Back after a lonnnng absence....

[margotmagoo]

Hello everyone...I hope you are all doing well since my last post in May 2007. I have not had the chance to read posts so I am not up to date on everyone's progress. I have missed this message board and all the support everyone offers but have not been able to find the courage to post until now.
I ended up with 3 surgeries under my belt (so to speak) last year. March was a small hernia repair (which likely occurred as a result of my first surgery), followed by a complete hysterectomy in April due to a reccurrence of colon cancer in my ovary, and then treatment again. I began with Folfiri (5Fu, leuco, Irinotecan) and then added in Avastin. After 4 treatments with Avastin, I ended up in the ER with neutropenia and a 104 fever. It turned out that I was suffering from an absess due to a small bowel perforation (most likely the result of a side effect from Avastin). We tried to ward off surgery but the absess left me with a small bowel blockage and off to the OR again to have more removed. I was so scared since we lost a friend to colon cancer after a similar surgery just months before. I worried so much for my family. My wonderful and very caring surgeon was so positive and gave me the strength to get through. I developed and infection in my incision and back to the OR to be reopened. I was left with an open wound. 6 1/2 weeks later, I got to finally leave the hospital...open wound and all. I was on IV nutrition for 5 1/2 weeks and at 5'8" weighed only 106 when I got home. Now I am on 5Fu, Leuco, and Erbitux....I am leaving Ironotecan out for a while since it made me so sick. I need to give my body a chance to heal and get stronger. I will have a Petscan in 2 weeks and am hoping my lighter dose cocktail is doing the job. To add insult to injury...my dad lost his cancer fight last month. He fought to the end with dignity and valor.
I hope to have the chance to catch up on the posts to see how you all are doing. My best to all.....
Margot

[klryder02]

Hi Margot-

Its good to see you back! I am so sorry your life has been crappy lately. It makes it hard to fight this disease when other things in your life start to change.

How are you handling the Erbitux? I have debating adding that to my Irrinotican cocktail..and have been putting it off.

-Kelly

[meighan]

So good to hear from you again and then so very sorry to hear all you have been going through. Life can really send us some curve balls and it seems like you have had more than your share. I really had been hoping and praying you were just off partying or traveling somewhere but you sound good and I hope you stay in touch!!!! Heres hoping calmer days are coming and i want you to know you were missed while you were gone

[Magnolia]

Welcome back, Margot!

[margotmagoo]

Thanks for the warm welcomes! Good to hear from all of you.

Kelly -- the only thing I have noticed from Erbitux is skin related: annoying rash and dry skin. I was given a gel (Clinamyacin) to put on the acne-like rash which helps. I guess its trading off one unsightly or uncomfortable side effect for another with different meds. Irronotecan made me so sick and I lost my hair....Have you lost your hair?

Margot

[Monique]

Hello, Margot

Although I don't post often, I read here almost daily, and so was thinking about you the other day--and wondering how you were doing. I'm certain that I speak for most, in that it's very nice to hear from you again, although I'm very sorry for all of the hardship you've been enduring. I certainly hope that your surgeries and infections are in the past. I know what it's like to be scared going into surgery, so I can really sympathize with you. However, it's great that you had, and have, such an attentive surgeon, as often times specialists aren't exactly known for their bedside manner. I bet it's nice to be home. Have you managed to put on a little weight?

I'm so sorry to hear that, in the midst of all this, you lost your father. It sounds like he was a great man.

All the best,
Monique

[margotmagoo]

Thank you, Monique, for your kind words. I truly appreciate it.

My surgeon was the best....they are out there and do exist! Actually, I have had 3 surgeons and 5 surgeries and all were great experiences in prep and recovery. All of them were personable and took time with me...especially my last surgeon (chief of surgery), he would actually sit with me in my hospital room and talk of his recent fishing trip and ask about me and my family. A shout out to Kaiser....I've had nothing but the best treatment there so far. I have managed to "beef up" and am teetering between a size 2 and 4 at the moment. I am once again enjoying eating!

All the best to you as well....

Fondly, Margot