Just found out we have colon cancer

2

Comments

  • captainhop
    captainhop Member Posts: 156
    msccolon said:

    strength
    Marygale, i believe your husband will find out he has a stronger tolerance for pain than he thought. This beast has a way of bringing out our strengths and showing us just how much God has blessed us with. He WILL do well in surgery, you WILL be strong for him and you both will be on the other side looking back and being glad it is over and you are moving on to newer things!
    mary

    STRENGTH
    THANKS, MARY

    You are probably right -- bringing out the strength in both of us, and it's already brought us closer together.

    And, true, we HAVE been blessed, Soooo blessed. 4 healthy sons, 8 g.children....our love and the 50 years we've been married and on and on. During these initial shock and awe emotions, I guess I'd put our blessings on the back burner. Thanks for bringing them forth for me.

    We both admit this beast is on our minds 24 / 7, It's like...we're going to wake up and realize it's all been a bad dream.........But that won't happen. Reality check every so often.

    Thanks again. It's so good to have someone else to talk to and know I can vent if I have to. I'm still trying to get Hop on the computer w/ this forum, but I really think it's all to fresh in his mind right now......and he's not feeling real well today.

    May God bless you and yours with a
    Very Blessed CHRISTMAS AND A WONDERFUL
    NEW YEAR,

    Mary
  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch Member Posts: 1,375

    ANYTIME
    Thanks so much, Kristen. I so appreciate everyone's responses. They're already giving us strength.
    And, I do have so many questions, but don't know where to start. We've been told this is a really tough surgery, and that scares me somewhat. I pray for wisdom, knowledge, understanding, the ability to handle the "down" times with Hop...........the whole 9 yards. But mostly, I pray his pain won't be to awfully severe, as he doesn't handle pain well. Gotta tell ya, my heart is just breaking for my love of 50 years. He's 71, but a very young 71 with a sense of humor.........I hope that also will see us thru
    He's hurting this morning, near where the 2nd tumor is, and just doesn't feel good. Having been a care giver myself, I'm watching him closely, as well as giving what support I can, and above all, giving him my love.
    I can handle most anything, but I would gladly take his pain for him if I could.
    YES, I'M SCARED and I know he is too.........Again....I feel we must cross these unknown bridges when we get to them and not try to do so before hand
    Going in to take a shower and try to renew my thoughts for the day.
    THANKS AGAIN, KRISTEN.

    Marygale

    Pain Issues
    Marygale... I wasn't sure where to jump in here since everyone is doing a fine job of giving you great information. But, in this post you mentioned you mostly pray his pain won't be too awfully severe.

    Let me be the first to tell you that you and Hop should put all worries about pain into the background. Nowadays, no matter what options of treatment you/Hop will be given, pain management is always a given that it will be there. NO ONE should ever have to suffer pain, be it from a surgery, a side affect of a medication or just the way some of the meds may aggravate pre-existing conditions (in my case, arthritis in the knees). There are pain management teams that deal specifically with making sure the patient is not in pain. Pain is so detrimental to healing that you'll find the doctors put Pain Management as a top priority.

    The only people who will actually suffer in silence in pain are those that are not honest with their doctors and let them know, "Hey, I'm in pain!! The such and such med that is suppose to help with the pain is NOT working!" Not all meds work the same on all people, so it's up to the patient (or caregiver) to let the doctors know when something is not working or a new pain arises.

    So, rather than worry about future pain, instead make sure you know who/which doctor you can turn to to monitor pain management. Hop will end up with so many various doctors who do different specialties, so in your notebook of questions, question the oncologist, then the surgeon with "What are our options for pain management?"

    Hop will do fine. You will also do fine :) The worst part of a DX is the wait time between DX and when you have the discussion with the oncologist about what the plan is for treatment. Once treatment begins, be it surgery or chemo or ?? it will be a huge relief to get out of that waiting period :)

    Hugggggggs,

    Cheryl
  • captainhop
    captainhop Member Posts: 156

    Pain Issues
    Marygale... I wasn't sure where to jump in here since everyone is doing a fine job of giving you great information. But, in this post you mentioned you mostly pray his pain won't be too awfully severe.

    Let me be the first to tell you that you and Hop should put all worries about pain into the background. Nowadays, no matter what options of treatment you/Hop will be given, pain management is always a given that it will be there. NO ONE should ever have to suffer pain, be it from a surgery, a side affect of a medication or just the way some of the meds may aggravate pre-existing conditions (in my case, arthritis in the knees). There are pain management teams that deal specifically with making sure the patient is not in pain. Pain is so detrimental to healing that you'll find the doctors put Pain Management as a top priority.

