Colonoscopy! If you are past age 50, have you had yours?
I started this post Friday, April 8, when I thought I would be undergoing surgery. At the time while I was writing, it seemed cathartic, but then I just couldn't bring myself to post it. I guess I need some time. I decided to come back to it today and edit it into a weekly or monthly journal. Maybe when this journey is over or at least when I know more, I can post it.
Friday, April 8, 2016
This year I decided I would be really proactive with my health. I had two partial knee replacements a couple of years ago and have seen a rheumatologist I really like and therefore I was feeling good with my bones and joints for the first time in quite awhile. I am pretty good at having my yearly mammogram, pap smear, twice-yearly teeth cleaning, and so I added to this finding a primary care doctor and scheduling a colonoscopy. I watched in tears over 15 years ago as Katie Couric told on The Today Show how everyone should get a colonoscopy when they turned 50, because if her husband had, he would still be alive. I have never forgotten and knew as soon as I was 50, I would schedule my test as well.
Colon Cancer can be a death sentence by the time someone who has it starts to exhibit symptoms. I scheduled my colonoscopy for Wednesday, April 6, 2016. The prep was not that unpleasant, I admit I didn't enjoy it, but it was nowhere near the hysterical horror that Dave Barry declared in his article: "Colonoscopy: A journey into my colon --and yours". I have used this column in my creative writing class for awhile when discussing persuasive and humorous writing techniques, so I have been quite familiar with it.
I scheduled my test for 7:30 in the morning so that I would not have to starve all day waiting to have it, and my husband and I had already decided we would head to the local Cracker Barrel to eat afterwards, just like we did when he had his test a year or so ago. I knew they would probably find a polyp or two, this was a common finding among friends and family who had already had their tests, so I was prepared for that. I have no family history of cancer, I have always worried more about heart issues. I was not prepared to awaken to the whisperings of my husband and my doc and the words: tumor, scan, surgery repeated over and over. Thus began my newest journey and contemplations about just what is important.
The diagnosis is: invasive moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. I just received this term about 15 minutes ago, after I cancelled my surgery that I scheduled the day I found out I had cancer. Upon receiving a cancer diagnosis, we were told to go to the hospital to have a CT Scan and afterward would be meeting a surgeon that our gastroenterologist would call for us. So all in one day, with no food in my system for over two days, I was planning to have my stomach opened up and a large section of my colon and complete appendix removed. They warned me before the colonoscopy to not sign any important papers that day, yet here I was planning a major surgery for the following Tuesday, April 12, 2016.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
So my weekend consisted of trying to stay busy, waking up every hour with too many thoughts, overanalyzing every stomach ache and muscle twinge I have had the past 12 months, and questioning the decision of this surgery. Of course, our surgeon is a wonderful man, he performed surgery on my husband's dad 5 years ago when he was sick, and we have utmost confidence in his skills and ability. He is a general surgeon however, and not a colo-rectal specialist. It took our good friend and physician Dr. Feeney to let us know he felt we should get a second opinion to help us realize and verbalize that we were not entirely comfortable with our decisions.
This brings me to today. I have cancelled my surgery which was scheduled for tomorrow. I was halfway through the "prep" for it and still, I feel relieved. I have called my doctor to get the results of my colonoscopy and CT Scan as well as learned the pathology report that we were not even sure we had. This is a journey and I know I am tough, so I am prepared for the uncertainty and the worry and the questions of the next step. As my son, who is wise beyond his almost 24 years, always says "Play the hand you are dealt." I will play my hand. I trust that God knows me and will give me only what I can handle, and that I have supportive family and friends to see me through. I also know that if I had not listened to Katie Couric and Dave Barry and my own intuition, I would possibly have not gone for a colonoscopy and who knows what result a few years of this invader in my colon would have wrought. I will continue blogging about my journey and will leave you with this question: Have you had YOUR colonoscopy?
