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honeysuckle
Regular
Joined: 04 Aug 2007
Posts: 32
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 Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 1:13 am Post subject: Another update on my sister (colon cancer) |
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As some of you already know, one of my sisters was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in early January 2006. She was given no more than 3 months to live, so all the family came to spend time with her. Well, luckily for her, the cancer went into remission for almost 10 months last year. However, sometime in spring this year it came back with a vengance and she was in ICU for about 5 weeks just barely holding on. Again, she survived that episode and was back out living as best as she could.
Once more in July, she was so sick that we had to call 911 and for 4 months, sis lingered on barely knowing what was going on around her. Every doctor said there was no hope, so I made funeral arrangements (picked the plot, casket, dress, flowers, hymns, prayers etc), and waited for the moment...it didn't come. Two days later after everyone came into town for a funeral, she was sitting up in bed chatting Doctors and nurses were shocked! They still didn't think she would make it out of the hospital alive, but she felt that she would. Isn't that something? Not even I thought there was hope. I still don't understand why she continues to put herself through chemo and radiation. Sis weighs about 90 lbs now. She wears a wig sometimes or a scarf, and walks with a limp. I don't understand how her frail body could handle chemo and radiation still. I'm sure I would have died from that stuff. It's amazing what the human body and mind can endure.
The week of Thanksgiving she was released from the hospital. I wasn't sure it was a good move, but she was ready. Sis has been sick off and on since her release, throwing up all the time, sleeping, and suffering. Again I wondered why she would continue with treatment and suffer like this, but only she can answer that.
Anyway, the upside of all this is that she went out yesterday with my mum and bought two bottles of champagne. I was shocked because sis does NOT drink She told me that she knows this cancer will eventually kill her, and this may very well be the last Christmas so why not eat, drink and be merry? I chuckled and had to agree. So, for sis and my mum, they're planning a Champagne Christmas this year. Who would have thought, huh?
Merry Christmas (Happy Holidays) and Happy New Year to all. |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3042
Location: Tennessee
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honeysuckle
Regular
Joined: 04 Aug 2007
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 1:09 am Post subject: Re: Another update on my sister (colon cancer) |
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Thank you so much Jim. How have you been doing?
Mother is doing well also, and apparently her cancer wasn't as widespread as they led us to be.
Keep well. |
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honeysuckle
Regular
Joined: 04 Aug 2007
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: Another update on my sister (colon cancer) |
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Hello everyone. I wanted to come back and give some news and maybe hope to anyone who has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer.
Sis is still hanging in there, and is undergoing more chemo and radiation. Not sure that she should put herself through so much torture, but the good days seem to be worth it according to her. She has had more bad days with the meds, but the few good ones in between are enjoyed.
I am amazed at her tenacity! Just goes to show how far we would go to continue living on this planet.
Hope all is well with everyone else.
Jim, how are you doing? |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3042
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:10 am Post subject: Re: Another update on my sister (colon cancer) |
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Hi honeysuckle. I am doing fine (read my most resent entry in My Story).
As one who tends to "give up," your sister's "fight on" attitude despite being overwhelmed be cancer is an inspiration to me. Keep encouraging her and doing hold her back.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
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