Bowel Cancer

[kevjed]

After 5-6 weeks of pain and loose movements I've just spent 2 days in different hospitals with my lovely Monique who is 28 weeks pregnant with our second child.
After an endoscope and an MRI we find out that Monique has bowel cancer. They can't start treating it or remove the bowel until the baby is is born. Now its up to the Drs to monitor it all as we wait another 3-5 weeks for the baby to mature before we can induce labour/C section and then start treatment for the cancer. We move to another hospital today and I'm +ve the team that has been assembled will do the best they can for both baby and Monique.
Life sucks some times and I know you just have to suck it up and get on with it but boy...
I consider myself lucky to have a second chance at life and happiness, my first wife died just over 7 years ago and I still miss her, I always will.
I have been blessed with another lovely partner and have the most wonderful little girl.
then this...
go figure.

Now...that ramble is over....
Lets get on with all that needs to be done. I've been through worse and we'll get through all of this. (I'm off to cut some more saw teeth, shed time is needed just now)
take care
Kevin

[Groggy]

Kev, I really hope this goes away with treatment and the birth is all normal. Best wishes.

[Chesand]

There does not seem to be any justice sometimes.
Hope all goes well

[Ozkaban]

Holy heck, what a kick in the guts. Life really does throw you some challenges that teach you not to sweat the small stuff.

Sincerely wish you the best and hope that all goes well for your wife. The one thing to take comfort from is that modern medicine is truly amazing and many people survive things today that they wouldn't have not that long ago. Fingers crossed for all of you.

Regards,
Dave

[rsser]

Oh wow. Just what you don't need Kev.

But bowel cancer has one of the best recovery rates of all the cancers you may be pleased to know.

All the best. It's bl**dy hard having to stand by and only offer support but I'm sure it'll be valued.

[jmk89]

Wow That really is a tough one. I am sure that everyone who is actively involved in the Forums will be thinking of Monique, the baby and you and seeking favourable interference from their god for all of you.

Otherwise :wts:

[Waldo]

Holly :censored2: My heartfelt sympathies for your wife, yourself and your growing family.

:console:

[m2c1Iw]

Kev,
I'm trying to think of something inspirational to say but to no avail and anyway you have been there before.

Please know though that my thoughts are with you and Monique at this time.

and you take care

Mike

[dai sensei]

So sorry to hear, but there is a long way to go with every opportunity for a healthy child and wife after treatment.

Keep the head high and be positive, good things can still happen.

All the best

[artme]

Kev, its' not an enviable position for your family to be in. I really hope and pray that everything works out well for you all.:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

[kevjed]

Thanks for all your kind and +ve thoughts folks.
Monique is hospitalised now until she will be induced in 4-6 weeks. The aim is for a natural birth and a series of hormone injections to speed along the maturity of the baby. So aiming to get to 34 weeks if all goes well.
I have no idea how single parents do it all on your own. Hat off to all the single parents out there.
We have a great team assembled so...one step at a time.
I'll update in 2-3weeks.
Thanks again for the chance to rant a little.
One day at a time
Kevin

[tea lady]

:C All I can do is offer my heart felt support. All the best to your family.

[BobL]

Kev, my heart goes out to you and your family. I hope it all works out.
All the best.
Bob

[Ironwood]

I'm sorry to hear this news Kev.
I wish all the best to Monique, yourself, and the rest of your family.

As a cancer sufferer myself, I can remember the feelings when I was given the news, it was one the the lowest points in my life.
With support from you and family, will help her through it.

Keep the chin up mate, there will be some trying times ahead.
Best of luck with it all.

[kevjed]

Update time.
Pain is under control:2tsup:
On Monday we have the C section (@ 30 weeks) and get our new baby:2tsup:
We will be premiture but they have a team ready for that.
2 weeks for Monique to recover and then we start the Radio and Chemo.
Surgon say 50/50 others say 90/10 +ve.
Truth is its all just educated guess work. We will do what we need to do and stay as +ve as we can.
I'm dead tired running around trying to give my 3yo little girl some sort of "normal' life while trying to juggle being at hospital to support and act as the keeper of the door so Monique gets some rest from visitors.

I've a few things to sort for work then I'm taking the next 6 months off.

Instant Mr Mum:)
Thanks for the chance to rant and for the +ve vibes.
Kevin

[Ironwood]

G'day Kev,

I hope it all goes well for you and Monique, and the new Bub,

Best of luck mate, Ironwood.

[DJ’s Timber]

All the best for you and your family Kev, hope all goes well :H

[rsser]

Taking 6 months' break from work sounds really sensible to me.

A fella has just so much energy to spread around.

