Hello

Welcome SandraB, Joni,Joe,Abigail…….. I.m glad you all found this site as it has been a blessing for me. Just being able to discuss and share different treatments taken, especially the way everyone deals with the side effects of this horrible disesae. Managing your side effects plays a big role on how you deal with this cc; mentally and physically. You really need to make sure you have all medicatios for side effects in place. Something for nausea, something to help have bowel movements, immodium to slow the bowels, medication for pain, relax in a bubble bath, and exercise even if it’s just walking a little each day, a sleep aid to ensure your body gets plenty of rest. Basically all I mentioned is to ensure your body stays as less stressful as possible and keeps you in a better frame of mind. Positive thinking and listening to relaxation music. I honestly believe this cc strives on stress and the chemicals we produce from being stressed out. 8 years and 4 months for me now. It has been quite a roller coaster but just being around to enjoy my loved ones has been worth it! I can honestly say it has not been easy and all we can do is our best. The nature of this beast is that it sneaks up on you before you know it. I strongly believe there is hope of a cure just around the corner. Irregardless of what stage your at, I’ve seen some miracles and many new options/treatments that have been extending lives with pretty good quality of life. At the moment I will start my 5th chemo regimen on Monday. The last couple of months there have been a couple surprizes of mets to one of my ribs and another to the spine bone but appears 3-D conformal radiation took care of those back door tumors, for now anyway. Is my fight getting harder? I would say cc keeps me alert and suspicious and is certainly consistent. I have been lucky so far not having juandice and requiring stents yet. Although many members have stents and are doing really good. God Bless them and anyone dealing with this relentless disease. Hope is always in the air!!!!!!

Welcome, Joe!
You sound like a very courageous and positive person – most people who come to this site are family and friends of those with cc (with lots of exceptions, of course!) – because it’s so overwhelming when you have this disease to absorb all the information about it and not be discouraged. My own mother never wanted to know what I found out in my research – it was too terrifying for her. She, too, loved her family and her only granddaughter more than anything in the world, so you remind me of her, and I’m rooting for you, as I know everyone on this board is also.

Please tell your family that they can always get a sympathetic ear to listen to them here, and perhaps some answers to their questions. It is very sweet that you’re concerned about your family, but you must be a little anxious also, so I hope we can give you some support and hope if and when you need it. It helps so much to be in contact with people who are going through the same ordeals, especially with this rare cancer.

Best of luck to you, Joe – your family sounds wonderful, and very lucky to have you.

– Joyce

Sandra –

Thank you for your words of wisdom and positive attitude. My husband Mike, age 57, was diagnosed in January, 2006. We have a 13 year old daughter, and hope that through Jesus Christ, the Supreme Physician, and his health care team here at University of Nebraska Medical Center, he will be as fortunate as your husband and live to make many more memories for a lot more years.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know that losing your dear husband is heart-wrenching. Please know that we are all here for you, and will do whatever we can.

Joni