Hello, everyone. Nice thread.
As some of you already know, I've been going through treatment for colon cancer for the past seven months. I had chemotherapy and radiation for six weeks, followed by eight weeks to recover from that, then a bowel resection at the end of December (Christmas at Cedars Sinai), and a second surgery eight weeks later to reverse the temporary ileostomy they did during the first operation.
I am now cancer free, according to my surgeon and the pathology reports. That's a good thing. But I am still not even close to beging fully recovered from the effects of the treatments and surgeries. I have lost 30 pounds since the first week of September. Some of that was fat, and some was muscle mass. My arms, legs, and face are very thin. Annoyingly, I still have some of my "spare tire", even though I am below a healthy weight for my height. (I'm 6' 3" tall, and weigh 183 lbs.)
Before starting chemotherapy, I was a bit overweight. Now my doctor is concerned because I am underweight, and she wants me to eat more. I eat as much as I want, but apparently I don't want enough, as I am not gaining.
But this too shall pass.
I must say that I do not recommend colon cancer. Avoid it if you can. The best way to do that is to eat more fruits and vegetables, and less meat. Protein, especially animal protein, should not represent more than 10 to 12% of your daily calorie intake.
If you have any history of colon cancer in your family, start having colonoscopies when you are in your late forties, as often as your doctor recommends.
But don't be shy about seeking help if you have any symptoms. I had a colonoscopy three years ago that was completely clear, and the doctor told me to come back for another one in five years. Some alarming symptoms, including blood with the stool, got me in sooner than that, and they found a tumor that surprised them with its large size, considering that there had been nothing there only three years before. Evidently, it was a fast growing and aggressive tumor. If I had waited another few months, my outcome would not have been this good.
So do have yourself checked out, people.
- Allen |
