Prayers and positive thoughts needed. Got some bad news this week.

[Flyinbowtie]

Stainless a lot depends on all of the factors..age, family history, your medical history, etc.
I don't know how old you are but if you are 45ish and have no history I'd say every 5 years. Honestly I have never heard of a doc saying a 10 years between procedures for anyone.

 

[Stainless]

Stainless a lot depends on all of the factors..age, family history, your medical history, etc.
I don't know how old you are but if you are 45ish and have no history I'd say every 5 years. Honestly I have never heard of a doc saying a 10 years between procedures for anyone.

I had one two years ago and everything was good, for some reason I got every two years in my head. Must be the long finger check I am thinking of.
For anyone that needs it but has not had one its really no big deal. They put you under for the procedure. The worst part is drinking that gallon of solution. Hell, I even got pictures if anyone wants to see, J/K on the want to see part.

 

[Outnumbered]

Thanks for checking in on me. The latest news isn't the best but if you bear with me I'll try to explain it since it is complicated. I forgot to update the thread when it all went down so I may as well do it now.

After the negative results on the biopsy ("good" news given to me by the PA, not the doc) the PA assumed that I was going to surgery right away. Well, what the docs told me a few days later was that they were only able to reach one node and the biopsy was indeed negative, BUT, they saw evidence in the latest scopes and MRI that indicated my local nodes were involved. This would put me at a Stage IIIa finding. The problem is that until the nodes are removed, they cannot be 100% sure they are involved (have cancer). They are just too hard to get to without surgery. The biopsy is not very accurate I guess since they were not able to reach all the suspect nodes to sample them. So basically, current tests prove me to be a stage II but the docs say there is a very good chance I'm a stage IIIa and they can't prove it until after the nodes are removed and tested (catch-22). This put me in a tough place because I had to decide if I wanted to take a chance and skip the chemo/rad or listen to the docs and play it safe. I decided to play it safe, even though the thought of doing chemo/rad terrified me.

So the preferred treatment for stage IIIa is to do chemo and radiation for 5.5 weeks, take 2 months off to recover, and then go to surgery. If the surgery finds nodes involved I get 4 more months of chemo. If surgery finds no nodes involved I can opt out of second round of chemo. The reason they do it in this order is to shrink the tumor (less colon/rectum removed at surgery) and stop the node spread ASAP. If you do surgery first and then they do the pathology on the removed nodes and find cancer you are screwed because you have to wait for the chemo and radiation because you need to heal first. And post operative rad treatments give permanent gastro side effects. Pre-op treatments rarely do, so they say.

So, to bring everyone up to date I'm a few weeks into chemo and radiation treatment. I had to fight the insurance a little to get the oral chemo drugs approved (docs and patients preference) because the 5.5 week supply costs about $11k:eek It sure beats the hell out of having a port and IV pump to carry around.

It has been going better than I expected. I feel pretty good but the daily trips to the hospital fuck up your daily routine and work schedule. They say the 3rd-5th weeks are the worst so I have to prepare to maybe take some time off work soon but for now I'm working full time.

I'm in real good spirits. Many many friends and family have been lending support and prayers. My wife and kids are taking it well and we act like nothing is wrong most of the time. There really is no other way to do it. When shit like this happens you just have to decide if you are going to bathe in self-pity or just power through it with a good attitude. I chose the later and it is working well so far.

Thanks again. I'll be sure to update this thread as time permits.

:thumbsup

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Way to go outnumbered, I like your spirit! Keep it up and stay strong.. :thumbsup


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[Stainless]

Outnumbered, everyone here is pulling for you and we all wish you a complete recovery. Your original post motivated me to get checked again even though I apparently don't need it. I bumped your thread to also keep getting the message out. "an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure"

 

[Joker]

If you or your family needs anything, do not hesitate to ask.

 

[5oclocksomewhere]

I sent more prayers your way today outnumbered.. Hang in there buddy and thank you for keeping us all informed.

 

[westair]

Stainless a lot depends on all of the factors..age, family history, your medical history, etc.
I don't know how old you are but if you are 45ish and have no history I'd say every 5 years. Honestly I have never heard of a doc saying a 10 years between procedures for anyone.

