Colon Cancer

confused1
confused1 Member Posts: 50
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Okay, I was introduced to this from a very nice lady moondragon. I am a user of facebook and I was asking my friend's on line to join the cause of colon cancer. And this lady asked me to be her friend on there(moondragon). Well I excepted not knowing who she was. But because she also joined the cause I thought it wouldn't hurt to except her as a friend. So that is how I have found about this site. We have chatted a few times on line since. I have colon cancer and it is in stage 4. It is in my liver, lungs, and ovaries. I have 4 children and the youngest is 4yrs. old. I found out last March 12th 2008 that I had colon cancer. I was 49yrs. when i found out. I just turned 50yrs. old the 25th of Jan. I woke up one day for work and I had some discomfort in my lower right stomach area. It got worse as the day went on. It got to the point that the only time it didn't hurt is when I was laying down. Well then I couldn't stand the pain any longer and I had my husband take me to the emergency.They did there reuglar tests. And thought maybe I was full of what they called poo. Well we did the test and it wasn't that. They said they thought 50% that it could be cancer. Well I wasn't expecting that for an answer.So I guess the proper term that I can think of is I freaked out.All kinds of things ran through my head. We live in a small town so they wanted me to be ambulancened to a bigger hospital. There I had a colonoscopy. And Then I was told that I had a tumor that had to be removed. After the surgery they said it had metastesize into my lungs,liver and ovaries. Well after I got home from the hospital I got on line and the only thing I could think of is I am going to die like real quick. I looked on line to see the life expectancy of a colon cancer instage 4 was. It said on there that 10% of people live for 5 yrs. Well guess what i was thinking. OH MY GOD. What about my 4 yr.old. How I can expalin how I felt is what about my daughter and why me. What the heck have I done in life to deserve this.And the fact that I am going to die way sooner than I had planned. Well I started doing some research about Mexico stuff. And I found out through a few people in town tha had went to the Bio Clinic in mexico. So that is where I headed before talking to any of the doctors in the US about chemo and everything. So they gave me some Stuff called Hoxey and some other pills like tee stuff and i had to follow a very strick diet. And the doctor said there that being's I had stage 4 that I would have to do chemo where alot of the patience don't have to. So when I got back I started doing Chemo in April. I have been doing Chemo every week since. I did the hoxey stuff from Mexico also. My blood Markers were at 53 when I started it all. In the later part of July I had a set back. i ran a very high fever. And I don't remember 4 day's of it. But They thought I had a form of metagitist(sp). And it was either caused by one of the chemo drugs or the mexico stuff or the both together. It mest with my motor skills,. I couldn't walk, talk or write very well. I was in the hospital for 1 month. And then I found out my blood markers were at 2.5 right where they were suppose to be at. So the doctors suggested for me to quit the Mexico stuff and they didn't give me the chemo drugs. Well now in Oct. they have given me the chemo drug back. But I haven't did the mexico stuff. I am kind of scared to do it again. All and all I feel good. I get real tired. I lose my balance and I write very sloppy. There is alot more I could tell you but that is the main stuff. All I know I think with all the support of my family and friend's and everyone's prayer's is why I am still here. I did find out though why they call cancer a silent Killer because I had no sypmtom's to go by. I hope to find support and I am willing to give support to whom evr need's it. Take Car eto All And God Bless

Comments

  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #2
    Your story...
    sounds alot like mine. I don't have a family history of colon cancer, and my gyno said I wouldn't need a colonoscopy till I was 50! well, one day, I felt a great discomfort in my abdomen area as well, like I was in my 8th month of pregnanby! a hardness above the abdomen are..I went to the ER room a couple weeks ago to find out I had a think mass in my colon and a mass in my liver. They then transferred me over to the OSE Jaames Research Center, where I was there for 5 days of tests, lab work, MRI's, CT Scans, X-Rays, Bone cans, you name them, I did them. I was then found to be stage 4 with colon cancer, that metastazised to the liver, though the lungs, chest and everything else was fine. I was overwhelmed and shocked and so upset at this, I'm going to be 44 next week, and I also have 4 children. I wasn't even scared for myself, I was more scared for my kids. My mom amd dad dies from cancers while I was young, I didn't want history repeating itself!

    After talking to the doctors, the doctor said even though it isn't curable, it is "treatable" and what I had can treated. Chemo isn't like it used to be, and the treatments are very advanced now, where they see stage 4 cancer people coming and visiting who are still here 10 years later!