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Yesterday was tough. First of all I found out I had an appointment, thanks to Dr. Feeney, on Wednesday at 1:30. Then when his office called, they informed me that they don't accept my medical insurance, therefore my copay will be 50%. While trying to work this out and figure out what to do, I had a breakdown. Completely lost it and sobbed, while my wonderful husband rubbed my shoulders and told me it was all going to be okay. I am sure he wanted to cry with me, but was glad he was able to be the calm and positive one. I felt depressed, which made me upset and thus more depressed. I didn't want to be that person! I wanted to stay strong, optimistic because I knew it was imperative for good healing. My daughter had to go back to Lafayette to resume her job since there would be no surgery tomorrow and I honestly hated to see her leave. My son and his adorable girlfriend came over to eat with us, and I love that they try to keep the conversation normal, to talk about normal things, when I know there is a big elephant in the room. My wonderful friends Tim and Jamie came over to keep us company and we laugh so much with them, it did lift my spirits. Last night was the first night I didn't cry when I went to bed.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Woke up this morning feeling better. Optimistic and hopeful and ready to tackle the day. One thing I have noticed, is when something like this happens, your days seem long. While waiting to find out what your future holds, time does tick by a lot slower. I was ready and waiting for my hubs to pick me up as we were going to go to Bloomington to pick up my records from a couple of different places. First of all my Colonoscopy records from Dr. Spier's office. They were ready and waiting for me although the receptionist told me the computers had been down all day. Then I walked upstairs to retrieve the blood work records from my primary physician. His receptionist told me the same thing, sent me to another receptionist who had me wait for a few moments. All these ladies led me to believe that the computers being down would not allow those records to be ready. Then, miraculously, they were there, waiting. I don't know if people realize when they work for a doctor that sometimes someone is really not in any condition to be jockeyed around like a hot potato. I felt myself slipping lower and lower with my optimism just due to a couple lady's and their "I don't really care about your problem" attitude.
At any rate, the deed was done, now to eat a nice lunch somewhere and see what else the day held. We decided to go to Moe's and have a burrito bowl. While this sounded so delicious, I am not going to lie, it did not sit well with me. I really haven't been able to eat much the last few days - wonder why? and today has been no exception. We ended up driving up to see where Lake Lemon was after lunch and we were nicely surprised at what a nice lake it is. Then, after taking a wrong turn, we ended up in Yellowwood State Forest and drove and drove up and down curving, winding roads and wound up in Nashville, IN. It really was a good thing neither of us have motion sickness!
Returning home finds me wondering what in the world to do. It used to be that a free moment from school, kids, husband, would have me cleaning out a closet, rearranging something in a cabinet, or reading a book. Now I just wander listlessly around the house as if I don't live here and don't have a clue what to do next. I guess this is depression. I hope it goes away quickly, I am trying.
My pathology report is sitting on the bar beside me and I read through it and while I am not a doctor or anything related to the medical field, it appears I have lymph nodes which very well may be affected by this cancer. I was so hoping not. This is probably the reason for this 200 pound weight I feel in my gut, and while I know this is not a "sentence," it sure feels ugly to me right now. I am reminded again by my own logic, I am not a doctor. Quit trying to diagnose yourself!
My husband has been working in the yard ever since we arrived home from our country drive. He works when his mind is full. He has dug up half the yard and is planting grass seed in all the bare spots. He is covered in seed, straw and dirt. I see him talking on his cell phone and I wonder what is going on now? He walks in the back door and is writing a name down on a piece of paper. When he finishes his phone call he tells me that he was in the backyard trying to figure out what to pray for. So he prayed "God, just please put the right doctors in our path." A few seconds later the phone rings and it is Dr. Loehrer, the director of the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center. I have always known that my husband is truly, deep-down a very good man and I wasn't surprised that God answered his prayers so quickly. Thank you Lord for sending me this man to be my husband.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Today we have an appointment with Dr. Nikhil Patel, near St. Vincent Hospital. He is the physician referred to us by our good friends Tim and Aunita and of whom I am positive Tim pulled some strings to get us into quickly. We so appreciate them! Anyway, I am making a list of questions to ask at this visit. I also have an appointment tomorrow with Dr. Alyssa Fajardo at IU Medical Center, thanks to the efforts of another good friend, Steve Adams. She is in my network, while Dr. Patel is not so we will see how these go. I am ready to move on this and get this monster out of me.
I will add to this, I have always known that I have some truly great friends, not a ton of them, but those I have are great. When something like this happens, it is easy to see who your true friends are. I believe those are the ones who text me or call me often to see if I am doing ok and handling things. I have SO appreciated those messages, phone calls, emails. It is a pretty lonely, long day waiting to hear from doctors and too much thinking occurs when one is not busy! Thank you my friends, you know who you are! That being said, I do know several people are praying for me and I would never take those people for granted! I appreciate every prayer and I know they are being heard. I can never repay you for those!
Thursday, April 28, 2016
It has been a while since I have written. I am 8 days post surgery of a right hemicolectomy.
