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15 year colon anniversary

Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2021 1:21 pm
by helen098
15 years ago today I had my colon resection

Not sure how I feel, though it would feel more important, maybe because of what has happened is still happening in the world

In the fall of 2019, my brother (not with the disability) was hospitalized with major blood clots, was hours away from dying.
Ended up had testicular cancer, spread to his abdomen and spine, a hugh mass the size of a old hardcover dictionary. Was given 50% odds of surviving
Months of very aggressive chemo, hospitalization, all the side effects you can think of, many near misses, all the usual crap
Finished late Feb 2020, St. Patricks day 2020 we are in the hospital for his first post chemo cat scan. No patients in the hospital, staff going crazy, no masks
Watching dr oz on tv saying no reason to wear a mask, he only wears a mask during surgery so he doesn’t drop anything in the patience.
As we know the world fell apart,

We live in new york, the epicenter of the epicenter at first
Months of all you heard was ambulances 24/7, morgue trucks outside of the hospital
Only the patient allowed in even though he could still not really walk
Most appointments by phone, blood work, PET ( doc was wearing a full body end of the world suit with a darth vader mask…..only other patient was spraying lysol as she walked and was wearing plastic shopping bags on her feet….wasn’t sure either of us would survive the appointment
covid tent, more surgery, hospitalization when they were cheering for people recovering. Only 2 people on the non-covid floor

As of his last PET scan, blood work no signs of cancer, mass is still there so much smaller now the size of a orange. Can’t remove it because they would have to take the kidney out. Not functioning normally but the doc says its better inside your body.
Very lucky, another surgery probably in the winter for damage done by the tumor/chemo to his bladder.

Very lucky but it has been hell on him and the family

My other brother (with the disability) health is deteriorating.
Severe urinary incontinence, has been wearing adult diapers 24/7 for about 1 1/2 years, still wets the bed every single day, even with me getting him up every 3 hours.
Have been to many docs and specialists, tried every meds and just had botox injections into his bladder.
Very little improvement

Was supposed to have my colonoscopy in the fall of 2019, didn’t happen
all fully vaccinated now and so I have an appointment later this month.

By some miracle none of us got covid, we were wearing 2 masks before it was cool
Still haven’t eaten in a restaurant,
I know a lot people had it a lot worse

Happy about the 15 years.

Want to be happy about the future but the past 2 years have been a lot

Re: 15 year colon anniversary

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2021 8:45 am
by DeeMeee
Helen098, Go You!

Surely it is a celebratory moment for you, even if you can only muster a subdued, lower decibel woot woot!
You are a Helen afterall, so no surprise, every one I have ever known has been a quietly strong and methodical doer goddess.

Wishing you continued anniversaries and the best of health. It sure sounds like you are the rock of your family, wishing your siblings strength and better days ahead.

I’m going to go back and read some of your posts, I scanned through the last few and saw you mention gi lingering symptoms, maybe I’ll find some tips to fix. My brother is hella having those, since March right hemi surgery and now immunotherapy. He is losing more weight and bright outlook by the day, and it’s really difficult right now.

A Sunshiny & Healthy Week To All!
Dee

Re: 15 year colon anniversary

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2021 1:35 pm
by CRguy
Sending continued Cheers and Harmony your way my friend !!!!!!

Best wishes on the Journey
CRguy

Re: 15 year colon anniversary

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:17 am
by DarknessEmbraced
!5 years is wonderful! :) I'm sorry that your brothers are going through so much and that your family dealt with covid. I hope you will be able to get your colonoscopy soon.*hugs*