[Ozkaban]

Thinking of you guys a lot, actually (despite the fact we've never met :rolleyes:). I have a 5 yo and a 3 yo, with my wife at about 25 weeks pregnant (15 weeks to go!). Placing myself in your situation is all to easy, so I really feel for you and hope it goes well.

Cancer is rough, but fingers crossed for you. I watched my mum go through a different cancer, which she beat. Medicine can be amazing:).

Cheers,
Dave

[Ironwood]

............. Medicine can be amazing:).




You are right on there. The things they can do for you now, just were'nt posibble a few years back. It's getting better all the time.

Hopefully one day soon they'll be able to beat cancer easily.

[artme]

6 months off work is an emminently sensible idea. You and the family have more to worry about than work.

Hope all goes well for the new rrival on Monday and for the treatment sessions thereafter.

Keep positive mate..:2tsup:

[beer is good]

G'day Kevin,
Very sorry to hear about the diagnosis and best wishes for Monique and the baby. I had surgery for bowel cancer 4 years ago and I am doing OK. Mine was an early diagnosis and didn't have chemo or radiotherapy but I can imagine what is going through your minds.

I'm no doctor but I am more than willing to discuss what's involved.

Best wishes.
Peter

[tea lady]

Six months off does sound like a good plan. All the best for Monday. And for after that. :)

If you are anywhere within cooee of Belgrave and need a babysitter, give me a hoy! :)

[kevjed]

http://www.woodworkforums.com/f68/boy-116329/

Monique and Oskar are doing well.
Now we rest up and get strong for the next battle.
All the best
Kevin

[Waldo]

Excellent. :2tsup:

I'm guessing Oskar is in ICU in the nicu (sp?) ward? It's hard, but he'll come out okay - been there twice myself with my two kids (my girl was 3 months, my boy 10 weeks). But, with support you'll pull through so you can concentrate both on the your son and wife.

All the best. :2tsup:

[tea lady]

:2tsup:

[kevjed]

Thanks Folks.
Right on the money Waldo. They do amazing things for very little ones in the ICU unit.
I still haven't held him but Monique got to change his nappy today and my Little girl, Sienna, has held his hand for about 20 mins.
I'm hoping I'll get to hold him for a few mins in the next few days.
What ever it takes I guess.
Thanks again
it helps to know other people have come through the same or worse.
All the best
kevin

[artme]

It's amazing! Little Oskar will know already he is loved and wanted. He will respond to that.

All the best to the four of you!!

[justinmcf]

hello kevin.

i wish you and your family all the best during this tough time.

keep your chin up mate. medicine is amazing these days.

best regards, justin.

[Clinton1]

Good on you Kev... keep it up, your priorities are on the money.

Best wishes, and let your lovely lady know that there are a heap of people cheering her on.

[kevjed]

Today Monique has had the 1st of 30 chemo and radio therapy sessions. She's sleeping now and I guess thats a good thing. Little baby Oskar is doing well and will be in special care for another 4-7 weeks, time will tell.
Thanks for the support and chance to vent. I hope that I can get some rest too in the next few weeks.
Take care
Kevin

[rsser]

It's an uncertain road Kevin. But prem recovery rates are good these days as are those from breast cancer.

We'll light a candle for Monique and Oskar.

[Waldo]

G'day kevJed,

Having your son in ICU is traumatic enough, but with the complications of your wife also it's going to be hard on everyone.

Hang in there and with the support of family you will all get out. Venting in here is a great way to overcome the stress, one of my threads a few ago was for the very same thing when my little girl was in there and followed by my son 2 years later - without the health concerns of what you are going through.

:console:

[munruben]

We are all thinking of you and praying for everything to turn out for the best. Keep in there mate. :2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

[jerryc]

G'day Kevjed,
Just want to say how sorry I am to hear how rough a time you have been having. I know everyone, including me tells you to stay positive but it's easier said than done. However experts are not always right and it is possible Monique will come through OK
I have only a little knowledge of the stress you are going through. I have two daughters who both have a son with cystic firbrosis. Both were told by experts that the babies would not live further than their early teens. One is now 21 and the other 17. Experts can be wrong.
Hope things go well for you and your family

Jerry

[K_S]

Today Monique has had the 1st of 30 chemo and radio therapy sessions. She's sleeping now and I guess thats a good thing. Little baby Oskar is doing well and will be in special care for another 4-7 weeks, time will tell.
Thanks for the support and chance to vent. I hope that I can get some rest too in the next few weeks.
Take care
Kevin

Mate, all the very best to three 3 of you. You stay in touch so we can show you moral support - if not much else.

