I’ve been meaning to thank you all for comforting me but haven’t even the energy to form coherent thoughts or even type. Before I forget, thank you thank you for helping me feel not alone. The struggle continues with digestion and bm problems. Found out I’m anemic so was put on iron pills. I’ve added prune juice per NP’s advice but not sure how to judge if that’s effective right now because my system is so messed up. My body is royally pissed off. Experimenting to find a manageable regiment is driving me nuts!! Learned that brand name Mylanta is discontinued but Equate antacid has the same active ingredients. I’ll need that by the truckload it seems. Sometimes even drinking water requires a swish of antacid. What the huh…indigestion from water
. I don’t want to fear food but yeah, I don’t look at food the same. NP suggested Ensure but I can’t do dairy other than yogurt so did a forum search and noticed some have tried Orgain Vegan, etc. I really wish I could afford to sample around different products. Reality isn’t keeping up with the actual cost of trying different meds, supplements, medical supplies and procedures.
I can’t say I’ve had good days, my measures are based on minutes and hours. And you’re right - I should focus on the good minutes, hours, little moments to get through. One good thing though, my CEA based on April 26 test was less than .5. I had to ask if that’s good bc I just wanted to hear the response. “It’s great!” said the oncologist. They’ll scan me after 6 treatments.
(Nomoretacos, I sigh with you, my hair is shedding like crazy. I thought I was at peace with hair loss but it’s still mildly traumatic to see the rain of hair cascading across the floor.)
Hugs and best wishes to all.
3/16: Dx colon cancer (sigmoid). Age: 36
4/16: PET/CT, Sigmoidectomy, Port installed
5/23/16 to 11/30/16: Folfox - 12 tx, no oxaliplatin for #11 & #12
11/5/16: PET/CT - NED
3/21/17: Colonoscopy = clear
9/27/17: CT scan = pathologically enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes - nodal metastases
10/5/17: CT guided needle biopsy
10/13/17: Confirmed - Recurrence
CEA '16 & '17: < 0.5
Original Dx: Stage 3C, T4a, N2b, Grade 3, 16/16 lymph nodes, infiltrating signet-ring cell carcinoma
Lynch negative