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You are here : Cancer Blog > Colon and Rectal Cancer Blog > Linda's Cancer Blog

Vital Info

Name:
Linda (laylaj)

Member Since:
January 2, 2012

Birthday:
August 30, 1961

Cancer Info

Type of Cancer:
Colon and Rectal Cancer

Medical Term for the Type of Cancer:
Stage IV Colon Cancer, Met to liver

Diagnosis Date:
November 12, 2011

Stage of Cancer:
Stage 4

Tumor Size:
06

Grade of Tumor:
Grade 3

Lymph Node Involvement:
Yes

Surgery:
Colorectal Surgery, Lymph Node Removal

Chemotherapy:
Fluorouracil (5-FU)

What I Have Learned From Cancer:
More faith in God

Things My Supporters Can Do To Help:
Pray, check in on me

Cancer Drugs Positives & Negatives:
Positives-they help me get better Negatives-side effects

Metastasized? Where?:
Liver

Gift Friends or Family Could Give You:
Financial

Cancer Center:
Rochester Methodist Hospital (part of Mayo)

Tips for others on how to deal with the physical side effects of chemo/cancer:
This too shall pass

Tips for others on how to deal with the mental struggles of chemo/cancer:
The mind can help overcome some of the physical problems

Colon and Rectal Cancer Symptoms:

Obstruction of bowels, extreme pain-fading in and out

Stats

Posts: 5

Photos: 2

Events: 0

My Supporters: 15

I Support: 20

Comments: 69

Linda's Cancer Blog

Tired Tired Tired

Thought I’d have so much energy when I woke up, only to find myself going back to sleepyland about an hour after my first cup of coffee. Still have that horrible “anti-cold”reaction, as well as the neuropathy. Thank God the nausea is not as bad, and no fever. If I could, however, I would just sleep all day (don’t think THAT is going to happen, but it’s a nice thought)....Everyone have a wonderful day (sun’s out—that in itself makes me feel better right away!)

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 9:23:44 AM by Linda (Tired Tired Tired, 6 comments, 331 views)

Ron would always tell everyone to “Have a Sunny Day”, even if the Sun was not Shining. I always tried to give Ron that “Sunshine” in his life. Find ways to put a “Smile” on your face and that will give you “Sunshine” even on those Cloudy Winter Days!
Have a Sunny Day Linda and May all Your Dreams Come True(Ron would always say that too)....Really do Miss My Special Guardian Angel Soulmate, but I know Ron is watching over me as I find My Life again.
Love, Hugs, Smiles and Blessings,
Sara

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 9:43:51 AM by Ron Siemientkowski

Well, you are taking care of business down here for him, because I have a big smile on my face now! HUGE hugs to you, and prayers for all of us who miss those who have gone before us…

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 12:19:35 PM by Linda

Don’t push yourself, listen to your body. If you are tired, take a nap, nothing wrong with that!

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 10:02:17 AM by Private User

Thanks Mersea, I think I just may do that. Hugs,

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 12:18:12 PM by Linda

I spent entire days in bed during chemo-the fatigue is one of the hardest parts! I did read recently about Adderall (an ADHD drug) being used short-term to address fatigue. I would have definitely asked for that if I’d known about it at the time. Hang in there! Ann

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 10:23:16 AM by Ann

Ann, might have to check that out! At the moment, I cannot work (as my physicians tell me) and I’m waiting on social security. Doing anything (like cleaning the kitchen thoroughly) wears me down, so I guess I need to listen to my body and my friends…...

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 12:41:37 PM by Linda

It must be a tired day! I am so exhausted it is taking all I can to push through this day! Now I am heading to the dentist. Maybe I will fall asleep in the chair and it will go by faster!

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 10:58:48 AM by Private User

I can remember falling asleep in the chemo chair for a couple of hours while they were putting a couple of other meds in me (before I went home with the bag—and I’m not talking about my hubby! :) ) The time did go by fast, so maybe I could just sack out “for a few”...and go from there. The fatigue has got to be by far the most aggravating symptom (because I know I will have it, and badly!) I have the other symptoms but not to the extent of the tiredness. On a positive note, 38 degrees and sunny in Southern Minnesota! :)

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 12:23:06 PM by Linda

I can understand tired. One year post chemo and I still find myself tired often. But, kickin’ it’s ass! So do the same girl!

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 7:40:42 PM by Melissa

:) Working on it for you! :)

Posted on January 31, 2012 at 10:13:08 AM by Linda

What is the anti-cold reaction?

I hope you’re feeling better today, Linda. If you’re sleepy, just sleep right now.

