Still Kicking

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Kathy
Posts: 114
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 8:28 pm
Location: New Jersey

Still Kicking

Postby Kathy » Tue Mar 10, 2020 4:37 pm

Hi Friends,
It has been a long time. I am now 11 1/2 years NED after Stage 4 Colon Cancer that went to my liver. I am a patient of Dr. Kemeny’s and I believe I am still here because of her expertise and the wonderful care I received from my family. Despite 5 blockages, numerous UTIs and a heart attack, I am still here kicking . Unfortunately, I can’t say that about family.
The last time I posted was when my 34 year old daughter died to liver failure due to the overuse of Tylenol after a head injury. This happened while my husband had just finished treatment for Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer. After being a phenomenal caregiver, he was now the patient. He had a reoccurrence after six months and was now stage 4. In June 2018, my son age 27,who has battled severe depression since my second diagnosis as well as much sickness and death surrounding him (I have left out a lot of the losses), overdosed when my husband was at a very difficult part of treatment. He was the most sensitive of my 3 children and I think he just couldn’t handle any more. He and his sister are now together forever. The kids were so close. I worry about my remaining son but he is strong like his Dad.
After a 3 year battle with pancreatic cancer, my husband joined his 2 children in heaven. As hard as it was, we truly enjoyed being together the last 3 years. We were at Sloan constantly the past two years, especially for fluids in between treatments and clinical trials. We made the most of our time and enjoyed time with family and friends and even made it to the beautiful Outer Banks in North Carolina. My son arranged his schedule to go to treatments on Mondays.
On December 8th at 6:15 am, George went to the Lord. Ironically, a mass was being given in memory of our son at 8am that morning that was arranged almost a year and a half before.
I have been on the board praying for all my “friends”.
CR guy, a special thank you for all your support, especially when our 17 year old cat Nora, was sick and we had to put her down 3 weeks after our daughter passed. Everyone was cremated and will be buried together ( including the cat, (no one will know.)
I don’t want sympathy. God has a plan. He gave me a wonderful husband for 43 years and 3 children, even though 2 of them were here for a shorter time that I ever imagined. For some reason, I am still here and will try to pass on the kindnesses people have bestowed on our family to others.
My son, my brother and his family and numerous friends and family have been the reason I am still sane. I am also thankful to this board for getting me through the tough times and made me feel normal. I know that being a patient is hard, but sometimes being a caregiver is harder. Caregivers, take care of yourselves. We appreciate everything you do.

With Gratitude, Kathy
Stage 1- resection 9/ 05
Recurrence-2/ 2008 chemo/radiation 5 FU/oxi
APR surgery 7/ 2008- Found spread to liver-Margins not clean
chemo between surgeries
Liver resection and HAI pump-11/ 08 Chemo 6 months
NED 11/08

NED since 11/2008

User avatar
CRguy
Posts: 10473
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: Still Kicking

Postby CRguy » Tue Mar 10, 2020 8:06 pm

All I can say is that I send you
Love Peace and Harmony my friend

Bring it in for a CTalk group hug
We are here for you and with you

Namaste on the Journey
CRguy
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

claudine
Posts: 809
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2019 2:41 pm
Location: Montana

Re: Still Kicking

Postby claudine » Wed Mar 11, 2020 10:21 am

You have already been through so much! I am glad you are able to find comfort in your faith. This makes me think of friends who've lost their three sons (1 suicide, 1 car accident, 1 cancer) but still forge ahead, are still present for their friends. Many thoughts your way XXX
Wife of Dx 04/18 (51 yo). MSS, KRAS G12A, no primary

Tumors: L4 04/18; left adrenal gland & small lung nodules 03/19
rectum 02/22 (pT3 pN0 stage 2A); L3 09/22

Surgeries: intestinal resect. 05/18 (no cancer - Crohn's); adrenalectomy 02/20
L3-L4-L5 fusion and corpectomy 05/20; LAR 04/22; ileo reversal 09/22
L2-L3 fusion and corpectomy 09/22

Treatments: EBRT 04/18; SBRT 02/19; Failed adjuvant Xelox ; Folfiri/Avastin 03/19 - 01/20
adjuvant chemorad (Xeloda) 06/22; SBRT 11/22; Xeloda/Avastin since 01/24

stu
Posts: 1613
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:46 pm

Re: Still Kicking

Postby stu » Wed Mar 11, 2020 4:25 pm

You have been through so much as a family . Sending you much love and strength .
Stu
supporter to my mum who lives a great life despite a difficult diagnosis
stage4 2009 significant spread to liver
2010 colon /liver resection
chemo following recurrence
73% of liver removed
enjoying life treatment free
2016 lung resection
Oct 2017 nice clear scan . Two lung nodules disappeared
Oct 2018. Another clear scan .

User avatar
juliej
Posts: 3114
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2010 12:59 pm

Re: Still Kicking

Postby juliej » Wed Mar 11, 2020 5:22 pm

Kathy, you don't know me, but I've thought of you often and hoped that things were improving for you.

LIfe has certainly knocked you down, more than a few times. I know you don't want sympathy, so I'll just say life is tough, but so are YOU! No matter how bad things get, nobody can dim the light that shines inside you.

Hugs to you!
Juliej
Stage IVb, liver/lung mets 8/4/2010
Xelox+Avastin 8/18/10 to 10/21/2011
LAR, liver resec, HAI pump 11/2011
Adjuvant Irinotecan + FUDR
Double lung surgery + ileo reversal 2/2012
Adjuvant FUDR + Xeloda
VATS rt. lung 12/2012 - benign granuloma!
VATS left lung 11/2013
NED 11/22/13 to 12/18/2019, CEA<1

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Still Kicking

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:51 am

I'm sorry you've been through so much!*hugs* Sending peace and love!
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)


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