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2bhealed said:

Welcome grandma to the semi-colons.

Where did your cancer come back and why the permanent colostomy?

What did you do after your first dx and surgery? Did you change lifestyle or diet? Did the doctors recommend any changes? I am just curious.

I am Stage 3 lymph pos with no mets but did not do any chemo (my choice....long story) and know that at Mayo they do not recommend any chemo for Stage 2 and lower but they also gave me no lifestyle or diet change recommendations and I happen to think THAT is a travesty especially since colon cancer is so often due to diet and stress.

I don't know what the doctor's say our "chances" are (cuz I never listen to them anyway....haha) but I just know that I have 5 kids and a hubby that need me alive and kickin' and I have no plans on going anytime soon. I have been cancer free for 2 1/2 years and that's w/out chemo! woohoo! But I did major dietary and lifestyle changes and continue to implement even more as I discover them. I encourage you to search in those arenas too.

So come on back and hang out. We love newcomers to the gang though we're sad you had to join!

peace, emily who plans on being a grandma someday herself! :-)

Hello, I never really had time to do any lifesyle changes since I've never been well since last year. As far as changes diet, I've not really been able to eat anything without getting diarehea. As far as stress, Yes, I guess you would say I have stress. My husband hasn't worked in a year, my dad's very ill, and I had cancer come back twice in 6 months. A little stress, don't you think?? The doctor's kept telling me that my continued symptoms were because my body hadn't gotten back to normal after the first surgery. I then went back and had outpatient surgery in Sept because my suture site had narrowed. No cancer seen then. Then I continued to bleed and it started getting worse, so they decided to do a colonoscopy. Then told me that the cancer had came back at the suture site. Some people can get well without chemo and others can't. Each person is different. I was told that by having chemo the other time that it would only increase my chances of not having a recurrence by 5% and that it really wasn't worth the side effects, so the doctors and I chose for me to not have it. You know, hind sight is 20-20. I have not bitter about it though. They didn't know and neither did I. I trust all my doctors. I will fight as hard as I can. I too, plan on being around for a while. My children are 23 and 27, and I have twin granddaughters 3 yrs old and a grandson 5. I plan on seeing them marry someday. I'm not ready to throuw the towel in. I will do all I can to beat this and I WILL!! Thanks for talking to me. Oh, yeah, the permanent colostomy is because I have and had rectal cancer and this time it's too low to reconnect. Any more question, just ask. I will try to help.
Judy, hoping that one day you will be a grandma too, it's wonderful!!!!

pattieb said:

Welcome again Judy
I am so glad I told you about us semi colons, I think you will enjoy everybody here.
Pattie

Hi Pattie, Thanks for the welcome. I believe that everyone here is wonderful. Hope to talk to you again soon.
Judy

KrisS said:

I am sorry that you have had to join this group. I can't say what the statistics are for your situation, but remember, statistics only tell what the general likelihood is of a response. Even if they told you there was only a 1% chance of a cure (and I am sure that it has got to be a lot better than that in your case), someone has to be in that 1%. For that one percent of people, it is a 100 percent cure. People spend millions of dollars on those powerball lotteries with far more terrible odds, because someone always wins!

The fact that you have a good CT scan is a good start. Have they done a PET scan? Occasionally these can add information, so they know as much as possible before surgery.

I have stage 4 rectal carcinoma. I had an ileostomy done which I never had reversed because I developed more metastatic disease. It took me not time at all to get used to it. I had had a radiation induced stricture which was causing me problems eating,however, and just being able to eat without cramping was such a treat I was elated!

Best wishes,

Kris

Hi Kris, I started you a long email but the electric went off and I lost it. LOL I'm sorry this one may not be as long. I don't like stats anyway. You're right if you win the lottery then your chances are 100 percent and that if we beat cancer are chances are 100% too. Yes, I did have a good cat scan. I don't think I've ever had a PET scan. So many tests, I don't even know anymore. I know what you mean about eating and cramping. I do that all the time now. I don't know if it would be the radiation already or not. I'm just starting my 4th week. So it didnt take long to get used to the ostomy. I hope that I do alright with it. I guess I have no choice. It's either that or die, so I choose to live. I apprciate all your help in answering my questions. I wish you luck in your fight.
Judy

kickerrn said:

Hi Judy
I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Nov. 2001. I had surgery to remove my entire colon & rectum and a permanent ileostomy in Dec.2001. Having a positive attitude and a good ET (stoma nurse) will help with the adaption to the ostomy. I haven't let my ostomy change my life. I was back doing my taekwon do within 4 months of my surgery. I even competed in a Canadian tournament during my chemo. One good piece of advice I got was to not let the ostomy rule your life. You are a person with an ostomy not an ostomy with a person (lol). Also keep your ostomy appliance routine as simple as possible. I know how scary it is to have a recurrence. I was diagnosed with a recurrence in my liver in Nov.2003 and had a liver resection in Jan 2004. i am on chemo know & will be having surgery to remove a node in my lung next month. i feel like Stacy in that failure is not an option for me either. I have 2 kids (12 & 14) and intend to see them grow up into the wonderful adults that I hope that they will become. As my surgeon said playing the numbers game really doesn't matter cause all you care about is the one in which you are cured. Take care.
Barb

Hi Barb, Sorry that you had a recurrence. I like your attitude though. I appreciate your info about the ostomy. It helps to hear someone say that you can't let it rule or change your life. I go on to the Msn Cancer Network and there is a woman on there that is having a really hard time with hers and it kinda discouraged me reading it. I guess I just need to hear positive things right now, so I appreciate you taking time to post me. I also feel like failure is not an option for me either. I am a christian and none of my family is in church. I hope to live to see that happen. I also have twin granddaughers 3 yrs old and a grandson 5 yrs old that I want to see grow up. My son is 23 and not married yet and I want to live to see him marry and have kids.I have a lot to keep fighting for and I will. Hope to talk to you again soon. Everyone on here is great.
Love and prayers, Judy H(grandma)