As I write this on on a plane to Spain for my last bit of fun before my treatment starts on WED, 3.55 PM RADIOCHEMOTHERPY 5.5 WEEKS 1650MG ORAL ZELODA ,
Quick background
I'm 47 single parent to 3 boys 6/9/12 and self employed ( hairdresser)
I hadL2ttle blood in stool over summer of 2017, nothing I was, concerned about, passed it off as, piles aggravated bowel ( on off dieting continously)
November 2017 blood between bowel moments ( panic)
Went to GP ( 2 WEEKS LATER BECAUSE OF WORK COMMITMENTS) Did DRE AND Bloods,
All were clear but still had colonoscopy secluded and had an appointment in 2weeks time. ( Dec 4th 8am)
Tried to get out of the Colonoscopy as I figured my CRP levels, were ok so can't be too much, but she insisted, so I agreed.
Obviously I spent the next two weeks, googling everything only to realize "I had more symptoms than I had thought".
This then led me to the fact my CRP level was ok, I can rule out colitis and diverticulitis and any other inflammation, when then leads me to nothing but colon cancer,
No sleep for 2 weeks
Have colo under sedation which because I was, so worked up didn't work so I see it for myself on the screen, "tumor" then became histerial in the theater ( surprised they didn't sedate me there and then I was so bad)
Anyway.
GI Surgon arrives once in calmed down to say its, prob cancerous and it's 3cm and very low he can't do the op, and sends me to a specialist in this area,( all I can think of is, my life is over in going to have a bag) not the fact I may die at this point ( think my vanity was, at the forefront)
MRI next day
Scan following day
Surgeon
My nerves were shattered waiting!!!!!!
I arrived at the office he has no scan or MRI readings yet
But does, another DRE
YES Mrs kelleher it is very low" 2.5/3 cm AV
But says, he dosent see, why he can't resect and reconnect after...
MUSIC TO MY EARS
I've staged it as, T3 L2b M0
APPARENTLY IT'S, EARLY AND CAUGHT ON TIME!!!!
which I can NOW appreciate.
As, scan and MRI show, clear!!!!!!!
So radiochemo for 5.5 weeks 6/10 weeks break
Check if its shrunk enough
Surgery/ temp stoma
Prob 6 more months, chemo
Reversal
But of course this all comes at a price
Onset early menopause
My viginal wall closing somewhat ( maybe not a bad thing lol I've had 3 kids, go down that canal lol)
20% loss,of Bladder
20% loss Rectal fuction
Skin burns
Chemo ( comes with its own set of problems)
But I feel its, worth the risk,,,, I've read most of ur profiles and no one as low as mine that I can see had a successful reconnection
I've many questions still that i think u will help me with as, I start my journey ( that no one wants, to ride)
Ive done all my crying for the moment I think and I'm not ( let's, get this shit done mode now)
Thanks, for reading I know, it's a bit long
Adele
BTW it seems most of u are American
I'm across the pond in Ireland
Sent from my Huawei Mobile