Deb From KS

[Guest guest]

Now that Sam's surgery, chemo and radiation are over, maybe things

will be ok. Not great, but ok. Thank you for your prayers. We are

praying for all of you. Take care.

~Deb from KS

wife and caregiver to Sam

Deb, It will get better. it will be slow going but Sam will gain his

strength back. Yes, Cancer robs us of so much. But it does get better.

Sam will get stronger in time and the effects disappear with time.

Please just give it time and enjoy life. Love, Ingrid

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Ingrid.

When I first came to this group, I was looking for people to tell me

what was happening to them, so that I would know what I could expect

in my husband's situation. I am grateful to you and others here who

helped me out tremendously.

I still feel like a newcomer here because there is so much that I

don't know, but I decided to write down the main side effects that

Sam had during his chemo and radiation, so that I could give back to

people what they might run into. Hopefully what I wrote will help

some

of the newer members who are scared and then they can see that

things

can get better. Not to worry! For every side effect that comes up,

the

doctors will take care of it, God willing.

My best to everyone. Hang in there. Prayers coming your way~

Take care,

~Deb from KS

>Hi, everyone. Welcome new members; sorry you have this dreaded

>disease. Those who had good news recently, we share your joy. Those

>who are hurting, we share your pain. Phil and Glenn, God bless you

>and give you comfort. May God give your wife, children and families

>patience to endure this. To those who are suffering silently, we

>pray for you, too.

>

>We are all just taking it day by day. It seems a lot of our dreams

>have been dashed. But there's no time to feel sorry. We just have

to

>go with what we have.

>

>Now that Sam's surgery, chemo and radiation are over, maybe things

>will be ok. Not great, but ok. Thank you for your prayers. We are

>praying for all of you. Take care.

>~Deb from KS

>wife and caregiver to Sam

>

>colonoscopy 8-19-2005

>tubular tumor was blocking the colon by 50 per cent

>CEA prior to surgery 3.9

>lap surgery on 8-26-05 but opened up to get hand in there

>Rectosigmoid, low anterior colon resection (6 days in hospital)

>removed 22 x 8 cm. sigmoid and adjacent rectum (approx. 8 inches)

>adenocarcinoma size 6 x 5 x 2.5 cm

>14 lymph nodes -- no evidence of metastatic tumor Woohoo!

>T3 N0 MX

>

>6 weeks of rest after surgery

>portacath implanted 10-07-05 -- very sore chest for two days

>chemotherapy began 10-10-05

>chemo pump for 5 weeks -- 5fu and fanny pack

>radiation began 10-12-05

>drives himself to chemo refills and radiation treatments!

>

>after two weeks of chemo/radiation: tired, nausea, mouth sores

>skin darkening on hands, forehead and neck

>rectal bleeding begins after radiation #11

>

>after third week, mouth sores hurt and he doesn't want to eat

>got gelclair -- mix with water to gargle, stops pain in mouth

>bloody nose, hair loss, restless legs, easily gets angry

>too sick, chemo stopped for one week break, but radiation continues

>using Aquaphor cream and suppository with Lidocaine in it

>radiation did not stop but skipped Wednesday for one day break

>started on Fentanyl 25 mcg pain patch that lasts for 3 days

>went to the 50 mcg patch for better pain management

>for breakthrough pain he takes Tylenol #3

>

>learning to use Imodium so that he can go shopping

>chemo pump removed 11-21-05 Woohoo!

>beginning to feel better with the chemo finished!

>portacath remains for 1 year

>finished 32 sessions of radiation 11-30-05 Woohoo!

>feels happy this is over, thank God!

>radiation doctor said side effects will last two more weeks

>Next step: 2 week checkup 12-14-05 & 6 week checkup 1-11-06