YazBri

I began treatment on my birthday in 2010. I remember reading magazines in the waiting room between the many appointments I would have that day. I had been told my prognosis was very grim. In the magazines there was an ad for the American Cancer Society that read "We Sponser Birthdays" I remember thinking "Yeah Right"

I was diagnosed the day before my birthday 9 years ago this month.

YEA, YEA, YEA!!! So happy for you! Take your time recovering. It is going to take quite a while...maybe even a long while. Be patient. But celebrate the battle you have come through!

Hi YazBri! How are you doing? You are getting very close to the finish line.

Hi YazBri

How are you doing?

hey YazBri, welcome to Whatnext community, dont be afraid to ask any questions here, I have had many of my concerns right here, the whatnexters here are SUPER TERRIFIC!!!!!

Hang in there, friend! You are almost there! Keep focused, stay strong and optimistic! Great to see you back on WhatNext!

Hi YazBri...did Greg ever send you my email? How are you doing?

Hi YazBri. Love hearing that you are back to work and feeling more "normal." It's the new "normal" as I don't think we will ever be the same people that we were before cancer. I like to focus on how cancer has made me a better person. I know that sounds strange, but I am a better wife, mother, daughter and friend. Not that I wasn't such a nice person before, but I'm more compassionate and appreciative. We all are. My husband says he thanks God every morning he wakes up and sees me next to him. My children are too, especially my younger son who turned out to be my knight in shining armor. He thought he was headed to the NBA or the Olympics. Now, he's a pre-med student, wanting to help people because of everything he saw the doctors and nurses did for me. Of course, I'll never physically be the same, but it's a trade-off and I have to smack myself across the head often reminding myself of that.

I have not been on WhatNext as often as I would like because I won't go on while I'm at work, but I can email and text during work and that has been my primary mode of communication with those I keep in touch with (I've been coaching and will be receiving more formal training next month). If you'd like, request my email from GregP_WN.

Stay healthy, eat well, rest up and keep focused.

Worried about you YazBri. Please respond.

YazBri, thinking of you. Please let me know how your doing.

Hey YazBri you have been on my mind. Do you know yet if you will get to go back to work this week? I have seven more days before the school year ends, not looking forward to summer vacation being at home all day and night is very stressful on me. I can't do the things I used to do during my break because I have no flipping energy and my mind has nothing else to do except dwell on how my body has betrayed me. I have treatment next Wed. Not looking forward to that at all; you'd think I would be used to the flipping side affects after all this flipping time but I am flipping not. FLIPPING that is the F word my pastor uses when he gets angry. Can you hear my anger?

I live in Califas also, within the Inland Empire right in the middle of Los Angeles and palm springs each is an hour away. ~ Lisa

Yazbri, how are you doing? You are in my thoughts and prayers.

YazBri...sorry to hear, but yet happy to hear that your oncologist doesn't want to take any chances. Oxaliplatin is a very, very tough drug. Yes, it gives an additional fighting power, BUT the doctor has to decide when it is not worth the risk of either a major side effect or a permanent one. The majority of patients are not able to receive all 12 treatments. It's so harsh. I was able to have 8 treatments before my oncologist decided it was no longer the risk. Unfortunately, it was too late. I have irreparable damage to my nervous system and vestibular (balance) system. My oncologist has shared that they are examining the risks involved and some are no longer administering it. If I have to have treatment again, I would not take the oxaliplatin. Of course you want the best possible chance, but do not risk your life. Hang in there and keep us posted.

Where are you going for you treatment. I know someone that is on Erbitrex (don't know if I spell that right) because oxiplatin didn't work for her. She is infused every week. I just started oxiplatin today. I am having a lot of stomach pain and I am nauseous right now but this is the first day. I send good wishes your way to get this resolved.

