Year
of 2005:
May
through September
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May 2005:
I started feeling exhausted just walking up and down both sets of staircases
at home. I thought I just needed to workout more at the gym, and that's
exactly what I tried to do. However, I was so low on energy that I couldn't
even finish an hour of cardio. Bruises were all over my lower legs. Then
on my thighs. My best friend encouraged me to see a doctor. I did.
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June: And the doctor could not understand how I could even be walking, much less working out at the gym! He ordered a blood transfusion. Severe anemia. Iron pills and multi-vitamins. Don't forget the two pints of blood. I also suffered an infection during the transfusion. Endoscopy was negative.
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July to mid-August 2005: Doctors approved my vacation to FL and planned for a colonoscopy to further research a cause for my severe anemia soon after I get back home.
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August 23:
Colonoscopy revealed a tumor. Put your thumb and index finger together
to make an "O". That's the size of the tumor. Biopsies were
taken. Doctors couldn't complete the colonoscopy, as the tumor blocked
the path. CT scan revealed nothing unusual on the exterior of the large
intestine (colon).
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August 29: Biopsy results -- malignant. Diagnosis: Colon Cancer.
Next week: Barium enema x-ray in search for more unusual growth(s) beyond the known tumor followed by a hemicolectomy (removal of partial colon) the following week.
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Sept. 19:
Left-left hemicolectomy performed to remove cancerous tumor and lymph
nodes in colon.
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Sept. 23:
Pathology reports reveal Stage III cancer which includes the lymph nodes.
Chemotherapy treatments to be discussed with oncologist on Oct. 3.
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Sept. 25:
Home at last. Do you realize how much you use your abdominal muscles?
No, I don't think you do. Getting in and out of bed, going from a sitting
to a standing position, and walking -- caused so much pain. Tremendously.
I did everything at a turtle's pace, especially during the first three
weeks post-surgery.
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