New to website

mrscrain
mrscrain Member Posts: 11
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I am new to the website.  I have been wondering if there is anyone like me who just needs to be able to "talk" to someone who can relate/understand how I feel about what I've been through over the last year and half.  Although I have close family and friends, I just don't feel as though any of them can truly know what it's like to live through and carry on after surviving cancer.  I have frustrations, again no one can understand, frustrations with doctors, etc.  Just thought it might be healthy for me to find some support and this is where I've found myself looking.

Comments

  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #2
    Welcome

       I have been here since November 2001. I am a survivor of stage 3c colon cancer. I am out to 15 years. One thing I can tell you is that surviving survival is not easy. Here you will find that you are not alone but you are unlike evryone else. You have your own cancer ,it is chained to your own genetic code. It may seem like what someone  else has but there seems always to be subtle differences. We share stories and ideas here. Very few subjects are taboo and NO questions are dumb. We all arrived here through a life changing door. Some are scared some are brave but we are all survivors and we get by with a little help from our friends.. Ron.

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #3
    I am sorry you have to be

    I am sorry you have to be here but welcome. You have come to the right place for support from people who truly understand. I have been in the fight for over 8 years now and I feel the same way you do. Not even my dear wife totally understands the emotions that I am constantly dealing with although I am sure I don't fully understand from her perspective either. I get nervous about every little ache and pain in my chest and abdomin but I keep most of it to myself not to worry her. I do enough worrying for the both of us.

    There are plenty of people here who are more than willing to help.

    This is also a great place to come if you just want to vent.

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #4
    The ACS Chat room

    Tho I haven't been on it in many months, I found that to be helpful, too - to be actively chatting with others who understood.  Another great resource for me was my local Gilda's Club, which had me meeting with others who had cancer and understood.  Your oncology office might also know of some support groups - mine did.

    Yes, talking with people who really understand makes a huge difference.  We're all here for you as well.

    Alice

  • Semira
    Semira Member Posts: 381 Member
    #5
    hi there

    and a big welcome from the "german branch (kind of) of the board...

     

    I am caregiver to husband with stage 4 coloncancer since 25 months and if there is one thing to tell it's SO GOOD YOU FOUND this great group here. We all share different paths of the same journey and we all understand.

    Glad you found us

    Petra, Cologne, Germany

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #6
    I'm sorry you're here

    but glad you found this wonderful group. It's not easy for the survivor or caregiver. This group is very understanding and helpful in so many ways.

    Lin

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #7
    Welcome

    Welcome to the boards.  We all need someone to talk to and although you can explain to family and friends how you are feeling, it's not the same as going through it yourself.  Here you will be able to bring all your triumphs, worries, questions to many people, a lot of them have been exactly where you are and there are many different stages of our journey on here as well.  Since you have been going through this for 1 1/2 years, you have been through probably most of your surgeries and things but there are others that are just starting their journey.  Ask away of any concerns or questions you have.  Glad you found us - we are a great group.

    Kim

  • devotion10
    devotion10 Member Posts: 623 Member
    #8
    You will find comfort and acceptance here ...

    and great support.  Just keep coming back to the board, read the stories of others, and voice your concerns.  There is always someone who can relate and will respond.  I am sorry that you have to struggle with this disease, it is not easy.  Peace. ~ Cynthia

  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #9
    Welcome!

    Welcome to the forum.  Many of us have had difficult talks with family and freinds about cancer.   Many do not understand.  We face pain, mortality, nausea, anguish, happiness, etc....  This is a difficult process, to face surgery, radiation, chemo, pain meds, diet change, bathroom habbits change, our feeling of touch changes, hair loss, poor eye sight, hearing, taste, etc....  We go through so many changes some people close to us just do not believe the process. 

     

    Not all  of us have all of the changes, and some not as extreme as others.  We all have input from our own experiences and we can guide one through the process.  All are welcomed, and all are accepted!   We all have different bodies, blood chem, tumor type, location, etc...  Some things that will work for you may not work for others.  Some times it is a group of treatments that works.  Keep an open mind, and learn to love to read.  There is a lot of information, and a lot of smoke and mirrors.

     

    I am sending my thoughts and prayers for you to find the treatments that will heal you.

    Best Always, mike

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    #10
    Many welcomes!

    You have arrived home. 

    Home, where you'll find like minded family who have been travelling the same path, as patients and caregivers. 

    We all understand your feelings. I know that now that I look healthy, people think that its all over. If only they knew! Well, I'm not shy about talking abuot my issues, so some of them do. 

    We look forward to getting to know you in 2014. 

    May your Christmas season be a good one. 

  • mrscrain
    mrscrain Member Posts: 11
    #11
    Trubrit said:

    Many welcomes!

    You have arrived home. 

    Home, where you'll find like minded family who have been travelling the same path, as patients and caregivers. 

    We all understand your feelings. I know that now that I look healthy, people think that its all over. If only they knew! Well, I'm not shy about talking abuot my issues, so some of them do. 

    We look forward to getting to know you in 2014. 

    May your Christmas season be a good one. 

    Thanks for the warm welcome! 

    Thanks for the warm welcome!  It's a big relief to finally feel as though I have found people who do get what I've been feeling for so long. 

    I hope your health is well and that you have a wonderful Christmas!

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #12
    mrscrain said:

    Thanks for the warm welcome! 

    Thanks for the warm welcome!  It's a big relief to finally feel as though I have found people who do get what I've been feeling for so long. 

    I hope your health is well and that you have a wonderful Christmas!

    You are Welcome

    You are welcome.  Always remember you can ask away here.  This is a group that can help you get through situations many years down the road.  Wishing you and your family a very Merry Chrismtas and Happy New Year.

    Kim

  • marbleotis
    marbleotis Member Posts: 720 Member
    #13
    Welcome

    Welcome and sorry you are here, but you have come to the right place.  Only someone with cancer can understand what surviving really means.  You will have good days (when you do not think of cancer every second) and some bad ones when that is all you think about.  Let that occur.

    I am a 3B CC signet cell who will be 2 years NED this Jan 31.  Next month - yeah.  I have my 2 year colonoscopy on Jan 17 -  so there are some nerves, but nothing I have not gotten through before.

    People in your life will have a hard time understanding and frankly I think they get tired of the whole cancer thing.  Once we get NED, we need to work hard to stay that way and/or deal with many unknowns that come our way.  This is because they do not get it that this horrible thing happenned to "us", "our" body, it is not some TV show that you can turn off.

    Please keep posting - this is a great place with wonderful and caring people.

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #14
    Welcome to the forum!

    Life at Camp Cancer is certainly difficult for those who have not experienced it to fully understand.  So I'm glad you found us!  We have all experienced this stupid illness in one form or another, as patient or caregiver (sometime both), and you will find understanding and support here.  It's a special place!

    Hugs~AA

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