I Am A Cancer Survivor

By caring person Thursday, June 09, 2011

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On July 5th of 2010, half of my colon was removed because a large tumor was found. This was stage 3B cancer. It was also found in 5 lymph nodes which were removed. My recent CT scan shows no spread to other organs. Recurrance, if it happens, would most likely occur in the next two years and that would mean the end of me.

As I have for the last year, I'm betting on my being around. I'm working to find happiness in life. On the outside, it's the same old me. On the inside, I have a new perspective of who I am and who I want to be. Like other cancer survivors, I feel the desire to be a brother to you and understand your pain, whatever it is.

My wish is that you become a survivor too. Many people have helped me through this year. When I posted on this site, your comments provided support when I needed it most.

I have been asked how I was able to get through my ordeal. There are many answers to that and one post would not do justice. The first thing I did was accept that this is my life and I must make the best of it. I knew I must take action. I was happy with my diagnosis because it removed the unknown and showed me what I was dealing with. The next very important thing was to accept help...from doctors, nurses, family and others who could support me in some way. Then I decided to look for the positives in each day and to cherish even the smallest good thing that would happen. That gave me something to build on. These tiny steps would help to begin the long journey home.

I hope you can draw something from this that helps meet your challenge.

Caring Person

Comments (8) | Add comment

Judy

6/ 9/11 8:07pm

Thanks so much for letting us know how you're doing. You have gone through a lot and I hope the cancer stays gone! You sound like you're handling it the best you can and keep optimistic, something that is hard for a lot of us to do!

I hope you'll keep in touch here and let us know how it's going.

caring person

6/10/11 7:12am

Judy,

Thanks for your comment. I hope you are well. Would like to hear more from you and how you are doing. Have a great weekend!

Caring Person

Marishka

6/10/11 5:37pm

Hi caring person,

You have a lot of courage and are still uplifting despite of your suffering or maybe because of it. What keeps you going? I hope the cancer stays gone and you are stronger as a result of the experience. Glad you can find joy in the rain and encourage others too and remind me too. :)

Good to see you back

Marishka

caring person

6/13/11 11:45am

Marishka,

Thank you so much for your comment. If I connected with you in some way I am glad. My situation may be different in some ways than so many others at this site, yet I see some similarities. We are all trying to deal with the issues that life throws at us, physical and mental. As I mentioned in my post, I look for the positives each day and cherish the good.

I have looked over your recent posts and comments and want to understand your physical and mental challenges. I see you are getting some support and there is considerable depth in the correspondence. Being a man, I am not always capable of seeing things as a woman does, but I do care very much and want you to know that I am part of your support team. I am interested in your life and want to help if I can.

As for me, I am doing pretty well right now. I year ago I could have thought that I might be dying by now. I felt that I would survive but was ready to accept the alternative. The next two years are most likely to determine if there will be a recurrence of my cancer. I have met other patients and have seen both results. I am enjoying this day. Talking to you is a big positive for me. Cancer victoms tend to reach out to their fellow human beings and say,"Isn't it great to share being alive?"

Marishka, I will pretend we are on the tennis court enjoying the slight breeze while amazing our opponents with great shots. Have a wonderful day! (I mean it)

Caring Person

LyraStorm

6/14/11 2:50am

Hi Caring Person,

It really is good to see you on here again, writing posts. Like you said fighting these things is a long, hard process but it does seem to be the key to learn to accept the reality of your situation and accept any help that is offered to you. On those first blocks so many of us stumble, and your success probably did come from your ability to step across them onto your path to healing.

It is so good to hear about how well you are doing. I hope you're still enjoying your tennis and taking good care of yourself.

caring person

6/14/11 5:41pm

Lyra,

Good to hear from you. I am still doing well even though I didn't win at tennis this AM. Playing again tomorrow and Fri. Possibly Sat.

My neuopathy in fingers and toes is still present but isn't slowing me down. This was caused by the chemo and may last a very long time. But I needed to take the chemo to improve my chances and would do it again.

I'm having ups and downs and dealing pretty well with it. Whenever I feel pain,(almost daily), I wonder if it's cancer returning. That's a normal reaction for cancer patients. I have to trust my test results which say I'm good so far.

Are you doing anything with your acting? What else is happening? I think you must be doing good these days. Am I right. Perhaps another year of life experience has made you stronger. At your age it's natural to wonder what lies ahead. There are many possibilities. You are an intelligent person who expresses herself well and will make many good choices. You feel deeply about things and that is what makes us feel alive.

I would love to hear about some fun activity you are planning or thinking about. I would love to get to the beach soon. I have a wedding to attend near the end of July and plan to dance a lot as I did at the last one. I will be noticed. It is such a fun time seeing the happy, crazy people, and getting in to the music.

Hope your day is great! Caring Person

LyraStorm

6/14/11 9:34pm

Hi Caring Person,

I am indeed doing well - I feel more able to do things again, and I have a wonderful man in my life now which has helped immensely when it comes to thinking I am worth something and feeling a lot less alone and repulsive. I am thinking about doing another acting course next year - a proper one with qualifications at the end this time. It is also possible that I will be doing a pantomime of Aladdin at the end of this year... we will see how that goes.

I'm sorry you still have pain and things to fight... I would be scared too of it returning, but you are doing so well with dealing with it. I bet your family is really proud of you - especially that daughter you say I remind you of, hehe.

I hope you have a great time at that wedding. It is nice to let loose and stop caring what people think and just dance and have fun... sometimes I can do that, sometimes I get self conscious - definitely better when I can let loose!

Good luck for your next few tennis games. Fingers and toes crossed for you.

caring person

6/15/11 7:36am

Lyra,

Thank you for that sweet reply. I am really proud that you are doing so well. You sound terrific!

Caring Person

I Am A Cancer Survivor

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