Ill in January, I bounced through a series of medical appointments which. thanks to one doc and two NP’s, bounced me to a colonoscopy. which found, yes, cancer. I was in surgery within two weeks, on chemo the week after that, and am glad to report I finished chemo in August, underwent a series of tests and scans, and they got it. A second colonoscopy finished up (the earlier problem precluded finishing the pass) and took care of several potential future problems.
So I can now report I’m cancer free, and getting back to work, after 8 brain-fog months in which I couldn’t write, and Jane was busy taking care of me, so she couldn’t write. Now I’m done with treatments, have some lingering issues (chemo can leave you little problems) one of which has been stiffness and pain in hands and feet, but I am onto therapy for that, clear-minded and ready to get back to work.
So I am glad to report both of us are getting back to normal. I had a close call and got away free. I do urge anybody who’s due for a colonoscopy to go see to that, or any other issue that you’ve been delaying for. As for safety in a hospital—with Covid and all—they’re careful. They’re a heckuva lot more careful than most places. And I’ve been spending 4-5 hours every two weeks there feeling safe in the process. Wishing you all the best. I don’t have cancer. Pluperfect—I have HAD cancer and am free of it, by the most delicate and precise scans available. So this has all come to a very good outcome. They’ll be tracking me every 3 months, now, and I’ll be fine.
I’ll also be back at writing. Books will be a little late. But books will happen.
I feel great sympathy for you CJ having gone through the same problem myself. I didn’t have chemo (Stage 1 only) and am now waiting on the lab tests from my 12-month follow-up colonoscopy and CT scan. I had some side effects from my latest colonoscopy which put me in hospital for 5 days and still have some ongoing things which need to be cleared up. Not cancer related but they showed up in hospital. This is NOT a good year.
Oh no! Glad you’re doing better.
I’m so sorry you had to go through that. Especially during these times. I also agree that hospitals of all places seem very safe. I had to go in several times for eye problems in July and really appreciated the effort everyone was collectively making to protect the vulnerable. That’s how society is supposed to work everywhere. Hopefully you and Jane can feel rested soon and start back into the things you enjoy.
I also bit the bullet and got a skin check. First ever. All good there. Also finally found a local GP after my move. One, possibly two more appointments before the end of the year to tick off a few more things. For me it was the news about Sharon Lee and later Chadwick Boseman that got me finally in a mental place to go ahead and see to things. It was time. And if it’s time for anyone else please make the appointments.
My VA PCP totally missed the enlarged lymph nodes in my neck that were lymphomas. I had them all through my body when they were finally picked up on mammogram, biopsied and diagnosed. So mammograms do more than just pick up breast cancer, gals.
I add my deep concern and joy at your new and better news! Hope you and Jane can now get some much needed additional rest, recovery and enjoy life! You are both so important to us. A very dear one to us, who fought for 8 years, taking every drug anyone would throw at him, train trips across the country too sick to fly … in hopes that science would help the next patients down the road. Some of what he tested as “THE test patient” is used today in cutting edge and precise treatments for colon cancer. Thank You BOB. And thank you Jane and CJ for the books and the joy you bring to our lives.
O freakin’ MG! That explains a lot of inaction online.
I had a colonoscopy myself one month ago. [Note to self: sleep is more important than eating! Next time get an afternoon appointment! They had me up at 2AM to finish my prep for a 9AM procedure. In retrospect, I should’ve traded more sleep for brunch.] I go every 5 years because my father died of colon cancer, and because of my diverticulosis it’s a TWO day prep. For the first time they found one small adenomatous polyp.
Prepare for a lot of liver scans. If there has been any metastisis, that’s what will catch it.
Been there and done that Paul.
That explains a great deal. Thank you Jane for taking care of CJ, and thank you both for taking care of each other. Now is the time for rest and recovery; the books will come when they come. One wishes for a continued bill of good health!
Something like this was the main reason I suggested marriage right after it became legal in Washington. As a spouse, Jane had no “legal impediments” to making decisions as necessary for CJ’s care. Otherwise, “it’s just the way we do things at this hospital” can and has become a major issue.
No wonder the silence. Missed you.
When you are ready, we’re here to read your stories.
Take care both of you.
Here I was pestering you two. I am so very sorry!
