9 Years Ago

darcher said:

Our stories are not that far

Our stories are not that far apart in that mine is technically rectal cancer since it touched it and I too had xeloda and radiation followed by a surgery.  I'ts almost 3 weeks since the operation.  I feel good some days and others, like today, like hell.  It's grueling in a lot of ways and I've still got a good long hike up this fog covered mountain.  I hope to make it to nine years.  Just getting this far has been a miracle in a lot of ways.  Your first visit to your surgeon was on my birthday, lol.  I've been very lucky to avoid some of the things others have to deal with but I did get one slap in the face.  I don't have to worry about getting anyone pregnant ever again.  Not a big deal since I've got lots of kids already but that it wasn't by choice makes it cold.  It's petty I know but still.   In any event, congrats!  A well deserved and earned spot on the survival stats.      

Since the operation I'm hoping you are doing better.  It's a rude awakening when you have rectal cancer and they do radiation because they don't tell you everything that happens with the after effects.  After the radiation I've also was stricken with problems sexually and they never mentioned it.  Of course, I'm not wanting kids but it affected my vagina opening and had a terrible time afterward.  Sorry so personal but people have to know these things.  I'm glad you have the kids you want - me too.  Thanks for the congrats.  Hope you feel better each and every day.

Kim

airborne72 said:

That Day

Thanks Kim for sharing your story with us.  Each of us have our own personal, unique day - that time when we knew that we had cancer, but those close to us yet knew.  How difficult it must have been for you to look at the happy faces of your carefree family gathered around the Thanksgiving table, all the while attempting to process your diagnosis and decide when/how to share the information with everyone.  Wow.

My story also involved a family event.  My son and his wife were expecting our first granddaughter last spring so we gathered for a sonogram viewing and decided afterwards to find a nice restaurant close by to celebrate.  I had been diagnosed with rectal cancer only a few days prior.  Originally, it was my intent to share my diagnosis with everyone after we ate, but I could not do so.  Instead, I managed to not get teary-eyed and maintained the best poker face I could muster.

My daughter-in-law lost her father to lung cancer when she was an adolescent.  It significantly impacted her and she still mourns the loss.  Consequently, I was determined to not associate my "bad news" with the good news of the pending arrival of our newest family member.  I kept my diagnosis to myself and sat there pondering the circle of life, all the while wanting to jump up and scream that it's not fair.  A few days later I shared the news with my children separately.

There is no good time to have cancer and there is no good time to share the news with those you love.  Each of us had our day.  Kim, and several others, have also had days like today when she can look at the YEARS that have passed since that day and say with great thanksgiving - I survived.

Congratulations and may you have so many more days, weeks, months and years to say it again and again and again.

Jim

Aww thanks as it seems you had the very personal spot in your life you didn't want to ruin for others either.  You were so thoughtful to think of others in that frightful day in your life but yet could share the joy and knowledge that you are having a granddaughter and knowing that they were so happy to let you be involved in that moment which they will cherish for a lifetime.  They thought of you to include you and you thought of them - very gracious of you.  You are right there is no good time to share the news. 

Thank you for your story and the congrats.

May you continue to stay strong and improve every day.

Kim

zx10guy said:

Congrats Kim.  You've been

Congrats Kim.  You've been one of those board members that respond to everyone's thread with compassion and caring.  We all thank you for that.  We all hope to aspire to reach the same milestone as you have.

Your story and the others who responded about dealing with bad news around a holiday or special family event is the same for me.  In my case, I was diagnosed a few days before Christmas.  December 18th to be exact.  Christmas that year had a dreadful overtone for me.  My GI doc told me he feels it is cancer and he didin't have to wait for the biopsies to come back.  My CEA was elevated and a CT scan done the next day showed two lesions in my liver.  Consult with my CRC surgeon on that Friday where he issues a stat order for a PET scan to be done the following Monday....Christmas Eve.  I get the PET done but for whatever reason the radiologist didn't complete the report before the office shut down early for the holiday.  So I'm stewing through Christmas wondering if those lesions are cancerous and if I'm stage 4.  

I'm always thinking that around the Holidays are the worst for finding out, but really I'm not sure if there really is a good time but I'm thinking the family gathering time is the worst.  Isn't it just the way it goes on a test that they do it and everyone leaves for some reason.  You are there with your thoughts racing and NO ONE seems to realize that your whole life is going to be changed one way or another and they don't feel the fright or fear or anxiety.  It's a terrible ordeal when the wait is so consuming.  Wishing you well and thank you for your support on this board and the congrats. 

Kim

Mikenh said:

Congrats on 9 years.

Congrats on 9 years.

We need the longtimers here for encouragement and inspiration. Good time to be thankful for what we have.

Hoping that you are feeling better after your recent surgery.  Thank you for your post.  I'm here whenever anyone has a question.  Thanks for the congrats.

Kim