introduction

katienavs
katienavs Member Posts: 88 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I found this site about three weeks ago and am so happy to have this amazing source of information and understanding people. I feel like an imposter reading all the posts and conversations, so I wanted to introduce myself and hopefully I can be of some help to some of you down the road.
I will try to give a quick synopsis of myself and my situation. 25 years old. I live in Sacramento, CA. Graduated from law school in May. Diagnosed two weeks later,June 2, 2006. Stage IV with mets to my liver. Underwent four cycles of folfox and five and a half weeks of chemoradiation this summer. I had surgery on Oct. 24th and the wonderful surgeon was able to get everything out with negative margins! Resumed chemo last week, I have at least seven more cycles of folfox ahead of me.
I have chosen to go with traditional treatment for now but plan on adopting a regimen of juicing, diet and supplements when chemo is complete.
What a crazy six months this has been. And by crazy, I mean scary, heart-breaking, challenging, eye-opening, confusing and everything in between. Until my surgery was behind me, I was too scared to seek out information and read about this disease at such an advanced stage. But now that I have made so much progress I am able to educate myself to the fullest and I am so thrilled to have all of your experiences and knowledge on this website. I have the most amazing support system of family and friends but I know that you guys, strangers, will be able to understand certain aspects of this in a way that they just cannot. Looking forward to getting to know and learn from you.
Katie

Comments

  • lynn1222
    lynn1222 Member Posts: 105
    #2
    hi katie, welcome to the semicolons, sorry we have to meet this way but happy we get a chance to be friends. i too am a stage 4 rectal cancer SURVIVOR had mets to liver and both lungs and today CANCER FREE have been in remission since march doctors said i wouldnt but me and god showed them, good luck with your journey, i am always here if you need me, i am 38 years old and i am from valparaiso indiana. see my web page for my story, cant wait to talk to ya

    hugs lynn
  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    #3
    lynn1222 said:

    hi katie, welcome to the semicolons, sorry we have to meet this way but happy we get a chance to be friends. i too am a stage 4 rectal cancer SURVIVOR had mets to liver and both lungs and today CANCER FREE have been in remission since march doctors said i wouldnt but me and god showed them, good luck with your journey, i am always here if you need me, i am 38 years old and i am from valparaiso indiana. see my web page for my story, cant wait to talk to ya

    hugs lynn

    Hey Lynn,

    We're practically neighbors! I live in Lowell, IN, originally from Merrillville. One of my brothers lives in Valpo! We will have to meet up and swap "war stories" about this crazy roller coaster!

    I am a stage 4 with liver mets survivor. Just celebrated my 5 yr clear mark in October. I was 33 when I was diagnosed. My kids were 2, 4, & 7. Seems like only yesterday!

    Glad to "meet" you!

    Stacy
  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    #4
    Katie,

    Glad you decided to write about your ordeal. You'll find many uplifting success stories here to help get you through. I am a 5 yr stage 4 survivor. There is hope!

    E-mail me anytime I can offer you any support. I've gotten pretty good at it!

    All my best,

    Stacy
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #5
    Hi Katie,

    Welcome to the group. You will find many success stories here. Ask your onc about genetic testing. You likely have one of the hereditary genes and that will be helpful for the rest of your family. Keep us informed of your progress.

    ****
  • katienavs
    katienavs Member Posts: 88 Member
    #6
    vinny3 said:

    Hi Katie,

    Welcome to the group. You will find many success stories here. Ask your onc about genetic testing. You likely have one of the hereditary genes and that will be helpful for the rest of your family. Keep us informed of your progress.

    ****

    Hi ****,
    Thank you for the welcome. There was genetic testing done right away but didn't find any genes or mutations to explain it. My parents and two of my three siblings (19, 21, 27) had colonoscopies and they are all clean :) Waiting for each of them to come home from those appointments was terrifying! Hopefully, they will never be afflicted by this beast.
    Katie
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #7
    Katie -

    Welcome to the SemiColons. No need to feel bad about "lurking" - a lot of people do it and that's one of the great things about this site - folks can learn a lot and get support while remaining totally anonymous.

    Sounds like you're doing great - CONGRATS!

    We're here for you any time.

    - SpongeBob
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #8
    You've been given a tough assignment, a little road block to the rest of your life. I also had stage IV and it has only been about a year. Now that I'm feeling better and NED, I find my attitude about life has changed. I no longer take it for granted though I'm still a little timid about it (NED and I are dancing with our clothes on), and I'm looking forward ... jams
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #9
    Hi Katie,

    Welcome to the group. I hope you consider yourself a Survivor too. Once you are dx, you are a survivor. Lurking is ok just like SB said. We are here when you want to talk and here to answer any questions. Welcome to the BIG family here. HUGS for all you are going through at such a young age. I was dx last Dec stage 3, one node and have finished my chemo.

    Lisa F

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