A community for those affected by colorectal cancer.
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Becky
- 59, Female
- Duluth MN
- United States
- Blog Posts (7)
- Discussions (14)
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Becky's Discussions
Good news!
Started this discussion. Last reply by Barbara Casson Apr 24, 2009. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Survivor Beck
Profile Information
- City:
- Duluth MN
- Relationship to disease: [select only one]
- Patient/Survivor
- Race and Ethnicity: [select only one]
- White (non-Hispanic)
- (Patients/Survivors Only) Type of Cancer: [select only one]
- Colon Cancer
- (Patients/Survivors Only) What stage were you diagnosed? [select only one]
- Stage 3
- (Patients/Survivors Only) Chemotherapy Received:
- Fluoroucil (5-FU), Eloxatin (Oxaliplatin), Other
- About Me:
- I was diagnosed five years ago at Christmas time. I knew I had cancer before they told me because of intuition not because of any real pain I was having. The year before I went to the doctor and told her I was having some light bleeding and thought perhaps a hemorrhoid may be the issue. She checked the chart and it had been only 3 years since my last colonoscopy so totally didn't think anything of it. Checked me with the external exam and I went home. Over the next year I had a growing sense that it was bigger than just a minor issue with hemorrhoids and went back several times. She finally offered to schedule a test but then my mother-in-law's health began to fail and then my father-in-laws. Chuck had heart surgery and I was there everyday caring for him and taking my mother-in-law, Anne, to dialysis three days a week. Now I ask you- who has time for cancer?? My mother in law passed away and Chuck got stronger so we took our long planned trip to Lithuania. On that trip I didn't "go" once in two weeks and only spotted blood. I didn't tell anyone including my hubby that all this was going on- no one knew what I was thinking at all. I did a lot of thinking during those months and really challenged myself to get a grip and take what ever was coming with a "right" attitude. When we got back from our trip I called my doctor and made the appointment and after a month went in. During the procedure I awoke and looked at the scan on the monitor and KNEW what that huge lump was. My poor husband didn't suspect anything and was at work. The doctor came in to talk to me afterwords and thought he should wait for Rich and I looked at the doc and said "I know it is cancer- what next" He was quite taken aback and even called me at home that evening to make sure I really understood what was going on. When Rich came to pick me up he found out and helped me pick a surgeon and get it scheduled right away. I spent that 2 weeks talking to each friend separately and each crying with me. I had the surgery through a laperoscopy(?spelling) and the surgeon removed a foot and a half of the lower colon but was able to reconnect me. She then told me it had gone through the wall and was in 7 out of 10 nodes. We scheduled a meeting with an onocologist and He was very encouraging and said to me that this could be beaten and we began chemo for 6 months. Friends provided meals every other day and I drove myself to treatments (some days should not have) and was super fatigued and COLD all the time and I went by the name of Kermit- it isn't being green- just like the song Kermit the Frog sang. On the off chemo weeks I called them freedom weeks and tried to do something outside the house- I walked through many stores! Moving was important to me and I also tried to do a bit on my treadmill. I actually was afraid that I would get too weak and really tried to control that. The year before cancer I was working on buildings and hauling wood and was in the best condition I had been in years and lighter than I had been also- I had worked at losing 36# and did not want that back! I really think that is why I did as well as I did- it was tough but I wanted so badly to maintain what I had worked so hard to achieve.I experienced all the nausea one could get- and none of the drugs helped. Keeping fluids up helped but that meant hours more in infusion so Rich (hubby) being a nurse got permission to hang fluids at home for me. I threw up all the time during Kermit week and after awhile into freedom week. He helped me to make it through all this.
I had a colonoscopy one year after diagnoses and to our surprise there was 2 more cancers they were able to remove during the procedure. On Jan. 9th I will have another and have my fingers crossed..
So that is part of the story- as with all of us it is difficult to write everything we felt or went through but here in this supportive atmosphere we all understand- that to me is such a special blessing.
Live strong.
Beck
PRAYER REQUESTS
ccalliance.org 877-422-2030
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I hate cancer...amen
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Becky's Photos
Becky's Blog
just checking in :)
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 2:18pm 1 Comment 0 Likes
I am still clean but having issues with spasms in the rectum..trying to narrow that down still. I thought when I had them during chemo that it was due to the treatments but here it is almost 4 years since my surgery and they still come and go. Don't get me wrong- I am not complaining..I am still here and that is to be thankful for for sure! I will be celebrating at the holidays a full 4 years since my surgery… Continue
Good news!!
Posted on April 23, 2009 at 6:06pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
I still am kind of euphoric about it all- .. I have been given more time and that is a gift.
Facebook link - RE: book Puja Thomson's book Aftershock
Posted on February 14, 2009 at 6:31pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Here's the link
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=281d1e73ae7feba0e392bd444422c66a&gid=47417631902
DRESS IN BLUE DAY -FOR COLON CANCER MARCH 6
Posted on January 29, 2009 at 12:59pm 1 Comment 0 Likes
Help us raise awareness of colorectal cancer and the importance of screening by wearing blue on March 6th.
Spread the word about colorectal cancer. Learn more about Dress in Blue Day at http://www.ccalliance.org/news_e... .
Order materials for Dress in Blue Day at http://www.ccalliance.org/store.... . We'll send you 25 posters and 500 stickers for only $10.00 plus shipping.
Book list about Grieving the Non-Death loss
Posted on January 24, 2009 at 6:46pm 5 Comments 0 Likes
Beck
The Grief Recovery Handbook: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and other Losses, BY: John W. James and Russell Friedman, Harper Perennial (1998)
Life After Loss: A Personal Guide Dealing With Death an, Divorce, Job Change and Relocation, By Bob Deits (2000)
Grief's… Continue
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We have many free downloadable materials for March Becky!
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thanks,
jeannie
hi becky things are ok here , we went to the genetics clinic friday last week , there sending off for a sample of the tumor to test for lynch syndrome although they think its unlikely he will have it , got a ct scan this friday ....again the oncolgist said he didntthink it was needed as all his bloodwork / kidney functions/platelets etc are brilliant, the onc is really pleased and says hes well on the road to recovery, hes on chemo cycle 7 of 12 this week, early may and we shall be done ....forever hopefully !!!!!
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