[kevjed]

3 weeks into treatment and all seems fine after an unkown source of infection resulted in a weekend as an inpatient for IV antibiotics. Pain managment is under control and when there is no pain things just seem to be better. Monique needs a Nana nap most afternoons but that's fine if it helps.
Our little boy, Oskar, is now 5 weeks old and is still doing very well. We should have him home in two to three weeks if all keeps going well. This will tie in with Monique finishing the first six week round of chemo and radiotherapy.
Spirits are high all round for now as we remain +ve.
Thanks for the kind words and offers of support.
All the best
Kevin

[Ironwood]

Good to hear that news Kev, I'm glad things are going well .

[Ozkaban]

that all sounds like good news. I hope she is well enough to enjoy a 5 week old, and not just be run down by the extra work - a tall enough hope for any parent, let alone one going through chemo. Fingers crossed for all of you.

Cheers,
Dave

[artme]

:2tsup::)

[rsser]

Good news Kev.

You'll have a wonderful time when both are home together.

Another candle lit for you all.

[kevjed]

Six weeks of Chemo and Radiotherapy has taken its toll. It will get better.One day at a time.
Our little boy is at home now so that is a +ve for us all.
I'm not sure about the 4 hourly feeds...I don't know how mothers do it because this dad needs a few more hours sleep.....we'll giggle about it one day.
All the best Kevin

[rsser]

You end up learning how to feed and change nappies on auto-pilot; but eventually forget what it was like, mostly.

Best wishes to you all.

[specialist]

It's a terrible thing to have to go through, I really feel for you. Hang in there and take it one day at a time.

Robert

[Foo]

I hope that your news keeps getting better for your family.

Plenty of time for sleep when you're old and gray.:)

[kevjed]

Thanks for all the support folks.
Monique was under the knife for a little over 8 hours yesterday and all seems to be well. The Doctors say it all went to plan.
"It was a bloody big tumor and it was bloody hard work to remove it. I'm bloody pleased that it all come together."
That said, "no visible tumor remains", translates to let the next round of chemo clean up the rest.
She will be in intensive care for another day or two until they get the pain managment under control and be on the look out for infection.
I'm glad this phase is over and look forward to having my girl back.
Thanks again
All the best
Kevin

[KevM]

Great news regarding Monique's op.

How's the little fellow?

[Ozkaban]

That's all as good news as you could hope for. Fingers crossed for your whole family.

Cheers,
Dave

[beer is good]

G'day Kev,
Good news about Monique and I hope she has a speedy recovery. I had part of my large bowel removed 4 years ago due to cancer. My op was 4 hours so Monique is an absolute champion at 8 hours. I am on the other side of the country so there is not much I can do apart from sending my best wishes to the three of you.

The disruption to your normal routine can be overwhelming and unsettling, but there is light at the end of the tunnel, and Monique is now going to improve a little every day.

I'm sure that forumites in your area would be more than willing to help in any way they can or just offer moral support.

Sincere best wishes.
Peter

[derekcohen]

Hi Kev

That sounds very positive indeed.

One step at a time.

Best wishes from Perth

Derek

[rsser]

Hey Kev,

Yeah, whatever it takes.

Best wishes.

[artme]

Sounding good so far Kev.

Let's pray that the chemo works real magic!!!

[specialist]

I'm glad that they seem to have gotten it all, there is nothing worse that than having them go in again for more. The journey is long, but now there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel medically speaking. Hang in there, I'm thinking of you all.

Robert.

[kevjed]

Well Monique has been home for a week now and is now both pain and drug free:2tsup:
Her energy levels are still very low but things have gone even better than expected. The pathology came back from all that was removed and no cancer remains. The margins are all clear. We still have another 4 months of chemo to go through...to be sure to be sure.
We still face about a 1 in 10 chance of it coming back in the next 5 years but that is so much better than the odds we had before this.
One day at a time.
Thanks again
Kevin

[rsser]

Good news Kev and thanks for the update.

In time when her energy levels are returning to normal, recommend some regular exercise. There's good evidence for the link with continued remission.

[specialist]

That's fantastic. That chemo really sucks the energy it seems, but if there's light at the end of the tunnel, it can be lived with, and from the people that I've seen and spoken to, it generally comes back over time.

Hang in there, we're thinking of you and your family.

