Hello to all of you newly diagnosed crc patients, and yes, it sux that you have to be here....BUTT, every once in a while I have to dissapear from this site to clear my head, enjoy my family, and try to live my new "normal" life....then come back and catch up with friends fighting the fight on here.
The "cliffs note's" version of my story is that I was 39 when diagnosed (you can read my sig below to save me some typing
), married, with a 9 year old boy and a 6 year old girl. Around the 3rd year of my journey I received the "you may want to get your affairs in order" speech from my local oncologist AND from my big cancer center oncologist. I was obviously devastated. My biggest fear was not knowing what my young children would look like as young adults. I hated the thought of missing big life occassions such as teaching them to drive, seeing them go to Proms and dances, dating, graduating, etc...etc....
Well, here i am approaching 10 years since diagnosis this November (and yes, its been rough, and is still rough some days with all the long term side effects) and I've had the absolute honor to witness ALL of the above (except my daughter is still in high school) and then some!!!!!
My son, who was just tall enough to barely get on roller coaster rides when he was 9, is now a 19 y.o. 6'4" former standout baseball and basketball player in high school, who just finished his Freshman year at Slippery Rock University. He works full time during his summer break, is dating, and helping me as an assistant coach in a summer baseball league. Proud Papa for sure!
My daughter, who was a mere 6 years old at diagnosis, is now an incredibly beautiful 16 y.o. 5'10" Volleyball player, cheerleader, and National Honor Society Junior in High School. She helps me do volunteer work at a local childrens museum and works with me on local rails to trails projects that I enjoy developing and maintaining. I'm in the process of teaching her how to drive (which is a WHOLE different kind of stress than when I was in treatment),
Needless to say, I truly feel blessed, and am thankful for every day that I have with them and my lovely wife of 23 years!
THis message isn't meant to sound boastful, but rather, it is meant to instill some hope in some of the newer members of this club who may find themselves in a dark and scary place right now. Yes, we have our share of bleak outcomes, but we also have some feel good stories too. Many of these stories you probably haven't heard about because we tend to take a break now and then from this site to "recharge".
Best to all in the big FIGHT...
Rob