You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

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jmarie
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You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby jmarie » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:00 pm

Pretty devastated...Bone scan and CT scan showed spinal mets, the worst of it is in my mid back(Thoracic) where most of my pain is. Since I am having this shooting pain and numbness down my arm and into two fingers they believe it is already pressing on my spinal cord. He said this is a "rare oncology emergency, we have to act immediately". At first he was trying to get me in tonight for the thoracic MRI, but it wasn't looking like it was going to work out very well. Since I am already scheduled for a brain MRI first thing in the morning they scheduled a thoracic MRI right afterwards. I am scheduled for Lumbar and cervical spine MRI's on Monday to check out the smaller mets in those areas.

They are afraid the tumor will cut off my spinal cord, paralyzing me. I have been ordered to do nothing, no lifting, climbing or walking until we know how bad it is. I am just absolutely devastated and scared out of my mind. The slightest slip or wrong move can cut my spinal cord, paralyzing me. Doctor said they will probably start radiation tomorrow. The clinical trial is out of the picture now, whack-a-mole continues. Any new symptoms or pains I was told don't even call first, just go straight to the ER. I am in a pretty dark place right now, flashbacks from when I found out I was stage IV.

It is official, I am no longer able to care for my daughter by myself, this is what I have dreaded most since I was dxd, over the last month I knew this time was coming soon, but this is a little too soon for me. November 25th is going to be 3 years since my dx, I should be happy that I lasted this long as her main caretaker, but at this moment it is just devastating.
DX Stage IV 11/25/08
mets liver lung, kras mutant
Baby 2yrs old! I am 32yrs
Too many chemo txs to count
trying to find a clinical trial
"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf"

janklo
Posts: 1567
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:10 pm
Facebook Username: JanetKlostermann

Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby janklo » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:03 pm

Oh my gosh Jess, I am so sorry! I pray that you can find some relief to your pain and nothing else goes wrong! I hope you can spend as much time with your beautiful Lilliana. You have been such a strong woman all along, keep it going!
Mom to 28 yo daughter
colectomy 2/22/10, stage 3C, signet cell
7/2011 peritoneal mets
HIPEC September 2012, difficult recovery
Hospice 10/31/2012, Died 11/16/2012

KimT
Posts: 695
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:53 pm

Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby KimT » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:04 pm

Sorry. Man that blows. Hope they can get it under control quickly so you can maintain your mobility.
2/10 dx colon cancer
right hemicolectomy 3/19/10
Stage 2a 0/43 nodes
Lynch syndrome
3/14/10 colon resection/ removal of metal clips
Nov 11 dx ovarian cancer

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fritts44
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Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2010 3:04 pm
Facebook Username: Lee Fritts

Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby fritts44 » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:05 pm

That is totally devastating. I'm so sorry! I really don't know what else to say except that I'm sorry & I hope the radiation works quickly so that you can get back to where you THOUGHT you would be right now -- entering one of these trials.

Lee F.
Lee F
RC dx 12/16/10
resection & perm colo 12/17/10
8 rounds chemo, 28 rounds radiation
finished 8/26/2011
clean scope 9/20/2011
clean CT scan 12/26/2011
NED

dianne052506
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Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:57 pm
Location: North Carolina

Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby dianne052506 » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:10 pm

I'm so sorry, Jessica. Praying hard for you,
Dianne
May 06 Stage IV CC: liver,ovarian mets
Oct 07 inoperable lung mets
Feb 08 - Apr'12 chemo
allergic to oxaliplatin, irinotecan
Aug '12-Feb'14 Genentech PD-L1/Avastin trial
Mar '14 -radiation to largest lung nodule
still recovering; looking at trials again

jjlist
Posts: 654
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 11:56 pm

Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby jjlist » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:11 pm

you are one tough lady

this makes me sad
age 56
11/16/09 DIAG low rectal tumor ST II T3N0M0
12/21/09 chemopump radiation
3/18/10 suregry colo-anal anastomosis, no nodes,.
4/29/10 Abcess infection
6/3/10 started 12 folfox sessions completed 10.
1/11/11 ileostomy takedown

NWgirl
Posts: 6659
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:24 am
Facebook Username: Belle Piazza
Location: Battle Ground, Washington

Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby NWgirl » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:12 pm

You may no longer be her main caretaker but you will always be her mother and she will always know how much you love her. Sending prayers and love your way Jess, I'm so sorry; I know this is the last thing you wanted to hear right now.
Belle - "Don't Retreat - Reload"DX 10/07 Stage III Rectal
Surgery 11/07; 27 of 38 nodes
Perm Colostomy 8/11
12/10 recurrence lungs & LN's
VATS Jan 2011
Radiation Oct 2013
Chemo for Life
2012 Colondar Model

beth568
Posts: 961
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:49 am
Location: Boston area, MA

Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby beth568 » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:15 pm

Damn, Jess. I hate that this is happening to you. At least you've now got docs who are on top of this immediately.

