My Journey with Cancer
I have been holding this back but with dav1965's recent thread thought I would share my journey with cancer.
Two years ago, on October 20, 2016 I went in for a screening colonoscopy. I had one at 47 and at that time they told me to come back again in ten years. I did so and unfortunately, during the test they found a tumor and I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. I have been private about this to date because I am not looking for sympathy (although prayers are appreciated). I just wanted to bring awareness to screening exams for cancer of all types. So, if you are in your 40?s (no longer wait to 50) contact your physician and discuss when is the right time for you to have a colonoscopy.
The two past years have been a rollercoaster for us. I say we because I couldn?t have made it this far without my fantastic wife, she has the most positive attitude of anyone I know and has not only been a tireless care giver but also sorted through the medical issues, coordinated the multiple physicians and their appointments along with the surprisingly few Insurance issues.
I actually feel fortunate to have had the support of my family, neighbors, my employer and especially all those at Emory university?s Winship Cancer Institute. They all provided the support that has provided me with at least 2 years of productive life and hopefully many more.
Details of treatment if you are still reading...
Treatment started in November of 2016 with 8 weeks of chemotherapy, then 6 weeks of daily radiation. Yes, the side effects are as bad as other describe. After a few weeks off, I had major surgery where they removed a large section of colon and put in a temporary ileostomy. I had another 8 weeks of Chemo therapy as they found some live cells in one of my lymph nodes. I had the ostomy for about 5 months and then in September of 2017 had the reversal surgery.
First couple set of follow up scans were clear but then in March of this year they found a metastasis to the liver. I had laparoscopic surgery to remove about 1/3 of the liver. Surgery went great and the surgeon, pathologist and oncologist all thought we had it all. Unfortunately, in June my CEA was rising and upon further scan we found another metastasis to the liver. So, in July I started another round of chemo. Treatments are once every two weeks and I just finished the eight treatment (16 weeks of chemo). Good news is after the first 4 treatments we scanned, and the tumor had reduced in size. We scan again next week and the results of this scan will determine what we do next. Options are nothing if the tumor melts from the chemo. Probably not going to happen but would be the best case. SBRT radiation which is targeted high dose radiation to finish off any cancer cells left. Surgery would be the third option.
mrmike08075 and dav1965 I share your daily struggles and hope you keep up the fight against this terrible disease.
Two years ago, on October 20, 2016 I went in for a screening colonoscopy. I had one at 47 and at that time they told me to come back again in ten years. I did so and unfortunately, during the test they found a tumor and I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. I have been private about this to date because I am not looking for sympathy (although prayers are appreciated). I just wanted to bring awareness to screening exams for cancer of all types. So, if you are in your 40?s (no longer wait to 50) contact your physician and discuss when is the right time for you to have a colonoscopy.
The two past years have been a rollercoaster for us. I say we because I couldn?t have made it this far without my fantastic wife, she has the most positive attitude of anyone I know and has not only been a tireless care giver but also sorted through the medical issues, coordinated the multiple physicians and their appointments along with the surprisingly few Insurance issues.
I actually feel fortunate to have had the support of my family, neighbors, my employer and especially all those at Emory university?s Winship Cancer Institute. They all provided the support that has provided me with at least 2 years of productive life and hopefully many more.
Details of treatment if you are still reading...
Treatment started in November of 2016 with 8 weeks of chemotherapy, then 6 weeks of daily radiation. Yes, the side effects are as bad as other describe. After a few weeks off, I had major surgery where they removed a large section of colon and put in a temporary ileostomy. I had another 8 weeks of Chemo therapy as they found some live cells in one of my lymph nodes. I had the ostomy for about 5 months and then in September of 2017 had the reversal surgery.