Dear C,J, as I mentioned in Facebook earlier, I have an aunt who is facing the big C for the third time. She’s going to go back to hospital again soon for some type of scan, but they are making some kind of special mask fir her first. I didn’t get much in details though. She’s been isolating most of this year, whereas I’ve still had to goto work, and of course I’ve had my own mother to care for. So we’ve kept our distance mostly, though we did see her briefly last week when I gave her a load of apple’s from our garden. I don’t doubt that the doctors have told you to rest as much as you can, even with an all clear it’s going to take time for your body to recuperate. Know that everyone here that reads your blog, or your posts in Facebook, are thinking positive energy towards you, and I’m sure that the religious amongst us are mentioning your name in their prayers. We all enjoy your books, they make the dance of life quite enjoyable, even in adversity. However, as much as we love your writing, we don’t want you pushing to early, and getting sick again. So relax a little, make notes, feed the fish, and the raccoon (should he drop in again), do a little star gazing when you can, let the writing tell you when it’s time to present itself. Most of all, you two take care of each other, if needs be, we’ll see you on the other side. 😉
Take care. We’re here for you.
I’m really glad you are feeling better CJ. Treatment can really knock you for a loop.
I had kidney cancer 20 years ago. They only found it because I was suffering from untreated Crohn’s Disease. After a bunch of tests they figured it out. I ended up having two major operations two weeks apart, one for Crohn’s and the other to take out a kidney.
It really took me two years to recover and I was 20 years younger then. Recovering in 8 months is really good.
The tests are annoying but not that bad if you have a day at home for the prep and a second day for the test but many people aren’t allowed to take two days off for their health.
Don’t push yourself too much CJ. I’m happy to wait a little longer for the next book if it helps CJ get better.
Thank you for the update, CJ. Thank you for caring for CJ, Jane.
I have no risk factors for colon cancer, except life, so I’ve so far avoided the invasive, stressful colonoscopy procedure. An alternative my doc thought was appropriate and more than just the blood test was—well, you crap in a box and mail it back to them.
I’m very happy you didn’t need surgery; I suppose that would have restricted you to semicolons. (Sorry.)
Nice that everyone here seems to be doing well. Be thankful you’re no longer a teacher, CJ! I’ve been hearing stories from them. Apparently, most districts decided to compromise and have hybrid courses the teachers have to teach in person and by video conference simultaneously. Sometimes all the kids come in, but just a day or two a week.
Best wishes, so glad to hear you are doing well.
It has been 17 years next month since my son James had his Bone Marrow Transplant. Ain’t medical science great?
Many many thanks to Jane
Oh, Dear. And Hurray! for cancer free!
(Had mammograms in August and September: all normal – again. And the quarterly follow-up with the chemo people is Wednesday – I did the bloodwork last week, so I’ll be getting the results. We’re well into the long-term treatment, which is an estrogen blocker.)
I’ve been avoiding colonoscopy, but the CT and PET scans three years ago showed nothing to worry about.
For those of you who are avoiding colonoscopy, don’t! It’s the “gold standard” for colon cancer. Yes, the prep isn’t fun, but it’s not as bad as you fear. Don’t tell me you’ve never had diarrhea; it’s similar but dfferent. It’s strictly short term. After a couple hours it quits! There’s nothing to fear from it, the fear comes to those who DON’T do it. Colon cancer, like Covid, doesn’t care what you want. Trust me, I do the regimen twice-over, and I still do it twice as often as the once a decade recommended for average folk. There’s not a thing an average person can say that would cause me to respond, “That’s OK then, you get a pass.”
Very best wishes CJ and Jane. Glad to hear you have pulled through. Keep well and recuperate. If 2020 cannot get you, the future is there to be celebrated.
That was a whirlwind of emotions – shock, dismay, celebration.
Please give yourself time to smell the roses or whatever is in bloom within the garden.
Yikes!
Doing happy dance at the great outcome–I never could dance, and now being oldish and overweight (shudder). Count yourselves lucky!
Let the stories come at their own pace, CJ, we can be patient if we have to. 🙂
In re: colonoscopy prep, if anyone hasn’t already read it, Google Dave Barry’s take on it–hysterical.
Most residual discomfort now is hands and feet—working on that with exercise. Typing is difficult–fingers super-sensitive, as if they’ve been sandpapered or burned. Or electric-shocked. All at once.
Neuropathy is *such* not-fun. It may take a while – but it will improve, slowly. My fingertips are a little tingly, but that’s not a problem. Left foot is better – it was numb for a while, but now it’s only like that in the evening. Putting your feet up helps.
Hands and feet are where the capillaries are. Chemo is not kind to small blood vessels. Massage with a nice smelling cream may help, if you can recruit a masseuse.
I know at least a couple of people here use DragonDictate, or something akin, to simply get the words down. Maybe use that for a rough draft, and type on corrections only, to relieve the strain on your poor fingers.
Kidskin gloves with lotion inside?
Did you lose the pounds you wanted gone? You ought to get something other than aggravation out of eight months of trials.