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kensm39
Regular
Joined: 16 Sep 2006
Posts: 12
Location: Indianapolis Indiana
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 Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 2:55 pm Post subject: Just diagnosed in Indianapolis |
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Hello everyone, I was diagnosed on 9/11/06 with rectal cancer and my oncologist said it was a T3 with the tumor being 7cm by 15cm directly in my rectum. To be truthful...I am scared. Is there any groups I could attend to get moral support? I do have a loving wife and daughter (16 year old) which is much comfort but I think another cancer survivor would really know where my fear and worry is coming from. Thank you for your time in listening to me.
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Ken in Indy |
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kensm39
Regular
Joined: 16 Sep 2006
Posts: 12
Location: Indianapolis Indiana
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| Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:04 pm Post subject: Chemo and Radiation |
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Hello, I just wanted to update you on my treatment...On 9/19/06 I started Chemo - Xeloda 500mg ( 1,500mg in the am and ( 1,500mg in the pm ), on 9/21/06 I will start my 28 treatment Radiation ( Mon thru Fri ). After my Chemo and Radiation I will rest my body for 2 or 4 weeks and then I will have surgery to remove the rectum cancer. Then up to 6 months more of Chemo.
I just want to pray for a God Speed recovery for everyone.
Take Care and God bless,
Ken
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Ken in Indy |
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star
Regular
Joined: 02 Sep 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:15 am Post subject: Re: Just diagnosed in Indianapolis |
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Hi Ken
I saw your post,and thought I would share my story with you, My name is Barbara and am a mother of a daughter and son and a grandmother of a beautiful girl who is 2. In 2001 I was unable to go to the bathroom, so went to a Proctologist the examination was short as he was unable to use scope as there was a mass in rectum, took biopsy and was cancerous.
when I heard the news I could not believe it I thought I am a single 41 year old Mom I cant have cancer! Well I thought no time for crying, have to stay strong and positive and get through the treatments. at that time i was having a temporary colostomy and then go through chemo which was 5-fu push intavenously 5 times a week for two weeks and also radiation 5 times a day for four weeks then 6 weeks rest before surgery.
The surgeon said needed 4 cm to reconnect the colon and rectum where the tumor is, with radiation shrinking the tumor God and prayers we had 6cm so was able to connect and do a reversal on colostomy. After the surgery I was to have chemo once a week for 7 months. Wish I had a medi port at the time, but got through it.
After the chemo I kept appts with my oncologist and ct scans,pet scans etc. I had been clean for 4 years, then this past December had recieved news it was back, there was a spot on my lung and was 9mm they will not do anything till a spot is 1cm and then I had a tumor 6cm in the pelivc area, which was located on the outside of my colon and was pressing on the right ueterer, so had to have a stent put in so my right kidney could function.Also at that time a medi port was implanted. The treatments started at the end of December I was given 5-fu, avastin,eloaxtin. the chemo was given 46 hours straight from a pump that was hooked up to medi port.went through the treatments till may, and then had 6 weeks of rest period.
august came the surgery, the surgeon removed the tumor and did a total hysterectomy for precaution,and also went throuugh with another colostomy,. then had a urologist come and reconstruct the right uterer as the tumor had grown onto it. Surgery was successful and all lymph nodes came back clean and the spot on my lung is gone Praise God!
I am now fighting from side effects from the one drug that was given at treatments which is eloxatin, it is chronic neuropathy, which has refrained me from going to work, I have total numbness in hands,legs, and feet, when temperatures are cooler it really is intense, I am scheduled to see a neurologist about the symptoms, then I am scheduled to have surgery to reverse colostomy on October 19th.
there still is some cancer activity will probabaly have chemo again down the road. What is handed to me I will take it head on and beat it!
Through all this I have a wonderful man that has kept me strong and my daughter,son. and along with friends.
Yes it is scarey hearing the news of having cancer and going through the treatments, but by having the support of your loved ones,having faith and God holding you in his loving arms you can get through it! Keeping positive and strong is important to your healing.
I wish you and your family the best.
Isaiah 40:31 |
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kensm39
Regular
Joined: 16 Sep 2006
Posts: 12
Location: Indianapolis Indiana
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| Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 12:37 am Post subject: Re: Just diagnosed in Indianapolis |
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Wow Barbara you have been through alot. My prayers are with you and your family also, The encouragement from you really helps. Isn't it amazing how God can and will see us through all of this. He's an awesome God. Well take care and God bless you and your family.
Ken
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Ken in Indy |
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star
Regular
Joined: 02 Sep 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:17 am Post subject: Re: Just diagnosed in Indianapolis |
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Thank You for your reply and your prayers...Yes he is a awesome
God!!!!
Hope you and your family are doing well, and that your treatments are, with hardly or no side effects..keep us updated on your progress, if you would like. I'm counting the days till my surgery as I want it done and over with recover and start enjoying my life again!
Take care..prayers are with you and yours,
May God Bless <><
Barbara |
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barnegat_artist324
Regular
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 13
Location: NJ
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| Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:38 am Post subject: Been there, still am... |
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I just saw my colo-rectal specialist Monday for what is now a yearly check up. I just talked him into that, before it was every 6 months. My file is almost the size of a phone book!! Anyway, it has been 11 years. Still cancer free!! I am proud to be a survivor and it has changed my life forever. Faith, famiy, friends, humor and a positive attitude along with good medical treatment is what gets you through!