    This is a great forum for you to come too, welcome, you will find alot of support here and will meet people here who have beaten the odds and prove the stats wrong.. don't read the stats! they are outdated and wrong! I haven't even started chemo yet, I start next week, and really can't wait to start shrinking these tumors down. Don't get discouraged or get down, even though it's hard not too, I worry some days that I won't be here next year each other, but then again, I won't let this cancer take me the way it took the rest of my family, you can get better!

    I don't think I'd go to Mexico for my therapy, that's for sure, the USA has very advanced stuff, and find a nice major medical cancer center with a good reputation!You can do this, you'll see! I am trying everyday to hold my sanity for my kids, and I will fight this for them as well.. we can do this together!

    Hugsss to you!
    ~Donna
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797
    #3
    CanSer Sucks!
    Welcome. I'm so glad that moondragon invited you here and so sorry that you need us. You have been through so much and it sucks! I was 43 at diagnosis and also had no family history and was asymptomatic. You will this group to be so very supportive. There are lots of places to get info, but none that are as caring and thoughtful as this group.

    Kimby
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #4
    Welcome!
    I have a friend who was diagnosed a little while back with ovarian cancer and she's from El Salvador. She was talking about various treatments she had heard about from friends that they swear can CURE cancer! One involves eating live weevils each day, beginning with one and increasing each day until you get to a certain number, then decreasing every day until you get to none. Supposedly they let off a toxin as they die in your digestive system that cures cancer as well as a myriad of other things. Well, needless to say I was skeptical and went online to get some information. Next we spoke about it I could just laugh and told her us "white folks" would have a very hard time eating live beetles, no matter how small they might be! We just haven't been brought up that way! She has decided not to pursue it for now, but it's amazing the things we will grasp at when we are faced with a possible life threatening disease. In America we find it hard to understand a desire to undergo what we consider to be "folk" remedies because we have been brought up in a mostly scientific environment. However, other countries have been very successful with non-traditional treatments and I believe it to be an individual decision to pursue alternative treatments in place of or in sync with more traditional treatments. She also mentioned a tea treatment, but we didn't discuss details and I don't know if she decided to pursue that. I think you did the right thing for you; don't second guess your decisions. You will continue to get better and hopefully will be back soon telling us you are dancing with NED (No Evidence of Disease).
    mary
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #5
    kimby said:

    CanSer Sucks!
    Welcome. I'm so glad that moondragon invited you here and so sorry that you need us. You have been through so much and it sucks! I was 43 at diagnosis and also had no family history and was asymptomatic. You will this group to be so very supportive. There are lots of places to get info, but none that are as caring and thoughtful as this group.

    Kimby

    I like your hat!
    Did you make it?
    mary
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797
    #6
    msccolon said:

    I like your hat!
    Did you make it?
    mary

    NO
    Sadly, I don't knit, crochet or sew. :( We have a local nonprofit organization near me called The Victory Center. Some of the knitting group donate their handywork as well as other local organizations. I have several hats from there that I LOVE and they were free! They also get donations of cosmetics (Cover Girl was the latest), snack mixes, etc. I always look at the freebies when I'm there for my free massage, facial, reiki, reflexology....all donated services! Truely a wonderful place!

    Kimby
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #7
    kimby said:

    NO
    Sadly, I don't knit, crochet or sew. :( We have a local nonprofit organization near me called The Victory Center. Some of the knitting group donate their handywork as well as other local organizations. I have several hats from there that I LOVE and they were free! They also get donations of cosmetics (Cover Girl was the latest), snack mixes, etc. I always look at the freebies when I'm there for my free massage, facial, reiki, reflexology....all donated services! Truely a wonderful place!

    Kimby

    free massage!
    You are so lucky! I am jealous, imagining you relaxing and enjoying all of that cool stuff! I knit, crochet and sew, although I haven't made any caps by sewing (unless you count the sleepcap I made my daughter way back when!). I make myself caps when I need them, and make caps to bring to my oncs office. Thank heavens for angels in your area! I did get free cosmetics from the Look Good ... Feel Better campaign! Awesome stuff!
    mary
  • dixchi
    dixchi Member Posts: 431
    #8
    msccolon said:

    Welcome!
    I have a friend who was diagnosed a little while back with ovarian cancer and she's from El Salvador. She was talking about various treatments she had heard about from friends that they swear can CURE cancer! One involves eating live weevils each day, beginning with one and increasing each day until you get to a certain number, then decreasing every day until you get to none. Supposedly they let off a toxin as they die in your digestive system that cures cancer as well as a myriad of other things. Well, needless to say I was skeptical and went online to get some information. Next we spoke about it I could just laugh and told her us "white folks" would have a very hard time eating live beetles, no matter how small they might be! We just haven't been brought up that way! She has decided not to pursue it for now, but it's amazing the things we will grasp at when we are faced with a possible life threatening disease. In America we find it hard to understand a desire to undergo what we consider to be "folk" remedies because we have been brought up in a mostly scientific environment. However, other countries have been very successful with non-traditional treatments and I believe it to be an individual decision to pursue alternative treatments in place of or in sync with more traditional treatments. She also mentioned a tea treatment, but we didn't discuss details and I don't know if she decided to pursue that. I think you did the right thing for you; don't second guess your decisions. You will continue to get better and hopefully will be back soon telling us you are dancing with NED (No Evidence of Disease).
    mary

    Centers
    Kimby, your Victory Center sounds very much like the Wellness Centers which are
    located around the country. It has been a great benefit. Recently I was there
    they had a Look Good....Feel Better program. We got all these cosmetics in a nice
    bag and redid our make-up right there. It was fun. And the cosmetics were so nice
    ranging from Avon to Estee Lauder. Last night I was in a yoga class. The Look Good-
    Feel Better class is sponsored by the American Cancer Society so it would be available
    wherever there is a chapter.
  • MoonDragon
    MoonDragon Member Posts: 183
    #9
    Yay, here you are!!
    I'm glad to see you here! I think you will find many people in your same boat and lots of success stories! I was once asked if I belonged to a support group and without hesitating, I answered YES! When I told them it was online, they just looked at me. I find this group to be the perfect support group! I can go whenever I feel like it, not just when meetings are held, I'm in a group of friends with specific cancer just like mine, not a group where I'm listening to stories of breast, liver, lung cancer etc and other cancers I can't relate to. No one blanches when we describe our symptoms, diahrrea, constipation and other side effects, and we love, care and support each other just as we would if we were in person. My husband says online is better for me anyway as I am a "fixer" and a "nurturer" and I would drive myself insane not being able to fix someone's illness that I care about. I can chat with everyone and keep my perspective and balance.

    I'm really glad you joined our group!

    Hugs!

    Jorie
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797
    #10
    dixchi said:

    Centers
    Kimby, your Victory Center sounds very much like the Wellness Centers which are
    located around the country. It has been a great benefit. Recently I was there
    they had a Look Good....Feel Better program. We got all these cosmetics in a nice
    bag and redid our make-up right there. It was fun. And the cosmetics were so nice
    ranging from Avon to Estee Lauder. Last night I was in a yoga class. The Look Good-
    Feel Better class is sponsored by the American Cancer Society so it would be available
    wherever there is a chapter.

    Wellness Center
    Yes, I've heard of the Wellness Center but there isn't one in this area. I have participated in the Look Good Feel Better program and also found it quite wonderful. The products were high quality and it was fun!

    Kimby
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #11
    MoonDragon said:

    Yay, here you are!!
    I'm glad to see you here! I think you will find many people in your same boat and lots of success stories! I was once asked if I belonged to a support group and without hesitating, I answered YES! When I told them it was online, they just looked at me. I find this group to be the perfect support group! I can go whenever I feel like it, not just when meetings are held, I'm in a group of friends with specific cancer just like mine, not a group where I'm listening to stories of breast, liver, lung cancer etc and other cancers I can't relate to. No one blanches when we describe our symptoms, diahrrea, constipation and other side effects, and we love, care and support each other just as we would if we were in person. My husband says online is better for me anyway as I am a "fixer" and a "nurturer" and I would drive myself insane not being able to fix someone's illness that I care about. I can chat with everyone and keep my perspective and balance.

    I'm really glad you joined our group!

    Hugs!

    Jorie

    suppot group
    Wow Jorie....you really the nail on the head for me with that statement....yesssss I do belong to a support group.on-line...yes! Actually i live in quite a small place and there are 2 support groups...breast and prostate. I decided after a couple of years to just go to breast and see how it went. the gals were sweet and wonderful but almost all of them were ned for 10 to 20 years and all the programmes were of course breast oriented.

    Sooo you are right.dis is the place...no one does blanche here and that is a good thing.

