New Member Stage IIIC
AZgirl
Member Posts: 2
Hi everyone,
I am a new member to this board. Actually I have ben reading this board for several months, but just tonight decided to post a message. Thanks to everyone for their amazing stories. It has helped me to read about the journey that each of you has endured. What an amazing group of survivors!!
Here is my story....I was admitted to the hospital last November for appendicitis. The CT showed a mild case of appendicitis with no other abnormalities. The Dr. removed my appendix laprascopically and I was released from the hospital 24 hours later. I had some mild stomache problems over the next few months. Saw my OB/GYN and she ordered a pelvic ultrasound, although she told me she didn't think anything was wrong and diagnosed me with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and sent me on my way. On May 2, 2009 I went to the hosital with severe abdominal pain and vomitting. This time the CT scan showed some sort of abnormality and the surgeon indicated that he was going to go in to do surgery and determine what was going on. After my surgery/colectomy the surgeon informed my family that he removed a baseball sized tumor and 14 inches of my colon. He was able to resect the colon and I do not have a colostomy. He also informed my family that everything looked fine, it didn't "look like cancer" but he treated it as such just in case. He did indicate at the time that there was a piece of tissue that he had to leave because of where it was located (more to come on this). May 6, 2009 is when we got the news....the tumor was cancerous and 6 of the 15 lymph nodes were positive. The tumor had broke throught he wall of the cecum. I was finally released from the hospital on May 15 after several complications, fluid, kidney problems etc
I had a PET scan at the end of May and there were 3 spots that lit up. The Dr's indicated at the time that they were minor and possible sites of inflammation or infection. There was 1 spot on the right side near where the tumor was located that was worrisome, but they would watch it. Right before I was to start chemo I was admitted to the hospital for a blood clot in my intestine. I am now on coumadin, but the Dr's indicate that my body will eventually absorb the clot. I began coumadin in June (don't even remember the date) and as of 2 weeks ago I completed 9 of my 12 rounds. The first 6 sessions included Oxiliplatin, but they discontinued that after the 6th treatment due to problems with neuropathy. The docs have been doing PET scans every 6 weeks to watch this "spot" that remained on the PET. The most recent scan on October 20th showed the spot has increased in size. Needless to say the Dr's and surgeon are very concerned.
So, after all of this they are sending me back in for surgery on Wed the 4th. The surgeon advised me that he will be removing the spot, however there is the potential that he will have to remove my ureter as well because of the location, this was why he was unable to remove it the first time. If it does affect the ureter it will leave me with a permanent nephrostomy. He said he will also likely do another colon resection and it looks like my right ovary is involved so he will remove that as well. He also siad that I need to be "realistic" when I asked him what that meant he said that he could get the tumor, but that this cancer was "agressive" since it had grown while I was on chemo. I was devastated!! I have remained pretty upbeat and strong through all of this, but this recent set back has really devastated me and my family.
I am so sorry for the long story, I just felt like I needed to put it all out there
Has anyone else had to have multiple colectomy surgeries? What about a nephrostomy? I am so scared. I am a single mom with a beautiful 15 year old daughter and the thought of not being here for her is awful.
Thanks for listening and any advice is appreciated!! Lots of love and prayers to everyone on here!
Tara
35 years old
Stage IIIC
T4,N2,M0
05/03/09 colectomy
06/09 blood clot intestine
07/09 small bowel obstruction
10/12/09 completed 9 chemo sessions 6 with Oxiliplatin
I am a new member to this board. Actually I have ben reading this board for several months, but just tonight decided to post a message. Thanks to everyone for their amazing stories. It has helped me to read about the journey that each of you has endured. What an amazing group of survivors!!
Here is my story....I was admitted to the hospital last November for appendicitis. The CT showed a mild case of appendicitis with no other abnormalities. The Dr. removed my appendix laprascopically and I was released from the hospital 24 hours later. I had some mild stomache problems over the next few months. Saw my OB/GYN and she ordered a pelvic ultrasound, although she told me she didn't think anything was wrong and diagnosed me with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and sent me on my way. On May 2, 2009 I went to the hosital with severe abdominal pain and vomitting. This time the CT scan showed some sort of abnormality and the surgeon indicated that he was going to go in to do surgery and determine what was going on. After my surgery/colectomy the surgeon informed my family that he removed a baseball sized tumor and 14 inches of my colon. He was able to resect the colon and I do not have a colostomy. He also informed my family that everything looked fine, it didn't "look like cancer" but he treated it as such just in case. He did indicate at the time that there was a piece of tissue that he had to leave because of where it was located (more to come on this). May 6, 2009 is when we got the news....the tumor was cancerous and 6 of the 15 lymph nodes were positive. The tumor had broke throught he wall of the cecum. I was finally released from the hospital on May 15 after several complications, fluid, kidney problems etc
I had a PET scan at the end of May and there were 3 spots that lit up. The Dr's indicated at the time that they were minor and possible sites of inflammation or infection. There was 1 spot on the right side near where the tumor was located that was worrisome, but they would watch it. Right before I was to start chemo I was admitted to the hospital for a blood clot in my intestine. I am now on coumadin, but the Dr's indicate that my body will eventually absorb the clot. I began coumadin in June (don't even remember the date) and as of 2 weeks ago I completed 9 of my 12 rounds. The first 6 sessions included Oxiliplatin, but they discontinued that after the 6th treatment due to problems with neuropathy. The docs have been doing PET scans every 6 weeks to watch this "spot" that remained on the PET. The most recent scan on October 20th showed the spot has increased in size. Needless to say the Dr's and surgeon are very concerned.
