Living with Colorectal Cancer

My husband is my hero. He is 71 and just completed 30 radiation and chemo treatments. Although the Oncologists at MDAnderson are calling it Stage IV Metastatic Colon/Rectal cancer,it is actually growing on the back wall of his colon, has completely destroyed his tail bone and is currently growing up his lower spine. Chemo and Radiation is rough on any age person, but especially someone my husbands age. He is scheduled for major surgery (approx.14hours long) on March 11th. This tumor in intertwined in many nerves and bone and is pushing outward on his left buttock area. He can barely sit down and every function below his waist is totally messed up. To say that we are frightened is an understatement. I said at the beginning that my husband is my hero as he has gone through a lot of pain, but remains steadfast in his belief that God is with us both an God will see us through this very trying time.

MDA has taken a special interest in his cancer as don’t think they have ever had one exactly located as this tumor is and it is a large one. He was diagnosed in October of 08, but they could not operate unless it was shrunk considerably. We will not know if the chemo/radiation has worked until week of 3/2 and they start all the pre-op tests, another whole weeks worth of testing, including another colonoscopy. My husband initially had colon/rectal cancer 4 1/2 years ago, and had tumor removed with clear margins, but elected not to take chemo/radiation which was recommended. Would this still have happened to him had he took chemo/radiation as recommended 4 years ago……who knows. But it has returned with a vengeance and I am asking for prayers for him. Thanks for listening. I love him and and very scared for both of us.