mom_2_3--Thanks....

[Jack&KatiesMommy]

Amy:
Thank you so much for the PM and the encouraging words. I am so scared and sad that I have not been able to introduce myself on this forum yet. (It has been 4 months since my diagnosis and I am still so scared and in disbelief....) Thank you for reaching out to me. I would love to talk to you and hear more about the HAI therapy. (I have numerous mets to my liver....that were/are unresectable.....but I am responding well to FOLFRI...as my CEA went from 2,200 to 200 in the first 7 treatments...hoping it is even lower now.) I can't PM you or contact anyone privately as I have not posted enough. Just wanted to thank you for reaching out to me....you gave me hope.

Cynthia
Mommy to Jack (8) and Katie (5)
8.13.2011 Diagnosed Stage IV Colon Cancer
Numerous Mets to Liver (not rescetable yet)
Praying to stay with my babies.
CEA 8-2011 2,241
CEA 12-2011 200

[CRguy]

Glad you have been able to connect here. and we all wish you well in your treatments. Since you are registered just get a few more posts on here and you should get approved to post on your own.

Best wishes
CRguy

[mom_2_3]

Cynthia,

Thanks for your post. I sent you another email with my contact info.

Amy

[gjsabmor]

Cynthia - perhaps you can write a few replies under your own post to meet the minimum requirement in order to PM.

Also, as a 34-year-old, I have to confess that your screenname (Jack and Katie's mommy) and signature (want to stay with my babies) brought tears to my eyes. My mommy is in treatment right now for mCRC and it breaks my heart every time I remember what she has gone through the past 6 months. I want you to know that I'll be praying for you and your babies and wish you all the very best on your journey back to recovery.

[las]

Cynthia,

Glad to see you posting on your own thread, Welcome...... I am so sorry to see in your signature line about your diagnoses, my finance is in the same boat as you. I am the caregiver to him and as much as what we are going thru is different in some ways, in other ways its the same. Cancer effects the entire family and I hate it. This place is a really good place to connect with and you will find so many others that have been in your shoes and have come out on the other side, its a long bumpy road and I wish you the best.

Lisa

[sweeny]

Hi Cynthia, I'm sorry that you had you look for this board, but now you've found us you've just gained a huge army of loyal supporters. We're here for you, whether you need advice, support or just want to vent. Anything at all.

[JackandKatiesMommy]

Thank you all. I must say that I have been watching you all and reading your posts for the last 4 months and am amazed at your strength. I don't know if I can do this ....

Cynthia
Mommy to Jack (8) and Katie (5)
8.13.2011 Diagnosed Stage IV Colon Cancer
Numerous Mets to Liver (not rescetable yet)
Praying to stay with my babies.
CEA 8-2011 2,241
CEA 12-2011 200

[Guinevere]

Cynthia,
Although it doesn't seem like it, you're already doing what we've been doing. You're stronger than you think. It's natural to be scared but you're fighting to be a mom and that's powerful stuff. I'm so sorry about your dx and that you have to be here but know we'll be here for you as much as possible. There are some awesome folks on this board!
Gwen

[GreenLakeGirl]

Jack&KatiesMommy, if you're in a larger community and/or have a cancer center nearby, you might look to see what support options are available for families or for kids. I know my city has a Gilda's Club to support patients and their families through the cancer journey, and the club usually has events for kids at least once a month. My daughter was only 2-1/2 when I was diagnosed so she was too young to need that kind of outlet, but your kids, especially your 8yo, might benefit.

It's great to see that you've responded to FOLFIRI so well. Congrats on the downward trend!

[nbrandt]

Cynthia,
We are here for you. Prayers for a continued response. There may be others who will respond with similar treatments who can answer your specific questions. But I want you to know I am praying for you and your family.
NBrandt

[las]

Cynthia,

You can do this, you can. It's going to be a different life style, but you will adapt and as the months move on, you will become stronger in your thinking. I will be praying for you and your family tonight, the wives of husbands with stage 4 thread has this prayer thing going where we pray everynight for people on this board at 9pm, we all try and set aside this time for prayers... Your included....

HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa

[Ashlee H.]

I, and so many others, have responded very well to FOLFIRI. On FOLFIRI, my numbers have always gotten back to normal and the cancer doesn't glow on the PET. I have always gotten to a point when I just don't want to do this anymore. But, when the numbers go down, you know the chemo is working. You will find the strength. I don't have children, but they have got to be a very strong reason for you to continue with treatment. I've always asked my friends to remind me how good I feel when I'm off chemo. You try to remember the good days. Chemo will eventually end and you will feel so much better. Hang it there! I know you can do it!

[beth568]

Cynthia, my heart is with you. My kids are just a couple of years older than yours (7 and 10), and whenever things get really rough and I get discouraged, I remind myself that I want to have every last minute with them that I can manage. It's by far both the most powerful fear and inspiration for me.

Its great news that you've shown a significant response to FOLFIRI. You can get through this, and you will. Be gentle with yourself when you can, and hug those little ones. And on the days when they're just being kids and driving you crazy, remember to laugh about it.

[Sandy gma]

Cynthia,

Your signature tugged at my heart. My daughter has a diagnosis just like yours, high CEA, numerous inoperable liver mets, etc. She had her first baby in late August and was diagnosed stage IV early October. She is 32. Like you, she prays to stay with her baby. You have my sympathy and support and prayers. It sounds like you are having a great response to your treatment! That is wonderful. My daughter is, too. And yes, you are doing this and you are a strong woman. And what you are doing is working. Just keep doing it, keep praying, keep moving forward. Be thankful and don't be afraid or feel guilty to put the disease out of your mind and have some fun when you can and feel like it. You are getting through this! You're doing it! Keep up the good work!

Sandy

[Granny]

May God bless you through this trial.
Will keep you in prayer.
Granny