They told me 10 years also but thats only if they didn't find anything, since I had a 2cm polyp removed I go back in 5 years.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Outnumbered keep pushing that attitude, stay after it, you are doing it all the right way.
Thanks for updating us, we all need to hear this. You never know how many people are reading this and will do the right thing because of it.
Prayers for you will continue.

 

[Outnumbered]

Today is a small milestone for me. Today I will be half way through the first round of chemo and radiation treatment. Looking forward to not going to the hospital 5 days a week so hopefully the second half goes by as fast as the first.arty2: I'm feeling great given the situation. Still working full time. Keep the prayers coming. :thumbsup

 

[Dan Lorenze]

You're doing great... Keep it up :thumbsup

 

[OutCole'd]

Great news. Still checking in here looking for good news!!:thumbsup

 

[TomD]

Today is a small milestone for me. Today I will be half way through the first round of chemo and radiation treatment. Looking forward to not going to the hospital 5 days a week so hopefully the second half goes by as fast as the first.arty2: I'm feeling great given the situation. Still working full time. Keep the prayers coming. :thumbsup

Keep up the good fight!!!:thumbsup

 

[FreeBird236]

You're an inspiration, stay strong, wishing you the best...

 

[MissB]

Keep it up John! Your doing great, keeping the positive vibes headed your way!

 

[PVHCA]

Thoughts are with you John.

 

[Nord]

sounds like your on your way to beating cancer man. Sorry your going through this.

 

[rivrrts429]

Congrats on the milestone!

 

[Joe mama]

I don't know you John , but appreciate you telling your story. I have a couple family members fighting this shit and I know it's tough. You seem to be a good person. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. You will beat it!!!!

 

[69GS]

Congrats on the milestone!

X2 Stay positive and keep after it.

 

[boatluver83]

good job john!! keep your head and keep fighting!! sorry you got to go thru this!!

 

[YoPengo]

Today is a small milestone for me. Today I will be half way through the first round of chemo and radiation treatment. Looking forward to not going to the hospital 5 days a week so hopefully the second half goes by as fast as the first.arty2: I'm feeling great given the situation. Still working full time. Keep the prayers coming. :thumbsup

Good for you... Keep positive. :thumbsup

 

[Outdrive1]

Today is a small milestone for me. Today I will be half way through the first round of chemo and radiation treatment. Looking forward to not going to the hospital 5 days a week so hopefully the second half goes by as fast as the first.arty2: I'm feeling great given the situation. Still working full time. Keep the prayers coming. :thumbsup

I'm pulling for you John. Can't believe you're still workin too.

 

[shintoooo]

We are all here for you if you need anything. :thumbup:

 

[shippingguy]

Keep pushing forward and keep that positive attitude! You will beat this! Prayers are with you and your family!

 

[Outnumbered]

Thanks everyone. Sitting at the hospital waiting for my turn on the machine, then off to work. Have a good weekend!

 

[2strokesmoke]

Good luck Outnumbered

 

[Joker]

Take care of yourself John and let us know if anything is needed.

 

[Outnumbered]

Five more days of treatment and then I get a 2 month break...woot:champagne:

The last week and a half has become pretty brutal on the lower GI tract. I think I'm spending more time in the shitter than Tom Brown:skull All joking aside the pain is more intense than the kidney stone pain I experienced last year but thankfully only lasts about 5-10 min at a time and then fades away.

This week I'm working a light load and then next week I'm going to try to take off. The docs say that the radiation and chemo side effects will last a few more weeks and this week and next will be the worst.:grumble:

So far I have dropped about 25 lbs:eek I've been wanting to do so for a while so that is one good thing about this situation.

Thanks again for all the support.:thumbsup

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Thanks for the update and hang in there...we are pulling for you.

 

[Stainless]

Keep fighting the good fight Outnumbered!
We're all pulling for you and appreciate your humor!

 

[Enen]

John,

I think you live in Westwing. If so we are neighbors. If you or your family need anything please let me know. We can bring dinner over one evening if that would help.

 

[Outnumbered]

John,

I think you live in Westwing. If so we are neighbors. If you or your family need anything please let me know. We can bring dinner over one evening if that would help.

Yes, we are neighbors. Thanks for the offer to help out.:thumbsup

Actually, we are doing pretty good right now on meals and all but I may take you up on your offer in August when I have my surgery. That is going to be the real ass-kicker.

 

[Enen]

When is your surgery in August?

 

[Outnumbered]

When is your surgery in August?

