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Return to Survivor Stories

Patricia Craven

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Profile

Cancer type Carcinoid of Large Bowel (Resection)
Diagnosis year 2004
Home Wharton, New Jersey

How I Survive Cancer

I was feeling very tired and sluggish. I had diaharria all the time, never could go anywhere or do anything. I went to my physician and told him how I felt and the diarrhea was so bad. I told him I think I need to have a colonoscopy. I did on October 5, 2004. The doctor could not even finish the procedure do to the mass I had in my large bowel. I was diagnois with Colon Cancer and it turned to be a Carcinoid tumor. I was operated on October 19, 2004, they told me I might not make it through the surgery, and it was so bad. The tumor had penetrated outside the colon into the lymphoid. They took 6 lipnoids out and 4 out of the six were cancerous. I could not have any treatment like Chemo or radiation. My surgeon thought he got it all which was a relief. I was home for 3 months and back to work PT for 6 mos. I still have check-ups and blood work every six months and CT scan.

My last CT Scan showed a lymphoid by where I had my resection of my large bowel. I know go every two month for blood work and six month for the CT scan with Contrast.

It has been 6 months again I went for my CT scan the lymphoid had enlarge a tiny bit, there are two. What can you do or say. That why we have to live life to the fullest and thank God for the time we are given. The things that seemed so important to me before, seems like nothing anymore. If you feel good and can do you daily tasks that’s what makes my day. I always feel tired at night after a days work 7AM to 3:30PM.

My Caring Words of Encouragement

My advice is live each day to fullest and keep God by your side. Faith pays a big part of our lives. We have no support groups in New Jersey that I know of, I sure could use one.

I will keep everyone in my prayers. Keep a smile on your face I know it’s a horrible cancer and I pray that one day we will have a cure.



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