    The only people who will actually suffer in silence in pain are those that are not honest with their doctors and let them know, "Hey, I'm in pain!! The such and such med that is suppose to help with the pain is NOT working!" Not all meds work the same on all people, so it's up to the patient (or caregiver) to let the doctors know when something is not working or a new pain arises.

    So, rather than worry about future pain, instead make sure you know who/which doctor you can turn to to monitor pain management. Hop will end up with so many various doctors who do different specialties, so in your notebook of questions, question the oncologist, then the surgeon with "What are our options for pain management?"

    Hop will do fine. You will also do fine :) The worst part of a DX is the wait time between DX and when you have the discussion with the oncologist about what the plan is for treatment. Once treatment begins, be it surgery or chemo or ?? it will be a huge relief to get out of that waiting period :)

    Hugggggggs,

    Cheryl

    PAIN ISSUES
    Thanks so much Cheryl....I've added some questions in my notebook because of your wise email. You've put my mind at ease some regarding Hop's pain management.

    And, Yes, this waiting is HELL....to put it bluntly....He feels like a prisoner in his own body, waiting to be sentenced -- HIS WORDS...and I can understand that..

    Thanks again
    Marygale
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member

    VICKI
    I'm so sorry you're also having to go thru this and my best to your spouse for the support he's giving you. I'm sure he has his moments alone when he cries for you (I do that for Hop--but try to be in another room)...Then sometimes, we cry together. Tears are cleansing and are a good source of relief and stress. I wish you the best of luck w/ surgery and Pray God will see you both through it w/ flying colors. Every one is telling me "ONE DAY AT A TIME", and that's what we must do......In fact, we're taking one hour at a time, trying to prepare ourselves for the surgery.

    I know your spouse, as well as myself, would gladly go through all this for you and Hop if we could.

    I pray for a rapid recovery and good outcome for you, my friend. Just HANG IN THERE. I'll remember you in my prayers, Vicki.

    If you haven't already.....just a suggestion .....we have a tremendous Prayer Chain going right now, from people we don't even know.....Churches in other states...2 forums I belong to as well as friends and family. There is so much power in Prayer...Now, we've found this group and everyone is wonderful.

    May God bless you thru this and be with your spouse as well.

    Thank you for the response.

    Marygale

    Aches and Pains
    There is no reason for a cancer patient to have any aches or pains at all... My rad/chemo dr says if you hurt tell me , I have a medicine that will make it go away no matter what it is I can find something to make it go away. We go through enough without having constant,chronic pains........Morphine after surgery for 2 days and then Lortabs were my friend then nothing now.....but if you need them get them...... thats what they are there for........God Bless ya
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917

    VICKI
    I'm so sorry you're also having to go thru this and my best to your spouse for the support he's giving you. I'm sure he has his moments alone when he cries for you (I do that for Hop--but try to be in another room)...Then sometimes, we cry together. Tears are cleansing and are a good source of relief and stress. I wish you the best of luck w/ surgery and Pray God will see you both through it w/ flying colors. Every one is telling me "ONE DAY AT A TIME", and that's what we must do......In fact, we're taking one hour at a time, trying to prepare ourselves for the surgery.

    I know your spouse, as well as myself, would gladly go through all this for you and Hop if we could.

    I pray for a rapid recovery and good outcome for you, my friend. Just HANG IN THERE. I'll remember you in my prayers, Vicki.

    If you haven't already.....just a suggestion .....we have a tremendous Prayer Chain going right now, from people we don't even know.....Churches in other states...2 forums I belong to as well as friends and family. There is so much power in Prayer...Now, we've found this group and everyone is wonderful.

    May God bless you thru this and be with your spouse as well.

    Thank you for the response.

    Marygale

    Thanks
    Marygale,

    I do have a strong prayer chain. Our neighbors and good friends are ministers and they have been a great comfort. They help and pray for **** as well. Our Faith is strong and we will get through this.

    Vicki
  • captainhop
    captainhop Member Posts: 156
    VickiCO said:

    Thanks
    Marygale,

    I do have a strong prayer chain. Our neighbors and good friends are ministers and they have been a great comfort. They help and pray for **** as well. Our Faith is strong and we will get through this.

