Here is my story!
I was released from the hospital Friday, May 19th, after 16 days........I knew something was wrong first part of April and started seeing doctors, no one could figure out why I was "leaking" out of my vaginal area. Went to GYN and Urologist. And as we all know it takes time to get in get tests etc!
Finally I passed part of what we now know is a tumor and went to the ER. I was diagnosed with a Pelvic mass of an unknown origin. The tumor broke through the vaginal wall and after a colonoscopy, discovered it broke through the rectum. It took a week before they did surgery. The pathology report came back not colon cancer, cancer of an unknown origin. When surgery was done a Colon/Rectal surgeon was in and a GYN/ONC, after I was opened it was determined I had colon cancer irregardless what the path reports showed. Colon cancer according to my doctors, needs radiation first then remove the tumor. So a Ileostomy was done to rest my colon, they say it is temp and then they closed up. Now I need radiation/Chemo and surgery again in 3 months, then 2 months after that they say they can put in a reservoir and reverse the Ileostomy.
So that is the reader's digest version.
There are so many emotions I have right now, and frustrations. I am a 39 year old female, married 22 years and have a 21 year old daughter and 15 year old son. My father has colon cancer, his brother and their mother. Yes I have had colonoscopies, no not every year. But in November I had an ultrasound because I was missing periods and the mass was not there. The doctors say it is the size of a softball and they estimate it grew in the last 3-4 months and they tell me unless the colonoscopy was timed perfectly it would not have been caught, still I have to admit I have that guilt of I should have had one every year, but all mine were clear, so even the doctors did not recommend that.
I believe I ate a 95% good diet, no one is perfect. Mostly vegetarian and LOTS of fresh fruits and veggies.
Much to my dismay, or should I say shock, I was told to follow a low fiber diet because of the Ileostomy, 180 from what I am used to. This diet calls for enriched breads, when I always ate whole grain. Animal protein and on and on and on.
When I found out I had cancer and before surgery I told my self I would go all raw to beat this cancer, and when I woke up I was told I could not.
My hope in this group is to find other vegetarians who have an Ileostomy, how they eat. And just any suggestions of how you all are coping. I already think I need to seek counseling. I am a very strong person, so it is hard to ask for help, but I know I need to. I just cry at the drop of a pin, I cry because I am sad, I cry because I am scared, I cry about the ileostomy and sometimes I cry just to cry!
On a side note, I guess I have a very unusual presentation of cancer, so much so that the Medical Oncologist wants a second opinion before he writes up his cocktail. He wants me to go to Mayo Clinic or Univ of AZ in Tucson. I guess we have time before I heal for radiation, and I am up for anything, any help!
I look forward to sharing with all of you!
One last thing: What is the "color" for colon cancer?! I know pink is breast. Are there braclets etc to wear?
eitter
Arizona