In layman's terms, I had the entire right side of my colon removed, a few centimeters of my small intestines and 17 lymph nodes. This was done laparoscopically at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis by Dr. N. Patel. He was wonderful. I honestly have not felt too bad physically since the surgery. Mentally is a different thing altogether. This diagnosis sure takes its toll on one's mental stability. Not that mine has always been real steady - HA, but all of a sudden I find myself having horrible mood swings over the silliest things. I have made a long distance friend who is going through the same thing I am - almost exact same diagnoses and time period. It has been very nice to have someone to chat with who is going through the same journey. So next step is to visit a couple oncologists and decide where I will go next. Chemo for sure. Two of my 17 lymph nodes were infected, and while those were removed, it is possible the cancer could be hiding out somewhere in my body still. So chemo will find and attack it--that is the plan. I am feeling better every day, physically strong, and working on the mental parts! So long until next time.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
I haven't written for awhile, and much has happened. I have begun chemotherapy. I am on a 6 month - 12 infusion program called Fulfox. Fulfox is the recommended therapy for my type of colon cancer. Technically, I am cancer free--just have to stay that way. The chemo takes my chances of cancer metastasizing somewhere else from around a 50% chance to less than 20. My oncologist says we are going for a "cure." Which sounds odd since cancer is not curable = yet. So, chemo...for me has been not as bad as my imagination, yet if I could quit today- I would. Technically I could, however, it is not in my best interest if I want to give myself the best chances to see my kids married, parents, etc....
I will say that cancer really has made me a different person. I USED to get fired up and upset about such silly little things, not so much anymore. I also am trying to take better care of myself. I think I always lived under the ignorant notion that to focus on my own health and wellbeing would be selfish since I had a family, career, and home for which to care. I understand now that if you are not healthy, how in the world can you do the rest? Taking care of me has become a priority due to necessity but I don't intend to forget its importance! I am positive that I will be ok. I have moments of doubt- mostly when I am in the "throes" of the side effects of chemo which last 2-4 days after the treatment (the worst parts anyway). I have learned how to deal with some of them, and how to just ride out the others. I sure have a new appreciation for people who are going through this journey. I also have realized what a great community we live in. I have people praying for me who don't know me, and friends and co-workers who check in with me often to let me know they are thinking of me. It can be lonely being sick. Some days I don't feel like getting out of the house, and many may not realize this, because I do get out and go on the days I feel good. I hope I can be a good friend when my friends are needing it, it really means so much. Three chemo treatments down and the next one arrives on my 30th anniversary. It is not great timing, but my husband and I have a stronger relationship than ever, and we will do what it takes to make it another 30!!! Until next time.....
Monday, August 1, 2016
Again, it has been awhile. One would think that being home so much and with so much free time would lend itself to getting things done, not so. I spend much of my time taking little naps, trying to keep up with three ( and currently four- Holley is on a little trip) dogs in my house and the laundry. I also try to get out and go with my hubby when he wants. His life has been more turned upside down than even mine I would say. He has taken over all the responsibilities I used to call mine--cutting the grass, fixing dinner (most of the time) and household upkeep as well. How I appreciate him!!! He is also a cheerleader when necessary - which I hate to say seems to be a little more frequent than it used to be. Chemo sucks. I would quit today if I thought I could live with myself. Chemo is also expensive. Around $20,000 per treatment if you really want to know. I am lucky to have insurance, and I feel for those who do not. That being said I do wonder if the cost of it drives the "number" of treatments necessary to treat this disease? I hope not--but who knows? I am 6 days past my last treatment and still feeling a little nauseous--not up to myself yet. YUCK. I would love to go out, have a beer, laugh with friends and not have a care in the world..like I used to. Now I feel guilty if I eat something I know is not necessary to my life or desire a stiff drink!!! And yet, I am grateful I caught this at stage 3 and not stage 4. I am grateful that it is not in my liver, brain, lungs, all the places it could have gone before I even was diagnosed! I am grateful for my employer, who has given me the medical leave allowing me to heal and take care of myself, for insurance that helps with the astronomical bills, my husband and kids who have taken such good care of me, and for my friends who take the time to check up on me, bring me fresh veggies from their garden, zucchini bread they have baked, little gifts sent through the mail and the messages, prayers and cards. They TRULY keep me going!!! Clinical trials are going on that wonder if 12 Folfox treatments are really any better than 6 --so our goal has been to get to #6 (one more) and see where we are...then one at a time after...... keep praying for me folks - I really appreciate it!!!
