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Foggy
Foggy Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello all, I am new to the board. My wife is the survivior, she now has Stage IV CC. We found the first tumor a year ago, she is only 34 (i'm 35), so it took them a while to finally find it. It was a big one, taking up the whole colon and had made it to several lymphnodes. She had surgery to take the colon out and came out without a bag. After being home for 3 days after our 2 week stay in the hospital, she was rushed back in with a leak. she was in the ICU and had 4 more surgeries to clean her out, also had a bag this time. She woke up after a week and a half and we finally went home a few days later. She went through FOLFOX6, they waited as long as they could becasue she was left with an open wound from the surgery and they wanted it to heal as much as they could let it. It finally healed all the way a month after chemo was over. She went to have her CT and there was something on the ovary. She went back in for a hysterectomy and found out it was the CC, a tumor that had doubled in size in a month. There was also a spot on her abdomen that they took out. She went back in for a CT/PET and there are now 4 spots on the liver. She has started FOLFIRI / Avastin (the Avastin will not start for a couple more treatments becasue of being so close the surgery). She is awesome and super strong for me and our 3 kids; but this latest news has her really down. I have enjoyed reading some of your stories and they have helped a lot. It will be nice to have you all as a place for some advice.

Comments

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    Welcome
    So sorry that your wife has to be in this fight. Glad you have found us. Know that we will give you any advice we can based on our experiences and will give whatever emotional support we can.

    I can understand how this recent news has set her back emotionally since she has already been through so much.

    I personally did not do chemo (my choice) so can't offer any advice with that, but do have a perm colostomy.

    You are in good hands here. Lots of good caring folks who will do what they can to help you and your wife through this.

    Hoping for the best outcome from her current treatments.

    Marie who loves kitties
  • sheri22
    sheri22 Member Posts: 273
    Welcome
    You and your wife have been thru a lot. I have had chemo I went thrun it pretty good just tired a few days after still worked part time thru it also I got enzmet from my dr for nauseness it worked for me, this board is great for advice tell your wife we are thinking of her and you and the kids too ca affects the whole family it will bring you all closer though. tell her to hang inhere and stay strong

    SHERI22
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    Hi Foggy
    Welcome to this forum. I am sorry you have a need to be here + I am sorry your wife has been diagnosed with colon cancer, especially at such a young age. I think you will find this forum informative. The people here are supportive of one another + really help one another. I hope you will find this forum as useful as I have.
  • braelee2
    braelee2 Member Posts: 130
    SO SORRY
    Sorry to hear about your wife. My prayers are with your family stay strong. I am 37 and found out I also have colon cancer stage 3b. I don't start chemo until Oct. Give your Wife and kids lots of love.
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    braelee2 said:

    SO SORRY
    Sorry to hear about your wife. My prayers are with your family stay strong. I am 37 and found out I also have colon cancer stage 3b. I don't start chemo until Oct. Give your Wife and kids lots of love.

    We are here for you
    Some cancer can be very aggressive. Help keep her spirits up, her mind set is so important in the healing process. I hope that she catches up with the cancer in her body and that she reaches the point of mop up chemo. Hugs!
  • ktlcs
    ktlcs Member Posts: 358
    Nana b said:

    We are here for you
    Some cancer can be very aggressive. Help keep her spirits up, her mind set is so important in the healing process. I hope that she catches up with the cancer in her body and that she reaches the point of mop up chemo. Hugs!

    Sorry
    That you have to be here, but you have come to the right place. I too am (was) my husband's caregiver, he unfortuately lost the fight, and know the fear and helplessness you feel. But you have come to the right place, you will find the people here to be a great source of strength aand comfort.

    As far as her treatment goes, it sounds like she has had a rough time, but remember everyone is different and everyone reacts differently to treatment. There is no right or wrong way. AS Nana B said, attitude plays a big part in recovry and a good attitude is very important.

    My prayers go out to both of you

    Kathy
  • Crow71
    Crow71 Member Posts: 679 Member
    Rough year
    Hey Foggy -Glad to have you here. With all you and your wife have been through, I'll bet you'll be able to give advice as well as receive.

    I'm kind of similar to your wife. I'm stage IV, dx about a year ago. Folfox, surgery, further spread to liver and lungs (never had to worry about ovaries at least). I'm now on folfiri with avastin to start as soon as this damned wound heals. Like your wife, I try to be strong for our 3 kids and for my wife. Stay strong. You aren't alone. We're here for you.
    Take care - Roger
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    Crow71 said:

    Rough year
    Hey Foggy -Glad to have you here. With all you and your wife have been through, I'll bet you'll be able to give advice as well as receive.

    I'm kind of similar to your wife. I'm stage IV, dx about a year ago. Folfox, surgery, further spread to liver and lungs (never had to worry about ovaries at least). I'm now on folfiri with avastin to start as soon as this damned wound heals. Like your wife, I try to be strong for our 3 kids and for my wife. Stay strong. You aren't alone. We're here for you.
    Take care - Roger

    Foggy
    Sending good vibes your way. Your wife sounds like a strong person. that is terrific..it will get her where she needs to be. This is a great place to be for advice and peace of mind. You take care.

    jennie
  • Foggy
    Foggy Member Posts: 6
    Thanks...
    Thanks to all of you for your kind comments. You all seem to feed off of one another so well, I am glad that I have found this place to come to. Take care and God Bless.
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    Foggy said:

    Thanks...
    Thanks to all of you for your kind comments. You all seem to feed off of one another so well, I am glad that I have found this place to come to. Take care and God Bless.

