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gocatsgo
gocatsgo Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello all,

I have just stumbled on this message board. You all seem to be so positive and supportive. I have been reading your posts for some time now, so thought I should stop being so shy and say "hello!"

I am 33 was diagnosed w/rectal cancer on July 20, 2005. I had the "normal" route of 6 weeks of radiation and chemo, then in November had a total mesorectal excision, total hysterectomy, appentdectomy and temporary ileostomy. There were complications so I ended up w/a bonus surgery and finally was sent home after 3 weeks on TPN (IV nutrition). In January I started FOLFOX - which did not go over well with me. I got vasculitis (swelling in my brain that was causing left sided numbness) so I had to stop. I am now on my LAST (!!!) cycle of Xeloda and will go in for my scans next week, then reversal surgery on the 20th of July (ironically my one year anniv!)

Right now am torn between being elated about the end of chemo and terrified to have the scans. My last scan was in October.

Just wanted to say hi to you all. You seem like a great group!

Good luck to you all!

Comments

  • steved
    steved Member Posts: 834 Member
    #2
    I rarely post here now as I am a couple of years post op and part of my recovery is to be less invovled in this site but your posting rang too many bells to not respond. My story was very similar- diagnosed age 31 with rectal cancer- same treatment except jsut had 5FU for six months post op. Had my reversal after that and am now a year on from that. Things still improving gradually both physically and psychologically. My bowels though never normal again are very acceptable and I am almost off any meds to keep them under control (improve onth by month now). The whole cancer thing takes up less room in my life and now with two year scans out of the way I have started thinking tentatively about the future again. Throughout all of this I have been in my speciaist medical training to be a consultant psychiatrist and next week finally achieve that so feel that in many ways I am overcoming many of the hurdles the cancer put up for me.
    It is a slow process but it is a doable one and even holds the possiblility of coming out the other side all teh better for it. I would never wish it upon anyone but have come to accept it has been part of my own journey. I do remember your stage very well and actually struggled a little with the next phase of having no treatment and just watching and waiting- it almost felt better to be on chemo as you felt like you were stilla ctively fighting this rather than leaving it to chance.

    So, look after yourself in the next wee while and make sure you get loads of support (ACS here is great and really helped me at your stage). Feel free to email if you want more info otherwise I wish you the best of luck with your scans and ongoing recovery,

    steve
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    Hey, my dear! Watchers are welcome, too!

    I just have a big mouth, (no longer a bald head, but......).

    I, too, have just finished treatment...but for my breast cancer. I got the double-hitter...rectal cancer, sucessfully won, and then breast cancer...just finished.
    I think it comes down to attitude. I will miss all of the treatment people, but not the treatment. I already know what I will do if the beast tries again....I will fight again!
    BUT, I feel that in order to completely vanquish the beast, I cannot let the fear of reoccurance rule my life. It will always hold a VERY SMALL spot in the back of my brain, keeping me aware of changes in my body, but NO LONGER the main event!
    I have made the choice to remain active in the fight for research, prevention, generally an advocate to increase pressure for colorectal cancer awareness. But this is part of my healing, too.....
    I just had a new scare about a week ago, but nothing....AND I had a reaction to the rads, so I don't want any more testing for a longgggg while!
    Hug yourself, you have VANQUISHED the beast!
    Hugs, Kathi
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #4
    Hi gocatsgo!

    Love the name. I want to say that I'm glad you found our site. Lots of support here and great people. Good luck with the reversal surgery. My mother in law had an illeostomy for 2 years and her reversal went great. Of course you will have to watch what you eat for a while but that is par for the course. Good luck on the scans too. We all go through the dread of scans and the outcome. Please keep us posted how you are doing. Take care and HUGS.

    Lisa
  • uni522
    uni522 Member Posts: 46
    #5
    Welcome, gocatsgo! As you have said, this is great group of people with a wealth of knowledge. A lot of times, I don't even have to post a question because somebody already has in the past and the responses are already at my fingertips!
    These people are the best, glad to have you aboard!
    Brittany
  • jerseysue
    jerseysue Member Posts: 624 Member
    #6
    Wanted to say hi back. Hello and I hope all continues to go well with you.
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #7
    Ahoy, gocatsgo (PLEASE don't tell me you're from Kentucky!)

    Welcome to the semi-colons (even though you've been here for a while already). Sorry we had to meet under these conditions, but glad you're here.

