Colon Cancer Support Group
Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from mushroom-like growths that are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time. The majority of the time, the diagnosis of localized colon cancer is through colonoscopy.
My partner has stage 4 and just had her first chemo treatment Monday. I'm settling into the advocate mode to be sure she gets what she needs to thrive and give her the chance to make it past the 8 percent survival rate stage 4 carries. She's a fighter and with my support she does well. Some days I feel so good to be there with her and some days I'm just so afraid. Mostly Its the long odds and not knowing what to expect that makes it hard for me. I want to believe but I really get deeply afraid a lot of the time. We plan to get married soon and that's a wonderful thing. I think I'm here to talk to others to see what there take is. I'm trying to decide what it is I should expect.
Ps it sounds like your future wedding plans will give you both something positive to focus on best wishes
Afraid is a good word to describe the feelings you may have. The not knowing is hard for me too. Soon after several treatments you with know more what to expect.
The human sprit is astounding! The strength you and your partner will see in yourselves is amazing. Sometimes I wonder where it comes from.
My husband is battling Liver Cancer that started in the colon. He had 12 rounds of chemo and still worked through the whole thing, He had a few bumps in the road, and trust me when I tell you the road isn't a strait one! Taking a day off here and there.
I know that positivity and humor is getting him through it, and honesty. Not hiding behind the Cancer, but talking openly about it. I truly believe it makes you stronger, and makes you really understand what is important in your life.
We also pray a lot. The idea that God has a plan and no matter what we are safe in his arms, makes me hold my head up and not go fetal. Sometimes its so much I know, but please take the time to take care of yourself.
Wishing your partner the best of luck with the treatment, and know that a lot of people have positive response to chemo.
ps don't hold to much in the numbers, they are ever changing and are just a marker. Hugs to you Tracey
Jaynie is so right about the wedding plans. What a exciting thing!
Tracy, are you telling me your husband has been receiving chemo for 12 weeks now? What are they doing. Giving him doses for 6 weeks and then test? 6 more weeks and then retest? Whats the norm?
Bless you both... j
The fear you are feeling I can totally relate to, sometimes i feel like a hypocrite. We have a 16 year old son and spend a lot of time telling him to live day to day and to be happy that we are all together today, but at the same time tell him to work on his future, for college and such. I cant imagine him trying to understand it, when we don't.
You and Angela are brave, and as scary as it all is you and I are not the one with cancer, so I try to put on a smile and support John every day, not to say we haven't spent some late nights crying for him, or breakdowns on my commute to work but, our love leads us to hold tight to each other and know that know matter what the fate that God lead us to each other and the time we spend together is enough.
My husband has colon cancer with a metastasized liver, there are no longer tumors on his colon they were removed almost a year ago, but the cancer spread to his liver, so as far as the "norm" for treatment for the colon. I would ask Angela's oncologist. John and I take a notebook with questions to every appointment. I read a lot on line to.
John received 12 rounds of treatment every other week, wearing a pump home for 48 hrs delivering 5-FU. His cocktail was, includedolaxiplatnium, and then Avastin the last few treatments. After the 12 rounds he no longer had the pump but still received the Avastin every two weeks. His doctor deemed it as not effective, and he is not having any treatment now.
We are now waiting for approval from his insurance company for a procedure called radioembolization, radiation beads delivered directly to the liver, If there is a delay he will start a different cocktail of chemo in January.
While on treatment his oncologist would do a blood draw every two weeks, and a cea level draw every 6 weeks and pet scans/ct scans at least every 2 months.
Im sure every situation is different, but take the time to ask the oncologist questions and make notes. We also had a infusion nurse that gave us a lot of info to during treatment.
I know it feels like your life is "on hold" but do everything you can to live, and pray, whatever that means to you. Just pray. We pray for a miracle for John and in the end it's really not my job to ask why, just know God has a plan, no matter if we like it or not, it was placed in front of us for a reason.
Wow i rambled.. lol i so appreciate the support I have hear and just know that Im here for you.
Hugs and prayers tracey
I couldn't help but get teary-eyed reading this thread. I had been a member here for several years and felt it time to move on so I cancelled my account and that was that. But, something here kept tugging at my heart and I had to come back. I was stage 4 colon cancer with mets to my left lung. I too was on 12 rounds of chemo for 6 months, along with the Cyberknife to the lung. I had 11 inches of my decending colon removed and wore the "bag" for 14 months. After chemo I had 1/3 of my lung removed along with 22 nodes...all nodes were clean, Then several months later I had my long awaited "reversal" and thought I was free of "the bag". But woke up in recovery with a "bridge" colostomy on the other side. This was done to allow the other site a chance to heal without strain, so 6 weeks later I had the bridge colostomy reversed. I am happy to report all "plumbing" is attached and working fine!!
That was 4 years ago this coming January. I never asked God "why me", but instead said "you must have a purpose intended for me to still be here and be here healed and healthy". I know now part of that reason. I, along with many others here are here to tell our story and give hope and support to others. My oncologist told me after my lung surgery that there was a 70% chance that it could return...I promptly said I take the 30% and pray on the 70%. So far, so good!!!
I guess all I'm trying to tell you is that numbers are just that...numbers. I also hate the term "Statistics". Most important is a positive attitude and try hard not to stress. Stress weakens the immune system and that's the last thing she (and you) need right now.
Lots of love, support and laughter...yeah I know, it's hard...been there, done that, but it's really, really important. And please know that we're all here for you both!! Love, prayers, and positive thoughts to you both on this journey. (((hugs)))
Thank you flutterbies. Its good to hear the stories here as it provides a much needed perspective not available through a glance at the stats. Every new story tells me a little more. And I am especially working on her stress levels. That's one of the only variables we have that we have any control over.
I ask my Onc about Meg-Ace and I hate to admit it but they had not heard of it?? I did bring them the information and they gave me a script for it.
It works great on helping to put on weight. Before my first pre-op surgery from the middle 80,s I was up to about 105 pounds.
Just a thought you may ask about.
I wish you both all the best in this journey.
graci
I have never heard of Meg-Ace Graci thanks for the information.
Maybe if she can tolerate them try some protein shakes without dairy. If you are near a Trader Joe's they sell chocolate and vanilla with 32 grams of Protein. dunno just a thought.
Praying and hugs up your way. You guys are doing a awesome job. Keep the laughs and smiles up. Good for the soul
Hugs Tracey
I am so so sorry. Prayers for peace and strength to you.