powerful and really works. I'm anxious of course to get the lab results back as final confirmation. I realize there is no such thing as final confirmation, as it could reoccur. Nevertheless, I am a lifetime semicolon and will be a regular contributor to the site. I'm still under morphine so I hope this all make sense.
Mary, my wife, who is typing this for me may want to confirm it in her own words for you.
Mary speaking, it's amazing to me how much support Mike has gotten from your group. It's truly a lifeline. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for caring and sharing. I praise God for the cancer being gone. I believe it was a miracle from God.
In His Peace.
Mary
That's why they say that colorectal cancer is truly a preventable cancer...the earlier it's caught, the better survival there is!!!
Congrats, Mike!!! And Hugs to you, Mary!!!
You will need to watch things, including a repeat colonoscopy in a year, but it sounds sooooo good!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!
BIG hugs, Kathi0 -
Outstanding news!trainer said:surgery went well no sight of cancer
Recently I shared with you of my recent dx of cancer and the need for a colon resection. Surgery was yesterday and I'm in the hospital now recovering. It started off with the DaVinci, but the surgeon could find no cancer, so he had to go the long route of opening me up. He still couldn't find any cancer or tumors and he took out five inches a precaution from the site.
He says this means unless the lab finds something that the gastro got all the cancer out in the polyp removal on Sept. 9. So, needles to say, my family and friends are greatly relieved and so am I.
Than k you for your prayers. Prayer is powerful and really works. I'm anxious of course to get the lab results back as final confirmation. I realize there is no such thing as final confirmation, as it could reoccur. Nevertheless, I am a lifetime semicolon and will be a regular contributor to the site. I'm still under morphine so I hope this all make sense.
Mary, my wife, who is typing this for me may want to confirm it in her own words for you.
Mary speaking, it's amazing to me how much support Mike has gotten from your group. It's truly a lifeline. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for caring and sharing. I praise God for the cancer being gone. I believe it was a miracle from God.
In His Peace.
Mary
That is such good news I know you two have to be relieved! Prayers of thanks going up to Him who holds us all in His hands! I pray Mike recovers quickly and is back to his normal routine soon! Mary, you have got to feel like a huge burden has been lifted from your shoulders!
Mary0 -
This comment has been removed by the Moderatortrainer said:surgery went well no sight of cancer
Recently I shared with you of my recent dx of cancer and the need for a colon resection. Surgery was yesterday and I'm in the hospital now recovering. It started off with the DaVinci, but the surgeon could find no cancer, so he had to go the long route of opening me up. He still couldn't find any cancer or tumors and he took out five inches a precaution from the site.
He says this means unless the lab finds something that the gastro got all the cancer out in the polyp removal on Sept. 9. So, needles to say, my family and friends are greatly relieved and so am I.
Than k you for your prayers. Prayer is powerful and really works. I'm anxious of course to get the lab results back as final confirmation. I realize there is no such thing as final confirmation, as it could reoccur. Nevertheless, I am a lifetime semicolon and will be a regular contributor to the site. I'm still under morphine so I hope this all make sense.
Mary, my wife, who is typing this for me may want to confirm it in her own words for you.
Mary speaking, it's amazing to me how much support Mike has gotten from your group. It's truly a lifeline. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for caring and sharing. I praise God for the cancer being gone. I believe it was a miracle from God.
In His Peace.
Mary0 -
Yipppppeeee!!trainer said:surgery went well no sight of cancer
Recently I shared with you of my recent dx of cancer and the need for a colon resection. Surgery was yesterday and I'm in the hospital now recovering. It started off with the DaVinci, but the surgeon could find no cancer, so he had to go the long route of opening me up. He still couldn't find any cancer or tumors and he took out five inches a precaution from the site.
He says this means unless the lab finds something that the gastro got all the cancer out in the polyp removal on Sept. 9. So, needles to say, my family and friends are greatly relieved and so am I.
Than k you for your prayers. Prayer is powerful and really works. I'm anxious of course to get the lab results back as final confirmation. I realize there is no such thing as final confirmation, as it could reoccur. Nevertheless, I am a lifetime semicolon and will be a regular contributor to the site. I'm still under morphine so I hope this all make sense.
Mary, my wife, who is typing this for me may want to confirm it in her own words for you.
