Hi.
I just posted this in the Newcomer forum but I don't see it there.
Get checked out ASAP as I think it helped the result I've just been notified of. It might duplicate but I'd hate to have to retype.
My living with rectal cancer journey began last July 2024 following a colonoscopy.
The prognosis was positive in that the tumour near anus end could be removed and a stoma fitted after radio/chemo therapy to shrink the tumour to an operable size.
At age 78 and approaching 79 the operation and living with a stoma was something that did occupy my mind but I tried to set that eventuality aside as I undertook treatment from Nov 24 through to Feb 2025.
I just got good news on Friday after a series of checks and scans that there was no evidence of cancer in the treated area or bladder or any other spread.
I'm still not out of the woods totally because the original scans in July Aug 2024 identified what could be a cyst attached to my bladder, but I'll deal with that the same way I dealt with living with rectal cancer.
That involves quite a bit of spiritually as well as practical observations that would best be served on an individual blog that I intend to set up.
I was told from the outset by many who knew me that my positive attitude and spirit would help me on my journey and I think it has played a part.
We all have our own experiences and what helped me is not necessarily going to help others, but I think that it is in sharing we stand a better chance of coming to terms with a greater reality that exists outside each of our many minds and I hope folk will indulge me as I let my experience unfold on a blog I have yet to create from my thinking to make it real.
There are many resources that helped me take the spiritual path and one I will draw on is from a Book called The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran a Lebanese Christian.
When asked about Pain by a woman as he travelled on his journey the prophet replied
"Pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding"
To me all of us here are on that painful journey which can change our understanding of life whatever our life experience so far.
I hope my experience of being loved might help others cope as well as it did me as they face a fear filled future