And, as Belle said - your baby knows her mama and will love you just the same. Taking care of yourself right now is a way of taking care of her, too.

I wish I could do something to take this all away from you...here's hoping the radiation can relieve some of that pressure soon so that your activity's not so limited. You know you are in all of our hearts as you undertake this treatment.
Beth
dx @age 42, Jan '11 RC, T2or3NxM0 (stage IIIA/IIIB)
6 wks chemorad Feb - Mar '11
LAR 5/23/11, staged T2N1bM0 (2 of 15 nodes positive)
8 rounds FOLFOX, June-Oct. 2011
clear scans Nov '11, May '12, Nov '12, May '13
http://www.mysemicolon.net

Cj51
Posts: 893
Joined: Thu May 13, 2010 5:58 pm
Location: Midwest

Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby Cj51 » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:57 pm

Oh no, Jess, I'm so sorry to hear this news. It just stinks. I agree with Beth--taking care of yourself is a good way to also take care of your sweet Lilli. She is old enough to know that you are her mama, and that you love her beyond words. Having someone in to help take care of her won't change her perception of you as Mama. They are so unutterably sweet at this age, I bet she'll be giving you more hugs and snuggles than ever. They're good for your soul.

I am glad to hear that your docs are on top of this, and are doing everything they can to beat the beast back and keep your mobility intact. Best wishes on the best possible outcomes and the smoothest transition to the next steps tomorrow.

Strongest thoughts, prayers, and virtual hugs coming your way.

Take care,
Cj
DX Stage IIIb RC, T3N1M0, April 2010, 51
6 wks Xelox/rad 6/10
resection, temp illeostomy 8/10 Complete response!
12 rounds FOLFOX for clean up 9/10, Allergic to Oxi, started Xeloda only 12/10
Ileo takedown 9/28/11
4/2020 NED

ams5796
Posts: 2298
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:07 am

Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby ams5796 » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:57 pm

Jess, I am so sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Ann
Stage 3C (or 4?) Rectal Cancer 01/07
2/10 lung mets
3/11 VATS
6/11 VATS
7/13 lung met
2/14 SBRT
NED 8/14
5/17 scan and MRI found treated spine met

Grace14
Posts: 418
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2011 7:42 pm

Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby Grace14 » Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:04 pm

I am so sorry!! You are in my thoughts and prayers!!!
Diag Stage 2a R/C April 2010 at 38
Rad/chemo 6 weeks
Apr surgery July 2010
Folfox 4 months
Jan appendix removed
Feb diag papillary thyroid cancer no treatments stage1
Ned so far!!!
Mother of 4 boys 21 18 11 8

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chrissyrice
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Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:44 am
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby chrissyrice » Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:07 pm

Jess, I am so sorry. This news just sucks; we have all been so hopeful for you and getting in the trial. You are so amazing in dealing with this news after all you have been through. Staying hopeful for you always.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
DX 10-31-09 Surgery 12-1-09 Sigmoid Colon
Stage IIIb T3,N2,MX; Chemo Feb 2010-Aug 2010; 4 rounds Folfox; 8 rounds 5FU +LV
12/2010 PET/CT Scan, Cancer Free
7/2012 CT Scan NED 2 years
10/2013 NED 3 years
8/2014 NED 4 years
Recurrence 6/2015: iliac lymph node(s)
8/2015 Surgery: 3 cm tumor removed+iliac artery graft
3/2016 CT Scan Stable
6/2016 Stable
9/2016 Stable
12/2016 Stable
3/2017 Stable
Recurrence 6/2017
12/2017 Surgery removed all cancer w/ clean margins
07-27-2018 Cancer-free for 7 months

Lisa
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2011 4:36 pm

Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby Lisa » Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:17 pm

I am so sorry to hear this. Please know that you will be in our thoughts. I know that although you may not be the primary caregiver, you are still the world to your beautiful little girl. You are such an inspiration to everyone and continue to be.

Staci's team
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Location: Canfield, Ohio
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Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby Staci's team » Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:23 pm

Jess, it's major sucknitude. Know that I'll be joining the many others who are sending prayers and healing thoughts to you and your docs.
Husband to Staci, diagnosed at age 32
Clinical dx Stage II/III rectal cancer, 7/2009
APR surgery 11/09 leading to...
Pathological dx Stage IIIB, ypT3N1M0, 11/2009
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/staciwills
Member of The Colon Club's Board of Directors

thiemanndi
Posts: 79
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:49 pm
Facebook Username: Dianne Bottomley Thiemann
Location: Canada

Re: You know its bad when the Onc calls 2 hrs later...

Postby thiemanndi » Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:24 pm

This just sucks big time!! Be strong, Jess. Praying for you and your family.
Dianne
09/2003 Dx Rectal Ca
10/2003 surgery & temp ileo
extremely low anastamosis
12/2003-06/2004 Chemo (5fu) & chemo/radiation
multiple obstructions beginning Oct 2011
Not coping so well anymore!
Reconstructive Surgery Scheduled for October 13 2016


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