Welcome my sister...sigh

KathiM
KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Well, as another twist of fate, my sister (who lives in Seattle, Washington) called
today to say that she has just been diagnosed with the exact same cancer I had....squamous
cell carcinoma of the rectum....

We spoke for quite a long time, and she is encouraged by my 'cure' that
the fight will be worth it. The medical team is moving fast, and she will received
simultaneous radiation and chemotherapy, as I did. Her oncologist said that there
is more and more of this 'rare' cancer...anal cancer up in the rectum, especially
in women. Surgery like mine, coming up with no evidence of cancer in the removed
tissue, has lead to questioning whether surgery to remove the rectum is necessary,
considering the change in lifestyle (I am lucky...mine is fairly minimal....)

My sister passed some small nodules of blood, but figured she was fairly safe after
a colonoscopy 2 years ago came back clean. She decided to mention it to her GYN,
and after another scope, there is, in less than 2 years, a 2CM growth on her rectum.

Oh, by the way, she is only 55....and female....sort of shoots the stats of 70 year
old men to heck, doesn't it?

We MUST stop this menace!

Hugs, Kathi

Comments

  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    #2
    Hi Kathi,
    So sorry to hear about your sister. Sounds like they have gotten right on it. Hope the beat it back nicely.
    Welcome back BTW. Hope you had a great cruise.
    Rob; in Vancouver
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #3
    Oh no! Not TWO naked happy dancers!

    Kathi's sister - welcome. I hope to see your posts soon. Sorry you have to be here, but you're amongst good people here (hey, we put up with Kathi, don't we?)

    You have a GREAT mentor and you are so right, this menace is curable. Hang tough and post often.

    Kathi, will you be at ColonPalooza?

    - SB
  • betina61
    betina61 Member Posts: 642 Member
    #4
    Very sorry Kathi to hear about your sister,but I am sure that she is another fighter like you,and she will conquer this battle. lots of hugs for both
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    #5
    Ah, Kathi - the family ties that bind...of this I know.

    I know this too - you were my first official friend here at CSN. You have been a true inspiration, offered valuable encouragement, and lots and lots of laughs (a very good medicine). I know you will do the same for your sister. She is lucky to have you.

    And you're right - we must stop this menace! I truly believe with all the faith I have that we will and that we are right around the corner. All those really smart scientific type folks are working tirelessly for a cure. The daily NIH and NCI newsletters and press releases indicates they are making huge strides every week.

    Big huge hugs and prayers for you, and my very biggest prayers for your sister. Keep us posted.

    xoxo,
    Katie
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
    spongebob said:

    Oh no! Not TWO naked happy dancers!

    Kathi's sister - welcome. I hope to see your posts soon. Sorry you have to be here, but you're amongst good people here (hey, we put up with Kathi, don't we?)

    You have a GREAT mentor and you are so right, this menace is curable. Hang tough and post often.

    Kathi, will you be at ColonPalooza?

    - SB

    Yes, I have a room ;).
    Hans will probably not be joining me...he has a proceedure for his heart on September 25...he needs to relax...

    I talked to Sharon (coug90). SHE is interested...so, heaven beware...we are ALWAYS trouble when we are together!!!

    Hugs, your daughter
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #8
    robinvan said:

    Hi Kathi,
    So sorry to hear about your sister. Sounds like they have gotten right on it. Hope the beat it back nicely.
    Welcome back BTW. Hope you had a great cruise.
    Rob; in Vancouver

    Rob,
    Yup, her tumor is only 16% of the size mine was. So, they caught it....

    Cruise was GRRRRREAT....I waved at the point as we left....we didn't leave till about 7pm...there were 30 people who got stranded in Toronto when their flight was cancelled...WHAT a MESS!!!

    I have a 500+ picture slide show, if ever you need something to fall asleep with...But, the weather was georgeous!!! Glacier Bay shimmered...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #9
    betina61 said:

    Very sorry Kathi to hear about your sister,but I am sure that she is another fighter like you,and she will conquer this battle. lots of hugs for both

    Thank you....she said that my journey, and outcome, gave her great courage....and I will be there for all the questions about size, consistency, color, frequency....

