1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Never too young for colon cancer.. Where I've been

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by F8L, Apr 25, 2009.

  1. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello my friends!

    I've been missing PC and all of you guys but I've been so tired lately that I just never end up logging in after work. I went to see my doctor to find out why I'm so tired (among other symptoms) and I was diagnosed with cancer. :rolleyes: We don't know what stage the disease is in right now but the tests to find that out are scheduled so I should have some answers within the next 2 weeks.

    I'm in a fairly good mood considering and life is just way to awesome for me to be down about it. Stuff happens and you just gotta roll with the punches or like Joe Dirt says "You just gotta keep on keepin' on. Life's a garden, dig it". :D

    So anyway, this is not a feel sorry for me thread. It was meant to update my friends here without having to PM everyone AND this is my official excuse for not being around. :p
     
    JMD likes this.
  2. Wildkow

    Wildkow New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2006
    5,270
    37
    36
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I am so sorry to hear that F8L. Good thoughts and prayers coming your way.

    Wildkow
     
  3. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2004
    13,439
    641
    0
    Location:
    Winnipeg Manitoba
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    My thoughts are with you
     
  4. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    10,664
    567
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Ah shit, bad news.
    I hope it all goes well for you the mate, we like you being an active member on PC.
    Never too young? How old are you?
     
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Thank you guys. :)

    Pat, I'm 33 bru. I'm not really young per say but definately in the lower end of the curve for colon cancer. :)
     
  6. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2004
    14,487
    1,518
    0
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Damn, that's the pits. Good luck on beating it. Nowadays you've got a real fighting chance. Keep us posted!
     
    1 person likes this.
  7. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2004
    14,816
    2,498
    66
    Location:
    Far-North Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    It's just news at this point. Whether it's good or bad is up to you and your attitude.

    I wish you the best and hope you keep a positive attitude.
     
    1 person likes this.
  8. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2005
    15,232
    1,563
    0
    Location:
    off into the sunset
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    You are young, believe me, and strong in both mind and body. Fight it with all your strength, and mine, too, if it helps. Despite how unfair life seems at times, keep sight of the awesome part. :)
     
  9. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

    Joined:
    May 21, 2007
    6,038
    707
    0
    Location:
    Tumwater, WA USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    F8L, please, please, PLEASE take a serious look at the Gerson Institute.
    There is a movie about it, The Beautiful Truth.

    All the best, my friend.
     
    1 person likes this.
  10. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2007
    4,374
    313
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    good luck in recovery.

    and keep that positive thinking.... important
     
  11. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2005
    9,810
    466
    0
    Location:
    MD
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    oh no! :(
    you know what i'm going to say- you're tough. tougher than that damned cancer.
    we're rooting for ya in the fight.
     
    Chuck. likes this.
  12. Dipena

    Dipena Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2008
    1,567
    68
    0
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I am a medical writer and while I do not know much about colorectal cancer, I do have a friend who got it in his 30s who is doing well now about 7 years later. The best thing you can do is make sure you are receiving the best possible care from the most knowledgeable and caring medical center you can find. You are young, very young (take it from me), and you need to go for a cure so you can get on with the rest of your life.

    You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
     
  13. Stev0

    Stev0 Honorary Hong Kong Cavalier

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2006
    7,201
    1,073
    0
    Location:
    Northampton, MA
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Here's wishing you the best of luck with it!
     
  14. eclectcmoi

    eclectcmoi Muffinologist

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2006
    6,764
    17
    10
    Location:
    Lakewood, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Sending good thoughts your way and wishing you all the best to fight the fight!
     
  15. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,193
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    1) What an amazing doctor you must have to have found the CA so early in someone so young with such vague symptoms.

    2)Colon CA is readily beatable. I expect to see you at Prius events in the near future and no BS "I'm too tired, I just got over this cancer" excuses!

    3) Hang in there. While I can't really give you medical advice I'm happy to try to explain things that you don't understand or act as a sounding board for technical/medical stuff. PM or e-mail me any time.

    Finally, thanks for sharing with the community...you know you've got all of our support.
     
  16. Dave_PH

    Dave_PH New Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2008
    2,416
    78
    0
    Location:
    Florida & DC
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    I believe it's beatable.

    I didn't have colon cancer but I lost a foot of my colon to diverticulosis (or is it itis). I haven't missed it all all.

    While the initial surgery wasn't fun I was fully revovered and back to kickboxing in under a year so if they decide to remove a section just be sure you find a specialist, not a general surgeon. I had to have open surgery because they have to 'excorporalize' your colon and 'feel' for diverticulitis but my ex-bosses mother had colon cancer and had it done lapriscopically.

    I was in the hospital for 6 days after the surgery. They keep you there to watch for complications/infection. At the end of 6 days I was home, no pain meds needed.

    Less meat, more fiber.
     
  17. liverbomb88

    liverbomb88 Push the Button!

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2007
    130
    16
    0
    Location:
    In a galaxy far far away...
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I hope your therapies get you feeling better really soon. You are young and resilient...Keep your eye and mind on beating it!
     
  18. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    4,319
    1,527
    0
    Location:
    Tampa Bay
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    I
    You have already been missed too much. The body fights illness best with a good outlook and positive support of those around. You have that support.
     
  19. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2004
    15,140
    611
    0
    Location:
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    Persona
    man oh man!! so sorry to hear that!!

    how far along? is it metastasized anywhere? (SO does PET scan auth for Oncology Center here. these are her questions)

    cant emphasize how important attitude is and sounds like you have a good handle on that. our prayers are with you
     
  20. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    While this is not a sympathy thread you guys sure do know how to make a guy feel better. :D


    I will undergo my first test in the series to determine what stage I am at. I will do another sidmoidoscopy w/ ultrasound next Thursday. This will let us know if the disease has spread through the entire rectal wall and into adjacent tissue. I've done the sidmoiscopy and then a colonoscopy already but we didn't do the ultrasound. :rolleyes:

    I also have a CT scan "scheduled" and am awaiting a call for a date.
    My radation therapy meeting and surgery meeting is scheduled for May 4th. So the ball is rolling.... My blood work came up well within the normal range for everything except for Eosinophils which was roughly twice "normal" at about 11-15% (according to 2 different test done 2 weeks apart).

    The growth is about the size of a silver dollar and I have pretty much all of the typical symptoms from fatigue, blood, bathroom habits etc. So I am doubting it is in the really early stages but I am very positive in attitude nonetheless. :)