    Vicki

    PRAYER CHAIN VICKI
    I'm so glad you have a prayer chain going. That is the route we're taking. With God, anything is possible, so I know HE will help us thru this. HE's already helping by sending you guys to us.

    MG
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member

    PRAYER CHAIN VICKI
    I'm so glad you have a prayer chain going. That is the route we're taking. With God, anything is possible, so I know HE will help us thru this. HE's already helping by sending you guys to us.

    MG

    very best to you
    Mary I am brand new to this forum and I feel that I have found friends within 24 hours. I have been fighting this tipsy/topsy cancer for four years now and I know one thing. People used to say this to me when I first started and it sortof bugged me but now after these years I know it's true......Don't Give Up////even when the docs get down or the odds are looking so bad just keep going....
    I have the most amazing spouse in the world and I don't know how he does it....hard job.

    So blessings to you and your spouse Mary....the first days are so fraught with thoughts and difficulties.

    All the very very best love, mags
  • captainhop
    captainhop Member Posts: 156
    VickiCO said:

    Sorry Mary
    I am a recent joiner as well, DX'd 10/22 currently doing chemo 5FU & radiation in prep for surgery. I cannot tell you how much this list means to me. I, too, have a wonderful, supportive spouse and I couldn't get through this without him. Hugs to you, because as I watch him and I know how hard it is to be on the other side.

    Vicki

    CARINGBRIDGE
    Mary, can you help me out here. I noticed you signed the Caringbride I set up for Hop...Thanks so much.

    The site shows we have 44 visits from family and friends, but I can't get to them to read them. Wanted to print them out for Hop. HOW THE HECK DO I GET TO THEM?????

    Marygale
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member

    CARINGBRIDGE
    Mary, can you help me out here. I noticed you signed the Caringbride I set up for Hop...Thanks so much.

    The site shows we have 44 visits from family and friends, but I can't get to them to read them. Wanted to print them out for Hop. HOW THE HECK DO I GET TO THEM?????

    Marygale

    CaringBridge
    Sorry, I was out of town and haven't been online! I saw in another post polarprincess gave you the information you needed regarding visits vs. comments. You see at the top of your page you have links such as photos, journal, guestbook, etc. If you click on the guestbook link you can read the entries. Journal will take you to the journal entries, photos will take you to the photos, etc. At the bottom of your page you can see the number of times your guestbook has been signed for that day, so you can see if there is a new post or not. The count of visitors is just that, the number of people who have viewed your page. It is fun to see those numbers go up, and posting a new journal entry or putting up a new photo will ensure visitors keep coming! Most visitors elect to be notified when something new is posted on your site, so when you put something new you will see new visits! And if you want more comments in your guestbook, say so in your next journal entry! Your visitors will be happy to oblige! Some people just come to read though and don't post; that's ok too!
    mary
  • captainhop
    captainhop Member Posts: 156
    msccolon said:

    CaringBridge
    Sorry, I was out of town and haven't been online! I saw in another post polarprincess gave you the information you needed regarding visits vs. comments. You see at the top of your page you have links such as photos, journal, guestbook, etc. If you click on the guestbook link you can read the entries. Journal will take you to the journal entries, photos will take you to the photos, etc. At the bottom of your page you can see the number of times your guestbook has been signed for that day, so you can see if there is a new post or not. The count of visitors is just that, the number of people who have viewed your page. It is fun to see those numbers go up, and posting a new journal entry or putting up a new photo will ensure visitors keep coming! Most visitors elect to be notified when something new is posted on your site, so when you put something new you will see new visits! And if you want more comments in your guestbook, say so in your next journal entry! Your visitors will be happy to oblige! Some people just come to read though and don't post; that's ok too!
    mary

    --- MARY ---
    Thanks Mary. I finally figured it out. Now, I must get a good pic. of my Hop, so you all can see my comedian hubby. A real John Wayne fan and our sons say his build reminds them of JW.

    The Caringbridge is really nice and will be so helpful when we're out of town...appointments, surgery, etc.

    I so enjoy reading visitor's entries....NOW......IF I CAN JUST GET HOP COMITTED TO READING MORE ON THE PC......

    Marygale
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917

    --- MARY ---
    Thanks Mary. I finally figured it out. Now, I must get a good pic. of my Hop, so you all can see my comedian hubby. A real John Wayne fan and our sons say his build reminds them of JW.

    The Caringbridge is really nice and will be so helpful when we're out of town...appointments, surgery, etc.