First couple set of follow up scans were clear but then in March of this year they found a metastasis to the liver. I had laparoscopic surgery to remove about 1/3 of the liver. Surgery went great and the surgeon, pathologist and oncologist all thought we had it all. Unfortunately, in June my CEA was rising and upon further scan we found another metastasis to the liver. So, in July I started another round of chemo. Treatments are once every two weeks and I just finished the eight treatment (16 weeks of chemo). Good news is after the first 4 treatments we scanned, and the tumor had reduced in size. We scan again next week and the results of this scan will determine what we do next. Options are nothing if the tumor melts from the chemo. Probably not going to happen but would be the best case. SBRT radiation which is targeted high dose radiation to finish off any cancer cells left. Surgery would be the third option.
mrmike08075 and dav1965 I share your daily struggles and hope you keep up the fight against this terrible disease.
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I will add you to my daily prayer list. Stay strong..... 0 -
Prayers said for wisdom and guidance for your doctors and your speedy and complete healing! Also; for peace, comfort, and strength for you and your family! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by gjshaw
I will add you to my daily prayer list. Stay strong.....
Thank you0 -
David,...I'm very sorry to hear this. You have my prayers both for yourself as well as your wonderful wife.
You will be in my prayers daily sir.0 -
I needed an outlet of expression - some way to put down in words what I was going through - as a method of coping and processing
Initially (after I had not died immediately) they recommend group therapy - which I attended and participated in and even took a lead role in
But I had difficulty dealing with it - because it was always "new" members - turnover rate was high because everyone died
In the group I started with - all with advanced stage IIIb or end stage IV cancer diagnosis - out of 24 participants in our "class" all died in the first six months except for me
So I used this forum as a platform - as a surface to write on - and an avenue to let people know what cancer really is
And I did not expect it to go on so long or to accumulate / document so much as it has because I was and am living under a death sentence or on borrowed time
As I am sure David could tell you - could educate you or lecture you now as if presenting a doctoral thesis - once cancer has advanced into the lymph nodes and metastasized it's statistically game over - you have zero chance of survival
So it's a puzzle why any of us who have reached this stage are alive or have survived past a certain point
So I am glad you are still here - but I wish that you had not experienced what you have been through - and are facing each day
I will walk the path with you - but I wish that I had never met anyone along the way as I know all to well what your journey has cost
Mike0 -
Prayer sent 0 -
Prayers sent.... 0 -
Wow, what a thing to deal with. Thank you for posting, it makes my problems look smaller. You have inspired me like Mke did months ago about now feeling sorry for myself,,,thank you sir and may you get comfort and life the rest of your journey. 0 -
Prayers for you, your complete recovery, and your wife in your time of need. 0 -
prayers 0 -
David, you and your family are in my prayers. 0 -
Prayers asked for you and everyone else who deals with this terrible disease. Thanks for sharing and the advice of screening. 0 -
We throw the words "courage" and "hero" around loosely these days. You guys define those terms in ways that are amazing. My thoughts are prayers are with you. 0 -
This is your sounding board - we are your peers...
Talk it out here - amongst friends and comrades...
Putting your saga down in some form of media is a great step towards dealing with the trials and tribulations...
Document it - let others so afflicted take heed and learn
It's not begging for help or asking for charity or whining.
We are here...
Mike0 -
Prayers my friend. I beat prostate cancer at 38. came back ten years later and beat it again. Cancer does not discriminate . Oakie 0 -
Prayers from here Ros 0 -
Thank you for sharing. Keep stepping, that's all a man can really expect of himself. 0 -
Prayers asked for you and your loved ones. 0 -
Thanks to everyone for the kind words and prayers. We'll see what the next few weeks bring and I will keep you'll posted on my progress. 0 -
Please do keep us in the loop and provide status updates when you can...
Mike0 -
quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
David,...I'm very sorry to hear this. You have my prayers both for yourself as well as your wonderful wife.
You will be in my prayers daily sir.
I agree Sir. Stay strong Brother.
Very sorry to hear of your difficulties.
-Ken-0 -
That is a terrible blow after all you have done to beat this down......and I truly hope to hear you do not have to go through any more surgery.
You are so strong and I will be praying for you.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
That is a terrible blow after all you have done to beat this down......and I truly hope to hear you do not have to go through any more surgery.
You are so strong and I will be praying for you.
Thank you Kasey.0
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