Mary speaking, it's amazing to me how much support Mike has gotten from your group. It's truly a lifeline. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for caring and sharing. I praise God for the cancer being gone. I believe it was a miracle from God.
In His Peace.
Mary
Alright Mike!!! That is most excellent news!!! And you make perfectly good sense when you are drugged up , so maybe this stay in the hospital won't be so bad after all!!! .
But seriously, I am soooo happy to hear your news and ya, so you have to wait for all the official lab results, reports, etc. to know officially that everything is good.... I figure if the surgeon couldn't find anything while he was in there, then you are doing great... and will do even better in your recovery because you have so much to be happy for!!
And as much as I am thrilled that everything is great, I'm really happy that you are going to stick around and post with the rest of us. Your sense of humour is greatly appreciated... and your positive outlook!
Mary... I don't know if you have a separate internet account of your own or not, but we would LOVE to have you join us too. You are a caregiver and you have gone through the terror with Mike, so that makes you more than eligible to join our merry band of semi-colons and their full stops
Many, many good wishes to both of you... and thank you soooo much for checking in so early with us all!!
Huggggggs,
Cheryl0 -
Happy for Great news!trainer said:surgery went well no sight of cancer
Recently I shared with you of my recent dx of cancer and the need for a colon resection. Surgery was yesterday and I'm in the hospital now recovering. It started off with the DaVinci, but the surgeon could find no cancer, so he had to go the long route of opening me up. He still couldn't find any cancer or tumors and he took out five inches a precaution from the site.
He says this means unless the lab finds something that the gastro got all the cancer out in the polyp removal on Sept. 9. So, needles to say, my family and friends are greatly relieved and so am I.
Than k you for your prayers. Prayer is powerful and really works. I'm anxious of course to get the lab results back as final confirmation. I realize there is no such thing as final confirmation, as it could reoccur. Nevertheless, I am a lifetime semicolon and will be a regular contributor to the site. I'm still under morphine so I hope this all make sense.
Mary, my wife, who is typing this for me may want to confirm it in her own words for you.
Mary speaking, it's amazing to me how much support Mike has gotten from your group. It's truly a lifeline. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for caring and sharing. I praise God for the cancer being gone. I believe it was a miracle from God.
In His Peace.
Mary
Thanking God with you!0 -
Fabulous News, Mike!trainer said:surgery went well no sight of cancer
Recently I shared with you of my recent dx of cancer and the need for a colon resection. Surgery was yesterday and I'm in the hospital now recovering. It started off with the DaVinci, but the surgeon could find no cancer, so he had to go the long route of opening me up. He still couldn't find any cancer or tumors and he took out five inches a precaution from the site.
He says this means unless the lab finds something that the gastro got all the cancer out in the polyp removal on Sept. 9. So, needles to say, my family and friends are greatly relieved and so am I.
Than k you for your prayers. Prayer is powerful and really works. I'm anxious of course to get the lab results back as final confirmation. I realize there is no such thing as final confirmation, as it could reoccur. Nevertheless, I am a lifetime semicolon and will be a regular contributor to the site. I'm still under morphine so I hope this all make sense.
Mary, my wife, who is typing this for me may want to confirm it in her own words for you.
Mary speaking, it's amazing to me how much support Mike has gotten from your group. It's truly a lifeline. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for caring and sharing. I praise God for the cancer being gone. I believe it was a miracle from God.
In His Peace.
Mary
Hi Mike,
Your initial report sounds wonderful, and I pray that the pathologist confirms the surgeon's findings. I bet you are already up walking the halls and getting stronger each day. Let us know when you get the final lab findings.
Hugs,
Kay0 -
YAY!!!trainer said:surgery went well no sight of cancer
Recently I shared with you of my recent dx of cancer and the need for a colon resection. Surgery was yesterday and I'm in the hospital now recovering. It started off with the DaVinci, but the surgeon could find no cancer, so he had to go the long route of opening me up. He still couldn't find any cancer or tumors and he took out five inches a precaution from the site.
He says this means unless the lab finds something that the gastro got all the cancer out in the polyp removal on Sept. 9. So, needles to say, my family and friends are greatly relieved and so am I.
Than k you for your prayers. Prayer is powerful and really works. I'm anxious of course to get the lab results back as final confirmation. I realize there is no such thing as final confirmation, as it could reoccur. Nevertheless, I am a lifetime semicolon and will be a regular contributor to the site. I'm still under morphine so I hope this all make sense.