Robert

[Foo]

That's good and I pray it stays that way for you both!:)

[artme]

:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

[kevjed]

Well, two weeks ago we started the adjunct chemo. This tied in to also changing specialist so we could do the chemo a little closer to home.
First session went well but we had another CT to act as a basline when starting the next phase of treatment.
Not good news I'm afraid. We now have metastatic colorectal cancer. Spread to the liver and the PET scan the other day also indicates two lymph nodes right next to the aorta are stuffed.
At this stage it is considerd too dangerous/risky to operate.
I'm shattered.
I'm not giving up.
One day at a time.
We'll find a way to get through it.
Thanks for your kind thought and prayers.
I need to be strong for my young children.
Kevin

[Ozkaban]

Well, two weeks ago we started the adjunct chemo. This tied in to also changing specialist so we could do the chemo a little closer to home.
First session went well but we had another CT to act as a basline when starting the next phase of treatment.
Not good news I'm afraid. We now have metastatic colorectal cancer. Spread to the liver and the PET scan the other day also indicates two lymph nodes right next to the aorta are stuffed.
At this stage it is considerd too dangerous/risky to operate.
I'm shattered.
I'm not giving up.
One day at a time.
We'll find a way to get through it.
Thanks for your kind thought and prayers.
I need to be strong for my young children.
Kevin

I'm no medico, but judging by the tone of your post, this is quite bad news. I sincerely hope that despite the setbacks all turns out ok and that all responds to the chemo well.

Cheers,
Dave

[Groggy]

Kevin, I hope you find the strength to get you through this, my best wishes are with you all.

[derekcohen]

Kev, thinking of all of you.

My best wishes

Derek

[jmk89]

Kev

You have all my thoughts and prayers. I lost my Dad to bowel cancer and my MUm has just had an op to remove a big bowel lump and is going through chemo right now.

So we can support each other. OK

[Ironwood]

Kev, I am sorry to hear this latest news.
I will be thinking of you and Monique,
All the best Mate, I really hope things go well for you.

[rsser]

I'm sorry more than I can say to hear your news Kev.

It seems so unfair.

[BobL]

Kev, we're very sorry to here this.
But like you said hang in there, people have come back from this.
All the best.
Bob

[kevjed]

Thanks Folks.
Every day is a new day with new hope and advances in treatment and understanding.

[artme]

Kev, This is a real blow.

I am thinking of you and yours. Chin up mate, miracles do happen.

[beer is good]

Hi Kev,
I am very sorry to hear that things have taken a turn for the worse. Try to be positive and I hope that you can get some comfort from the thoughts and prayers of family and friends.

Peter

[Foo]

Sad to hear this, keep fighting though!

[specialist]

That's really bad, just hang in there and be strong. All that we can hope is that they can find a cure.

Thinking of you and your family.

Robert

[kevjed]

After being told that Monique had between 6 months to 2 years left, being told that they will not operate and feeling horrid for the last few months we now have had some good news.
The heavy duty chemo has done some wonderful things. The two golf ball sized tumors in the liver and now 4-6mm. Lymph nodes that caused the major concern re a surgical solution have reduced to 3mm.
This is all wonderful news.
The stoma will be reversed in the middle of Jan and we will have a break from chemo over the next 6 weeks to allow this to happen.
We return to full on chemo at the end of Jan but the break is needed.
Thanks for all the +ve thoughts and prayers.
All the best
Kevin

[ian]

Kevin

my very best wishes to you, Monique, Oskar and Sienna
Enjoy this time of year

my prayers are with you all

[Foo]

That is a very good piece of news Kevin.:2tsup:

I do hope that you and Monique and family have a wonderful Christmas as well as a good future together. :)

[rsser]

:2tsup: :D

[kman-oz]

Kev, mate, better news at Christmas I cannot conceive.

Here's to a wonderful new year!

Dave.

[Ironwood]

Great news Kev :2tsup::2tsup:

[Wombat200]

Hey Kev ;)

Beers before Chrissy with the families?

Rob.

[Allan at Wallan]

Let's hope that 2011 brings even better news to
you and your family. You both deserve a break.

Please keep us informed.

Allan

[munruben]

Great to hear the news.. Hope 2011 turns out to be a fantastic year for you and your family.

[Ricardito]

Personally never met you but I have long been associated with all things cancer so for anyone battling this dreadful disease and its make through wish you all the best for 2011

[kevjed]

Thanks for the support gang.
Those of you that have been touched by the big C will know how some people can have some interesting side effects to the chemo. Depression can take hold and things go funny for a bit.
Well, we had a little bout of that post Christmas but things seem to be back on track again now.
Monique had another op a week ago and everything is going well. She had her stoma reversed and is now fully plumbed up again. I never thought anyone would be so happy to be able to fart and do normal poos again.
Only down side of this latest op is....she can't lift more than a few kg. So I get to be at the beck and call of both kids and Monique for the next few weeks, so nothing changes I guess.
I return to part time work at the start of Feb so I hope things settle by then.
I hope to get some time to build my shed this year and get most of the tools out of storage.
Thanks again
Kevin

[KevM]

Kevin, That's great news.