    Cheers

    - SpongeBob
  • jenalynet
    jenalynet Member Posts: 361 Member
    #8
    Hi, nice to meet you..I wish you very good luuck with your upcoming scans next week..Audrey
  • ladybug52
    ladybug52 Member Posts: 41
    #9
    Glad to meet you. Good luck with everything.

    Ladybug
  • FRANTIC
    FRANTIC Member Posts: 106
    #10
    Welcome aboard. You will find you are not alone out there. I found peace when I came across this message board. You are not alone. I was dx. with stage 4 local advanced adenocarcinoma 8/20 lymph nodes postive in AUG. 2003. I also have an illeostomy. I wrote my personal web story so that everyone can read. I could not believe when I came to this message board all the stories these people shared of their experience and how they became diagnosed. I am amazed with all the technology they have today they still cannot detect this cancer too well. There is also another site you might want to try and that is called "SHAZ'S ostomy support group. All the people there with illeostomies and colostomies are very friendly also. You can write to me anytime if you want to chat. Your friend Fran from Long Island
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #11
    Welcome "gocatsgo" -

    Sorry about the circumstances, but glad to see you here. This is a great bunch. And, boy, am I jealous of your screenname - I just might need to change mine to "godogsgo"!

    I wish you all the best for your upcoming scans - the stress is incredible. I am Stage IV, diagnosed May 2005, surgery June 2006, chemo complete Dec. 2006, NED since August 2005. But every scan, including the one I had yesterday, is a big stressor.

    Come back here often. This is a caring and experienced group. When I had my last chemo treatment, my oncologist warned me that not being treated might be more stressful than being treated. She has a point. I understand how you are torn between elation and fear. But, I understand it gets better with time. In fact today I talked with my radiologist (one of the few radiologists who will actually talk to a patient!) and after giving me good results, he asked how my treatment was going. When I told him I had had no treatment since Dec 1, he then said "Well, your results are even better, then!" So you have that to look forward to when you get the scan. Let us know the date and we'll send you positive vibes, prayers, good wishes etc.!

    Take care,
    Betsy
  • gocatsgo
    gocatsgo Member Posts: 3
    #12
    Thank you all for sharing your stories and for the VERY warm welcome. I am VERY happy to report that all of my scans were clean (aside from another kidney stone - which I will take ANY day!) I am excited to go ahead w/my reversal surgery - two weeks from today...then on to life in "remission." I am off to celebrate this good news. Hope that you all are doing well. Again, thank you so much for your kindness.

    Cats
    (ps - gocatsgo is a VERY common phrase for the U of Vermont catamounts!)
  • Lisamr
    Lisamr Member Posts: 3
    #13
    steved said:

    I rarely post here now as I am a couple of years post op and part of my recovery is to be less invovled in this site but your posting rang too many bells to not respond. My story was very similar- diagnosed age 31 with rectal cancer- same treatment except jsut had 5FU for six months post op. Had my reversal after that and am now a year on from that. Things still improving gradually both physically and psychologically. My bowels though never normal again are very acceptable and I am almost off any meds to keep them under control (improve onth by month now). The whole cancer thing takes up less room in my life and now with two year scans out of the way I have started thinking tentatively about the future again. Throughout all of this I have been in my speciaist medical training to be a consultant psychiatrist and next week finally achieve that so feel that in many ways I am overcoming many of the hurdles the cancer put up for me.
    It is a slow process but it is a doable one and even holds the possiblility of coming out the other side all teh better for it. I would never wish it upon anyone but have come to accept it has been part of my own journey. I do remember your stage very well and actually struggled a little with the next phase of having no treatment and just watching and waiting- it almost felt better to be on chemo as you felt like you were stilla ctively fighting this rather than leaving it to chance.

    So, look after yourself in the next wee while and make sure you get loads of support (ACS here is great and really helped me at your stage). Feel free to email if you want more info otherwise I wish you the best of luck with your scans and ongoing recovery,

    steve

    I am a wife of a 49 year old man who is suffering miserably with his illeostomy reversal (June 5th). He was diagnosedwith stage3 rectal cancer in September and after radiation & chemo had his first surgery in January. He then followed up with chemo. His hands and feet are still numb and he spends most days in the bathroom. Our doctors are not saying much other than this process takes time. Any suggestions on meds or diet that might help? My husband's quality of life is not there and is beginning to give up hope that he will have normal function again. We are considering a colostomy but do not want another operation. Immodium does not help and he takes Metamucil 2x daily. I am desperately searching for help and advise. Thanks!
    Joe's wife Lisa

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