We need hugs, prayers & pixie dust

[dgaston]

Back on topic. I have learned to be my DH's advocate. UMass is a teaching hospital and google is my friend. In his case the ostomy is the problem, and luckily you don't have that complication. Learn what you need to learn.
Write everything down to refer to, ask questions for when you forget, and then ask more. Call in favors from family and friends. Get a massage. In my case it's getting my nails done and pedicures.

HTH

 

[LynnH]

Sending hugs...my opinion...keep your scheduled trip. I went thru 4 months of chemo for breast cancer and my doctor actually "prescribed" a week in the Florida sunshine to raise my vitamin D levels and to make sure I got some rest. Took my mom and we had a wonderful week together sitting by the pool.

 

[jerseygal]

Wonderful to hear that your husband is DOING SO WELL! Hope that all continues to go WELL!

HOPE, PRAYER, AND LOVE to all those suffering with cancer!

 

[Duke&Tree]

Prayers and pixie dust your way!

 

[crisi]

Everyone handles cancer and chemo differently, and his prognosis will also make a difference. With my sister and breast cancer, we postponed the trip until she'd been out of chemo for a year - that gave her a chance to be pretty well recovered and have most of her stamina back. But her prognosis was good - there wasn't a lot of reason to rush the trip - the numbers were on her side to be able to make the trip in close to full health if we postponed - AND it was the second postponement for that trip - we postponed the first time because she got pregnant - so another year of waiting gave us a toddler to travel with instead of a newborn (she had a busy and stressful couple of years!). When my brother in law had cancer, he rushed to fit things in - his prognosis was not good and traveling during treatment - even though he felt lousy - was the way he was going to travel.

Like others said, I'd keep the reservation in place and see how he feels.

Best wishes for a full recovery.

 

[Eventer98]

I'm hoping you are still able to make your trip...just having it to look forward to may do wonders to you and DH's spirit

May 15th of this year was 5 years since diagnosis! He has been cancer free for 3 years now. And yes we made that trip - it was tough but we did it.

Wonderful to hear! Also from Rochester...what clinic did you go to? My mom died 10 yrs ago after a 5 month battle with cancer..she was at RGH.

 

[Jennasis]

Hugs!!!

 

[MinnieLee]

Update

First of all I want to thank everyone for all their kind words, hugs and pixie dust. It has been a tough couple of weeks when your whole life is turned upside down. You cannot imagine how much I appreciate the support, information, kind words and, of course, the pixie dust.

We met with the oncologist yesterday. Chemo starts today, 7/9. Once a week for six weeks. At the same time, DH will be receiving 35 treatments of radiation, Monday through Friday, everyday. Meeting with the radiation office tomorrow. He has been staged as a 3B. We are all keeping our thoughts positive. They feel that the mass will start shrinking probably after two or three treatments and then he will be able to eat solids. They said eat whatever he wants, however much he wants since around two weeks after all this chem/radiation is done, we probably will be back at Sloane for the surgery - probably in September. Then it's 10 days in the hospital, no solids. The chemo/radiation will also cause weight loss. From what we were told, because he is receiving the chemo weekly, the dose is not as great as the one dose, three weeks off, he won't really start feeling the "effects" (hair loss, weight, naseau etc.) until the end.

I usually am not a "Debbie Downer", talking about bad news but you have no idea how much the support from other Disney lovers and people I don't even know who have reached out is appreciated. THANK YOU!!!

I asked the doctor if we should cancel our 10/22 trip and the answer was to hold off cancelling it for now. They feel it would DH something to look forward to. We have to see what is what. I did call Member Services and they were wonderful. I told them the situation and my cast member was so understanding and compassionate. As standard, if I cancel 31 days before arrival, points go back into my account. After that, points would go into holding but they said they noted my account and although no promises were made, they said whatever they can do to help me if I have to cancel, they would try to work with me. She spoke to a supervisor and all was noted on my account.

Thanks again!

 

[jekjones1558]

How kind of you to take the time to update us! I know that during your DH's treatments he will meet many wonderful people who will be a great blessing to both of you. I am not surprised that MS was so supportive---we had the same experience with them. Here's hoping our paths cross at WDW this October.

 

[jerseygal]

Hope that the radiation goes as well as possible and the surgery as well!
It sounds like you are "right on top of your husbands diagnosis and treatment" and you are his advocate! I hope that your extended family provides much LOVE AND SUPPORT also!

Very HAPPY to hear that the CM was extremely supportive. That is GOOD to hear!

 

[kim_d]

I just completed my cancer treatments...there is light at the end if the tunnel. I was 37 years old with no family history...quite the shock to hear stage 3 colorectal cancer!

I did chemo/radiation, surgery, chemo, and another surgery. I was able to do a Disney cruise and Disney world after chemo/radiation before surgery.

Sending many positive thoughts your way.

