Postby Strong » Sun May 06, 2018 1:43 pm
Hey there. For starters, I'm sending hope, prayers and good energy your way for whatever comes. My something similar is a diagnosis at 44 with a wife and two kids. I was otherwise as healthy as I'd ever been. The shock still hasn't worn off.
I can't speak to the stage 4 aspect, other than to say I've got friends who've been through/ are going through this, but I do share your emotion. It's so natural and human to be scared of anything that might threaten our time with the ones we love.
My experience with every aspect of cancer - and life for that matter - tells me one day at a time is what works for me. I used to imagine myself at 95 years old, and now I think about the upcoming decade (and I restart the clock each day). Cancer taught me that I'm not, nor was I ever, invincible, and that I needed to adopt an attitude of gratitude to make my life work. It's working better that way. I wish I could've gained this new perspective another way but I'm glad to have gained it.
I'm grateful today to be part of this community of incredibly strong people, and I'll keep the good thoughts coming your way.
John
47 year old male, DX at 44
10/15 DX rectal tumor T3N1M0
11/16 6 weeks chemo-radiation
2/16 LAR and ileostomy
3/16 intestinal blockage and abscess
5/16 8 folfox treatments, (3 w/ ox, 5 w/o)
9/16 ostomy reversal
CEA <1.0 and clear scans since