My Big Day?

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dazielke
dazielke Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Greetings All,

I've been reading these posts for a few days now and I am amazed at the faith and courage that is shown here! Being new to this I hope that I can measure up to even a few of you.

I am a 49 year old, single mom of a beautiful 10 year old daughter and a grown son.

I went to the hospital for a harsh bout of diverticulitis was dx'd on October 6th with colon cancer (stage IV)with mat to the liver. Had surgery on Oct 8th. I lost transverse and right which seems like way too much for me. After what felt like too short of a healing time I had my PET scan on Thursday and I will get the results along with the start of my Chemo this morning. Seems like I am going to get the usual chemo 3 days one week and Avastin one day the next for 6 months.

I don't know of anyone that has ever had any form of cancer so I am so far in the dark about most of this. I read as much as I can find on the internet but would love to hear from anyone that has the time.

Thanks and best wishes to all!
Debra

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  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    #2
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    Hi Debra,

    Sorry you have to be here (seems there a a few others making their first posts too). Trust me when I say, finding this site was the single best thing I did for myself and my cancer early last year.

    If you want to learn more about others with colorectal cancer, check out the personal web pages on this site. You can search by a person's "handle". I personally recommend: Kangatoo, Stacy, 2bhealed, Lisa Rose, Bud, Aspaysia, Kerry, Kanort, Mike42, Spongebob, Moesimo and I am sure I am leaving others out. For those that have not done yours (it is free), do it, you have no idea how much it can help someone else to just know that someone else is going thru the same stuff every minute of every day that they are.

    Lisa P.
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #3
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    Debra,

    I am so sorry that you had to join our group. I was 46 when diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer 2 1/2 years ago. I have had chemo, radiation, surgery, a second surgery, more chemo and then a 3rd surgery. It was a rough 2 years with 11 hospital admissions. But my life went on and I didn't miss a beat. I was able to work full time through it all except when I was in the hospital. I have a great support system that includes my husband of 26 years. My daughter graduated from college 2 days after my last radiation treatment and went on to grad school and received her MBA. She is now engaged and we are planning an Aug. wedding. My oldest son graduated from high school 2 weeks after my last radiation treatment and is now a junior in college. My youngest son was 14 and a freshman in high school, he is now a senior and we are looking at colleges for him.

    There are many more survivors that will post. We are here for you. You will get through this.

    Maureen
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #4
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    Welcome to this group (and sorry you have to be here). I have found this group to be full of wise information and warm support, and trust you will, too. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer 2.5 years ago -- at the age of 44. I've had chemoradiation, surgery, chemo -- in remission for 2 years then a small lung lesion found. Surgery, and I'm now having more chemo. But feeling positive! Please feel free to share questions or concerns anytime.
    Tara
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #5
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    taraHK said:

    Welcome to this group (and sorry you have to be here). I have found this group to be full of wise information and warm support, and trust you will, too. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer 2.5 years ago -- at the age of 44. I've had chemoradiation, surgery, chemo -- in remission for 2 years then a small lung lesion found. Surgery, and I'm now having more chemo. But feeling positive! Please feel free to share questions or concerns anytime.
    Tara

    Hi Deb, welcome to tha family(excuse me slang tho..I'm an ozzie)I am a stage 2--errr so can't help you with your chemo questions as I only did 5Fu/leucovorin but am sure others here will help yah. It was nice of Scouty to recommend you talk to me...thats I guess 'cos I call er "honey". Yup..we get humorous some times..we laugh and we also cry together but most of all we listen(read) to all our friends here and offer the next best thing to a hugg..a cyber hugg!
    Seriously Deb, you have come to the right place for support with a bit 'o' love thrown in. As for "measurin up?"...no worries...struth...it is great that you found us. Now go and have a look at some of the "personal pages" while you wait for a few more replies.There is a wealth of info with many stage 4 survivors here that can offer lots of help and encouragement. They are our biggest inspiration!
    We hope that your scans come back with the very best results you can get and also wish you the best during your chemo. Keep in touch.
    Ross and Jen
  • dazielke
    dazielke Member Posts: 2
    #6
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    I'd like to thank everyone for their kind words. I was blessed to get the PET results that showed what we knew the spot on the liver and nothing else. I started my chemo on Monday also what seems to be the standard Eloxatin/5FU/Leucovorin this week and Avastin next week. So far so good, I've tolerated what they've given me with very little discomfort.

    A few questions...with the chemo, maybe no bad reactions currently but very possible in the future? and...everyone seemed to be very happy that I have no lymph node involvement. If that is a huge concern why would that be a stage 3 vs the met a stage 4. I am finding it very difficult to understand this along with the very low survival rate amongst stage 4 patients.

    Sorry, I just have no clue. Thanks ahead of time for the help.
  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
    #7
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    dazielke said:

    I'd like to thank everyone for their kind words. I was blessed to get the PET results that showed what we knew the spot on the liver and nothing else. I started my chemo on Monday also what seems to be the standard Eloxatin/5FU/Leucovorin this week and Avastin next week. So far so good, I've tolerated what they've given me with very little discomfort.

    A few questions...with the chemo, maybe no bad reactions currently but very possible in the future? and...everyone seemed to be very happy that I have no lymph node involvement. If that is a huge concern why would that be a stage 3 vs the met a stage 4. I am finding it very difficult to understand this along with the very low survival rate amongst stage 4 patients.

    Sorry, I just have no clue. Thanks ahead of time for the help.

    Sorry you have to join this club, but this is an amazing site, which got me through my chemo for stage 3, now 2 years post surgery and No Evidence of Disease.
    You can do it; the stats for much colon cancer are skewed because so many folks are much older at diagnosis, often with very advanced disease. A spot on your liver is very different than big lesions in liver and lung, but, still, I think, qualifies you for stage 4 just because another organ is involved. Continue to ask your doc any and all questions until you get the info you need; we all have a steep learning curve to go through with this disease. Even though I am a nurse, with a dad who had colon Ca, I felt blindsided, overwhelmed and anxious every time I tried to think about it.
    Use the nurses or nurse practicioners in the office, too, if you have questions; I was a wreck for the first few weeks of chemo, and I had them on speedial; they were SO supportive when I needed it most.
    You will get through this, one week at a time; there are many stage 4 success stories here, and you can join them. Do read some of the personal web pages; they can be inspirational and very calming.
    Keep us posted, and post as often as you need reassurance! Judy

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