So, after all of this they are sending me back in for surgery on Wed the 4th. The surgeon advised me that he will be removing the spot, however there is the potential that he will have to remove my ureter as well because of the location, this was why he was unable to remove it the first time. If it does affect the ureter it will leave me with a permanent nephrostomy. He said he will also likely do another colon resection and it looks like my right ovary is involved so he will remove that as well. He also siad that I need to be "realistic" when I asked him what that meant he said that he could get the tumor, but that this cancer was "agressive" since it had grown while I was on chemo. I was devastated!! I have remained pretty upbeat and strong through all of this, but this recent set back has really devastated me and my family.
I am so sorry for the long story, I just felt like I needed to put it all out there
Has anyone else had to have multiple colectomy surgeries? What about a nephrostomy? I am so scared. I am a single mom with a beautiful 15 year old daughter and the thought of not being here for her is awful. Thanks for listening and any advice is appreciated!! Lots of love and prayers to everyone on here!
Tara
35 years old
Stage IIIC
T4,N2,M0
05/03/09 colectomy
06/09 blood clot intestine
07/09 small bowel obstruction
10/12/09 completed 9 chemo sessions 6 with Oxiliplatin
0
Comments
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HI Tara
You have really been through it. I am stage 4 colorectal cancer survivor. I have had rectal resection, liver resection and now have a colostomy. Multiple surgeries have taught me to hold onto one fact. The surgeries are removing the cancer. I also have a duaghter (Grace is 3) so I can relate a little on that one. I just try to think about fighting for her instead of what may happen if I am not around. I truly believe that in my case my love for my wife and daughter have been a factor in my response to treatment. To me its battle. Surgeries are part of the battle, the front lines so to speak. Thank you for sharing your story, it has helped me. My prayers to you.0 -
Prayers for a successful surgery!
Hi Tara,
I'm praying that your surgery is a complete success tomorrow! I have little advice to offer as I'm very new to all of this - my husband was recently diagnosed and is scheduled for a colon resection on Nov. 9th; treatment after the surgery has yet to be determined.
Stay strong and remember that each surgery, treatment, and appointment is one step closer to being cured from this forever. With a 15 year old daughter, you've got all the reason in the world to fight this and WIN!
Please let us know how tomorrow's surgery goes,
Tashina0 -
Prayers for a successful surgery!
Hi Tara,
I'm praying that your surgery is a complete success tomorrow! I have little advice to offer as I'm very new to all of this - my husband was recently diagnosed and is scheduled for a colon resection on Nov. 9th; treatment after the surgery has yet to be determined.
Stay strong and remember that each surgery, treatment, and appointment is one step closer to being cured from this forever. With a 15 year old daughter, you've got all the reason in the world to fight this and WIN!
Please let us know how tomorrow's surgery goes,
Tashina0 -
Good Luck
On your procedure tomorrow. I am a Stage 4 survivor, and I also live in AZ. I had all my treatments at the Ironwood Cancer Center in Chandler, Dr. Kellogg is my ONC and he is just wonderful. I have been fighting this beast for 2 years now and I am now NED as of June of this year. I have had to complete two seperate rounds of Chemo, but it has worked and I am now off all chemo and my last pet scan was clear. I will be praying for you and please let us know how you are doing. You have found the best group of people in the world and we will all be here to support you, listen to you and hopefully provide some great advice.
Good Luck and God Bless
Beth0 -
Dear Tara,you are in my
Dear Tara,you are in my prayers and I hope for the best for you.Best luck to you with everything.Take care.0 -
Thank Youjams67 said:Prayers being said for you.
I am so glad you let us know about your surgery. If we don't know, then we don't know to pray for you. All of you reading this say a prayer for Tara for good results tomorrow.
Jo Ann
Thanks for all of the well wishes and nice words!! I will keep you posted.
God Bless everyone
Talk to you soon
Tara0 -
Good luck with your surgery
Good luck with your surgery tomorrow. I hope it goes easy, and they can save your ureter.
Maybe they will switch your chemo cocktail after surgery and find a different one that works better for your particular situation.
Keep up the battle for your daughter. My youngest is 15, just like your daughter, so I know how you feel. My others are 17, 20 and 23. I'm not ready to leave them yet - they all need me. So I will do what I need to, just as you will do what you need to do.
Please report back once you have the energy after surgery, and let us know how it went. You are in my prayers.0
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