Faces of Blue: Angela Garrett
My name is Angela. I’m 38 and I was diagnosed with Stage 3 rectal cancer in April of 2011. You talk about angry and confused. I was so mad. I have 2 children and they need me. I had a boyfriend who my life was getting started with and going pretty well. My career was just taking off and so now this? Come on!
Needless to say, things didn’t get any better. My life quickly became a whirlwind of activity. Doctor appointments? I would go to one and they would say, “Okay, we have 3 more lined up so lets go get started.”
It was crazy. I got started on round one of 28 rounds of chemo and radiation. At first I thought, I can handle this, this is nothing. The chemo made me sick the first week or so; 5FU was it, in the wonderful fanny pack it went with me. It was my shadow day and night and I had it 5 and a half days a week. Then not to mention the radiation. I burned, I was in pain. My butt started looking like hamburger meat and it became so painful to go to the bathroom, I would pray to not go. I slept all the time. I would wake up just in time to go to radiation, come home, shower and go back to bed. It zapped me good. I was kidding myself when I thought I could handle this.
The doctors informed me this was a year-long thing. I thought they were lying to me and it wouldn’t take that long. Well, here we are in February and I’m still not done.
Next came surgery. August 2nd brought me to having a “footish” (per the doctor) of my intestine taken out. It had a golf ball size tumor in it. I had a radical hysterectomy since this type of cancer tends to spread to the lower areas. My appendix was taken out for good measure and I had a ileostomy put in. It was awful. They put it in a bad place and I was never able to get it under control. It leaked all the time and my skin quickly burned. I started taking so much anti-diarrhea meds that I had to pay for it out of pocket to get it to thicken. My insurance wouldn’t pay for it, so I had to keep getting refills.
Finally in October the surgeon called and wanted to know if I was interested in having it taken out. I said, “Are you kidding me? Of course!” So a test was done to see if I was all healed and well, I was. I was scheduled for surgery and it was gone! Praise the Lord!! Within one week, it was infected. The pain was so intense, I don’t think I’ve ever had that kind of pain. Not even having children. The staples were removed and it was packed twice daily until it was healed 2 months later. I’ve got one nice scar from that! I love it!!
Now, I’m on my final round of chemo! I have 4 more rounds to go and I’m done. My oncologist says I’m in remission. Those words still haven’t wrapped around my brain. The light at the end of the tunnel? Maybe so… I pray it is!! I’m ready to live again!!
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Angela,
Thanks for your gut-wrenching truth…people need to hear it UN-coated. Dang, we will stop you from ever seeing and feeling the pain of all of this and be able to just “live again” with those two darling people nudged up against you.
Kristin
Kristin,
Sometimes all we have is our truth. And it’s priceless. I share my story so others know they aren’t alone and not to be ashamed like I was. And it’s ok to be scared and hurting. My kids are the bomb! A true blessing from God! I love them to the moon and back!!
Thank you Angela for sharing with the world you story of what you have endured this last year. You are a very strong & courageous woman!!!
One thing I would be interested to know is what were your symptoms you had that led to this diagnosis. Message me on FB or email me and let me know if you don’t mind! Stay strong girl!!
My God Angela.. you have been through it. My heart and prayers go out to you. I was also diagnosed last year with cancer, a rare and incurable thyroid cancer. I am glad you are a fighter and that you have God with you.. That makes all the difference in the world. Thanks also for being part of the facebook community group “The Cancer Refuge Page”.. It is for those of us who want to share about our cancers, and support and prayer. feel free to share and invite any you know who have cancer..
https://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/groups/229664790458224/
Good fight Angela !!! Keep it up.. It’s almost over..
Thank you guys!!
Home stretch now girl! Home stretch! You are a fighter and are an inspiration to many! Don’t forget it
hugs
Hey, Angela…WOW! You are an inspiration! I had Stage 3-C Colon Cancer and didn’t have near the treatment you had. I went through 12 rounds of chemo only during a 6 month period. I HATED the way the chemo made me feel. One of the affects was the cold in the throat touching and feeling like shards of glass or razor blades. Yeh, the good ‘ole fanny pack of 5FU…I wanted to call it something else…LOL! I was so afraid someone would run into it while I was out and about. Now, I am just under 2 years cancer free and just got my port-a-cath out this past Friday. YOU CAN DO IT!!! JUST KEEP SWIMMING! JUST KEEP SWIMMING!
Angela,
I just read your story. I am sitting here crying because I just went through the same radical treatment for primary squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum. It was Stage 3 with local node involvement. You have just described the pain and torture of the treatment. Angry and mad are not strong enough words to describe the physical and emotional impact of the treatment process. I also had 30 days of radiation, 5-FU for 96 hours at the beginning and end of treatment and 2 doses of mitomycin-C. I experienced the same side effects as you. The only way to know what the “hell” felt like was to actually go through it. I am sorry that you also had to endure this horrible journey. Only someone that endured it knows exactly what it was like. I am 43 years old. I am in the medical profession, which at times makes it worse. I was not blessed with children but have a husband and parents that would go to the ends of the earth for me. I am wondering if you had squamous cell carcinoma? Sounds like you did by your treatment regimen. As you know if you had squamous cell carcinoma it is a rare entity. I don’t know anyone personally with this particular diagnosis. More than 90% of colorectal cancers are adenocarcinoma. There is limited research and data out there on squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum. I was treated at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, and also being followed there. I am extremely uneasy with the follow-up care. I feel that the team of physicians really does not have a grasp on what to do next besides being received MRI’s every three months including a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, and PET/CT scans every 6 months. I am curious to know where you received treatment. I am working on a second opinion at MD Anderson. Hopefully, I will get further insight on this type of cancer. Once again, I am sorry for what you went through, the emotional and physical impact you endured and will continue to endure. It never goes away. Know one understands what it was like except unless you walked in those shoes. I hope you read this and are able to get back to me. Wishing you the very best for a complete recovery and a long life with your children and family. Take Care!
I had the adeno type of cancer lorraine. I’m so sorry it took so long it took so long for me to get back w u!