The Stress of waiting

pamalama
pamalama Member Posts: 27
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone,

My topic is the stress of waiting for CAT results. My husband Jerry(age 41 marathon runner) dx 12/4/08 Stage 3b 2 out of 11 nodes showed microscoptic involvement starting folfox plus erbitux trial next week. Anyway tuesday 1/6 he had a pre chemo (per Trial) Cat of chest and ab (the did a CAT previous to surgery which showed no lympth involvement no visable anything). This waiting for results is soooo hard!!!. We're trying so hard to be patient but come on call. The onc is on vacation this week and his nurse practioner is overwhelmed why isn't she calling. I just need to vent I keep worrying, everything throughout this ordeal we have been hopeful and then we get bad news this time I can't feel like that I don't want anymore surprises. He and I are a bundle of nerves. Please pray for him that this CAT shows nothing new we have 3 kids 11,9 and 4 we lost our parents in Sept07 his dad head and neck cancer and my mom in oct07 AML leukemia.

UPDATE!!!!!

They just called and CAT was CLEAR yeah!!! No evidence on lungs or liver he's been randonmized into the arm of the study to receive erbitux plus Folfox and he starts on Wednesday 1/14. Please pray for my man he has a lot of living to do and for the first time in weeks I'm giddy.

Pam

Comments

  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #2
    Wonderful!
    I was getting ready to post for you to just give the onc's office a call and be done with it! Glad you finally got the call and that the results were what you were looking for! Dance the dance and fight on!
    mary
  • ldot123
    ldot123 Member Posts: 272
    #3
    It is hard
    Hi there,

    I know what you mean about waiting. It is nerve racking. Your husbands case is very similar to mine. Stage 3, 2 nodes out of 18 involved. I had chemo, just 5Fu and leucovorin. They did not want to put me on the Oxy because of neuropathy. Have been NED. The last checkup I had a CT scan and bloodwork. Bloodwork great, abdominal looks good, but there were two tiny 2 mm spots on my lungs. My onc says not to worry about and orders another CT scan in 3 months to see if any change. He says it could be scar tissue for any number of reasons but he is just being on the safe side for the next CT. All I can do is repeat the mantra that I am NED, I am NED... and just get on with this business with living - which I am determined to do for a long, long time.

    All the best to you and your husband, Lance
  • Faith4Cure
    Faith4Cure Member Posts: 405 Member
    #4
    Waiting is the Hardest!
    Great news Pam! That waiting sure takes alot out of you, doesn't it? My husband threatens to not take me with him to his oncologist because I get so nervous in the waiting room. It seems to take forever. My husband had stage 3b 2 nodes positive as well. As awful as cancer is, we felt so fortunate with each good scan. I know how you must feel. I will keep you both in my prayers in the coming months. BTW---My husband was diagnosed at 44 in Sept, 06. We have two children. It was quite a journey, but we are back to our life and he is NED. Believe--- it will all be a memory!

    Faith
  • pamness
    pamness Member Posts: 524 Member
    #5
    Hi Pam
    Yes, the waiting is awful. I am currently ned but every three months when I go for m.y CEA test, I hold my breath until I get the results. My CEA is a little odd - it is higher than normal with scans that are clear. The scans are even more fun since the wait is a little longer.

    I think we all know what you mean about the waiting.

    But I hope your good news makes everything feel better.

    Pam
  • Faith88
    Faith88 Member Posts: 55
    #6
    how well I know
    the roller coaster ride you are going on. It's enough to make you go crazy. I'm so glad to hear that you got the good news that the scans were clear. This is such an up and down journey and so important to always stay positive and keep moving forward, enjoying and maximizing each day you have especially the good news days! I'm sending prayers your way for a long life with Ned. The chemo is tough but he'll make it through.
    -Faith88 (another loving wife who needs her husband)
  • pamalama
    pamalama Member Posts: 27
    #7
    Faith88 said:

    how well I know
    the roller coaster ride you are going on. It's enough to make you go crazy. I'm so glad to hear that you got the good news that the scans were clear. This is such an up and down journey and so important to always stay positive and keep moving forward, enjoying and maximizing each day you have especially the good news days! I'm sending prayers your way for a long life with Ned. The chemo is tough but he'll make it through.
    -Faith88 (another loving wife who needs her husband)

    Thank you
    Dear all, thank you for your support. It is very comforting thing these message boards it's like reaching out to little cyber angels who magically wrap their arms around you til the blues pass. I pray for all those dealing with this and all those who are caring for someone dealing with this... Keep strong... keep positive...keep living...keep laughing.

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