Look out Big C - here comes Big JTee.
Monday, May 30, 2011
By: Jason Tardif

A 35 year old diagnosed with Stage 4 inoperable Colorectal Cancer. My wife and I been faced with this challenge, we accept the challenge and will work hard for a positive outcome. We have found keeping a positive attitude the key to successful results.

While not feeling well since December 25th and going through a number of blood tests, x-rays and other at home testing. During these weeks a lower back pain, after eating, left me in a immobile state and began to be a constant pain. What the doctors discovered was wrong was not on my list of possibilities or suspected ailments. The shocking news confirmed with a CT scan and a biopsy is Advanced Stage 4 Rectal Cancer. No real prognosis given by the doctor, just "you have it and it may be treated, 5 years ago we would have said nothing we can do, but with advances in Chemotherapy in the last 5 years there is hope." I am a 35 year old male in otherwise healthy condition who maintains an overall general average healthy lifestyle. Many questions enter this at this time, though they do not take control of my attitude nor my wife's. . Together we have been faced with a challenge; we accept this challenge and will do whatever it takes to overcome the challenge. The only thoughts we have now are: when can we start treatment? And what do we need to do to prepare?
By the time we arrived home Teresa and I were well underway going through the stages of Grief. The final stage, acceptance would only be a couple of hours later. Some tears, big bear hugs and a few laughs got us there quickly.
Friday Feb 11 we met with the Oncologist at the Allen Blair Cancer Center here in Regina. During this meeting we were advised of the Treatment. I really like the short form name: Folfiri (full-fury) which includes the FU 5 treatment. (Great names - agree?) Now we wait for a date to have a Power Port surgically implanted for IV access. This will replace the need to poke my arm every 2 weeks for treatment. Treatments will occur every 2 weeks for 4-6 months to start, several treatments a CT scan will provide progress updates. Each treatment will consist of 3 appointments: 1 for Blood work, 1 day (6-8 hours) receiving treatment, and a 3rd to remove a take home IV bottle which is a 48 hour treatment.
Reading through the materials provided by the Cancer Clinic provided a great amount of informative and to the point information. There were booklets on eating, maintaining energy, support available and much more. To maintain being informed we really stuck the websites and news feeds which we felt were the most reliable. There are lots of sites out there which provide information and a scare-tistics (statistics) in order to help raise funds. Which is important for research and support for those in need, don’t get me wrong here, our team of family friends and community raised over $5000 for the relay for life in less than 90 days, Some sites objective is not provide information to help, the focus is more on fundraising. In summary, we found listening to the doctors and following a couple of reliable sources of information has been very helpful and reduced the questions while clarifying the path we are going to be going down. The toughest part of understanding treatment and where this is leading is that there are no 100% answers as everyone is different and responds to treatment differently. So listening to those who specialize in the form of cancer and my Oncologist who specializes in treatments has been the best form of positive input.
Once treatment begins there are so many unknowns to what the side effects will have in store. There are many realistic depictions and other dramatizations we have all seen on TV. Reading through the provided materials provided in great depth what the possible side effects are. This can be scary to read through. Upon greater reading and discussion once I began to understand the side effects will be a cycle it is easier to prepare and be coping. While going through treatments have had very mild side effects, nausea with no vomiting, very little hair loss and days of fatigue. During my first couple of treatments we monitored the side effects and began to document the cycle. This made it easy for everyone supporting to understand how I am feeling without asking, provide support in a in the area's needed and help prepare for the troublesome days or join in activities during the good days.
Through this journey we have found keeping a positive outlook and trying to live as normal a life as possible has been a great help. Listen to those who are experts in the field, get second opinions and do whatever puts your mind at ease. Keeping a positive attitude is half the battle. Remember going through treatment is just a process, follow the process and the outcome should be the one desired. Eat rest, exercise and find activities which will still provide you a sense of purpose.
My progress can be followed on my online blog. http://jtardif.blogspot.com