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The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Cancer

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martx-5

martx-5

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The Bad...

About six weeks ago, I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. Pretty devastating news. They sent me for CT scans, PET scans and blood work to find out the extent of the cancer. For two weeks I was wondering how I was going to put my affairs in order, and how was I going to make sure that my wife of 36 years was going to cope after my demise.

The Good...

My daughter is a nurse practitioner and her husband is a physicians assistant at a major hospital here on Long Island. They found a well respected doctor for this and we went up to see him. He looked over all of the scans and tests, and said "This is curable".
Sweet words those were. My attitude instantly changed.

They set up a course of action with chemo and radiation doctors. I'm now on a 24hr/7 day a week chemo pump, and get radiation five days a week, for six weeks. This is to shrink the tumor before surgery.

The Ugly

Because of the location of the tumor, I may have to permanently go on the bag. I can deal with that when and if it occurs.
There's no alternative.

A Few Other Thoughts...

Don't neglect that colonoscopy you've been putting off. That's what got me into trouble.
I'm 64 and waited until I had symptoms of a problem. I've beat myself up plenty over this, fortunately, those around me, including the doctors just want to move forward.
 
Glad the news is positive Art, you'll be in our prayers for sure, keep us posted.
 
Stay focused on the positive - that this can be beat! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy and complete recovery!
 
Thanks for sharing this......it's good for others to read to encourage them to get on that colonoscopy (I had one about 4 years ago, so I'm pretty much due for another myself).

Good attitude and family support is important: I'm happy to say that it sounds like you've got both.

I'll keep you in my thoughts.
 
Hang in 'ere, Art.
 
Art-
My wife went through breast cancer... the chemo, the radiation, the surgery; in short, all the ugly stuff.
All through her "bad" I was amazed at her POSITIVE attitude. It even gave ME strength.
In the end, she came through it healther, and stronger and that was TEN YEARS ago.
Were're all rooting and praying for you.... hang in there.
There will be bad times, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
You too will be a surviver with your own positive attitude!!!
 
Art , thanks to medical advances , that is a very curable deal.
I don't know if it's because most Docs are males but that's a debate for later. Hang in there because there has to be more butt time for the 3.
 
I do hope things go well for you, and that the doctor's assessment is spot on.

A young guy I know, 38 years old, was recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He is the son of my wife's best friend, and my wife and I have known him since he was 3. He and his wife were married in our yard. So, this news was a shock, to put it mildly.

He has started a blog at https://cobrasinalaska.blogspot.com/. I think it shows an unusually matured view of the situation, a kind of matter-of-fact courage that is unusual. I think it's worth looking at and thinking about.
 
What they said.

Stay positive, find things to smile over. No self-recrimination. Run for your life. The bad days will end and be outnumbered by more good ones. We're pullin' for ya, Art.
 
Art, glad to hear it's curable.

Regarding colonoscopy exams: anyone who avoids them is crazy. A little discomfort (it's really not bad at all), pure Hades avoided.

Note to self: live every day, hug your wife more, smile more, be kind to everyone. You never know . . . :yesnod:
 
Art, our prayers are with you.

And for those who have not done their colonoscopy yet, get it down now, if you are near 50. It's painless and a mild annoyance in the prep these days compared to what can happen if you wait. Art has explained that as a reminder, which takes a lot of guts to do and I thank him for doing it.

And guys, this goes for your wives as well. My wife and I are both happy to report no issues and we've each had two so far.
 
:iagree: with everyone. Mostly I will include you in my prayers and think only positive thoughts. Be sure and keep us posted.
 
Just read this, Art- you hang in there. Attitude is everything, and it sounds like you have a doctor with the right mindset as well. And you definitely have our thoughts, prayers and support on this forum.

I had my first colonoscopy last year to fullfill a promise I made to my wife after putting it off for several years. Fortunately everything was good, and the ease of the procedure completely erased my original reluctance - I'm still thanking my wife for her patience in dealing with a very stubborn person.
 
Procedure is a piece of cake. It's the before 12 hours that will kill ya.
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Art;

My prayers go out to you.
Good Luck!

Dave
 
Don't forget guys, make sure your wives go too!!! I lost my mother in law three years ago because she didn't ever go and that was a very hard pill for my wife to swallow after her mom insisted that she and I both go.
 
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