I've spent the last week doing a lot of thinking. Finding out that I am going to have the "take down" surgery so soon took me by surprise. I knew life after the first surgery was just temporary and life after my take down is forever. But, now I'm ready. Sure there are going to be some ups and downs. The next year is going to be frustrating and probably embarrassing at times, but so what?! I get to live without cancer. And that is the point. I get to be a healthy young adult. This whole situation could have been a lot worse, and it normally is for people who don't realize that they have the FAP gene until it is too late. In all of my searching to learn more about FAP and colon cancer I have met a lot of people battling cancer and it has really opened my eyes to how lucky I am. What are the odds that after having blood in my stool for 7 years and after finally getting a doctor to listen to me, I would still get to escape with no chemo or radiation. So, I have no colon. So what.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Blessed
I've spent the last week doing a lot of thinking. Finding out that I am going to have the "take down" surgery so soon took me by surprise. I knew life after the first surgery was just temporary and life after my take down is forever. But, now I'm ready. Sure there are going to be some ups and downs. The next year is going to be frustrating and probably embarrassing at times, but so what?! I get to live without cancer. And that is the point. I get to be a healthy young adult. This whole situation could have been a lot worse, and it normally is for people who don't realize that they have the FAP gene until it is too late. In all of my searching to learn more about FAP and colon cancer I have met a lot of people battling cancer and it has really opened my eyes to how lucky I am. What are the odds that after having blood in my stool for 7 years and after finally getting a doctor to listen to me, I would still get to escape with no chemo or radiation. So, I have no colon. So what.
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5 comments:
I admire your positive attitude Steph. You're an inspiration for all of us...especially for those who are battling FAP just like you are.
Stay positive! :)
I'm looking forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks at the wedding!
A great outlook Steph! Things could be much worse. Thankfully you got someone to listen to you! Remember it's ok to flounder back and forth on if this is a good thing or not. In the end you know you are doing what is best for you and your future. Along the way you're becoming a role model for others.
Amen sista!
while i am not one of those that got the 'get outta jail free card'. I am sure you definitely do understand both the pro's and the nasty nitty gritty con's in your situation.
good luck with take down. i think i'll be having my surgery very soon, maybe even around that time, who knows. we can send each other kindred healing vibes across the midwest.
on a sidenote, i know some very good colorectal peeps in evansville indiana. not that you need second opinions.
but i did have an "ampulectomy" last september, to remove a big fatty pre-cancerous polyp in my duodenum with the scope, instead of a whipple.
i got it done by a Dr. Parsons, who is THE man around here when it comes to that particular procedure which is in fact a much trickier procedure and hence why most GI's dont do it. There's more risk with it, but comparatively speaking, it was a cakewalk. he is out of northwestern and northwest memorial here in chicago. holla if you wanna take a little vacay to the windy city and also get a second opinion.
(and dr. parsons first name is Willis, so you get endless hours of jokes about "what you talkin' bout willis" when he tells you what he's gonna do in the procedure.)
steph I LIKE BECCA s sources. I don,t like that Whipple business, should never have read up on it!!! listen to this old timer who lovesw yo7u so much. I just keep on praying. Hang in there Scott.
Stephanie,
There is no greater gift than to recognize the gifts inside yourself and then to share it. I really have come to love hearing your candid thoughts - you are real...as real as it gets. You've made a difference to so many people - I pray that more angels step onto this path with you to bring you through those ups and downs. And I love it that you know you can't sugarcoat the truth.
More blessings and love,
Aunt Colleen
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