Met with the surgeon last week and she wants to run a full round of tests and scans before she sets a date. The purpose is to see how well the chemo/rad treatments went. I'll let you know. :thumbsup

 

[TITTIES AND BEER]

I wish you nothing but the best , Prayers sent :cool

 

[Joe mama]

Your one strong man! Hang in there you can beat that shit!

 

[Outdrive1]

You're in my thoughts John.

 

[TBI]

Hang in there buddy!

If it's true that attitude is everything, you've got this beat already :thumbsup

 

[Outnumbered]

Hang in there buddy!

If it's true that attitude is everything, you've got this beat already :thumbsup

Yupp, what you see is what you get. :thumbsup

 

[Outnumbered]

Heading out the door for the last treatment session!:champagne: Then 8-10 weeks break before surgery. :cool

 

[Outdrive1]

Heading out the door for the last treatment session!:champagne: Then 8-10 weeks break before surgery. :cool

Good luck today John. Hope you're doing ok.

 

[FreeBird236]

Best of luck, good thoughts your way...

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Good luck. nice how that break comes during the summer...perfect planning.
Hang in there, and hang on to the mindset you've been carrying.

 

[Rkoop8]

Thanks Dave, that is very inspirational. Awesome that your mom overcame it. Thanks again:thumbup:

Very inspirational! Thank you, I am currently going through the same thing, I got diagnosed with colon cancer, with metastasis to my liver, which is obviously bad... When the doc told me, a month shy of 3 years ago, I looked at my 11 month old son, and my pregnant wife, and told the doc, eff it we are here, let's fix this! He looked at me like I was crazy..... But the way I look at at it, I have no choice but to beat this shit! I'm not scared of what's ahead, only looking forward! I am still doing treatments, and it's an up and down road, but as of now everything is going in the right direction. I'm very thankfull for that! Outnumbered, you have the right attitude for this, and RD your mom took the best approach you can take to the table! All I know is think positive, don't be afraid to talk about it, and take care of business! And go to the lake as much as possible! I still do everything I used to, moto, baseball, skiing, everything! I'm not a cancer patient, I'm just a guy who happens to live with it!

Basically what I'm getting at is don't let it define your life, be positive, and beat the shit out of it!! My prayers are with you, And all I have is positive thoughts!! Fuck Cancer!

 

[Outnumbered]

Thanks everyone. I'm in between appointments but thought I would check in. All done with the rad therapy:champagne: Chemo ends tonight:champagne: One more doc appointment today and I'm done for a while. Bummer is that the side effects take a few weeks to totally wear off but at least I'm over the hump.:thumbsup

Rkoop8, you are also an inspiration. You are correct, there is only one attitude to have. Negativity will help nothing. So, you do what you have to do to stay positive for your family and for yourself. Keep it up:thumbsup I'll be sure to keep you in my prayers also.

 

[Rkoop8]

Thanks everyone. I'm in between appointments but thought I would check in. All done with the rad therapy:champagne: Chemo ends tonight:champagne: One more doc appointment today and I'm done for a while. Bummer is that the side effects take a few weeks to totally wear off but at least I'm over the hump.:thumbsup

Rkoop8, you are also an inspiration. You are correct, there is only one attitude to have. Negativity will help nothing. So, you do what you have to do to stay positive for your family and for yourself. Keep it up:thumbsup I'll be sure to keep you in my prayers also.

Thank you, as you are in mine! I'm really glad I finally joined RDP, I only visited for a long time! Feel like I've made new friends already!

 

[Tishimself]

Thank you, as you are in mine! I'm really glad I finally joined RDP, I only visited for a long time! Feel like I've made new friends already!

You are both an inspiration. I don't know you, but that's ok...you both have heart and a positive mental outlook on all of this, and that is so important. Know that you are both in our thoughts and prayers over here, and that you both will get to the other side of all of this and be boating for years and years to come. Blessings to you both, and to your families also there brothers...:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Supercup]

Keep up the positive outlook! Glad you are almost done with the treatments. You are in our thoughts and prayers as well!

I have a buddy's that has beaten it for 15 years after being given a not too good initial outlook. He has the same attitude as you and a positive outlook and it has carried him thru! Mind over matter as they say.

Have a great summer!

 

[C-2]

Keep up the good fight, both of you! :thumbsup

Reading this thread makes all my other problems in life seem so trivial.