    Welcome Confused....I hope you find a welcome home here even though I am so sorry you have to be here. Glad to have you aboard

    Lots of Good wishes
    Mags
  • daydreamer110761
    daydreamer110761 Member Posts: 487 Member
    #12
    MoonDragon said:

    Yay, here you are!!
    I'm glad to see you here! I think you will find many people in your same boat and lots of success stories! I was once asked if I belonged to a support group and without hesitating, I answered YES! When I told them it was online, they just looked at me. I find this group to be the perfect support group! I can go whenever I feel like it, not just when meetings are held, I'm in a group of friends with specific cancer just like mine, not a group where I'm listening to stories of breast, liver, lung cancer etc and other cancers I can't relate to. No one blanches when we describe our symptoms, diahrrea, constipation and other side effects, and we love, care and support each other just as we would if we were in person. My husband says online is better for me anyway as I am a "fixer" and a "nurturer" and I would drive myself insane not being able to fix someone's illness that I care about. I can chat with everyone and keep my perspective and balance.

    I'm really glad you joined our group!

    Hugs!

    Jorie

    no kidding
    I agree with maglets - you hit the nail on the head with that one - this is the BEST support group! It's open 24 hours, there is usually someone here even at 4am! And one of the best things is that you don't have to leave the house at a certain time to be here! It's so cold outside (maglets??) who WANTS to drive somewhere! You can say anything you want from the side effects of cancer to other problems and there is always someone who has experienced it and can give you words of hope (ie. my kids) - this is a wonderful place to be (since we unfortunately have to be somewhere.....).
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #13
    MoonDragon said:

    Yay, here you are!!
    I'm glad to see you here! I think you will find many people in your same boat and lots of success stories! I was once asked if I belonged to a support group and without hesitating, I answered YES! When I told them it was online, they just looked at me. I find this group to be the perfect support group! I can go whenever I feel like it, not just when meetings are held, I'm in a group of friends with specific cancer just like mine, not a group where I'm listening to stories of breast, liver, lung cancer etc and other cancers I can't relate to. No one blanches when we describe our symptoms, diahrrea, constipation and other side effects, and we love, care and support each other just as we would if we were in person. My husband says online is better for me anyway as I am a "fixer" and a "nurturer" and I would drive myself insane not being able to fix someone's illness that I care about. I can chat with everyone and keep my perspective and balance.

    I'm really glad you joined our group!

    Hugs!

    Jorie

    a great support group
    I also echo your feelings, Jorie, of me being in a support group. It's amazing to me how quickly people on this site reply when you have questions and concerns. Most of the time, I just enjoy reading everyone else's posts and, if I happen to be in just a quiet, reflective mood, I don't feel the pressure to have to say anything! It's wonderfully amazing how we can live all over the country (or even in other countries!) and still feel so closely connected here on this site. Like you said, it's available any time, anyday, not just when "the group" meets. Certainly, I'm not knocking regular, live, local support groups because many people don't have the physical human contact of support and need and real, live group- but this is a wonderful place to be for people like us who are in this situation.

    Have a blessed day, everyone- I'm thinking about so many of you and appreciating your kind, sweet, helpful spirits!

    Lisa
  • sheri22
    sheri22 Member Posts: 273
    #14
    Confused
    wow sounds like you have been thru a lot already I agree with just sticking to the chemo
    though, they have come a long way with it. I also have stage 4 colon cancer met to my lung.
    I had stage 2 3 yrs ago, did chemo that went fine. I had one round so far wasnt bad 2nd round is tommorrow hopefully it goes ok too any way hang in there and prayeers are with you this is the best site befor I found this I was really down now its one day at a time
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #15
    sheri22 said:

    Confused
    wow sounds like you have been thru a lot already I agree with just sticking to the chemo
    though, they have come a long way with it. I also have stage 4 colon cancer met to my lung.
    I had stage 2 3 yrs ago, did chemo that went fine. I had one round so far wasnt bad 2nd round is tommorrow hopefully it goes ok too any way hang in there and prayeers are with you this is the best site befor I found this I was really down now its one day at a time

    stage 2
    You know, it just goes to show how LITTLE they truly know about this disease! That you could be stage 2 only 3 years ago and now dealing with a recurrence is unbelievable! Even with the advances that have been made even in the almost 5 years since I was originally diagnosed, we are in the DARK AGES! Why some of us continue to be hounded relentlessly by this beast and why others of us are blessed in gingerly dancing with NED for years and decades after initial diagnosis is a wonder. When I read about new breakthroughs such as isolating genes that something something something (sorry, I don't remember the details but they were exciting!) it gets me excited and hopeful that SOON, hopefully VERY soon, we will be able to consider this beast very treatable and PREDICTABLE. Without predictability, this beast will continue to be as difficult to fight as it is today. Is it just me?
    mary

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