Happy NY Everyone!!!! Happy almost birthday to me!!!! Happy almost 10 yrs since stage 3 diagnosis!!

Moesimo
Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone,

I  used to be a regular on this site which helped me SO MUCH  almost 10 years ago. 

On Sunday I will be celebrating my 56 birthday.  WOOOHOOOO I love birthdays!!!!!

On 3/17/2003 I was told by a GI doc after a scope, "I have bad news, you have a mass."  I was 46 years old.  My kids were 14, 17 and 21.  Life will never be the same.  I had stage 3 rectal cancer.  I had surgery, chemo and radiation.  I had a temp ileostomy that was reversed.  I then spent the next 18 mos. in the bathroom or looking for one.  I opted for a colostomy and havent looked back. I have had 13 hospital admissions. I work full time as a nurse.  My 2 older kids are married now.  I have a 2 yo grand daughter and another one on the way due in June.  My husband has been my rock through all of this.

I am sharing my story again to give hope to all of you.  When I was first diagnosed I wanted to hear from long term survivors.

When my husband was wishing me a Happy New Year the other day, he said we had a really good year. Our grand daughter just turned 2.  She has changed so much in the last year.  She will be a big sister soon.  My oldest son was married in June to his college sweatheart.  He is 28 and recently bought a house.  He was only 17 and in high school when I was diagnosed.   

Yes we did have a good year.  I had no hospital admissions.  Yeah.  I have issues with adhesions and have had way too many bowel obstructions.  Two years ago I spent my birthday in the hospital and was out of work for over 3 weeks.

Hang in there.  It does get better.

Maureen

Comments

  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #2
    G'day Maureen
    Lovely to see you. Apart from the day to day adjustments we all have I am glad you have been able to resume life as normally as possible and been able to see all of those precious family moments. I continue to struggle thru life but basically remain upright and breathing.... Hugs Ron.
  • k44454445
    k44454445 Member Posts: 494
    #3
    thank you

    for posting. and yes it gives me hope when i read about you! congrats on being ned!!!

    hugs

    judy

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #4
    Absolutely!

    You are right. We need to hear from long term survivors and I for one am grateful for your post. 

    I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer in November, so I am at the beginning of my journey. You can be sure I will be remembering this post as I travel along the road to recovery.

    Happy Birthday for Sunday. May you enjoy many, many more. 

    God bless!

  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #5
    Congratulations! and Happy Birthday!

    Congratulations for being NED!  Happy Birthday!   Both big events to be happy about.

     

    Keep telling everyone good news because to often we hear the sad news.

     

    Best Always, mike

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #6
    Wonderful

    Thank you for sharing your story.  It's good to hear that you can come through this with successful outcome.  Welcome to the grandbabies too, they are so special.  It's great that you came back here to tell of your journey.  Happy New Year.

    Kim

  • YoVita
    YoVita Member Posts: 590 Member
    #7
    Congratulations on your many milestones

    Great to hear your long-term survivor story.  Thanks for checking in and sharing your milestones. 

    From a fellow stage III rectal cancer survivor hoping to match your 10 years.

  • marbleotis
    marbleotis Member Posts: 720 Member
    #8
    Congrats

    What a great email.  I am almost 1 year NED from stage 3b colon cancer this Jan 31.  My heart filled with joy reading your post.

  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #9
    Wonderful!

    Thank you for sharing your very encouraging story! I'm glad this past year was so good for you!

     

    *hugs*

    Gail

  • barbebarb
    barbebarb Member Posts: 464
    #10
    tootsie1 said:

    Wonderful!

    Thank you for sharing your very encouraging story! I'm glad this past year was so good for you!

     

    *hugs*

    Gail

    Great!
    Happy for you and thank you for sharing and inspiring all of us!
    I am stage IV but still want to hear long term stories for all!
  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    #11
    Up

    Up

  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #12
    Lovely

    A very nice post.

    Thank you!!!!!!!

    (and continued NED-ness)

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