    That is a very lovely
    That is a very lovely picture!
  • Crow71
    Crow71 Member Posts: 679 Member
    Great picture
    There's a lot of green, and argyle, and a sash. I'm really curious to know more.
    Roger
  • Nana2
    Nana2 Member Posts: 255
    Welcome to the board. My
    Welcome to the board. My husband has been battling stage 4 colon cancer. I will certainly be praying for you guys. I know how helpless you feel watching someone you love going through all of this and having such young children too, you must feel the weight of the world on your shoulders. I have found much encouragement and good advise on here for my Husband and I both. It's a safe place come and ask for help or give some encouragement.
    I'm guessing you're Irish? :) me too

    April
  • Foggy
    Foggy Member Posts: 6
    Crow71 said:

    Great picture
    There's a lot of green, and argyle, and a sash. I'm really curious to know more.
    Roger

    Green
    Thank you all for the nice comments, I am very pround of my family. The picture was taken near St. Patrick's Day last year. We live in Savannah, GA; St. Patrick's Day is a big deal here. We have the second largest parade in the country after New York's (just over 300 entries). I am on the Parade Committee that helps put it on each year, that is where the sash comes from. It is a year round thing to get ready for each year. The picture was at one of the many events we hold leading up to the big day. Savannah has a HUGE Irish Catholic population and alwasy has. Pretty unique for the south, but it helps to make it a very special place also.
  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch Member Posts: 1,375 Member
    Welcome Aboard, Foggy!
    Hey Foggy... on most support boards, one is inclined to say, "Welcome to this place!" and although I'm thrilled you have found us, I just hate the reason why you even had to look for us in the first place. WOW... your wife has been through so much in such a short period of time, and you have been through just as much, having to watch her go through all of this, on top of that being the caregiver for those three wonderful children. You are a super angel and your wife is going to benefit so much from just knowing you are there!

    Hey... feeling down after all she's been through, only to get MORE news, now on the liver... it is totally normal and natural for her to let her guard down and dwell on how much she's been through and wondering, where the heck does this stop?? When does she get a break from this kind of news?? She needs to have the "down" time to regroup, refresh, and get ready for the ongoing battle.

    My first bit of advice is to get her on board here. Once she starts reading these posts and gets to know the people behind the posts the most magical thing will happen... she will suddenly realize she's not isolated and alone. There are many, many others who are facing the same battles, have the same fears, get terrified every time a new spot/tumour is found... as well, she will realize just how lucky she is to have this wonderful caring husband and 3 wonderful children. The one thing, I think I can speak on behalf of everyone here who has colorectal cancer... no matter how wonderful our family and friends support team is, we feel isolated/alone in the battle because it's only "us" who is going through it. How can family/friends really know what fears/feelings we are going through, even though they are the most supportive angels in the world? It's when we all landed here and realized THESE people get it... they really do know what I'm going through, that this huge dark cloud is lifted. And we know we can fight it because everyone here is fighting this monster!

    But just as important, there are also a whole bunch of you caregivers on this site who all have your own fears, questions and sometimes just need a break from the round-the-clock attention. And yes, you caregivers need the same amount of support as the person going fighting the cancer.

    So please, bring your wife over too... there's lots of room :):)

    Cheryl
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    Hi Foggy
    Hi Foggy,
    I love your pic as well. You have a beautiful family. Any family that embraces St. Patrick's Day in such a great fashion is high in my books. :) You and your wife have been through so much. It sounds like she is a very strong lady.
    I hope we can provide friendship and support to both of you.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • Jaylo969
    Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member
    Foggy said:

    Green
    Thank you all for the nice comments, I am very pround of my family. The picture was taken near St. Patrick's Day last year. We live in Savannah, GA; St. Patrick's Day is a big deal here. We have the second largest parade in the country after New York's (just over 300 entries). I am on the Parade Committee that helps put it on each year, that is where the sash comes from. It is a year round thing to get ready for each year. The picture was at one of the many events we hold leading up to the big day. Savannah has a HUGE Irish Catholic population and alwasy has. Pretty unique for the south, but it helps to make it a very special place also.

    Ah! Savannah
    My favorite city in the whole world. Always hoped to retire to one of the Islands but looks like that will have to be my *dream*.

    Welcome to our group Foggy.You can get a lot of first hand experience & info here as well as make special friends.

    My best to you & your lovely family.

    -Pat
  • Erinb
    Erinb Member Posts: 293
    Hi Foggy,You will find a
    Hi Foggy,
    You will find a lot of support and people to share your experiences with. My husband also has stage 4 with liver mets and is currently on folfiri and erbitux. He has had 20 treatments and doing well. We have a two year old and she keeps us busy. I can't imagine all the challenges LOVE and JOY three children must bring to each of you everyday. I love the picture of the family. Your wife is amazing. She has been through a lot in one year.
    Erin