Mary, my wife, who is typing this for me may want to confirm it in her own words for you.
Mary speaking, it's amazing to me how much support Mike has gotten from your group. It's truly a lifeline. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for caring and sharing. I praise God for the cancer being gone. I believe it was a miracle from God.
In His Peace.
Mary
Beautiful news!!! Early catch, early cure! You are a testament for testing early and often. This news just tickled me pink! Bless both of you and don't be strangers here.
Hugs and Dancing,
Kirsten0 -
I am the luckiest man in the world!kmygil said:YAY!!!
Beautiful news!!! Early catch, early cure! You are a testament for testing early and often. This news just tickled me pink! Bless both of you and don't be strangers here.
Hugs and Dancing,
Kirsten
I haven't been active on this board lately, as I had a colon resection on Monday. Didn't realize how debilitating the big incision method was going to be. Have had some slowness in getting my system back on line. But the good news is, I'm going home in the morning. Been on clears for the past couple of days once my NG tube and bladder catheter were removed. I get a kick out of the nurses calling them "tubes" while I call them "hoses" which is a definitely more accuarte description. So glad they're out now.
Each day has been an almost 100 percent improvement from the day before. Let's have a big round of applause for morphine. Page management was essential and I soon learned to keep it active. Hard drugs scare me, but in this case, it was most welcome.
And since it took almost a week to get the reading back, but when it came in from the lab, it was glorious. I'm officially a 100% cancer free zone. It looks like either the gastro. got it all in the polyp or God performed a miracle as the surgeons couldn't find anything. Either way, I'll take it!
Neither am I so foolish to think I've gotten off scot-free. I was very fortunate and know that it can come back. Of course, I'll be vigilant from now on. I'm too sore to whoop and holler right now. And I don't think it has completely sunk in that within a 30 day period, I've been dxd with cancer and then to be given a NED report. Physically, it hurts like hell. I am 61 and a type 2 diabetic, which often results in a longer healing period, no matter what. I stubbed my big toe at Ft. Bragg and it took over a year to heal and get the new nail grown in. Do you realize those Army folk jump out of perfectly good airplanes for a living? They are awesome.
So, just wanted to drop a note here and pass on the good news to all of you. You all are great and I'd still be flying blind on this whole colon cancer deal without your sharing of your wisdom and experiences. Thanks.0 -
I'm smiling from ear to ear!!!trainer said:I am the luckiest man in the world!
I haven't been active on this board lately, as I had a colon resection on Monday. Didn't realize how debilitating the big incision method was going to be. Have had some slowness in getting my system back on line. But the good news is, I'm going home in the morning. Been on clears for the past couple of days once my NG tube and bladder catheter were removed. I get a kick out of the nurses calling them "tubes" while I call them "hoses" which is a definitely more accuarte description. So glad they're out now.
Each day has been an almost 100 percent improvement from the day before. Let's have a big round of applause for morphine. Page management was essential and I soon learned to keep it active. Hard drugs scare me, but in this case, it was most welcome.
And since it took almost a week to get the reading back, but when it came in from the lab, it was glorious. I'm officially a 100% cancer free zone. It looks like either the gastro. got it all in the polyp or God performed a miracle as the surgeons couldn't find anything. Either way, I'll take it!
Neither am I so foolish to think I've gotten off scot-free. I was very fortunate and know that it can come back. Of course, I'll be vigilant from now on. I'm too sore to whoop and holler right now. And I don't think it has completely sunk in that within a 30 day period, I've been dxd with cancer and then to be given a NED report. Physically, it hurts like hell. I am 61 and a type 2 diabetic, which often results in a longer healing period, no matter what. I stubbed my big toe at Ft. Bragg and it took over a year to heal and get the new nail grown in. Do you realize those Army folk jump out of perfectly good airplanes for a living? They are awesome.
So, just wanted to drop a note here and pass on the good news to all of you. You all are great and I'd still be flying blind on this whole colon cancer deal without your sharing of your wisdom and experiences. Thanks.
YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA!!!!!!
Naked happy dance!!!!!
I am soooooo happy....I've been holding my breath since Monday (and my blue face is none too pretty!!!lol!!).
Take it slow with your recovery. My surgery found the same...no cancer...but that was after pre-surgical chemo and radiation....
I've been cancer free ever since!!!!
BIG hugs,
Kathi0
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