stage4's Cancer Blog
March 13, 2010
I am finally posting pics with the hernia.
Warning: Not for the sqeemish.
I had a tough time getting the picture of the hernia without showing other parts (if you know what I mean). I brought them into a paint program and painted out the bits and pieces that were not suppose to be shown.
For those of you that do not know, sometimes when you have several abdominal surgeries too close together your abdominal muscles break apart. They no longer hold in your colon and intestines. I have a hard time getting in and out of high vehicles and anything else that you use your abdominal muscles for because I don’t have any.
In my case the colon and part of the intestines all ended up on the right side. It often causes a lot of pain because it pushes on my ribs and internal organs. Sort of like being 9 months pregnant (but forever). I try to hide it by wearing very large shirts but as you would expect I am very self-conscious about it. I call it my alien baby.
OK, here they are:
Hernia from the front.
Hernia from above-the way I see it.
Probably TMI- NO DEFINITELY TMI, 
12 comments)
I want to applaud you for sharing these pics. I don’t think I could show the state of my gut these days, with all this rash crap all over it with all the scars to boot. I know what you mean about hiding behind big shirts, I do that now too. Anyway, just wanted to give you big ((((hugs)))) hope you’re having a good weekend!
Gwen
Posted on Thank you for sharing the photos. My sister in law has a small hernia from her surgeries and the Dr more or less said well what do you expect with the surgeries you have had or something to that effect. Great bedside manor. How is your second book coming along? Glad to see you are doing ok it is great to hear from you Take care and God Bless.
Pat
Posted on Donna,
Besides everything you have went through that doesn’t seem human, you are one very brave woman. Thanks for the post of the pics.
Be Well, Patty
Posted on Hi Donna,
If I took pictures of my abdomen area, they would be much worse than yours and I haven’t had a hernia or even surgery in that area! I know you feel very uncomfortable, but I hope you have the right kind of meds to keep the pain at bay.
Thanks for sharing. How fortunate we all are to have such a unique family here that shares pictures, advice and hugs. Medical professionals, take notice!
Enjoy!
Hey Donna,
Your pix are fine. In fact, I look somewhat similar but from a different surgery. My left diaphragm is partially paralyzed from an old thoracotomy and resection of two ribs; the longer the muscle has not been innervated the lower it sinks (phrenic nerve damage). My diaphragm sits on my stomach,it bulges, and sometimes eating is uncomfortable. This surgery was for a benign but large tumor. A few years ago, one chest surgeon wanted to do chest wall reconstruction. Fortunately, I got three other opinions, and they all said that such surgery would be a disaster; in fact, there isn’t even a procedure for what the first guy proposed. Last year I had cancer surgery, so I will just stay my regular deformed self.
Be well!
Andrea
Posted on It is good of you to post these pictures! I really did not know that could happen. It is what it is and as we all know, cancer sucks! Best to you!
Posted on Dear Donna,
You are one amazing woman. I hope it does not hurt. I wish you comfort and continued enjoyment in this life. Love from Pittsburgh.
Posted on Oh you are breaking my heart! I am so very sorry you have to deal with that sweetie! You are brave to share the pictures and I will continue to pray for you!
hugs
Amy
Posted on you have such a good sense of humor…I know we have differnt types of illness, but I feel the same way, my scars are all battle wounds..Alien baby is cute though! XXXXXXXXX
Posted on Hi Donna, I had a hard time deciding on whether or not to post pictures of my scars, but we are all family here, so why not. My scars itch like crazy sometimes, especially the open appendectomy one. Thanks for sharing….big hugs,
Eli
Posted on Hi my name is Amanda and I also have stage 4 colon cancer. It spread to my liver so far… I have had two chemo treatments and I get my pump next tuesday. My hair is starting to fall out :( I’m trying to stay positive and think surgery is an option. I am yet to talk to anyone with the same diagnosis so Id love to talk with you. I hope to be as successful as you
Posted on Donna.
I haven’t seen a post from you since March and wanted to see how your were doing. I do hope & pray you are doing well. Patty
March 7, 2010
Wow, I can’t believe I haven’t posted anything since mid November. Busy,busy, busy and sick, sick, sick.