    I so enjoy reading visitor's entries....NOW......IF I CAN JUST GET HOP COMITTED TO READING MORE ON THE PC......

    Marygale

    Caring Bridge
    Marygale,

    I LOVE my caringbridge site. It is how I keep in touch with my huge and scattered family, as well as my many, many friends worldwide. They all hear the same thing at the same time, reducing those dreaded family rumors! LOL! I post nearly every day, and I did ask for return posts. My talkative group obliges! It keeps me going at 3am when I can't sleep.

    Tell Hop he will love it too... Vicki
  • captainhop
    captainhop Member Posts: 156
    VickiCO said:

    Caring Bridge
    Marygale,

    I LOVE my caringbridge site. It is how I keep in touch with my huge and scattered family, as well as my many, many friends worldwide. They all hear the same thing at the same time, reducing those dreaded family rumors! LOL! I post nearly every day, and I did ask for return posts. My talkative group obliges! It keeps me going at 3am when I can't sleep.

    Tell Hop he will love it too... Vicki

    CARING BRIDGE
    I already told him.....I guess it's going to have to be IN HIS OWN TIME...In the meantime, it's helping me to cope.

    Marygale
  • captainhop
    captainhop Member Posts: 156
    PRE-OP APPOINTMENT TODAY
    Lord, Have Mercy..........We were gone 7 hours today. Pre-op appointment.......Not much to report, as they just went over everything they're going to do during surgery that they know of...........Nurse "marked" Hop's tummy just in case..........We saw the anesthesiologist, did an EKG, cross matched and typed blood, and they took more blood....all that good stuff. We go back Monday for a stress test, then surgery Wed. Jan. 21.
    Very tiring day. Hop is getting more anxious all the time and dreading it more w/ each passing day. I'm having a hard time getting him to keep a positive attitude, so today I told him if he didn't get his attitude changed, I was going to kick him square in the butt and THEN, we'd have a talk. He just grinned.............That's my luv ! !

    I'm keeping our Caring Bridge journal updated if any of you want to read the updates in it.

    Thank you all for being here.
    Marygale
  • amcp
    amcp Member Posts: 251 Member

    PRE-OP APPOINTMENT TODAY
    Lord, Have Mercy..........We were gone 7 hours today. Pre-op appointment.......Not much to report, as they just went over everything they're going to do during surgery that they know of...........Nurse "marked" Hop's tummy just in case..........We saw the anesthesiologist, did an EKG, cross matched and typed blood, and they took more blood....all that good stuff. We go back Monday for a stress test, then surgery Wed. Jan. 21.
    Very tiring day. Hop is getting more anxious all the time and dreading it more w/ each passing day. I'm having a hard time getting him to keep a positive attitude, so today I told him if he didn't get his attitude changed, I was going to kick him square in the butt and THEN, we'd have a talk. He just grinned.............That's my luv ! !

    I'm keeping our Caring Bridge journal updated if any of you want to read the updates in it.

    Thank you all for being here.
    Marygale

    Pre Op appt
    Mary
    We are with you in prayer. My husband was dx in Aug 2006 and had surgery 9/06 and was given a permanent colostomy. His had metastized to the liver and has been on chemo for two years.
    We just got back from Vanderbilt where they told us they are going to do lung resection to remove a spot in his right lung which might be cancer and after 6 weeks of healing they can do the liver resection. After being told nothing but terrible prognosis ..we now have hope.
    The bag is not a problem for Frank or I. Joking when I tell him I am going to kick his ****..he ask which one! ha ha In Vandy they told him he had to quit smoking if he wanted any surgery, after 45 years of smoking he layed them down the night of the 14th and has not smoke one yet. Tell Hop to keep up his spirits, he can fight and win this battle. Prayers are going up from him and you from us and a lot of others. We know howing tired we were after multiple test this week. You are such a lovely couple and remember "all things are possible through Christ our Savior" We will keep you in our every prayer and keep is updated. We have two sons and they have been amazing.

    God be with you
    Anna
  • Pat in Texas
    Pat in Texas Member Posts: 2
    Buzzard said:

    Aches and Pains
    There is no reason for a cancer patient to have any aches or pains at all... My rad/chemo dr says if you hurt tell me , I have a medicine that will make it go away no matter what it is I can find something to make it go away. We go through enough without having constant,chronic pains........Morphine after surgery for 2 days and then Lortabs were my friend then nothing now.....but if you need them get them...... thats what they are there for........God Bless ya

    Anxious about pain during chemo treatment
    Hello,

    I am not sure what you have been going through but I just wanted to ask you about a few things. I have a port installed for the treatment and am due for my first one on Jan 26th. My main concern and (probably needless) worry is about how they will open up the port to put the medicine in. I have had a tough time with the discomfort from this port and all around the area is very sensitive to the touch. Can you shed some light on this for me?

