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Survivor of Colon Cancer
Back in 2022, December 1st at the age of 49, I was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer that was very agressive. The tumor was the size of a plum , but by the time I had surgery to have it removed on January 16,2023 it was the size of a grapefruit. I ended up with a long incision on my tummy and 28 staples. The surgery went good and I came out fine. I was awake and alert then suddenly my blood pressure dropped and almost didn’t make it. After having a shot of keatamine, fentynl then some arcan they brought me back. It was the strangest feeling ever and I still struggle with the thought that I wished I would’ve just died. I feel guilty feeling that way, it haunts me everyday. Once I recovered from surgery I had to have a port put in me which was needed for my chemo treatment . After a chemo treatment I had to have a bottle hooked to my port that I packed around with me that had chemo meds in it that were infused over two days then removed until the next chemo treatment. I started chemo March 31st 2022 and was supposed to have 12 treatments. I made it to 11, my body just couldn’t take it anymore. It was very scary and exhausting. I have the most amazing husband ever who took me to every treatment, scans everything you can think of, he was there. We also had to travel an hour each way for treatments which when it was all said and done, it would be over 40 trips. I was very fortunate to have an amazing oncologist and an outstanding cancer dr. and nurses. I received the best chemo treatment in the world. I had my last chemo treatment October 2nd ,2023. After that I had a few struggles with weight loss, painful stomach aches and eating and bathroom issues. I had another colonoscopy and more scans and blood work done. I found out not to long ago that I am cancer free and feel so greatful to still be here for my husband and 2 kids and that they are still here for me. I do have to say it was hard, it felt weird for that I felt almost embarrassed to say or tell anybody that I had cancer. I didn’t tell very many people that I did and the ones that I did, like family didn’t know what to say. None of them really reached out to see how I was doing, so when I found out I was cancer free I sent them a text. I got a thumbs up’s. So that was good. For me I found that once I said CANCER people ran away. Maybe that’s their way of dealing with it, oh well. After going through cancer and coming out being cancer free I focused everything I had on my treatment that when it was all over I felt completely lost, not knowing who I was anymore, not recognizing the person I saw looking back at in the mirror that I was before cancer, which has put me in a bad way with now having depression and anxiety. I’ve always stuggled with depression from past trauma, but adding cancer to it has made it extremely difficult. Making me reflect on my past and going through all these crazy emotions of wondering how to overcome all those obstacles now. I’m trying to find myself again and have found it very helpful joining “The Mighty”. I joined for other reasons as well, not just cancer. I find it very helpful reading other people’s stories and journeys it makes me feel not so alone. I hope sharing my story will help other people maybe going through similar situations and nowing that they are not alone.❤️
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