Okay umm where do I start. The cruise I was suppose to go on with my sister the first week of December ended up being with my mother. My sister had something come up at work and her boss made her cancel her vacation the day before the cruise. This sent me into crisis mode. Calling and changing the name to my mom, arranging another seat on the cruise connection bus to Miami. Making sure all our documents got changed. I love my mom and we had fun.
It all worked out but a lot of stress. By the time we left port I so needed a vacation. We went to Key West and Mexico. We have both been to Mexico so many times so we stayed on the ship while in port there and enjoyed the pool.
Carnival Imagination
We were at Hogsbreath Saloon at 10am, It was 5:00 somewhere.
Me and a pirate friend
Towel Creations
Cruise Ship Lobby
Then, within a week of getting back my husband and I went to Chicago for 2 1/2 weeks for Christmas.
When I got home I stayed in bed for about 2 or 3 weeks. In February, I had tons of family in from up north one after the other all month. It was nice to see everyone. Too bad it was so cold here. We have had the coldest winter in many many years. It is finally getting warm. Mid 70’s this week. Woohoo.
Healthwise – Many infections. Quite a bit more pain.
Mostly related to the hernia, the 1 picture I haven’t shared yet. I will as soon as I get brave enough. I call it my alien baby. It is just like being 9 months pregnant but forever. Lots of pressure on the ribs and internal organs. The end of Feb and so far in March I have had a lot of infections.
Right now 2-UTI and Thrush (yeast infection in the mouth)due to weak immune system. Tired all the time but I do as much as I can as often as I can. Kind of turning into a germaphobe.
When we were in Chicago, My daughter-in-law borrowed a wheelchair from someone. It was a lifesaver. I was able to go places with them that I normally would have had to stay at the house. We went to the Shedd Aquarium and the Planetarium, Both highly recommended. As soon as I got home I had Hospice bring me a wheelchair. It will keep me going for a little longer. I am afraid if I stop that will be it. Going to Orlando soon. Definitely could not do parks without a wheelchair. Also I want to go to Cape Canaveral and catch the shuttle launch in April. You can see it from here but it would be cool to actually be there.
I have been reading peoples posts during this time I just didn’t have the time to post (it takes me forever) it is like going to a shrink that totally knows what you are going through. I just pour it all out here.
I was extremely upset when I saw that a few people I had been talking (typing) to had passed away. I couldn’t stop crying. God how I hate cancer.
I will try to be better at posting more often. There are a lot of things I want to get your take on but I have went on long enough for now.
More Soon
Donna
Sounds like you’re lving life to it’s fullest as much as you can. Hope you feel better soon. I understand about the infections, I am having skin infection problems myself from my chemo. Hope to read more from you soon.
~Gwen
Dear Donna; It was such a pleasure to see your new post, but also upsetting that your health is taking its’ toll on you. You have fought for so long and so hard, it hardly seems fair that you should have to slow down in any way. I guess you could say wheelchairs are life saving vehicles though. Your trip sounded amazing and I guess your Mom was pinching herself that she had the good fortune to be with you. I love Mexico too. We didn’t go this year, due to financial constraints, but as fate would have it, the weather has been extrodinarily like an early Spring. Looks like our Snow guy got lucky this year. Yes please do post us more if you can. It is always comforting to have your pool of supporters around, as things change. I too was at a loss when our fine friends passed on. The more I witness, the more I think that there will be a much greater number of the public that will be taken by cancer. I’m not sure why I say that, except, it seems to come up more in coversations and in the media. But we are a special breed, that makes us stronger than most. Knowing that we will all end up together does give me hope that there will be much celebrating going on, after the pain and the fight are over. Having said all of that, I hope that you have many years left to prove the medical community has accomplished some miracles with your type of cancer. Take care of yourself, till we see your next post.
Posted on Donna I am so glad to hear from you. I started reading BFAC in 2007 when my sister in law was dx with colon cancer and your blog was the first I read never know that I would end up with Breast Cancer. Stay strong and please know that you have alot of positive energy coming to you from Ocala. Take care hope you post again soon.
Pat
Hi Donna, I hope that you are doing well. What a busy schedule you had. That crusie looked fun. My wife wants to go on a cruise, but I’m not ready to go back to a ship (USN retired), but eventually I will give in and we will take a cruise somewhere. Keep the faith my friend, I’ll keep you in my prayers, big hugs
Eli
Thanks for your support - 
