Biography

I am a twenty year old girl who was recently diagnosed with rectal cancer. I watched my mom die from rectal cancer at age 38, by the time she was diagnosed she had been through three years of symptoms and it was metastasized to her liver. She bravely tried treatments including chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple colon surgeries eventually ending with a full colostomy. She died ten days before my thirteenth birthday. I thought I would be fighting this one day when I was older and had more resources, I thought I would be more prepared.

Cancer Symptoms

rectal bleeding, bloody stool, constipation for DAYS…

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects

Port Placement – September 4,2008/Tumor removal & colon resection, iliestomy, and a hysterectomy – December 5th, 2008

Radiation Description, Dates & Side Effects

Radiation for me became a time of meditation and a time to just lay back and picture my cancer cells being burned to a crisp (along with my bladder, vagina, uterus, ovaries, and anything else in there)...sometimes I cried during treatment and sometimes I just pretended it wasn’t really me…I had the best team and although I hope to never have to deal with this treatment again I know where I will go without a doubt – Wellspring Oncology in St.Petersburg Florida. I had six weeks of daily (mon-fri) treatments starting Sept 8, 2008 and ending Oct.20, 2008. I had pretty bad “burns” all over my vaginal and rectal areas, pain in my butt (haha), and my bladder was affected (frequency, burning)...I still have no confirmation of the extent of damage to my womanly organs but will in a few weeks…

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

I had a port put in (after 4 tries which left me with considerable chest bruising, pain, and extra scars) and it it was accessed 4 days after insertion to begin my first chemo treatment. Pure 5FU. I did not lose my hair or get any mouth sores. I did feel like shit every day, I did lose my appetite completely, I did have stomachaches all the time, hot flashes, headaches, & extreme diarrhea or extreme constipation. Sept 8 – Oct 10 2008

Chemo #2 – Folfox (5FU/Oxalipatin) Feb 2 – March 3

Chemo #3 – unknown…beginning march 16

Comments:

Hey Audrey,

I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008 when I was 22 years old… my symptoms began when I was 17. Like you I also have a very strong family history. It wasn’t until after my diagnosis that I was diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes an increased risk of cancer, especially colon and uterine cancer. If you haven’t already you should ask your doctor about it. For me, the procedures that the doctors wanted to do completely changed when they found out I had Lynch Syndrome.

Be strong! It does get better. I know that having cancer so young makes it harder. If you ever need anyone to talk to, let me know. Sometimes it is nice to have someone your own age to talk to that has been through something similar. I wish I had known someone I could talk to, it would have been easier, at least for me.

Prayers and support,
Reagan

Posted on March 17, 2010 at 10:02:46 AM by reaganmeredith

You have not posted forever and ever….. I hope this means you are well and don’t need us anymore. Let us know how you are doing, we miss you.

Posted on September 14, 2009 at 9:16:16 AM by angelwthwingz

Audrey,
I have not heard from you in a very long time. I think about you, wonder about you and how you are doing. Did they reverse the colostomy. Are you on your way to great health.

Please drop us a line and let us know as you are being thought of today and every day.

Kim

Posted on August 26, 2009 at 2:58:55 PM by bo1516

Hi Audrey!

Just checking in to see how you were doing. I have been thinking about you. Hope you are well. Post when you get a chance.

Monica

Posted on April 6, 2009 at 11:19:32 PM by monica1967