Friday, April 8, 2016
This year I decided I would be really proactive with my health. I had two partial knee replacements a couple of years ago and have seen a rheumatologist I really like and therefore I was feeling good with my bones and joints for the first time in quite awhile. I am pretty good at having my yearly mammogram, pap smear, twice-yearly teeth cleaning, and so I added to this finding a primary care doctor and scheduling a colonoscopy. I watched in tears over 15 years ago as Katie Couric told on The Today Show how everyone should get a colonoscopy when they turned 50, because if her husband had, he would still be alive. I have never forgotten and knew as soon as I was 50, I would schedule my test as well.
Colon Cancer can be a death sentence by the time someone who has it starts to exhibit symptoms. I scheduled my colonoscopy for Wednesday, April 6, 2016. The prep was not that unpleasant, I admit I didn't enjoy it, but it was nowhere near the hysterical horror that Dave Barry declared in his article: "Colonoscopy: A journey into my colon --and yours". I have used this column in my creative writing class for awhile when discussing persuasive and humorous writing techniques, so I have been quite familiar with it.
I scheduled my test for 7:30 in the morning so that I would not have to starve all day waiting to have it, and my husband and I had already decided we would head to the local Cracker Barrel to eat afterwards, just like we did when he had his test a year or so ago. I knew they would probably find a polyp or two, this was a common finding among friends and family who had already had their tests, so I was prepared for that. I have no family history of cancer, I have always worried more about heart issues. I was not prepared to awaken to the whisperings of my husband and my doc and the words: tumor, scan, surgery repeated over and over. Thus began my newest journey and contemplations about just what is important.
The diagnosis is: invasive moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. I just received this term about 15 minutes ago, after I cancelled my surgery that I scheduled the day I found out I had cancer. Upon receiving a cancer diagnosis, we were told to go to the hospital to have a CT Scan and afterward would be meeting a surgeon that our gastroenterologist would call for us. So all in one day, with no food in my system for over two days, I was planning to have my stomach opened up and a large section of my colon and complete appendix removed. They warned me before the colonoscopy to not sign any important papers that day, yet here I was planning a major surgery for the following Tuesday, April 12, 2016.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
So my weekend consisted of trying to stay busy, waking up every hour with too many thoughts, overanalyzing every stomach ache and muscle twinge I have had the past 12 months, and questioning the decision of this surgery. Of course, our surgeon is a wonderful man, he performed surgery on my husband's dad 5 years ago when he was sick, and we have utmost confidence in his skills and ability. He is a general surgeon however, and not a colo-rectal specialist. It took our good friend and physician Dr. Feeney to let us know he felt we should get a second opinion to help us realize and verbalize that we were not entirely comfortable with our decisions.
This brings me to today. I have cancelled my surgery which was scheduled for tomorrow. I was halfway through the "prep" for it and still, I feel relieved. I have called my doctor to get the results of my colonoscopy and CT Scan as well as learned the pathology report that we were not even sure we had. This is a journey and I know I am tough, so I am prepared for the uncertainty and the worry and the questions of the next step. As my son, who is wise beyond his almost 24 years, always says "Play the hand you are dealt." I will play my hand. I trust that God knows me and will give me only what I can handle, and that I have supportive family and friends to see me through. I also know that if I had not listened to Katie Couric and Dave Barry and my own intuition, I would possibly have not gone for a colonoscopy and who knows what result a few years of this invader in my colon would have wrought. I will continue blogging about my journey and will leave you with this question: Have you had YOUR colonoscopy?