 

[dgaston]

Here's more and thanks for the update. Don't be surprised if your husband has unique reactions to the combo of radiation and chemo. The docs told Don he probably wouldn't lose his hair, and his hair is very, very thin now -- quite a shock to my vain husband who prided himself on his lack of gray hair! I've been told the surgery takes a while to recover from, so be easy on yourself. And I hope you have some things in place for self care. That's so important

MS have been great with us, too.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Thoughts, prayers & pixie dust for you and your family.

 

[Paticake]

Thinking of you both during this difficult time.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Here's our story...In March DH and I were at WDW on Spring Break from my University. DH wasn't himself, needing a wheelchair to negotiate the parks. He'd had a broken wrist in the fall, and had done fine on our December trip. The night before we were to return home, he began bleeding profusely rectally. Off to Celebration Hospital and their ED. 17 units of blood later, they had removed 10 inches of Don's colon and he has an ileostomy. That was due to diverticulosis, "an unhealthy diet" said the surgeon. Now here's the kicker. The doc who scoped Don top and bottom to determine the source of the bleeding said with no warning "your husband has esophageal cancer." Don is not a candidate for surgery due to liver disease, but has had some low dose chemotherapy and has 10 sessions left of 28 sessions of radiation. He is stage one. Thanks for the Ileostomy?!?

Our church community, and the church camp where we seasonally camp in NH have been vital to us, as has been the HS where Don taught for 33 years (total of 38 -- 5 in another system) before retiring in 2009. It's been a very bumpy road, with Don in the hospital more than out since Celebration.

It's key to take care of yourself to do a good job with your loved one. Our adult kids have been great at helping me out.

We have a DVC trip planned for October with our granddaughter and her parents.

Blessings and prayers for you and your family.

Prayers and best wishes for your family.

 

[dgaston]

Thanks Bobbi. After today, Don just has 6 radiation sessions left! We're getting there, although his throat is very, very sore, and he's drinking a lot of shakes these days. Today his mood is great.

 

[MinnieLee]

I just completed my cancer treatments...there is light at the end if the tunnel. I was 37 years old with no family history...quite the shock to hear stage 3 colorectal cancer! I did chemo/radiation, surgery, chemo, and another surgery. I was able to do a Disney cruise and Disney world after chemo/radiation before surgery. Sending many positive thoughts your way.

So glad to hear you are doing great. If you don't mind me asking, how were you after the chemo/radiation?

 

[kim_d]

I fared pretty well. At that point in my treatment, the chemo therapy was oral (pills) only and luckily I had little to no side affects. So for rectal cancer, radiation can be a little uncomfortable at the later portion because it can cause burning around your bum and chemo can cause diarrhea...not a great combo

Fortunately, it was completely manageable and I was able to work the entire time and once it ended I felt pretty good within 2 weeks or so.

Good luck. Sending lots if pixie dust.

 

[themommy]

Our lives have been turned upside down. A little over two months ago, out of the blue DH was having chest pains when eating his cereal. Thought he was having a heart attack. He called me at work, we got him into a cardiologist for an EKG, echo and Doppler. Nothing. Next week, chemical stress test, nothing. Following week, angiogram, again, nothing. Now on to the gastro doctor. Colonoscopy and endoscopy later, well we had something. As he says, my a** is fine but he had a 2 to 3 cm mass on his esphogus - esphogus cancer. We are now in a whirlwind of doctors, tests. Met with encologist Monday. Looks like 4-6 treatments. Radiation possible. Went into Sloane Kettering yesterday and met with a specialist in the field. After chemo, shrinking the mass, surgery. He can't eat anything now. Lost almost 20 pounds. No signs, no warning, nothing to even suspect anything was wrong.

We were sitting in the encologist Monday and he said "I wish I was on vacation, sitting in a hammock, swinging, relaxing at the BCV or GF." Our vacation is all planned for 10/22 through 11/2, everything bought- AP, airline and tickets for MNSSHP. Anyone have experience in what we are in for? Can we do this trip? I want to give him something to look forward to. If not, without hesitation, I will cancel everything and plan on possibly the spring. I know it's going to be a rough road.

Please sprinkle pixie dust on us. Any advice would be really appreciated. Anyone who knows someone who has been through this,. As far as our vacation, I know I can put my points in holding. Right now, there is no light at the end of the tunnel as we will have to start this journey next week with first chemo treatment.

Thanks

Just wanted to say that I am sending prayers your way! Good luck with everything and may God help you in whatever you need!

 

[scott1961]

My prayers are with you and your family. My wife has been battling a rare cancer for 11 years. 4 surgeries, endless chemo and radiation and probably about 30-40 WDW trips over that span. I have taken the attitude to always give her something to look forward to so we always have 1-2 trips planned. In 11 years, we have cancelled one. I'd say that's a miracle. Some trips I have had to push her in a wheelchair due to chemo effects, etc. We don't let that stop us. My advice for what it's worth is to plan trips, have a positive attitude, and pray a lot. It has worked for us. BTW, she has been taking chemo daily for 18 months and we are going next in Sept. Hang in there and God Bless!