Good News & Remember To Be Proactive!

Well, I just got back from my surgeon’s office and wanted to report that everything is fantastic!  I am four months out of surgery and all of my tests look good.  CT scan was normal, CEA is 1.3, and the proctoscopy exam showed everything as being normal. Tomorrow is the onc appt but he isn’t going to tell me anything that I don’t already know.

Wanted to pass on some info which seems like common sense to us, but apparently isn’t always happening.   My surgeon said she was happy that my onc’s office forwarded all blood results, etc. to here and that CT results were forwarded to her from the radiology clinic.  I kind  of burst her bubble slightly when I said that I was the one to make sure that all of those were faxed to her, but nevertheless, it is something worth noting.  We assume that all of our test results get sent to ALL of our docs, but unless WE make sure that all offices have those requests in their computers, it just doesn’t happen that way.

My surgeon also told me something else worth noting.  She said that she loved patients like me.  Asked her what she meant and she said that too many patients either come in not wanting to know their stage, treatment plans, etc. OR they come in wanting some surgery or treatment that they had heard about through a friend but haven’t done any research or whatever about it. I had to fight for the surgery I wanted, did the research but eventually won!

The thing that bothered me the most was when my surgeon said that other countries are doing great research in new surgery options, etc. but that, in her opinion, surgeons in this country are very reluctant to try them because of getting sued.  It’s really sad that, in some cases,  we may be getting over treated because doctors in this country are not (understandably) willing to deviate from the standard of care.

Have a happy and safe Labor Day!!! 

Congratulations Jaynee!!!!!!!  Great News:)

I wrote to you not long ago but I replied to the wrong message and sent it to myself;)  I think it's chemo brain.  Anyhow, I've been tired pretty much and haven't been on here a whole lot but wanted to say thanks for all of your help.  The lotions you told me to use have worked really well.  I do not have any burning at all on my bottom but I do in the anal and vaginal areas, they gave me two gels to try, Aquaphor and I can't remember the other one but none have worked as well as the pure aloe and the Johnson's and Johnson's 24 hr moisturizing and sitz bathes.  My rad. onc. wrote all of those down.  The cocoa butter hasn't done much for me but I do use it on occasion, the other two are so relieving some times.  I haven't had any problems with the pump.  I had mouth sores but the rinse they gave me ($160.00 for a month supply) got rid of them.  My husband said I will be the first person to go through chemo and actually gain weight.  I was really hoping things would taste like metal but no such luck.  No red feet or red hands, no hair loss, nausea slightly but controlled with compazine, diarrhea only when I do it to myself (corn, to much fruit, etc.).  I've been very blessed.  I believe all of the people I have praying for me is the biggest reason for this.  THE POWER OF PRAYER!  Thank you Lord.

Anyway Jaynee, I just wanted to say thanks and when I'm through in three weeks and not so tired I'll give you a call.

Terry