Meeting Others with Stage 4 Colon Cancer/Support

It is not the best forum to be a part of, but with our diagnosis, its the best. 

You have to fight to stay alive for yourself as well as your little girl. You need each other. I hope you have support around you at this time, to help you on this journey. 

TRU

jackie.jackson81 said:

How is your daughter coping

How is your daughter coping and how did you tell her that you're sick? I have no idea to make mine understand and I don't want to scare her.

I told her the truth.  The first time I told her I had cancer but they are giving me meds to help make me better.  This time she doesn't know the longevity part of it.  she did ask me if I could die from it and I said "yes, but you can die from lots of things.  And that's why they are giving me the meds to help me not die."  She doesn't need the rest of the information.  She just wants to know I am trying and that I love her no matter what. 

I have started doing things for "just in case" like I started a journal where I write notes to her "just in case".  It is daunting... and it took me a long time to be able to mentally and emotionally handle that.  But it helps to know I am doing things. 

jackie.jackson81 said:

Thank you

I thought I was the only one! The doctors say usually this type of cancer effect people well into their 50s and 60s and it rare with people in our age groups. Although growing up, I have always had problems with digestion and bowel movement problems. I also had very bad fibroids making it difficult for me to ever get pregnant, however I was blessed with my beautiful little girl... So this probably has been brewing up for a while now. Were you having those problems.. If you don't mind me asking. Do your doctors have a good feeling about your treaments? Do they think they can get rid of your cancer completely or just slow it down?

I have been told I am on chemo for life and that is a hard pill to swallow.  I know they are just hoping to keep things at bay.  I prefer the honesty to the pity etc.  But that is me personally.  I want to know the truth so I know how to deal best with it. 

If it helps, here is my blog (where I go to offload things) https://hopeinallforms.wordpress.com/ 

I am very raw and honest with how I process things.  And it helps me get it out of my head.  Having that has helped me so much.  That and my therapist.  It is a lot to handle especially at our ages.  I never thought I would be in this boat.  No family history and just a little bleeding which I brushed off as hemroids from having a kid.  I wish I hadn't now.. but I can't change the past. 

I am a very raw and open person, just who I am.  I know not everyone is.  This is tough and I hope by being honest I can help others going through this.  I hope to have my kid say some day how she had a tough mom and she is proud of me. 

It isn't easy.  It really isn't but we do what we gotta do right?!?!?  And it isn't always awesome and wonderful.  But what I can tell you as I walk this path is that I see God moving in more ways then ever before.  I appreciate everything a lot more.  I care a lot more.  I cherish a lot more.  There are beautiful things on this tough path.  You just have to keep your eyes out for them. 

Hi Jackie, I have stage 4 colon rectal cancer. Found out last August. Went threw a mouth of chemo and radition every day. Then had a mouth off before going in for surgery. Cut out and removed mass and a section of the rectom . And fortgintaly they could re attach it. Was clean after surgery, but latest ct scan showed black spot on my liver. First around of chemo was a pill foam witch I pushed for because of my line of work. ( I would tell every one if posiable to do the pill foam of chemo if it's out there. ( Check the chemo list to see if yours is on it) p.s. there are other chemo that dose the same things. I'm putting this out there because the side efects was non issure for me. Now that the spot on my liver as been confirmed cancer I had to go on liquid chemo and pills to fight it. So there for a port was installed. If no chemo the day of blood work then I have them take it out of my arm and not the port. Had some set backs but hoppen for it to be all over by mid summer. figures cross..  No matter how you feel you can bet this it is very treatabe. Mind set, mind set, mind set. That's how your going to bet this. Little story I heard. My buddy has stage 5 colon cancer and his Dr told him that the biggest thing he could do is keep a postive mind set. reson being is he had a client that was a stage 1 colon cancer and the person keep saying he was going to die. Dr told him he wasn't going to die but he belived it and he did. ??  So no matter how hard it seems on any one day keep that postive mind set. I know how hard it is for real !! I have days where I can't even move some days. Keep pushing. We are all in this together. Lots of talk hope this helps. 

MIRIAM_B said:

Hello, I am a newby...

Hola, I am Miriam and I was diagnose back on April 2016. We were retired with my husband living in the Caribbean ejoying our new bote and pina coladas for breakfast :-)

Needless to say, our life changed after I was diagnosed, and we move back to Washington state. We have met a bunch of wonderful people that have had a great impact in our lives, and we are greatful for that.

I am a patient at the SCCA (Seattle Cancer Care Association) hospital partnering with the UW (University of Washington) medical Center.

Going through my second-line tratment FOLFIRI + AVASTIN. My CEA back on April 2016 was 330 today is 7.8; My firstline treatment was FOLFOX + AVASTIN. My tumors have been reduced about 70% to 75% and counting :-) my Onco is talking about surgery in my Colon, can not do anything with my liver but I had two Y-90 Radiation procedures that reduced/kill my tumors as expected. Have to follow up w/radiologist to get the full picture in 2 weeks.

OK, enough of me :-) say hi, don't be strangers...I will love to hear and share your/mine experiences.

Love,

Miriam 

Pina coladas in the Carrribean, on your boat? Boy, there's a dream long discarded, I'm sorry you got yanked away from that life, just what I call Life's sick sense of humor. Anyway welcome, click on our blognames to read our stories. Lots of folks here going through very similar trials, new ones at your stage, others like me with a bunch of treatment behind us, just trying to stay NED, as if you can will such a thing. Good luck Miriam, and the same to the young mom who started the thread, I think she's found at least one kindred soul on a very similar path. I'd refer to her by name, but I'm too dumb to be able to leave this page without losing my comments. My thoughts to you both......................................Dave

Jackie, I can tell from your post that you are a fighter. Also know that your faith in Jesus Christ is your greatest weapon.

I too have been in the same position as you and will be praying for you. The prayers of a believer are very powerful as

you porbably know. I wrote about my journey with colon cancer. If you would care to read it, it's on my blog and entitled "How I Beat Stage Four Colon Cancer." Don't ever give up hope. We serve a Mighty God. God Bless you in your journey. blessed39

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancern in September (my 48th bday).  I had 2/3 of my colon removed in emergency surgery and then immediately started on 12 rounds of chemo. I just finished up my 11th round.  I have been able to keep a very positive attitude which i think has really helped me manage the treatments well.  My three kids are certainly a motiviating factor.  During treatments I continued to work, coached my twin girls basketball team to victory, entertained and continued to enjoy my cocktails and nights out.  I found the first two days after treatment to be yucky but the rest were pretty manageable.  I was declared cancer free after four rounds of chemo, but know there is the risk of it returning. I have a great sense of humor which certainly has helped me get through this rough chapter. 

I wish you all the best, and glad that you fond this forum for support. I did not frequent it all that much because I am one who likes to live in denial and prefer to just focus on the positives. 

Terri