I just wanted to give a brief personal medical update and my related summer plans!
With the exception of my diagnosis summer (2012) when potentially curative chemo was given ASAP, I have always had the "goal" (when medically possible) to take summers off from treatment. Even though I am terminally optimistic, I am also realistic… part of Stage IV life is thinking through the memories you are generating for your kids – memories they will have for the rest of their lives – whether I am successful in my immunotherapy project or not.
What memories do I want my kids to have of me whether I die in 2017 or 2037 or hopefully even later? I want them to know I fought my hardest to be here for them. I want them to know that I tried hard to make the world a better place than it would have been without me. Those are my most important memory goals on the big level but important family memories are also based on the more simple day-to-day level.
My CEA tumor marker blood test came back good this morning! This means a few things, all significant!
I can remain off FOLFIRI chemo until at least mid-August maximizing summer fun with the kids (although we would have had fun no matter what)!
I also had a melanoma 6-month checkup on Monday – all clear at the 1 1/2 year mark!
And for that opportunity I am very thankful. No matter what your situation, enjoy making some good memories the next couple of months. That is what summers are for.
Awesome for your good news and beautiful family. I hear you about creating positive memories, but also want to pose the opposite of as long as not pressuring yourself that every single moment has to be perfection. When I was diagnosed 31/2 years ago with an extremely rare aggressive sarcoma cancer one of my freak outs was not being able to 'be normal' around my then teenage kids and yell at them for leaving dirty dishes in the sink, stinky gym socks on the floor or worse, leaving the gas tank empty etc. without feeling incredibly guilty, like every moment as a cancer momma I had to be perfect with my kids. I do want to create positive memories, but I also let it go about those average parent moments and less than perfect wife moments, cancer makes me a better person, but not a saint.
wonderful news! Have an amazing summer!
Thanks Carolien, I hope you do too!
As you are a cancer researcher, I am sure you already know this. However, your audience may not. Contracting colon cancer at such a young age is rare. I know – I contracted it at age 18. If one does contract colon cancer at such a young age, it is imperative that he/she be tested for Lynch syndrome. I was adopted so I am unaware of any family history. Those having Lynch syndrome are also at risk for female cancers as well as various skin cancers. After getting tested, I had my 3 children tested. My daughter is positive for Lynch syndrome and we have begun monitoring her. She had her 1st colonoscopy recently at age 14 – everything came back negative. My thoughts are with you and your family as you continue your battle.
You make very good points that are good to reiterate for my reading audience. I was of course tested for Lynch Syndrome ( as well as a a follow-up whole genome sequencing of my entire germline genetic sequence) to look for any known hereditary cancer causing genes to watch for in my own kids. In my case, no known genetic direct drivers of early-onset CRC were found. That being said, empirically I got young age CRC at age 40 – so my 2 girls will have to start colonoscopies (or whatever equivalent technology is available at that time) when they are in their 20's.