one year ago today.........

daydreamer110761
daydreamer110761 Member Posts: 487 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
One year ago today, I woke up with the most excruciating pain I had ever felt in my life.

Three ago (last year) I went to the doc because I thought I was constipated. They sent me home and told me to try an enema. Two days (last year) ago there was more pain, and since I couldn't get to see the doc since they were too busy, I went to the ER. They took an xray, and sent me home with a script for the citrus stuff, one for throwing up, and told me to try 2 enemas. I have never been constipated in my life - I have always tended to go the other way and had a script to stop that!

Three days a year ago today, I didn't show up for work. Nick called at 8am and I said I was fine, while wincing in pain, and told him I would be at work in a few....when he called again I said the same thing. when he called at 10am, and I couldn't answer the phone, he came home and found me curled up in a ball in the bathroom ...not able to speak. He carried me (not an easy feat) downstairs to his truck and to the ER and did my talking for me. He stayed by my side until they finally gave me pain meds so I could speak. He remained by my side through every single question and test they forced on me. He saw the ugliest days that I think anyone could ever see. He watched me throw up, watched me cry, watched me when I couldn't speak (which I think in other circumstances could be a good thing - ok a little humor here).

He watched me - On November 7th - my birthday - go through surgery, and watched me that night - in ICU - bad thing - as I couldn't breathe and the nightmares that entails. (all I wanted was a carrot cake!)

then he watched when the doc told me that I had that awful "C" word. and he watched me cry, and cry some more. and he sat through every chemo treatment, tear, laugh, and scream, not to mention the moods that we go through, the ups and the downs.

My hat is off to all the caregivers that have to watch. Thank you. It is wonderful to have you with us.

And to all of you in our journey....I'd rather have a ticket to Busch Gardens...

I love you guys. You became my family in the past year. I just wanted to say ... THANK YOU.

Sherrie....
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Comments

  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    AWWWW...
    I would give ya a big hug but looks like hes got that covered as in your avatar....but anyway {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{huggggggggg}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}...Tanks sweetheart, I wuv u 2.........Buzzard
  • daydreamer110761
    daydreamer110761 Member Posts: 487 Member
    Buzzard said:

    AWWWW...
    I would give ya a big hug but looks like hes got that covered as in your avatar....but anyway {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{huggggggggg}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}...Tanks sweetheart, I wuv u 2.........Buzzard

    ya know...
    was just trying to PM you...

    You have some of the bestest posts here. but....(and I gotta big one) what I find most funny is that we are both VERY serious about this, and we can manage to both find humor...gotta have that - without that, life sucks! always laugh....
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member

    ya know...
    was just trying to PM you...

    You have some of the bestest posts here. but....(and I gotta big one) what I find most funny is that we are both VERY serious about this, and we can manage to both find humor...gotta have that - without that, life sucks! always laugh....

    without humor............
    you and I would be very boring wouldn't we. Big butts and all.....hehe...and yes we are very serious, but we gotta laugh, and we gotta never miss a day to do it either.....
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    Quite the Anniversary!
    I really hope you get your carrot cake on your birthday this year!

    Happy Birthday!

    Rob; in Vancouver
  • karguy
    karguy Member Posts: 1,020 Member
    Happy birthday
    I hope you have a better birthday then you did last year.You have to have a sense of humor,with out it life would be boring,and sad.Have a good birthday.
  • TLG320
    TLG320 Member Posts: 167
    Your birthday
    I'm sure that this Saturday will bring a much happier birthday this year! I hope you have a delicious piece of carrot cake! Celebrate the day and the victory over cancer!
    Tashina
  • CanadaSue
    CanadaSue Member Posts: 339 Member
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sherrie!

    Go get some carrot cake, you deserve it!

    Hugs,

    Sue
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Good man
    Sounds like you have a really good man by your side, and you deserve that.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • daydreamer110761
    daydreamer110761 Member Posts: 487 Member
    tootsie1 said:

    Good man
    Sounds like you have a really good man by your side, and you deserve that.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    BUT....
    As soon as I could eat, my BFF (ok sound like my daughter there) got me one, don't want it this year (carrot cake).

    This year, i posted on facebook. I don't want anything. I started a fundraiser for "stand up for cancer"

    The way I see it, my birthday could have been my death day. Instead, it was my "rebirth day." I have been celebrating anniversaries for years (23rd anniversary of my 25th BD) and that night last year in ICU, and tonight last year, I nearly died. I will never forget that.

    Everyone has asked me (family and friends) what I want.....

    I want no gifts. what I want is what no one can promise. but what i would like, is if everyone woud donate 10 dollars to stand up for cancer.

    I did that before my Dx.

    Look, the way I see it, there are those of us who always did everything right, and me who did all wrong. I have had friend's kids, and friends and family pass away from cancer. Cancer obviously does not discriminate.

    off the soap box now...

    My man is awesome. I am now helping his law partner through breast cancer (she was dx'd in september and i am hanging around in the BC forum lately, and we think we got it bad..).

