lisaissa's Journey with Colorectal (Colon) Cancer

I went to see a GI doctor because I was seeing blood when I had a BM. I scheduled a colonoscopy soon after and right as I was waking up from the procedure my dr told me that she was 99% sure I had cancer. I went for more tests and scans to see if the cancer had spread. When all was said and done, it had spread to my lymph nodes and my liver. I was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer.

Placing the port was fine. I just don't like how noticeable it is.

I started the 24/7 infusion of 5FU for 6 weeks in conjuction with 6 weeks of daily radiation. The chemo wasn't too bad...I just wasn't a fan of carrying the pump around everywhere I went.

At first the radiation didn't have many side effects. About halfway through is when going to the bathroom became extremely painful. I have a two year old who had to come with me everyday to treatment because I had to go during the day. It was literally a pain in the *ss! ;)

I started a 3 month regimen of FOLFOX with Avastin. I went every other week, so on the weeks I had treatment I was down and out. Having a week off in between really helped to keep my spirits up! I had neuropathy pretty bad and that is still lingering to today. Only vomited a few times.

I went in for a colorectal resection with a colostomy. They also resected a portion of my liver where the cancer was. I had a few complications that really hindered my healing process. The colostomy really changed my daily life. I had a drain in for 5 months right next to my tailbone that was extremely uncomfortable (it was placed there because an infection formed on my pelvic floor). My incision opened up after my staples were out, so I had a would-vac for a few months. Overall though, the surgery was a success.

I started again on FOLFOX for another 3 months. This time around I was pretty beaten up from surgery, so it was a little harder to endure than before.

A little over a year since my diagnosis, I finished treatment! Looking forward to getting my colostomy reversed...