Ann's Journey with Colorectal (Colon) Cancer

9 of 39 lymph nodes are positive

Whole of ascending colon removed PLUS sigmoid-rectal junction removed. GREAT impact!!

Had PORT-A-CATH implanted in chest and carried its cassette at all times, 24/7. It had 5Fu in it, which was refilled once a week. I had radiation at the same time, 5 days a week at the hospital, as an out patient traveling in.

I felt VERY ill during this time and developed skin problems. Nausea and weakness may have been from radiation OR chemo -- or a combination may have cause diarrhea which was almost constant.

Diarrhea, nausea (and some vomiting), fatigue/weakness almost constantly.

The side/after effects went on for a VERY long time and SEVERELY impacted my life, making normal living impossible.

After more than 2 years had to decide I could only take a very part-time lower-level professional position---a real loss for me.

My husband and daughter living 10 minutes away were marvelous. But totally necessary! (This surgery and treatment started in 1997. In 2001 I had to have a dural fistula in my head repaired by embolization (caused by bowel straining) AND in September 2001 I had emergency open gall bladder surgery. In 2004 and 2005 I had breast cancer surgeries. In 2010 I had a minor rectal surgery for removal of a benign polyp.) I am writing in 2012 and the past year has been very difficult with a recurrence of the after-effects of the colon cancer treatments---unwanted, sudden diarrhea attacks. I am under the care of a GI specialist.