As most of you know by now, I was diagnosed in late April with metastatic colon cancer and had surgery to remove the tumor on May 1. Biopsies confirmed that the cancer has spread to the lymph system, liver, and abdominal wall. Treatment at this stage will be with chemotherapy, in hopes of stopping the spread of the disease and reducing the size of the existing tumors. I met with the oncologist last week to learn what happens next.
After much thought I decided not to participate in the clinical trial that was offered. It would have meant more frequent treatments and more follow-up exams and tests, and I would have had to travel weekly to Bangor, more than an hour's drive. Opinion seemed to be that the treatment I would get in the study would not be better than the standard treatment, so I decided I would rather spend more time with family and friends at home and on Ironbound. The treatments will be given at the local hospital in Bar Harbor--much more convenient.
In order to infuse the drugs directly into my vein without putting an IV in my arm every time, a so-called Port-a-cath, or "port" will be implanted in my upper chest. That will be done on Tuesday, June 17. My first chemo treatment will be the next day. As I understand it, I will get several different drugs over the course of about 3 hours, and then I will be attached to a portable pocket-sized pump which will continue to dispense more drugs slowly over the next 48 hours. I'm hoping I will tolerate the treatments well, with manageable side effects, and have a comfortable week to ten days till the next treatment. We are building a house, and there is lots to do!
I still find it hard to believe that this is really happening to me. I have recovered so completely in the six weeks since my surgery that, if it weren't for the scar on my abdomen, I would say it was all a dream. How can I feel so well when there is a serious cancer growing inside me? It feels like it must be happening to someone else!
I am ready now, though, to get started on the fight that is ahead of me. I'm trying to maintain a positive attitude and focus on how those drugs are going to go after those cancer cells and kill them! I am prepared for that first treatment on Wednesday and anxious to get it behind me.
I can't tell you how much it has meant to me, and to Ben, too, to have received cards, email, and phone calls from so many people. It takes a crisis like this to make a person realize how meaningful such expressions of concern and caring are. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
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