stage4's Cancer Blog

December 29, 2006

Feeling Great This Week-November 2nd, 2005

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Feeling Great This Week
November 2nd, 2005
Hi everyone. Yesterday and today I have felt fantastic. I woke up early both days (which I never do) and have been very busy.

I live in Palm Harbor, Florida on the Gulf Coast. My husband told me to pick a place on the other coast. (We have never been to the other side of the state.) Anyway he said to make arrangements and we will drive over this week-end. So I have been researching it to death of course because I research everything.

After talking to a few people familiar with the east coast of Florida and searching the internet comparing this city and that I decided on St. Augustine. The oldest town in the country. Founded in 1565, they are suppose to have a lot to see. An old spanish fort, lots of great shops, and tours including ghost tours and of course the beaches. We will stop by Daytona Beach on the way so I can get some video. (I am really into the video thing and I make relaxation videos with the beaches and carribean music mixed with ocean sounds) So needless to say I am very excited about our little 2 day visit.

This may be the last weekend I feel up to traveling until god-willing the chemo and surgery are over and I have recooperated.

Speaking of research, which I was up there ( î )somewhere.

If you ever get diagnosed or know someone that does with a stage 3 or 4 cancer. Do not, let me repeat DO NOT do too much internet reseach on statistics like I did. The numbers are very ugly and you don’t need that kind of negativity in your head. I just have it in my mind that statistics do not apply to me because the average stage 4 cancer patient is probably a lot older and probably have other illnesses. I am young and otherwise perfectly healthy and I refuse to recognize the numbers.

I wish they would break up the statistics into age/health groups so you can get a better idea. You really can’t go on the doctors either. For one, they don’t like to tell you and for two they have no idea. I have 1 doctor that no joke said these exact words when I first saw him. The reason I remember word for word is they are etched in my brain. “ I am sorry to say and you may already know this but once colon cancer has spread to distant organs it is considered stage 4 and stage 4 cancer is usually fatal. The best we can hope is that the chemo will stop it from growing until, maybe they find a new treatment or cure. Eventually you would have to get off chemo and then it will start growing again and then…….” he faded off.

They never want to use the D word (death) I am not the least bit afraid of death, I am afraid of the suffering before. Anyway, sorry I am going off track again.. The same doctor almost exactly 1 month later said ” I think you’ll do well with the chemo, then surgery, you should do fine”

I know I am rambling tonight–sorry What changed within that month? My first surgeon after looking at some of the scans didn’t think surgery was possible. But 3 other surgeons, 2 chemo doctors, 2 CT Scans, 2 PET Scans and 1 MRI later I have not 1 but 2 surgeons that say they can do the surgery after I do chemo and lose some weight. So you just keep seeing doctors until you find the right ones. OK..OK.. I will shut up now- more later this week