Stay strong!!

[Groggy]

:whs: I hope things continue to improve.

[rsser]

Same here Kev.

Just a by-the-way and it's clearly too early to apply this but there's some good research that shows that women who exercise regularly are less likely to get a recurrence of cancer.

[kman-oz]

....she can't lift more than a few kg. So I get to be at the beck and call of both kids and Monique for the next few weeks

At least you have one little helper/gofa'. :) I remember Jen being laid up for two months while she was pregnant (which was not the cause of her bed-ridden state), that was no fun either. And again when Liana was born I even had to carry her to/from the toilet/shower. I feel for you Kev.

Good luck to you all, and especially for the shed, God knows you need it. :D

[kevjed]

Thanks guys.
Ern, we are hoping that Monique will have the energy to exercise soon. At the moment she is spending several hours in bed asleep each day.
She still has cancer in the liver and lymph nodes along the spine and aorta. We had some good results before Christmas but we start back on chemo again in a few weeks. The drugs may have given us more time but time will tell.
Kevin

[Foo]

I do hope all goes well for the future Kevin!:fingerscrossed:

[specialist]

Well that is good news, it's nice to have something go right. The chemo really seems to knock the body around, it's been amost six months since my wife's las chemo and she is still sleeping for at least an hour a day. The seven weeks of radio theropy took it out of her as well. Still where there is life, there's hope and here's hoping.

Hang in there.

Robert

[ian]

My very best wishes to you, Monique and the kids, Kevin.
May 2011 bring you a well and happy wife and a SHED for you and the kids to play in

[artme]

How are things going Kev?? Trust Monique continues to improve.

All the best to you and the family!!:)

[kevjed]

Hi Folks,
thanks again for the continued support and good wishes.
After some great results late last year we have had another set back, as to be expected I guess.
Monique's struggle continues to be challanging and I am so proud of her and the way she takes things one step at a time. New tumors have invaded other organs now so the desease is progressing...
Today we started an other new chemo treatment and hope that this helps slow the progress.
One day at a time and one step at a time.
I am so proud of my lovely lady and the strength she is showing doing it with style and grace. I only wish I can do more to help.
I have returned to work this year and it has been great for me to try to ...get on with things...
Our time is limited but we will tryto make the most of it all.
Take care and be happy folks
Kevin

[specialist]

That's not good news, still, it seems that you both have positive attitude. That in itself seems to combat cancer to a degree. It's good that you have returned to work, something to keep your mind occupied, it's not easy to see the state that your loved one is in and have to go away, but it will give you a break and help you feel better in yourself. I hope you have an understanding employer who is empathetic to your situation, given the probability of time off for treatments and appointments.

Mine has been fantastic, all the time that I needed over the last year which was counted in numbers of days due to the distances that we have to travel.

Please give our regards to Monique, we are thinking of you both.

Robert

[KevM]

Kevin, I'm struggling with words to express my thoughts, needless to say thinking of you both, stay strong through these trying times.

[munruben]

Sorry to hear of this latest development but stay strong and positive our prayers are with you.

[kman-oz]

Sitting reading your post three time I still don't know what to say. I've spent ten minutes getting this far.

You seem to be taking this all very well all things considered. Is Monique managing to stay as upbeat as you are? It's hard to imagine how you manage to be positive under the circumstances, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't. Well done!

Please give Monique our best.

[Ricardito]

Sorry to hear that Kev
I know what the struggle with cancer is and how you feel right now
I only hope your wife is coping the best she can and you never lose sight for a hope or optimism. My wife too was touching the edge of the abyss perhaps more she survived by a miracle let's hope that with your love and determination she can pull through.

[rsser]

Tough lady your missus.

Sorry if this sounds macabre but my SIL died of cancer while still quite young. It took a long time and she and I were able to say our goodbyes and talk about how much we meant to each other.

My brother dropped out of the sky while paragliding. One day he was here and the next gone. Part of me still thinks he's alive and for years I'd save something to tell him before realising that it wasn't going to happen.

People talk about closure. Well, yes; there are better and worse ends to a relationship. The grief never goes, it just abates over time.

[Foo]

Sorry to hear that Kevin.

While there is some sought of therapy, there is always hope though.

All the best to you both on the next round of treatment.

[artme]

Kevin, I really don,t know what to say.The news is not good but the best thing to do is sty positive and active.

I went through this when my first wife had a brain tumor. I have some appreciation of how you feel but that probably doen't make it any easier for you.

My thoughts are with you, as are those of so many others.

Cheers mate,
artme.