Hello Debdo. I was diagnosed with this back on Dec.18, 2012. Due to the holidays many test were not scheduled until Jan of 2013. It was a sigmoidoscopy done on 12/18/12 that was suppose to tell us why the prescription for internal hemmroids wasn't working. That is when doc saw the tumor (3cm). From there I was scheduled for colonoscopy. That showed everything clear further up. GI doctor that did that test said tumor was late stage 1 early 2.
Scans in Jan.2013 showed it had spread to regional and distant lymph nodes which now put me at stage 4. Treatment began Feb 7, 2013 the day after my 48th birthday. My Christmas and birthday were not joyful for me or my family. I had the cocktail of 5FU that I had hooked up to me via pouch I carried with me for 5 days 96 hours every first week of each month ( 10 months) along with cisplatin for a few hours four days of the first week of each month also. By Oct 2013, I began radiation. Six weeks worth. I had to have it postponed for a few days in Nov due to burns. During my first week of radiation, I had that lovely cocktail also and then once again during the fourth week. By April 2013, I was losing weight, mouth sores made it almost impossible for me to eat. Even soups were hard to get down because even the liquid had to pass over those damn sores. I lost my hair, became so tired, chemo brought about early menopause. I am not sure if the chemo or the fact that my hormones were whacked out.... But sleep became hard to capture. I loved to sleep used to get 8 to 10 hrs sound sleep and was able to nap during the day too. That totally disappeared. I was so damn tired but when I closed my eyes - sleep wouldn't come. It was awful, I became an insomniac. I started popping any pill I could get my hands on to induce sleep, but none of them worked well. I was lucky to get two hours of sound sleep. I was a mess. By July, I had lost 20 lbs. skinny,bald, tired and depressed I looked like a walking zombie. In August I had to return to work. Out of sick time. I worked thru the rest of chemo and radiation treatments. That was hard. On Dec19, 2013 a biopsy of the primary tumor, ct scan, petscan and ultra sound stated no evidence of the beast. Doc said the words....complete remission. I have another colonoscopy on this upcomig Monday, and scans and ultrasound for March to see whats going on in the inside. Because on the outside, if you didn't know me you would think I just had short hair. I have gained back ten of the twenty lbs I lost I am sleeping better now and depression isn't always with me. I do suffer from vaginal stenosis now but I am here. The fight was long and hard, but I am still standing. I still have bouts with depression~ my world was changed from being wonderful to what it is now. How are you handling all this?
I turned 49 yesterday. I pray to God night and day to keep me free of this beast. I am trusting in Him to see 40 more birthdays here with my kids, husband and family.
I will never lie to you. This journey is going to be hard on your body, maybe your mind. But you too will make it through. You have to FIGHT all the crap that is going to come with treatment.
Please keep me posted on how you are doing. Ask any question you'd like. I will try to answer or direct you to a place or person who maybe able to. I wish you only the best.
God bless and be with you.
~Lisa~
0
February 2014
Debdo,
Oh bother the XXX aren't terrible bad words. I forgot you have to get creative with spelling to bypass edits. D word andc r a p were x out.0February 2014
