looking for Jeri

[Irene from Tampa]

Jeri - (the one that had the colon surgery) I was wondering how you are coming along. Hope everything is going well for you.

Irene

[Jerri]

Irene,

You are so kind to check on me. I had a small bowel resection April 5. Things have been so hard since then. The surgeon said they were not able to remove all of the tumor, it was too involved with the outer lineing and main blood vessels, but they did the best they could. I was in the hospital for 9 days. I came home with a feeding tube so they could feed me directly into my lower intestines and bypass the surgical area. I finally had the feeding tube removed last week. I am eating on my own but experience terrible nausea and frequent vomiting. I have lost 15 or more pounds, thank goodness I had a 20 pound buffer. I can't seem to get my strength back. I only leave the house for doctor's appointments. My husband is having to function like a single dad, doing everything.

I started back on chemo 3 weeks ago, Navelbine, Carboplatin and Herceptin. I did ok the first 2 weeks but by week 3 my counts were too low and I had to take the week off.

I haven't been checking the message board very often because frankly, I am too depressed. This is my third recurrence and I am having a really hard time believing I am really going to make it this time. My heart is broken into tiny little pieces for my children, they deserve to grow up with a mom.

Thank you for your kindness, for checking on me, and letting me vent.

Jerri