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Yesterday was tough. First of all I found out I had an appointment, thanks to Dr. Feeney, on Wednesday at 1:30. Then when his office called, they informed me that they don't accept my medical insurance, therefore my copay will be 50%. While trying to work this out and figure out what to do, I had a breakdown. Completely lost it and sobbed, while my wonderful husband rubbed my shoulders and told me it was all going to be okay. I am sure he wanted to cry with me, but was glad he was able to be the calm and positive one. I felt depressed, which made me upset and thus more depressed. I didn't want to be that person! I wanted to stay strong, optimistic because I knew it was imperative for good healing. My daughter had to go back to Lafayette to resume her job since there would be no surgery tomorrow and I honestly hated to see her leave. My son and his adorable girlfriend came over to eat with us, and I love that they try to keep the conversation normal, to talk about normal things, when I know there is a big elephant in the room. My wonderful friends Tim and Jamie came over to keep us company and we laugh so much with them, it did lift my spirits. Last night was the first night I didn't cry when I went to bed.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Woke up this morning feeling better. Optimistic and hopeful and ready to tackle the day. One thing I have noticed, is when something like this happens, your days seem long. While waiting to find out what your future holds, time does tick by a lot slower. I was ready and waiting for my hubs to pick me up as we were going to go to Bloomington to pick up my records from a couple of different places. First of all my Colonoscopy records from Dr. Spier's office. They were ready and waiting for me although the receptionist told me the computers had been down all day. Then I walked upstairs to retrieve the blood work records from my primary physician. His receptionist told me the same thing, sent me to another receptionist who had me wait for a few moments. All these ladies led me to believe that the computers being down would not allow those records to be ready. Then, miraculously, they were there, waiting. I don't know if people realize when they work for a doctor that sometimes someone is really not in any condition to be jockeyed around like a hot potato. I felt myself slipping lower and lower with my optimism just due to a couple lady's and their "I don't really care about your problem" attitude.
At any rate, the deed was done, now to eat a nice lunch somewhere and see what else the day held. We decided to go to Moe's and have a burrito bowl. While this sounded so delicious, I am not going to lie, it did not sit well with me. I really haven't been able to eat much the last few days - wonder why? and today has been no exception. We ended up driving up to see where Lake Lemon was after lunch and we were nicely surprised at what a nice lake it is. Then, after taking a wrong turn, we ended up in Yellowwood State Forest and drove and drove up and down curving, winding roads and wound up in Nashville, IN. It really was a good thing neither of us have motion sickness!
Returning home finds me wondering what in the world to do. It used to be that a free moment from school, kids, husband, would have me cleaning out a closet, rearranging something in a cabinet, or reading a book. Now I just wander listlessly around the house as if I don't live here and don't have a clue what to do next. I guess this is depression. I hope it goes away quickly, I am trying.
My pathology report is sitting on the bar beside me and I read through it and while I am not a doctor or anything related to the medical field, it appears I have lymph nodes which very well may be affected by this cancer. I was so hoping not. This is probably the reason for this 200 pound weight I feel in my gut, and while I know this is not a "sentence," it sure feels ugly to me right now. I am reminded again by my own logic, I am not a doctor. Quit trying to diagnose yourself!
My husband has been working in the yard ever since we arrived home from our country drive. He works when his mind is full. He has dug up half the yard and is planting grass seed in all the bare spots. He is covered in seed, straw and dirt. I see him talking on his cell phone and I wonder what is going on now? He walks in the back door and is writing a name down on a piece of paper. When he finishes his phone call he tells me that he was in the backyard trying to figure out what to pray for. So he prayed "God, just please put the right doctors in our path." A few seconds later the phone rings and it is Dr. Loehrer, the director of the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center. I have always known that my husband is truly, deep-down a very good man and I wasn't surprised that God answered his prayers so quickly. Thank you Lord for sending me this man to be my husband.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Today we have an appointment with Dr. Nikhil Patel, near St. Vincent Hospital. He is the physician referred to us by our good friends Tim and Aunita and of whom I am positive Tim pulled some strings to get us into quickly. We so appreciate them! Anyway, I am making a list of questions to ask at this visit. I also have an appointment tomorrow with Dr. Alyssa Fajardo at IU Medical Center, thanks to the efforts of another good friend, Steve Adams. She is in my network, while Dr. Patel is not so we will see how these go. I am ready to move on this and get this monster out of me.
I will add to this, I have always known that I have some truly great friends, not a ton of them, but those I have are great. When something like this happens, it is easy to see who your true friends are. I believe those are the ones who text me or call me often to see if I am doing ok and handling things. I have SO appreciated those messages, phone calls, emails. It is a pretty lonely, long day waiting to hear from doctors and too much thinking occurs when one is not busy! Thank you my friends, you know who you are! That being said, I do know several people are praying for me and I would never take those people for granted! I appreciate every prayer and I know they are being heard. I can never repay you for those!
Thursday, April 28, 2016
It has been a while since I have written. I am 8 days post surgery of a right hemicolectomy.