I was 40 years old when a tumor in my rectum, which I pretended was a bad hemmorroid, was biopsied as squamous cell carcinoma. I had 2 separate steady drips in the hospital of chemo for one week at the beginning and one at the end accompanied by daily radiation for 2 months (weekends off). They have kept a close eye on me and I am happy to say, still here and cancer free.
I am 51 now and reminded that if I had never seen a doctor for treatment I would not be here. I always kept an upbeat attitude and never thought that I would not survive. I plan to write a book with some of the funny things that happened. I use humor to make it through bad times and thought that perhaps a lighter side of this dark time would help others. I only have one chapter written, but shared it with my doctor and he enjoyed it very much. I hope to get it written and share it soon!
My prayers are with you and your family. If I can help in anyway, I am here. Sincerely Barbara. |
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kensm39
Regular
Joined: 16 Sep 2006
Posts: 12
Location: Indianapolis Indiana
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: Just diagnosed in Indianapolis |
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Barbara, 11 years cancer free is great! Glad you replied to my post because it's encouragement like yours that keeps me going. I am in my 10th day of chemo and my 5th day of radiation. Both treatments are giving me some bad side effects. I am currently taking XELODA 1,500mg 2 X daily, RADIATION 1 X daily mon-fri , HYDROMORPHONE 4mg 1 every 4 hours, OXYCODONE 10mg every 8 hours, ZOFRAN ODT 8mg every 8 hours, MIRALAX 17gm daily. My bowels and vomiting is the worst. I had went 7 days without a bowel movement and my goodness that was painful...my DOC told me to up my MIRALAX and boy did that keep me on the move to the bathroom. Well you take care and God Bless!
Ken
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Ken in Indy |
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MaleNurse2Be
New User
Joined: 29 Sep 2006
Posts: 1
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 9:58 pm Post subject: Discussing Your Diagnosis |
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Ken,
I know you're going through alot right now, especially with the side effects of your chemo and radiation, but I'm hoping that you can help me out.
My name is Scott and I am a student nurse in North Carolina currently studying cancer. I have been assigned to interview someone undergoing cancer treatment about their reaction to their diagnosis and their treatment. I don't personally know anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer. I thought that if you felt up to it, maybe you wouldn't mind answering about 8 to 10 questions via email. I will not ask for any information that can identify you and this is not a spam/"try to sell you something" ploy.
The main thing for you right now of course is to rest and focus on you. If you don't feel up to it, I sincerely understand. I thought this would give me some experience "talking" to someone undergoing cancer treatment and the anonymity could provide you the opportunity to respond however you wanted to.
If you feel up to it, please click the email button below and let me know. If you don't, I understand.
Thank you,
Scott |
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barnegat_artist324
Regular
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 13
Location: NJ
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| Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 8:18 am Post subject: glad to be here.... |
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I am happy to be of encouragement to you!! You are going through a lot right now, hang in there!!
You convinced me to start writing again!! I pulled out my notes and want to get my story down and try to encourage others to have faith and the magic of believing. Maybe we can help each other!! Right now you have to take care of you though. Keep positive, see the cancer getting smaller and shrinking away. See the chemo and radiation working. Keep the faith.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God is with us all!
talk soon |
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kensm39
Regular
Joined: 16 Sep 2006
Posts: 12
Location: Indianapolis Indiana
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| Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:28 pm Post subject: MaleNurse2Be |
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MaleNurse2Be, I would like to help in any way I can but there were no link to go into.
Email me at kensm39@comcast.net
Ken
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Ken in Indy |
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barnegat_artist324
Regular
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 13
Location: NJ
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| Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:17 pm Post subject: hello... |
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Just thinking of you and wanted to say "hi". Would you mind if I sent you something using your e-mail address?
Let me know. Barbara |
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kensm39
Regular
Joined: 16 Sep 2006
Posts: 12
Location: Indianapolis Indiana
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| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 11:18 am Post subject: Re: Just diagnosed in Indianapolis |
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Barbara, Hello and I pray you are well and in good spirit. Yes you may send me an email at kensm39@comcast.net, Sorry not to write much but I must get ready to go to my Radiation appt. I will send more later.
Ken
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Ken in Indy |
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star
Regular
Joined: 02 Sep 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:22 pm Post subject: Re: Just diagnosed in Indianapolis |
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Hi Ken...
I know your going through a lot right now..prayers are with you and your family..BE STRONG!!
In God's Love...Barbara
Isaiah 40:31 |
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star
Regular
Joined: 02 Sep 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:31 pm Post subject: Re: Just diagnosed in Indianapolis |
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Hi Barbara...
Just wanted to say congrats on your 11 years! Gives us faith that cancer can be beat...Best Wishes to you.
May God Bless...Barbara |
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barnegat_artist324
Regular
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 13
Location: NJ
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| Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:41 am Post subject: hello... |
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Hi Barbara and Ken...
You are both in my prayers and any time I can be here and listen, just say so.
Sincerely, Barbara |
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