This is me and my momma. I love her dearly.
We found out a couple of weeks ago that she has colon cancer. My grandfather had it, but I didn't know that her grandfather had it. Three generations. I guess I'll be getting checked out much sooner than the normal person. My mom waited too long, mostly out of fear. My great-grandfather died from it. My grandfather had to wear a colostomy bag, but lived for years after the surgery. He was, however, cut my about the pelvis to his chest.
It's been a tough few weeks, but we're all keeping pretty positive about it. At least she had the colonoscopy done now, rather than waiting longer.... Surgery has improved alot. Most are done laporscopically. If surgery is needed, the incision goes to above the belly button area. Colon cancer is not normally an aggressive cancer. Her CT scan didn't show spreading to the lymph nodes, so that's good. They'll be removed and tested to be sure. There was a very small spot on her liver, but that could be a cyst (apparently common).
A few days after the surgery, we'll know what stage the cancer is. If it's one of the higher ones, the spot may be spreading and chemo could be needed. The doctor said that chemo works well for colon cancer and is tolerated well by the patients (meaning not a lot of losing hair or feeling sick). We'll cross that bridge if it comes.
Her surgery is scheduled for July 7th (7-7) sounds like a good, lucky day to us. We didn't plan it that way, so it must be a good sign. We all believe that she will get through this fine and hope her recovery will be short and as painless as possible. Once all goes well, she'll have yearly (or there-abouts) exams and any polyps will be removed before cancer has a chance to start. (If you're around 50, please get the exam. This is treatable.)
We can't have too many good thoughts and prayers, so please send them our way. Thank you.
Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers her way!! July 7 does seem like it should be a lucky day!
Posted by: robin | June 11, 2008 at 07:00 PM
I'll keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. My grandmother was diagnosed early...she's now 93.
Posted by: Bobbi | June 15, 2008 at 07:47 AM