The Recovery Road
When you are a cancer survivor, there are many milestones/anniversaries that are a reminder of how blessed you and your family are. Dennis was diagnosed with colon cancer a little over 1 ½ years ago. He completed his radiation treatment 15 months ago. His last chemotherapy treatment ended almost 8 months ago. Currently, we are coming up on the one year anniversary of his colon resection surgery. This first surgery took place on April 7, 2010. We received a call from the surgeon on April 12th (the day he came home from the hospital) letting us know the biopsies came back negative for cancer. Dennis has blood work done every three months which continues to show he remains cancer free. God is good!
While this is the good news we desired and continue to hope for, it doesn’t mean that everything has gone back to normal. The fact is, Dennis is still recovering. He is recovering from radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. There are side effects that linger from each of these. In some ways, recovery has been harder for us to deal with then treatment. During treatment we knew that Dennis would have side effects and feel weak and tired. When treatment ended, however, there was a mindset that life would move on as before and that Dennis would feel fine. This has not been the case.
To begin with, I think Dennis returned to work too soon. He was back at school just two weeks following his last chemotherapy treatment. He really needed more time to let his body recover before he began the day-to-day routine of work. That wasn’t possible though, so he pressed on. By Christmas, he was pretty exhausted. The two weeks off gave him some rest and he went back in January much more refreshed. Now he is enjoying the time off for Easter break and we are counting down to summer.
I wrote at Christmas that Dennis was doing well overall. This is true considering all he has been through; but he is facing some troubles because of all he has been through. His digestive system is still healing. His colon resection surgery involved removing a part of his colon and reattaching it. This was major surgery. While he generally doesn’t have too many problems during the day, the evening is troublesome for him. He can be up late which cuts into his sleep. His troubles generally keep us at home in the evening but even then he can miss out on family time. There have been occasions when we've been out where he's had to miss out on our activities, we've had to wait for him before heading home, or we've had some long drives home due to restroom stops.
On the plus side, Dennis has been in touch with a dietitian which has helped. We have added some different supplements, cut out certain foods from his diet, and have been learning what his “trigger” foods are. It is a bummer to have to avoid foods you love (or face the consequences when you decide to indulge!) We are hitting the one year anniversary of his first surgery, but after a recent appointment with one of his surgeons, he was told to expect recovery to continue for two years from his second surgery (the ostomy reversal) which took place May 23, 2011. Dr. Pigazzi said all of this is normal and should gradually improve as time goes on. Sigh. . .
Dennis has been off work for four days now for his Easter break. It’s given him a chance to sleep in, take a couple of walks, mow the lawn, and have a nap or two. We know summer will give him more opportunities to rest as well as exercise and begin to build back his strength and energy level.
In spite of the difficulties Dennis is facing, we do not overlook the fact that he is cancer free. Just as God has brought us through each treatment, surgery and the blockage Dennis had, we know He will continue to heal Dennis’ body and strengthen him day by day. This keeps Dennis hopeful. And the kids and I will continue to grow in love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) as we walk alongside Dennis through this time.
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
While this is the good news we desired and continue to hope for, it doesn’t mean that everything has gone back to normal. The fact is, Dennis is still recovering. He is recovering from radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. There are side effects that linger from each of these. In some ways, recovery has been harder for us to deal with then treatment. During treatment we knew that Dennis would have side effects and feel weak and tired. When treatment ended, however, there was a mindset that life would move on as before and that Dennis would feel fine. This has not been the case.
To begin with, I think Dennis returned to work too soon. He was back at school just two weeks following his last chemotherapy treatment. He really needed more time to let his body recover before he began the day-to-day routine of work. That wasn’t possible though, so he pressed on. By Christmas, he was pretty exhausted. The two weeks off gave him some rest and he went back in January much more refreshed. Now he is enjoying the time off for Easter break and we are counting down to summer.
I wrote at Christmas that Dennis was doing well overall. This is true considering all he has been through; but he is facing some troubles because of all he has been through. His digestive system is still healing. His colon resection surgery involved removing a part of his colon and reattaching it. This was major surgery. While he generally doesn’t have too many problems during the day, the evening is troublesome for him. He can be up late which cuts into his sleep. His troubles generally keep us at home in the evening but even then he can miss out on family time. There have been occasions when we've been out where he's had to miss out on our activities, we've had to wait for him before heading home, or we've had some long drives home due to restroom stops.
On the plus side, Dennis has been in touch with a dietitian which has helped. We have added some different supplements, cut out certain foods from his diet, and have been learning what his “trigger” foods are. It is a bummer to have to avoid foods you love (or face the consequences when you decide to indulge!) We are hitting the one year anniversary of his first surgery, but after a recent appointment with one of his surgeons, he was told to expect recovery to continue for two years from his second surgery (the ostomy reversal) which took place May 23, 2011. Dr. Pigazzi said all of this is normal and should gradually improve as time goes on. Sigh. . .
Dennis has been off work for four days now for his Easter break. It’s given him a chance to sleep in, take a couple of walks, mow the lawn, and have a nap or two. We know summer will give him more opportunities to rest as well as exercise and begin to build back his strength and energy level.
In spite of the difficulties Dennis is facing, we do not overlook the fact that he is cancer free. Just as God has brought us through each treatment, surgery and the blockage Dennis had, we know He will continue to heal Dennis’ body and strengthen him day by day. This keeps Dennis hopeful. And the kids and I will continue to grow in love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) as we walk alongside Dennis through this time.
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
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