In layman's terms, I had the entire right side of my colon removed, a few centimeters of my small intestines and 17 lymph nodes. This was done laparoscopically at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis by Dr. N. Patel. He was wonderful. I honestly have not felt too bad physically since the surgery. Mentally is a different thing altogether. This diagnosis sure takes its toll on one's mental stability. Not that mine has always been real steady - HA, but all of a sudden I find myself having horrible mood swings over the silliest things. I have made a long distance friend who is going through the same thing I am - almost exact same diagnoses and time period. It has been very nice to have someone to chat with who is going through the same journey. So next step is to visit a couple oncologists and decide where I will go next. Chemo for sure. Two of my 17 lymph nodes were infected, and while those were removed, it is possible the cancer could be hiding out somewhere in my body still. So chemo will find and attack it--that is the plan. I am feeling better every day, physically strong, and working on the mental parts! So long until next time.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
I haven't written for awhile, and much has happened. I have begun chemotherapy. I am on a 6 month - 12 infusion program called Fulfox. Fulfox is the recommended therapy for my type of colon cancer. Technically, I am cancer free--just have to stay that way. The chemo takes my chances of cancer metastasizing somewhere else from around a 50% chance to less than 20. My oncologist says we are going for a "cure." Which sounds odd since cancer is not curable = yet. So, chemo...for me has been not as bad as my imagination, yet if I could quit today- I would. Technically I could, however, it is not in my best interest if I want to give myself the best chances to see my kids married, parents, etc....
I will say that cancer really has made me a different person. I USED to get fired up and upset about such silly little things, not so much anymore. I also am trying to take better care of myself. I think I always lived under the ignorant notion that to focus on my own health and wellbeing would be selfish since I had a family, career, and home for which to care. I understand now that if you are not healthy, how in the world can you do the rest? Taking care of me has become a priority due to necessity but I don't intend to forget its importance! I am positive that I will be ok. I have moments of doubt- mostly when I am in the "throes" of the side effects of chemo which last 2-4 days after the treatment (the worst parts anyway). I have learned how to deal with some of them, and how to just ride out the others. I sure have a new appreciation for people who are going through this journey. I also have realized what a great community we live in. I have people praying for me who don't know me, and friends and co-workers who check in with me often to let me know they are thinking of me. It can be lonely being sick. Some days I don't feel like getting out of the house, and many may not realize this, because I do get out and go on the days I feel good. I hope I can be a good friend when my friends are needing it, it really means so much. Three chemo treatments down and the next one arrives on my 30th anniversary. It is not great timing, but my husband and I have a stronger relationship than ever, and we will do what it takes to make it another 30!!! Until next time.....
Monday, August 1, 2016
Again, it has been awhile. One would think that being home so much and with so much free time would lend itself to getting things done, not so. I spend much of my time taking little naps, trying to keep up with three ( and currently four- Holley is on a little trip) dogs in my house and the laundry. I also try to get out and go with my hubby when he wants. His life has been more turned upside down than even mine I would say. He has taken over all the responsibilities I used to call mine--cutting the grass, fixing dinner (most of the time) and household upkeep as well. How I appreciate him!!! He is also a cheerleader when necessary - which I hate to say seems to be a little more frequent than it used to be. Chemo sucks. I would quit today if I thought I could live with myself. Chemo is also expensive. Around $20,000 per treatment if you really want to know. I am lucky to have insurance, and I feel for those who do not. That being said I do wonder if the cost of it drives the "number" of treatments necessary to treat this disease? I hope not--but who knows? I am 6 days past my last treatment and still feeling a little nauseous--not up to myself yet. YUCK. I would love to go out, have a beer, laugh with friends and not have a care in the world..like I used to. Now I feel guilty if I eat something I know is not necessary to my life or desire a stiff drink!!! And yet, I am grateful I caught this at stage 3 and not stage 4. I am grateful that it is not in my liver, brain, lungs, all the places it could have gone before I even was diagnosed! I am grateful for my employer, who has given me the medical leave allowing me to heal and take care of myself, for insurance that helps with the astronomical bills, my husband and kids who have taken such good care of me, and for my friends who take the time to check up on me, bring me fresh veggies from their garden, zucchini bread they have baked, little gifts sent through the mail and the messages, prayers and cards. They TRULY keep me going!!! Clinical trials are going on that wonder if 12 Folfox treatments are really any better than 6 --so our goal has been to get to #6 (one more) and see where we are...then one at a time after...... keep praying for me folks - I really appreciate it!!!
Mary, I always knew you were a strong person. Please keep us posted on your health. We will pray for you and your family. As I read your story, I kept thinking of all of what Andrew's been through. He didn't have cancer, but he gave us plenty of scares over the years with his "colon" and lack thereof issues. We love you, dear sweet niece.
ReplyDeleteThank you for prayers!
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