    Interestingly, my 27 year old daughter is doing an FOBT test (ewwwwww!) right now...passing blood on the toilet paper...sigh....

    Hugs, Kathi
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #10
    usakat said:

    Ah, Kathi - the family ties that bind...of this I know.

    I know this too - you were my first official friend here at CSN. You have been a true inspiration, offered valuable encouragement, and lots and lots of laughs (a very good medicine). I know you will do the same for your sister. She is lucky to have you.

    And you're right - we must stop this menace! I truly believe with all the faith I have that we will and that we are right around the corner. All those really smart scientific type folks are working tirelessly for a cure. The daily NIH and NCI newsletters and press releases indicates they are making huge strides every week.

    Big huge hugs and prayers for you, and my very biggest prayers for your sister. Keep us posted.

    xoxo,
    Katie

    Interesting....because it is squamous cell, her cancer center is saying it is likely NOT genetic...hummmmm....also, they said that they are seeing many cases in women with NO familiar history of cancer.....

    Hugs, Kathi
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #11
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thank you, dearheart...yes, she wrote down the web site....I told her what an inspiration all of you are...also to identify herself as my sis...

    Gave her all my 'newbie' advice...water, considering the cancer to be an invader that needs to be vanquished by her body, instead of her body 'betraying' her (I always HATE hearing that...lol), support thru this group....
    If I heard right, she may never become a true semi-colon...no surgery if the chemo/rads do their job...a legacy people like me left for those that follow (I had no evidence of cancer in any of the stuff they removed during my resection...)

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #12
    Hi Kathi -

    I wish we didn't have to welcome your sister, but I hope she knows that she has a really great mentor. You'll be able to help her through this and she's (relatively speaking) quite lucky to have you.

    Take care,
    Betsy
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #13
    Hugs to you and your sister. I am sure you will be a great inspiration to your sister.

    Maureen
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #14
    Betsydoglover said:

    Hi Kathi -

    I wish we didn't have to welcome your sister, but I hope she knows that she has a really great mentor. You'll be able to help her through this and she's (relatively speaking) quite lucky to have you.

    Take care,
    Betsy

    Thank you, Betsy....she even said that she feels very encouraged and ready for the fight after talking to me....

    Hugs, Kathi
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #15
    Moesimo said:

    Hugs to you and your sister. I am sure you will be a great inspiration to your sister.

    Maureen

    Thank you, Maureen....I hope so!

    She is my older sister, so the advice usually flows from her to me...hope I can do it justice!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    #16
    KathiM said:

    Interesting....because it is squamous cell, her cancer center is saying it is likely NOT genetic...hummmmm....also, they said that they are seeing many cases in women with NO familiar history of cancer.....

    Hugs, Kathi

    I fall into the "no family history" category, Kath. Talk about a shocker....age 33 being told I have a "what? where?"

    Detection is key.

    Tell you sister (and your daughter) you are a great role model for how to be successful in this crazy mess.

    Hugs (for 'the sis" too!)

    Stacy
  • hopefulone
    hopefulone Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #17
    Kathy, I am so sorry to hear about your sister dx. Hugs and prayers for both of you. You'll both get thru this and I know you will be a tremendous source of support for her as you are for us. God Bless.

    Diane
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #18
    Kathi, I hope colon cancer is the only thing you have in common. I don't know if we could love another one like you.
    I really am sorry to hear this news. Both my brothers have had prostate cancer. I just hate this awful beast!
    Jo Ann
  • Monicaemilia
    Monicaemilia Member Posts: 455 Member
    #19
    Kathy: I am so sorry to hear about your sister, but she is soooo lucky having you as her support and inspiration. I know she will be fine. My prayers are with you both. Monica
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #20
    oh Kathi,

    I am so sorry your sister is having to go through this. How wonderful you have each other.

    Hope all goes well for her. I know what it's like to have a sister with cancer......sometimes it's harder than being the patient.

    peace, emily

Discussion Boards