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My birthday too!

chynabear
chynabear CSN Member Posts: 481 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
On October 4, 2004 (five years ago today) I was celebrating my 27th birthday with a colonoscopy. I knew that having that colonoscopy was more important than one birthday. I knew I needed to sacrifice one birthday to find out what was wrong with me. And I did... I found out the next day that I had colon cancer. I hit the ground (quite literally) crying out that I couldn't have cancer... I had a baby to take care of (my daughter was 15 months old)... as if cancer cared. I found out a few days later, after my surger on 10/8 that it had spread to the immediate lymph node making me stage III.

I am so humbled that I have been allowed five more years. Five good years. My baby is now six years old and in first grade. I am closer than ever to my in-laws (who were great support during my cancer treatments). And I have not had any further cancer activity. I am, however, way over due for my CT scan and blood work and due for a colonoscopy. Of all ironies, I am meeting with a new oncologist tomorrow (five years to the day after being diagnosed) and suspect I will have all my next (and maybe final?) tests scheduled. I have been so afraid to think that I might have actually beat this thing. I am so terrified of these tests now that the five year mark has actually arrived. I am so emotional. I am worried that the final joke will be that these tests will show something this close to my 5 year mark. I know it's probably irrational, but sometimes I can't help but think it. Cancer is so ugly.

It's been quite an adventure!

Thanks for being here.

Patricia
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Comments

  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg CSN Member Posts: 731
    #2
    As you know, the odds are
    As you know, the odds are greatly in your favor now, so I will congratulate you in advance for passing your 5-year diagnostics. Many felicitations.

    --Greg
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  • robinvan
    robinvan CSN Member Posts: 1,012
    #3
    Happy Birthday
    Always fun to find a birthday twin! October 4th! Congratulations on your healing journey. 5 years is a big milestone. Here's hoping that all your scans are clear!

    Rob; in Van
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  • luv3jay
    luv3jay CSN Member Posts: 533 Member
    #4
    Happy belated birthday! And
    Happy belated birthday! And congratulations on seeing the 5 year CURE mark!! Way to go!

    -Sheri
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  • Fight for my love
    Fight for my love CSN Member Posts: 1,522 Member
    #5
    Happy birthday!Everything
    Happy birthday!Everything will be fine,five-year is a milestone!
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  • Shayenne
    Shayenne CSN Member Posts: 2,342
    #6
    Fight for my love said:

    Happy birthday!Everything
    Happy birthday!Everything will be fine,five-year is a milestone!

    WoW!
    Happy Birthday Patricia and many, many more! what a great story, and you know, I am sure everything will be just fine with you! I love hearing stories like yours, it always gives us all hope, and know that this beast can get it's **** kicked! I plan on trying to be more positive, since my hopes have been kind of dreary lately, I think I need to up my depression meds LOL...

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
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  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh CSN Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #7
    Happy B'Day Patricia :)
    Sorry I missed you earlier, Patricia

    A really nice and touching story!

    5 years is a good milestone - I recently passed mine but still fighting not clear, so yours is a really good victory and I hope to get there too.

    Belated Happy B'Day and nice to meet you BTW.

    Thanks for your post and thanks for sharing!

    - Craig
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