    I could not have made it as well as I did without you guys.
  • sfmarie
    sfmarie Member Posts: 602
    Crying
    Your post made me cry! It is the exact same story my sister went through, no symptoms but woke up one day with sever pain. She too went to the ER and was told to go home. It took several trip to the ER and the last one demanding a CT scan when they discovered the tumor. It had perforated her colon. Emergency surgery and then the stage IV dx. Here we are now, 8 months later. I have watched her go through so much; tests, chemo, more tests, more chemo, bad news etc. It breaks my heart. To all of you fighting this, keep fighting and thanks for being so brave. Sherrie, my prayers for you. Marie
  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    HAPPY!!!
    I am so happy for you and your family! You are an inspiration to many!

    Hugs,

    Stacy
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    Yes, our caregivers are WONDERFUL!
    My daughter moved back home during my treatment...my beau's dad had passed suddenly, and so he was 5500 miles away...

    Happy Birthday, my dear...and many, many more to come!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • daydreamer110761
    daydreamer110761 Member Posts: 487 Member
    KathiM said:

    Yes, our caregivers are WONDERFUL!
    My daughter moved back home during my treatment...my beau's dad had passed suddenly, and so he was 5500 miles away...

    Happy Birthday, my dear...and many, many more to come!

    Hugs, Kathi

    thanks....
    No more birthdays Kathy - just anniversaries of the 25th birthday.....
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member

    thanks....
    No more birthdays Kathy - just anniversaries of the 25th birthday.....

    I LOVE it!!!!
    Although, at 54, I'm very proud of my age...lol....until I look in the mirror...ROFL!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • colon2
    colon2 Member Posts: 183
    KathiM said:

    I LOVE it!!!!
    Although, at 54, I'm very proud of my age...lol....until I look in the mirror...ROFL!

    Hugs, Kathi

    Happy Birthday
    Just wanted to wish you a happy whatever you want to call it. Enjoy it and yes you are right about the caregivers. They are awesome. My husband was there for me too. He went with me to every chemo treatment and every Dr. visit. He put up with the tears and the bad days too. When I would say I don't want to do this anymore, he was so encouraging. I also lost my mother while going thru chemo, and he was such a help with that too.
    Anyway enjoy your day
    Carletta
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    Feliz Cumpleaños
    I hope this year is a MUCH better for you!
    Feliz Cumpleaños ! May tomorrow be a great day!
  • daydreamer110761
    daydreamer110761 Member Posts: 487 Member

    Feliz Cumpleaños
    I hope this year is a MUCH better for you!
    Feliz Cumpleaños ! May tomorrow be a great day!

    Gracias....
    Hey - it's going to be warm here for maybe the last time until oh, what, May? It has to be a great day!

    Thanx guys....
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342

    Gracias....
    Hey - it's going to be warm here for maybe the last time until oh, what, May? It has to be a great day!

    Thanx guys....

    This
    was so beautiful, I don't know what I'd do without my hubby and kids by my side. Hearing the "C" word was shocking and scary, in January, it will be my one year, and you're so right, I also found you all here as my family, and don't know what I'd do without all you here. You are all inspirations to me, you as well Sherri, and that hunk of yours, Nick, he sure is handsome, I didn't know you had a foundation..it's on your facebook? I'd send some money!

    Hugssss!
    ~Donna
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    Shayenne said:

    This
    was so beautiful, I don't know what I'd do without my hubby and kids by my side. Hearing the "C" word was shocking and scary, in January, it will be my one year, and you're so right, I also found you all here as my family, and don't know what I'd do without all you here. You are all inspirations to me, you as well Sherri, and that hunk of yours, Nick, he sure is handsome, I didn't know you had a foundation..it's on your facebook? I'd send some money!

    Hugssss!
    ~Donna

    hello there northern girl:)
    hello darling northern girl who wanted to be southern girl. Congrats....you made it, we made it. The street goes two ways. You were always there funny and supportive and strong. I cannot think of last year's journey without you!!!!

    I know isn't this weather great???? last year there was snow for sure. The first day I did oxy it was like-34....lol and those southern girls think it's tough oh we with the frozen eyes.

    I love your foundation idea....well done

    bags of hugs

    mags
  • daydreamer110761
    daydreamer110761 Member Posts: 487 Member
    maglets said:

    hello there northern girl:)
    hello darling northern girl who wanted to be southern girl. Congrats....you made it, we made it. The street goes two ways. You were always there funny and supportive and strong. I cannot think of last year's journey without you!!!!

    I know isn't this weather great???? last year there was snow for sure. The first day I did oxy it was like-34....lol and those southern girls think it's tough oh we with the frozen eyes.

    I love your foundation idea....well done

    bags of hugs

    mags

    I guess I am.....
    Oh, so the philly girl moves to florida, stays there for 16 years and enjoys the sunshine...and then becomes a transplant in minnesota...and actually likes it! lol, who wooda thunk it? (definately not my family). Mags - the trip up north was so gorgeous, that I have started to look at houses in the Duluth area......the way I see it, my dream has always been to live in a place that has the mountains and water, and I think I found it even if it is COLD! I was thinking about how blessed it would feel to wake up every morning and have coffee just looking out at the mountains from one angle, and lake superior from the other...

    Anyway, the foundation thing flopped, but going to work on that again. I think there was a bump in the program, it wouldn't let me finish uploading invites or whatever they called it. going to do it again anyway and see what happens.

    by the way - i'll take the frozen eyes any day over not being able to drink anything cold in 100 degree weather!