recurrence information from doctor
By daeckardt
@daeckardt (6237)
United States
February 9, 2011 5:36pm CST
Hi everyone!
I went to the doctor today and finally got some answers about my cancer recurrence. She told me it was a low grade type and it was the same as what I had the first time around. Apparently there are all kinds of small (less than 1/2 cm) tumors throughout my colon as well as some on the outside of the liver and on the diaphragm. She didn't seem overly concerned since I responded so well to treatment the first time around and I was cancer free for over 7 years. Even if I did nothing, apparently it would take a year to kill me, but I will be starting chemo probably in the next week or so. I will definitely be on the same two drugs I was on before, but possibly a third if I qualify for the clinical trial and get assigned to the group getting the third agent. When my appointment was rescheduled last week because of weather, the office told me that I was there for a one week surgical followup, but fortunately that isn't what happened since I have a surgical followup tomorrow at the surgery clinic. Not only that, but my surgery was three weeks ago so I don't know why they would be calling it a one or two week followup. I may be stuck with a colostomy for the rest of my life if they can't make a repair to a fistula that is connecting the colon and the bladder. Apparently all the tumors are in that area and they would have to take a lot of both the small and large intestine and the bladder to fix the problem and that would leave me with two bags to worry about. I guess I should be glad that the gyn/onc got there when she did or they would have done all that and then where would I have been? I guess I should be happy to be alive, but now I wonder what life will be like for me. I hope all of you are doing well. Have a great day!
1 person likes this
4 responses
@magneto2011 (112)
• Philippines
10 Feb 11
Your narrative leads me to recall the words of Stephen Hawking who once said (my paraphrase): Sometimes, life seems to be unfair, but instead of whining all day long, we just have to be courageous enough to do the best we can in the situation we all are in. I'll pray for you daeckardt.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I don't remember much about this guy, but I do know he overcame a lot. I try not to complain much, but sometimes I just need to let people know what is going on. I hope I didn't sound like I was whining. I have a lot to deal with, but at least I know what is there. I didn't really know what was going on until I talked to the doctor today. Thanks for the response!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160611)
• United States
10 Feb 11
Stephen Hawking is an astrophysicist who has been suffering with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) for over 40 years. He speaks by means of computer facilitation and has written several books, the most noted of which so far is "A Brief History of Time". I did not think you were whining. You try the treatments they offer, and do what you can.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
10 Feb 11
Thanks. I knew he had some kind of issue, but didn't remember exactly what it was. I guess the fact that he used that term in his post and that I tend to take things too literally (part of AS and TS and ADD I guess)made me think maybe I did sound like I was whining. Have a great day!
@GardenGerty (160611)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I think you will do what you have to, one day at a time. From your other discussions I would say you have had a remarkable and active life. They are doing new things in the way of cancer treatment all of the time. They never know when a cancer will recur, and they do not know how any one person will react to any treatment protocol. You need to have a positive attitude and lots of faith about what your future holds and what the doctor is telling you.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160611)
• United States
10 Feb 11
None of us know when we will be blindsided by a disease that we do not expect. You will know when it is enough, or your doctor will know and will help you decide. Do you live with your brother? Did he go to your appointment?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160611)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I have some personal interest/experience, will not go into detail at this time. Not me, not ovarian cancer, but still, some experience. I will pray for you, and you keep a positive outlook, okay?
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
10 Feb 11
Thanks. I won't push the issue. Hopefully it never happens to you. I think the best way I can keep a positive outlook is to get the message out. You know your body. If something doesn't seem right, get it checked out. Have a great day!
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
10 Feb 11
Thank you for keeping us updated! I'm glad that it ended up being and appointment on your treatment plans then a followup.They definitely need to not take a long time on starting those treatments. My prayers will be with you . It would be very scary being in your shoes. I know cancer runs on my side of the family real heavily. Hopefully you get over that cancer fast.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I don't have insurance either, but if you just show up at the emergency room they won't turn you away (at least they didn't at the university hospital). Even with the cancer center, they know I am applying for medicaid and they were still willing to talk to me. There are ways to get treatment even without insurance. There are lots of medically indigent adults in the country and they aren't turned away if there is a life threatening emergency. Not to say that there aren't some places that won't do a bare minimum, but I haven't been to one of them yet.
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
10 Feb 11
I don't blame you for being a fighter. I don't have insurance so know doctors want to see me without money. I never go because of that . Which is scary.
1 person likes this
@Oldsix691418 (3872)
• China
10 Feb 11
Hey,Daeckardt!Are you suffering cancer?That's really a worst news!Why so?A kind people never comes across this kind of illness!
Anyway,you do take good care of yourself and have fun in every minute!God bless you,my best friend!See you around!
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
10 Feb 11
Yes. Unfortunately, it was because of the cancer recurrence that I am no longer in China. Not to say they couldn't take care of it, but the doctors in the city I was working wouldn't deal with it because of my past two surgeries. They couldn't really communicate well with me because they knew little English and I know no Chinese. One doctor talked to my nephew and told him, but they told me it was colon cancer rather than a recurrence of ovarian cancer. Fortunately they gyn/onc here came in on the surgery before they removed everything or I could have been stuck with two ostomy bags rather than just one. I intend to make the most of what I have left, whether it be a year if I chose no treatment or a very long time with treatment even if I have to go through it many times in the future. Thanks for your response!