    Thanks.
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917

    Anxious about pain during chemo treatment
    Hello,

    I am not sure what you have been going through but I just wanted to ask you about a few things. I have a port installed for the treatment and am due for my first one on Jan 26th. My main concern and (probably needless) worry is about how they will open up the port to put the medicine in. I have had a tough time with the discomfort from this port and all around the area is very sensitive to the touch. Can you shed some light on this for me?

    Thanks.

    To Pat
    They do not open the port to give you the chemo...the needle is inserted right into the port, through the skin. The chemo line (plastic tubing) is attached. It is secured to your chest, usually with a large adhesive 'window'. All you feel is a needle prick, and the good oncology nurses help you through the insertion so that you barely feel it.

    The sensitivity around the port will go away with time. If not, TELL YOUR DOCTOR and they can decide how to fix it for you.

    Hope this relieves your fears.

    Vicki
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    VickiCO said:

    To Pat
    They do not open the port to give you the chemo...the needle is inserted right into the port, through the skin. The chemo line (plastic tubing) is attached. It is secured to your chest, usually with a large adhesive 'window'. All you feel is a needle prick, and the good oncology nurses help you through the insertion so that you barely feel it.

    The sensitivity around the port will go away with time. If not, TELL YOUR DOCTOR and they can decide how to fix it for you.

    Hope this relieves your fears.

    Vicki

    I agree....
    about telling your doctor if the pain doesn't stop....

    My infusion nurse sprayed the area with a topical numbing spray before insertion, and as she was inserting the needle, I held my breath. It worked for both cancers' worth of infusions, and a TPN (feeding) in the hospital later on. 2 years after insertion, it was removed, and the insertion line is almost invisible.

    Hugs, Kathi
  • captainhop
    captainhop Member Posts: 156
    VICKICO
    Just wanted to wish you good luck with surgery. As we're going in Jan. 21, I'll try to give updates as I get them. I'll be staying at a Hotel during the 5-7 days Hop is in the hospital, but will only go there of a night after he's holding his own. I feel I must rest, take showers and revamp so I can take care of him when we come home.

    I'll be thiking of you, especially the week of your surgery. As I said, right now, we're in the "Anxiety Mode" and I'm having problems keeping Hop's attitude positive.

    Blessings,
    Marygale
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917

    VICKICO
    Just wanted to wish you good luck with surgery. As we're going in Jan. 21, I'll try to give updates as I get them. I'll be staying at a Hotel during the 5-7 days Hop is in the hospital, but will only go there of a night after he's holding his own. I feel I must rest, take showers and revamp so I can take care of him when we come home.

    I'll be thiking of you, especially the week of your surgery. As I said, right now, we're in the "Anxiety Mode" and I'm having problems keeping Hop's attitude positive.

    Blessings,
    Marygale

    Thanks Marygale
    I go in Feb 4. Luckily we live in an urban area and the hospital is only 45 minutes from our town...so DH can sleep at home. My bestest friend ever is coming in from Illinois to take care of me when I get out. We plan on lots of laughter. She even threatened me that if I don't behave and do all things I should, she will 'get perky' on me. Oh no....not a perky 57 year old! I can't take it! LOL!

    Good luck to you and Hop. We will be praying for him on the 21st.

    Vicki
  • MoonDragon
    MoonDragon Member Posts: 183

    VICKICO
    Just wanted to wish you good luck with surgery. As we're going in Jan. 21, I'll try to give updates as I get them. I'll be staying at a Hotel during the 5-7 days Hop is in the hospital, but will only go there of a night after he's holding his own. I feel I must rest, take showers and revamp so I can take care of him when we come home.

    I'll be thiking of you, especially the week of your surgery. As I said, right now, we're in the "Anxiety Mode" and I'm having problems keeping Hop's attitude positive.

    Blessings,
    Marygale

    Where are you located?
    Marygale, if you're in California in my area and would like to stay with us, you're more than welcome!

    Wishing Hop the absolute best and tell him to stick an "e" on the end of his name! Hop = Hope!!!

    Hugs!

    Jorie