Just Diagnosed With Stage IV Colon Cancer

[Julie YW]

Hi Everyone,

I just joined. I've been reading the forum for a couple weeks trying to figure out when would be the right time to join. I still don't have a particular question, but I thought I'd just say hi and that you are all an incredible group of people who make helpful and supportive comments. It seems like many of you have been fighting this horrible disease for a long time and I admire the way you carry yourselves with honesty and integrity and I look forward to learning so much more from you all.

I am a 37-year-old woman, diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in July 2013. I had a right hemicolectomy, during which they found one small nodule on the peritoneum. Everything was resected. I just had round 2 of 12 of chemo today and am experiencing some neuropathy for the first time.

How do I put these details in my signature?? I don't even know where to go to create my signature.

Anyhow, I started a blog to keep all my family and friends updated on what's going on, as a record for my 2 little girls and as a place for me to vent. I'm also hoping that others fighting cancer will find it helpful. So I'm sharing the link below.

http://julieyipwilliams.wordpress.com/2 ... /armor-on/

Julie

[NWgirl]

Welcome. To edit your signature go to "User Control Panel" (upper left); then "Profile" tab; then "Edit Signature"


See you found it!

[Cb75]

Hi Julie,

I just read your blog. Much of what you post mirrors my own feelings and concerns about being diagnosed with this disease. I was diagnosed with stage iv colon cancer in april of 2012. I had a golf ball sized tumor in my sigmoid colon and a small met in my liver. I've had all the visible cancer removed and completed 12 rounds of chemo. I have a daughter, who was 11 months old when I was diagnosed. I am currently Ned, but awaiting for the results of a recent ct, which I will get next week.

If you have any questions or concerns about your chemo treatment or anything else, please let me know. I find that it really helps to have some support from others who are in the same situation.

I have bookmarked your blog. I hope you don't mind if I check it out from time to time.

Carmen

[manders]

Thank you for sharing your blog. I also was only recently diagnosed and reading other people's experiences has been very helpful.

[kmv]

I am also a young mother, recently diagnosed stage IV. I read some of your blog, and it really touched me. I want to say that I am not afraid of dying, but I'm not there yet. I am afraid of leaving my three girls and my husband, and of causing my family pain. But I won't be dying any time soon, so I should at least have time to prepare. I wish you the best with your treatment, I know it isn't easy.

[DBF]

Julie,

Thanks so much for sharing the blog- it was great to read! I'm also stage 4, a mom, recently diagnosed AND was (until today) at NYU as well. I had my colon resection done there, but I'm getting my liver resection done at MSK.

Please feel free to PM me if you'd like to chat!

DB

[Cherie]

Sorry that you are here. I am 36 with one little girl. On my good days I do my best to have fun with her and make as many memories with her that I can.

Just wanted to say you are not alone.

[Bev G]

Hello, Julie. Welcome to the Colon Club, and thank you for joining us, from on of the "old timers" here. Also, thanks very much for linking your blog. I just read the whole thing, and I think it's wonderful...I'll look forward to continued reading of your excellent writing!

Again, welcome!

Bev

[cashmere]

Hi Julie,

Welcome to the club that I am sure you do not want to be a part of.

I have read most of your blog and you are a wonderful writer!! Since chemo brain set in several years ago, reading your blog brought back everything about those chemo days. I, too, did not think of chemo as the enemy, it was saving my life and I embraced it.

I wish you great success in fight the beast and will continue to read your blog.

Pearl

[Mona]

Welcome Julie! Another person dx with colon cancer from NY.
Remember baby steps, we are all in this together.

DBF, are you having Hai pump put in during your liver resection?

Big hug to you all.

[Busymamaof3]

Hi Julie. So sorry you are here. It is crazy to read post after post of young mothers fighting this horrid disease. I was dx at 40 , exactly a year ago, and am now about to begin chemo again for my first recurrence. I had to watch my son sob last night as he absorbed the news that I was returning to chemo. In spite of all the groundwork we laid that this was a possibility the reality was so hard. My girls are young enough it won't seem real until I am wearing that pump again or my hair starts coming out. I did 12 rounds of Folfox and it is not easy but can be done. I hope you find lots of joy in your days. That is the biggest thing we can do: not let cancer steal our joy.

[Rheaeliza]

Hi and welcome, as other posters said, to a club that will be here for you, but yes it would be better if you didn't need us!

I am also pretty young (31) and diagnosed in 2012 at 30 years old with stage IVB Colon Cancer. I did 15 rounds of chemo...and just had HIPEC surgery on Monday that did colon resection and also removed my ovaries, uterus, gallbladder, appendix, omentum, lymph nodes, and a couple spots in the peritoneal cavity. I will have liver resection in 4 weeks. I am also here in New York and had my chemo at Beth Israel and my surgeries are happening at Mount Sinai. I have been through so many ups and downs, being told my cancer was everywhere, chemo for life, never a surgical candidate. It's been a lot, but now our goal, the surgeon, mine, the oncologist, is to be NED...soon. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need to talk but other than that, this is a great group to join!

Best,
Rhea

[janklo]

Julie, I just read your blog. I loved it! You are a great writer. I'm especially glad you addressed all your fears. Sounds like you've been through a lot in your life already. You are up to face the challenge of Colon cancer and chemo!

You know you probably won't lose your hair from Folfox, just have thinning. Just wait and see before getting a wig.

I was a caregiver to my daughter, a young cc patient. I don't know 100% how much fear she had of death, she was always positive. When she got the news that there was no treatment left, she immediately made lists of what she needed done with her stuff, her funeral, etc. she never cried or felt sorry for herself. I feel you have the same strength within you to face this disease. I look forward to following your experience.

[Julie YW]

Thanks to everyone for checking my blog and responding. It really shocks and saddens me to know that there are so many other young men and women (especially parents of young children) afflicted with this disease. The injustice of it all!!!! I haven't figured out the why and the meaning behind all this -- everyone tells me that I never will but I will still try nonetheless. I would be honored for you all to continue reading my blog because I would interpret it as much needed support. What I'm quickly realizing and understanding is that while friends and family care and are concerned, they don't get it. They continue with their lives, while mine still feels like it's stopped and I'm not sure how to restart it.

[WorriedWife]

Julie,

I'm so sorry about you having to be here. Just wondering what "dropped met" means in your signature? Thanks