Trying to catch up.

So, obviously I've been really bad about keeping the blog updated.  Summer was a whirlwind.  I can't believe it's over.  Well, the weather isn't.  The summer weather is just getting started here in Portland...so, we should have at least three more "hot" days before going back to our typical mild and rainy weather.

Medically things are more or less the same.  Still missing a couple feet of small and large intestine, a gallbladder, uterus, ovaries, cervix etc...still finished with chemo (hooray).  I've been working on getting my annual colonoscopy done since may...(don't EVEN get me started) and it's FINALLY happening on the 20th.  *eye roll*  Colonoscopy, endoscopy and capsule swallow study.  The authorization process was finally "expedited" by an incisional hernia that needs repair, but my surgeon doesn't want to do that until we know I don't have anything growing in my colon again...yet.  So, we're doing testing, then hernia repair.  While I wait for testing and another (this is number three for the past year) abdominal surgery, I have my very first case of shingles.  I have heard stories over the years about how miserable they are, and yep they're all true.  Nerve pain is not my friend.  If I've learned anything over the past year, that's it.  Nerve pain ROTS.  Thank God for decent pain meds.

So, if you caught the abdominal surgery reference, in the last paragraph, and you're wondering why on earth a hernia repair wouldn't just be laparascopic...well, it's because I'm a freak of nature.  Basically, it's a huge hernia (apparently they really meant that I should follow all those post op rules about lifting stuff etc) and as long as y surgeon has a arson to go in there and take a peek, he's going to take it.  The small intestine is like a huge blind spot in the human anatomy.  There really aren't any great ways to see inside it, and despite it's name it is quite big.  The fact that I've had advanced cancer there is going to make any doctor uneasy, because there's not a great standard of care when it comes to surveillance, and small intestine cancer is quite deadly.  So, we're taking the hands on approach and cutting my guts open any time we have a reason to.  Yay me.  Abdominal surgery is super painless and really easy to heal from, and also makes for a great set of abs...NOT.  Yeah, I'd like to think that would have sounded funnier out loud, but let's face it.  It totally would have flopped with that delivery as well.  Oh well.

So...other than the misery of shingles and a colonoscopy, endoscopy, and another surgery on the horizon things have been pretty quiet.  *snort*  Port flushes every month and so on.  Pretty boring stuff.

The mister just had his one year spinal surgery follow up.  His films looked great and he's been cleared for full activity.  YAY!  While his back will never be the same, it's about as good as it's gonna get.  So, there's that.

The boys just started the new school year.  I'll try and get that post and pics up on the family blog soon...ish.

Introduction.

My name is Angela. I usually go by Mama or Mama Fox. For some reason Chemo Mom just rolled off my tongue easier than Chemo Mama. Meh.

I am 32 years old and was recently diagnosed with stage 3/4 colon and small bowel cancer with mets to the lymphatic system. I am young for this type of cancer in a typical setting but, I have a very strong family history of this type of cancer at about this age. I was told on Tuesday that I do meet the diagnostic criteria for Lynch Syndrome. This explains my 'young age' for this type of cancer.

I have an amazing husband who I'll refer to as The Mister. He is serving our country on active duty AND taking care of myself and our two sons. I told you he's amazing. The Mister has also been dealing with some chronic back pain that we are hoping will be healing and alleviated soon. He is having surgery next week, on the 15th. He has to have two lumbar fused (L4 and L5) to treat Spinal Stenosis and congenital Spondylolisthesis. Both issues can cause chronic debilitating pain that his job only adds to. We are really hoping this surgery is a success and he can find some relief soon.

We have two boys, Big brother is 8 and in 3rd grade. Little brother is 6 and in 1st grade. We also have an angel girl in heaven. She would have been 10 at the end of this month. There's a little more detail down at the bottom of this post. All three of my children have brought so much love and joy to my life. They have all taught me so much...different lessons from each of them. I am so thankful for them.

For those that are just joining this battle with me here is a run down of my diagnosis. I'll get in to some of the symptoms and complications that lead to the diagnosis in a later post.


July 2nd-'positive' colonoscopy.

August 3rd-Orthrascopic transverse colon tumor resection turned into a surprise tumor found in the small intestine and an 'open' surgery for more exploration and removal of two sections of colon.

August 9th-Discharged from the hospital.

September 8th- Started FOLFOX 6. Chemotherapy for colon cancer and mets.



I feel that before I close today I should also mention that this is not my first experience with cancer and it's treatment. My daughter, Hadley, was diagnosed at age 3 1/2 with a brain tumor. She fought it for 4 1/2 years. Her earthly body finally failed her on 12/12/08. She was 8 years old. So, for those of you came here 'hoping' to find a mom blogging about her journey as a mom a of a chemo kid. I imagine there will be some of that as well. <3

Thank you for stopping by. This blog is really more of a place for me to journal my side effects and major events for future reference...but, I decided to make it public to help keep my friends and family up to date and also in the off chance that it could help someone in a similar situation as mine or one who is making treatment choices and would like a been there done that account of side effects and effectiveness of treatment. Whatever your reason for being here I hope you find your needs met.

Have a great day!