walking, hi i am new to site

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  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
    #22
    Hi Cladia,
    Welcome to the club! Your daughter is beautiful, and a wonderful motivator. Good luck with your continued treatment. A hint for the surgery: I had an epidural during and for 3 days after the surgery, and it made a tremendous difference both in comfort and recovery time. Keep us posted; this is a great place for support, qustions, tips, etc. Judy
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #23
    ccartwri said:

    tara and jana: i am interested in getting more input from you regarding the ostomy as i am finding myself quite scared about it. the bigger fear though is having cancer left in or spreading. jana, i have the same scheduling as you. i will have a 4-8 wk waiting period between chemoradiation and surgery as the surgeon sees fit. that is, he/she may think the tumor could use more time to shrink.
    what is cpt11?

    Hi. You asked for more information on colostomy. Sorry it has taken me so long to reply -- I missed that message, as it slipped to "page two"! If you haven't already discovered it, there is a great website run by the United Ostomy Association -- uoa.org (check out the General Discussion section). As you will see, the assocation is about to dissolve! but the discussion board will carry on. Like this board, there is a lot of practical information as well as emotional support.

    The prospect of having as ostomy was awful but, like you say, the most important thing is to get rid of the cancer. As I mentioned in my earlier posting, I have found the colostomy really isn't that big of a deal -- after the initial adjustment. Before your surgery, they should arrange for you to meet with an ET (stoma nurse). She or he will determine the best possible site in case you do have an ostomy. This is important. If you do get an ostomy, you will wear a pouch. The ET will show you different systems and products. It is worthwhile getting samples and trying out different ones till you find what works best for you. It seems in the States many people use what is called a 2-piece system but I ended up using a 1-piece system (I can explain further, if you wish)

    In my case, I am able to do something called irrigation -- I do this every morning, then I don't have to wear a pouch (I don't have any output between mornings) -- only a very small cover. Apparently some people cannot do irrigation if they have had radiation, but no-one told me that!

    I am physically active, and I can do everything now that I could do before: swim, hike, etc etc. (Both when wearing a traditional pouch and also when irrigating)

    Physical intimacy can be an issue after an ostomy, but only if you let it! Requires some open discussions with your partner and (in my case) some creativity in the lingerie department!

    I hope I haven't given you too much information. Please feel free to write me with any questions you have. I am always happy to discuss.

    All the best,
    Tara
  • ccartwri
    ccartwri Member Posts: 82
    #24
    kerry said:

    Hi Claudia,

    Welcome to an awesome site. We will try to help you through treatment and recovery as best we can. We have lots of experience here and lots of advice.

    Congratulations on the birth of you daughter.

    I am also on Xeloda and have been for 7 months. My doctor has given me a 2 week "rest" period from taking it to let my feet heal. My only side effects are my feet and toenails. Otherwise, I have tolerated this drug very well.

    Take care and let us know how you are doing. Walk as much as you can - Barb's advice is good - walking will help the healing process.

    Take care.

    Kerry

    Kerry
    what happened to your feet and nails?
    7 months? is this post surgery?
  • ccartwri
    ccartwri Member Posts: 82
    #25
    MoonDragon said:

    Hi Claudia!! Welcome to the group! I just wanted you to know I was 33 when diagnosed and I'm 39 now. Keep hanging in there!! Congrats on your baby!! She's reason enough to fight with all you've got!
    hugs!
    MoonDragon

    you were 33. close to my age. i am sure you get tired of answering the same questions in this discussions...but...what was your diagnosis? and how are you doing now?
  • rejoyous
    rejoyous Member Posts: 259
    #26
    Hi Claudia,

    Welcome! And congratulations on the birth of your little girl.

    I am another of the walking advocates. I walked as soon as I could post surgery, up and down the halls of the hospital for two hours a day, and then all through my six months of chemo, starting right after they unhooked me at the hospital, when I was getting the infusuion through the fanny pack. Walking is a natural anti-depressant, it's good for the colon, and I think it also made me feel like I was actively doing something for my health. But of course sometimes you just can't do it. Our bodies are under a great deal of stress...

    The single thing that helped me most through this last year, after my diagnosis, is to keep being grateful for and appreciative of the good things in life. As overwhelming as mothering on top of a cancer diagnosis is, I am certain that your new baby will help you with this. My kids were a beacon of light. Good luck and keep letting us know how it's all going.

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