Hello there!
It's almost the end of March and we still have LOTS of snow! Our temps are running about 10 degrees below normal, but at least the sun has been out the last few days, and the snow is slowly melting. Easter is this coming Sunday already! We will be having everyone over to our house for a buffet lunch. My house will be FULL. May have to come up with a different plan next year, as there just isn't enough room in my house for our growing families!
I have been spending a lot of my online time on some private Facebook groups for those affected by colon cancer. If you know anyone with ANY type of colon/rectal/anal issue (including crohn's, IBS, colitis, cancer), tell them to search FB for COLONTOWN. This is the main group, and from there you can join the different 'neighborhoods' that are more specific to your particular issue, including a group for caretakers. It's all private, so talk about colons, rectums, and bodily functions are the norm there! It's a blessing for me to FINALLY connect with others who understand what I'm going through. We all help each other and share ideas on what works and what doesn't. I've gotten some good advice there for my on-going issues, and things have improved for me. I'm still hoping to improve things more, but at least my problems are better than they were.
Being in this community makes me aware, once again, of the many, many people with colorectal cancer. There are those on there that are newly diagnosed, and they will finish chemo and have a good prognosis, like me. Then there are those that are stage 4, and will be on chemo, off and on, for the rest of their lives. And, lately, there seems to be many (WAY TOO MANY) who are dying from this horrible disease. Almost daily there are posts that someone passed away. Sometimes this gets into my head a bit, and I start to worry more about a recurrence. I start to think in terms of when, not if. Thankfully, God knows those troubling thoughts I am having, and He reminds me to put my focus on HIM. I don't need to fear ANYTHING. That is such a freeing thought! Whether I am sick, healthy, rich, poor, dying--none of it matters. God has given me eternal life, and He is with me every moment of every day. Nothing is too big for Him. What a relief to know He has my back! Whew!
Soon I'll get a break from Dr. appointments and tests (I hope!). I had to have another minor surgery on my bum, and the worst part was the 9 pokes it took to get my IV started! Over 2 weeks later I can still see the bruise on the back of my hand! The surgery went well though, and I had very little pain after. I had a DEXA bone density scan last week, and hope to get the results of that soon. That is an easy scan--no IVs or anything! Chemo can damage/weaken the bones, and so can menopause (which started early for me because of chemo/radiation), so we are just checking to see if my bones are still strong. I have a post-op appt. this week, then a port flush appt. next week. Then I really should make an eye dr. appt. and dentist appt. Sheesh! It's always something~I've already met my deductible for the year, and it's only March!
Well, that's my March update. All the kids and grandkids are doing well! My oldest and her husband will soon be licensed to do foster care, so we are all excited about that. I hope I have enough energy to help her out! Thankfully summer is only a few months away and I'll be off work for a bit. :)
God bless each one of you!
Tina
