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Started this discussion. Last reply by Whole_Body_Healer Jun 27.

About Me:: I am 45, living in Chicago with my boyfriend in a house we bought last May. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 rectal cancer December 20, 2007. It has been a bumpy road, as treatment has not gone as planned, though I am still hopeful I will beat this! I had an adverse reaction to radiotherapy and had to stop it and chemo early. The reaction resulted in my getting an ileostomy (huge adjustment) and I am having surgery to remove the tumor on April 7.

Favorite Quote:: “If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes.” Carrie TenBoom

At 11:52pm on June 10, 2008, Doreen said…: I was NED (no evidence of disease) for 2 years, then had a recurrence (metastasis) in my lung. Since then I have had more mets show up in my liver and lung. It has been rather slow growing, but damn persistant!
I have had 6 different chemo regiments, so I know about all of them. Also, have had radiation, RFA (radio frequency ablation), and 3 surgeries. (Geez, feels like a resume.) I also was in a great colon cancer support group in Seattle for 5 years, and have 4 great women friends, all diagnosed with the CC under age 50. Incidentally, three were stage III, and one stage IV, and they are all in remission. The longest being more than 5 years. So there is hope!

At 9:57am on June 10, 2008, Doreen said…: Hi Jane -- I am an 8 year rectal cancer survivor diagnosed in 2000 at 46. I am currently in treatment, too. Have learned lots on this journey, have a great network of colon cancer survivors and support and have lots to share.

At 12:23pm on June 7, 2008, Jen Puglise said…: Thanks for the information. It will be a wonderful day when I get my takedown. I know that there will be pain, but I can take it. I hope you're recovering well and I wish you all good things. Jen

At 6:10pm on June 6, 2008, brigita said…: Doing better...my post-op pain is gone for the most part (here, two months on) but I still get pretty fatigued by the end of the day, chemo or no.

I don't know if you've been reading my blog blog at all, but I've been trying to document the side effects I've been experiencing from FOLFOX pretty closely, partly for my own sake since it seems every time I see my onc I'm all "yeah, I feel fine, bring on the chemo needle!"

I hope the recovery from your reversal continues to go great and that chemo doesn't knock you down too terribly...question on that front: will you be getting a port put in and how many treatments will you be getting? For me, I've got one and I'm on #4 of 8...best!!

At 10:41pm on May 27, 2008, Jen Puglise said…: Jane- I'm having my colostomy reversed in August. Would you mind sharing your experience with me as I have no idea what to expect. The doctor has given me all the info., but there's nothing like hearing it from someone who has gone through it. Did they close your ostomy by primary intention? Any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks- Jen

At 4:55pm on May 22, 2008, brigita said…: Sorry you're still having post-op pain--it took me a while for the pain and fatigue to wane...I'm still not back to 100%, but I do have as many good days as not so good. So don't feel bad about taking pain meds as needed, stay on top of the team that's doing your follow-up (ie if you want to be seen, don't let them give you "that sounds like the normal healing process..." line), and keep on resting! I know everyone says how important it is to get moving after surgery, but rest is equally important.

Keep taking good care of yourself and know I'm TOTALLY jealous you're getting your takedown before chemo! I've got a countdown on my blog to when I should be having mine. ;)

At 8:48pm on April 22, 2008, brigita said…: Hey--Just read your care page...Shoot me a line if you ever want to talk ostomies. :(

At 10:08am on April 15, 2008, brigita said…: SUCKS. Sucks, sucks, sucks, sucks, sucks. I am so sorry, BUT--maybe your body is just waiting for the magical chemo fairydust to knock the rest of your cancer on its behind.

Keep up the good work with getting up and around (me, I got sidetracked with an issue with post-op fluid buildup) and I'm glad to hear you'll be getting lots of visitors/fresh help. My mom has been with us for a month now and I'm starting to worry when she's going to need a break!

Best to you, WORST to those cellular interlopers!

At 9:05am on April 3, 2008, brigita said…: I'm sorry to hear that you can't have a lap--I had been preparing myself for the big incision so was pretty surprised when I first heard that I would be getting a lap. Recovery might be a bit longer, but once it's over you're really over the hump!

BTW, the link on my page is to my blog (which has a link to my care page...). Check out the sidebar for links to other people that have gone/are going through a similar treatment regimen. I would especially recommend hopeforholly.com--another young, healthy woman who inexplicably got rectal cancer.

Oh and PS, I so do not believe you are 45. A totally hot 37, but 45? What is your secret? ;)

At 11:30am on April 1, 2008, brigita said…: Thanks for checking in! I have some nightmarish flashes from the recovery room and getting oriented to Oscar the Pouch was less than fun, but all told I'm doing pretty well! Having the surgery done laproscopically makes *all* the difference. And the pain pills. Mmmm....pain pills. ;)

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