Posted on February 2, 2012 at 6:49:36 AM by 1 Very Palpable Hit

When I drink anything cold, it feels like I’m swallowing glass…and I can feel the cold all the way up my ears if I’m drinking or eating anything cold….horrible

Posted on February 2, 2012 at 9:17:59 AM by Linda

Feel Better Today

Yesterday was not the best day for me; feeling nauseous, along with the tingling in my fingers. Besides not being able to handle the cold, feeling SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO tired has really got me down. I take a nap, get up, and then within a short amount of time I have to go back to bed…grrr…....

Not much I can do but just deal with it. Could be far worse, so I should be thankful I have just the symptoms I do…! (except I really enjoy a nice cold glass water!)

Have a blessed day,

Posted on January 29, 2012 at 6:51:20 AM by Linda (Feel Better Today, 9 comments, 531 views)

Ron Siemientkowski sent you a prayer.

Mersea, Ron Siemientkowski sent you a hug.

Hi Sweetie,i’m sorry you feel so crappy today…i totally understand about being cold all the time i’m not even doing treatment yet and i freeze they say its because i’ve lossed 33%of my bodys weight…ur in my thoughts an prayers …Hugs

Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:08:32 AM by Serenity

Thanks hun..how much weight have you lost? Considering I lost quite a bit, the whip comes out (eat! eat! my husband says…) Well, it’s not that easy, but I do my best. Hopefully you can too. When does your treatment start? thank you so much for the kind words and prayers (they mean a lot!)

Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:14:29 AM by Linda

sweetie, be sure to let your doc know of every symptom you are having because they will presribe you things to help. I am on 3 different nausea meds. The last one they gave me is a patch that I put on the day before chemo and leave on for 7 days. It realllllllllllllllly helps with the nausea. as for the tingling in hands from cold, where oven mits to touch anything cold. that will subside eventually. You might develop neuropathy in hands and feet. The first time I went through chemo I got it bad the last treatment and it never went way in my feet but it did my hands because I use them more. The heating pad has become my best friend and I try to rub my feet to stimulate the nerves.
hugs and prayers,
amy

Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:46:43 AM by Amy

Amy
Thank you so much for that info! Right now I just have the compozine and I feel like an idiot asking for anymore because (except for the extreme weight loss) I “look great”.....and it’s strange about the neuropathy; I feel tingling on my lips, feet, hands….Will definitely try the oven mitts though. Bless you and have a wonderful day!

Posted on January 29, 2012 at 12:35:52 PM by Linda

Look Up CIPN and see if anything helps. It’s Chemo Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and just posed about it, because many have it from chemo. It can occur in a few days, weeks or years aafter exposure depending on type, amount, and duration of chemo, and other co-contributers. All the best.

Posted on January 29, 2012 at 1:58:44 PM by Paul

Thanks so much, Paul. I was actually reading the post when I saw my new notification. I will definitely do more checking. Can’t say I’ve really dealt with anything similar before (except for when my fingers or legs fell asleep, and then I had the pins and needles feeling). Hugs and thank you!

Posted on January 29, 2012 at 2:06:57 PM by Linda

Dear Linda,
If you feel up to eating….My Pot Roast Therapy will put weight and strength back on you. Try beef, chicken, turkey or pork with potatoes and carrots. Have as often as you can, I was able to put 50 pounds back on Ron in 30 days after the Cancer took the 50 pounds from him the month prior.
With Cancer, especially Colon Cancer, the Cancer Cells rob the body of viable nutrients especially Protein.
Also, always try to remain positive and Happy and find ways to make you Laugh.
I wish you well. Sending you Healing Hugs.
Hugs and Blessings,
Sara

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 9:17:14 AM by Ron Siemientkowski

Sara, thank you so much for that! I’ve been trying to find the good in the day rather than the bad, and you are right-it could be so much worse. Thank you, wonderful lady, for your support. Blessings to you and your Angel Ron in Heaven.

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 9:28:34 AM by Linda

Glad you’re feeling better today, Linda. Chemo is just so tough on us, I got incredibly sick the first few rounds. Only got better once the trial and error of finding the best meds was complete. Watch out for the dehydration if you start to have vomiting or diarrhea…that’s what can really make you ER-quality sick. You can usually go into the infusion center to get IV fluids if needed, something I wish I’d known in advance. Sending strength and energy your way-Ann
PS If you click on “Reply to _” on a comment, then the person you are replying to gets an email and knows to come look. Took me ages to figure that out!

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 10:03:20 AM by Ann

Thanks Ann….NOW I see that. Wow…didn’t think I’d be getting “chemo brain” for awhile yet! Hugs!

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 1:02:11 PM by Linda

And one other thought about the neuropathy-where I was treated, everyone was told to take glutamine powder on a daily basis to combat this side effect. You might ask your doc about this if the neuropathy worsens-unfortunately, it is one of those things that can stick around for long after the treatment is over.

Posted on January 30, 2012 at 10:05:40 AM by Ann