I have never been ill in 62 years. I had a pain similar to appendicitus but the other side in Sept. After dealing with primary care doc and weeks of tests, he finally sent me to a surgeon for a colonoscopy. By this time (month later), I was in so much pain, I didn't care what they did! After the colonoscopy, the surgeon said my pain was from a blockage but he also found 2 spots of cancer below the blockage. I was scheduled for surgery 3 days later. What was to be 3-4 hrs lasted 9 hrs and he removed 13 inches of colon,rerouted a uriter,gave me a hystorectomy and removed my spleen...oh yeh- a "temporary" colostomy. This all left me with a 32 inch incision. After a week's hospital stay, a "quick" lesson on colostomy care, I was released with a Rx for a wound vac machine and home health 3X a week. Our insurance plan "could not find" a wound vac company in network so I had to fight for my care. After 2 months of rest and powerful prayer warriors, my surgeon was overwhelmed with how quickly I healed and recommended me to cancer care for chemo. This doctor prescribed 12 treatments (every other week) of a cocktail of 3 drugs given IV (4 hours each time and wear an IV pump for 48 hrs). I have been truely lucky that my only side effect is being very tired the day of treatment and a tingling at the tip of my tongue. Next week will be my last treatment then I get PET scan to determine if anything additional is needed. I am confident that we have beat this. Now I am just looking forward to getting my intestines rejoined in October. The colostomy bag has been my biggest challenge- always worry about a smell. Prayers for all of you dealing with the disease and treatment. Stay strong!View Thread