Hang in there, my friend. Just keep focused and looking forward. Count on your fingers....for some reason, the visual for me was very powerful. And I always joked that when I got down to one more treatment, everyone could figure out which finger was going to be standing and facing right at the cancer! I really had no verbal filter when I was going through treatment. I said whatever was on my mind. Let's face it, colon cancer isn't one that people want to talk about. I joked that I was destined to get that one because I never, ever talked about that body function with anyone before I was diagnosed. So, we were constantly cracking jokes about it, allowed our teenaged boys to be a little gross and sassy about it. Had to approach it with humor, it certainly helped make it through!

I hope you enjoyed your Easter and that you are getting out to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. Our winter here was horrible with record amounts of snow, so I am soaking in the beauty of springtime. Get outside, feel the warm, soak in the springtime...I found it very helpful. I'd put on my iPod and sit out back on a lounge chair and it helped me relax, refresh and zone out for a while.

Make sure you mention every side effect you've had with your oncologist. Has he/she adjusted the length of the infusion? When I was having a difficult time, my onco slowed the oxaliplatin infusion and it helped a bit. Oxaliplatin is toxic and very few people get all 12 treatments in, and there will be a point where they may need to evaluate whether the potential gains outweigh the potential permanent damage.

Good luck!

YazBri, I am from Califas also. Just an hour away from Whitter (on a good day on the freeways of L.A.) so yeah that is as rare as my cancer. I feel you on your comment about faith. I have been struggling with mine, but I refuse to let go of the hem to His garment. I know of the struggle you go through, but don't let go. I too have been directed / advised to pursue the card for cannibis but still not sure if I should? Don't know if anyone on site is using and if it helps. I believe that is question I will go to on the board.
I am back on chemo again as of today, may I ask where are you being treated out in the City of Angeles? I am looking for new Onc, new center, new plan. Hope to hear from you. Take care, be strong, keep your eye on the cross my friend. ~ Lisa

Good luck tomorrow with your second treatment! Hope you felt well enough the last few days to enjoy and refresh. Let us know how you are doing!

How are you doing? Hanging in there? Enjoying and relaxing this weekend?

Great hearing about your positive attitude. I had an incredibly positive attitude and was extremely optimistic. Sometimes I joke that I was the happiest person at chemo. Of course, happy and chemo really don't go hand-in-hand, but I knew chemo was my ticket to the finish line. I kept reminding myself and my family that it was all just a temporary bump in the road, had to cross each hurdle one at a time. I remember sitting with my then 15-yo son talking about each bump, mountain, etc....and how we were getting through each one. I refused to allow cancer to interfere with my life and the lives of my loved ones any more than necessary. I had my good days and my bad days. On my good days, it was as much normalcy as possible. The heck with the laundry, I was at my son's tennis match. Forget cleaning or cooking dinner, we'd go out and then to a movie together or to the shore at night after the sun went down and it cooled off. On my bad days (and really, there weren't that many awful days...a couple, and then other yucky days), I insisted that they go on with their normal everyday activities. I was disappointed that I couldn't go to the ballgame or concert with them, but we'd keep in touch via text and phone and I promised them there would be many more opportunities to go in the future (and there have been!).

I honestly didn't worry about food other than avoiding the fresh foods. I struggled with eating, so I ate whatever provided nutrients, calories and energy. I do wish I had exercised more, but I still to this day wish I'd exercise more!

Looking forward to helping you through. It's my way to give forward in appreciation of all that my friends did for me.

YazBri....welcome to WhatNext. I see you are just starting with your treatments. I was also Stage IIIA and 45 years old when I was diagnosed in February 2011. It wasn't an easy journey, but it was one of the more easily tolerated treatments (not sure about Xeloda, I had FOLFOX) with a very good success rate. I wish you the best and if you need support, please don't hesitate to ask. Stage III is curable, so keep your eye on the prize...many more years with your family and friends. My mantra was, ya gotta do, whatcha gotta do. Stay focused, optimistic and determined to kick its ***!

Welcome to the WhatNext family! The WhatNext family is made up of people like you who are looking for help or looking to help others. To help you along your journey the WhatNext family has put together a Beginner's Guide to Cancer that I highly recommend you check-out here: http://bit.ly/10BQKCi. Also, please do not hesitate to reach out to others or ask for help.

Wishing you the best.

David
Founder, WhatNexter