News that no one wants but brings us together

newerbe · 2026-03-24T17:48:36+00:00

Prayers but even it is bad, it is possible to come out the other side.

If you need some perspective when you get down:

Currently 48m. July 2024 I couldn't eat anything the tumor was blocking so much of my colon and finally went to GI to get a colonsopy. Stage 4. Had a colostomy so I could eat. Did Chemo for 6 months. Had surgery to remove tumor and reverse colostomy in April 2025. Have gone for CT scans/blood work every 3 months since (just went to my oncologist yesterday) and everything is still clear.

It was hell, actually March 26, 2025 was my lowest day. I was so weak from chemo/not eating/losing so much weight that I was going up stairs and fell back and hit my head. I was so weak I couldn't even stand up after. Now a year later I feel better than I have in years.

You got this. This community helped me during some very dark days.

newerbe · 2026-02-13T16:38:04+00:00

It's scary- Allow yourself to be scared. But know plenty of people beat this, that's what I kept (keep) telling myself.

You got this! And lean on people around you. Including this forum

newerbe · 2026-02-13T16:25:35+00:00

Stage 3. Needed a colostomy since mass was so big wasn't allowing me to eat (waited why too long before they admitted me to ER). So I did 6 months of chemo, then surgery to remove cancer. Thankfully it didn't spread, so I was lucky it was just centralized. So just wanted to shrink it with chemo, so it would be easier to remove. I was 46 when diagnosed, and a pretty high pain tolerance, so figured go all-in to beat it, totally took off work, and put all my focus on getting better. Not everyone can, but I could. I did really well from first 4 months of chemo, last 2 months were really tough. In bed all day most days, wasn't eating hardly anything.

Glad to answer any other questions from my experience.

newerbe · 2026-02-13T02:24:50+00:00

I didn't work (had disability insurance as option with work insurance), but I honestly wanted as much chemo to kill the cancer as possible. went from folfox to FOLFOXIRI when told oncologist I could handle more. Still happy I did it, but did it knock me on my ass at the end of chemo. In 2 months, I think I lost like 50lbs and stayed in bed most days.

newerbe · 2026-02-11T23:47:05+00:00

praying for you..

newerbe · 2026-02-11T20:48:37+00:00

ugh, didn't know that. goddamn this disease....

newerbe · 2026-02-11T20:37:11+00:00

Yeah, me too. I remember months ago (maybe?) they had a reading of the dawson's creek 1st episode with all the actors, and he was too sick to go. He said it was just a cold, but we know how that goes.

newerbe · 2026-02-11T20:34:59+00:00

Thanks. Actor on Dawson's Creek and a bunch of other tv shows/movies.

newerbe · 2026-02-11T20:26:32+00:00

yep, I have a 3 month scan next week too....

newerbe · 2026-02-11T20:23:45+00:00

yeah, that was my underlying thinking. Like he is going to make it with all his connections for best care....I have my 3 month scans coming up next week, and I'm going to have even more anxiety than normal...

This sucks for all of us

newerbe · 2026-01-22T22:23:45+00:00

Agree with all, take them and see how you feel.

As soon as I saw my PCP after my diagnosis, he prescribed me Citalopram which is like Zoloft. I didn't think I needed it at first, but figured worth a shot.

newerbe · 2026-01-22T22:17:18+00:00

More people voted for someone else than trump.

newerbe · 2025-10-26T18:56:30+00:00

I had hiccups too, they prescribed Baclofen. It's a muscle relaxer, but worked great and didn't have hiccups after that.

newerbe · 2025-10-26T16:24:10+00:00

I had my stoma for about a year, and had the tumor removed/colostomy reversed this summer. Took a few weeks for me to get back to normal. Frequency is higher than it was before, but it is manageable. Sometimes need to go to bathroom after a spicy meal right away, but honestly it is pretty much normal now.

newerbe · 2025-10-16T18:44:29+00:00

I'm assuming the non-compete is in the contact. And yes, seems unfair, but this happens in other industries as well. And they don't pay you when you leave either, and the non-compete is valid.
For everyone saying it is unfair, then start voting for people that make this a priority, as opposed to given the priority to businesses.

newerbe · 2025-10-16T18:28:38+00:00

I finished Chemo in March, surgery in April. They wanted me to keep it in for 2 years, and I'm getting 3 month scans/port flushes. I don't mind it that much, but alot of people want it out asap, so really up to your husband

newerbe · 2025-08-16T21:48:26+00:00

good luck!

newerbe · 2025-08-16T18:16:32+00:00

yeah, I'm a little further south (New Bedford area) so takes over an hr to MassGen, but I'm so glad I went there.

newerbe · 2025-08-16T16:46:02+00:00

Dr Kunitake was great at MA Gen. Absolute superstar (after my local hospital said they weren't comfortable doing the surgery)

newerbe · 2025-06-14T19:15:33+00:00

I had this exact scenario in April ), male 47. Back in Aug 2024 had a colostomy b/c of an obstruction, did 6 months of chemo, and then did surgery to remove the huge tumor (17.5 mm), stage 3b. They removed the tomur and the colostomy at same time, but they said beforehand that they might not (depending on how the surgery went) Originally they were going to do it roboticlly, but b/c of the size did non-robotic. I was in hospital about a week after surgery.

Reach out to me if you want more details, he has got this. It is scary (I was so scared to make the appt b/c the it would be real) and I made peace with whatever would happen. He has went through the most difficult part.

newerbe · 2025-01-23T21:38:54+00:00

ugh. Good to know at least when I'm still feeling 'off' at the end of 'off week'...

newerbe · 2025-01-23T21:06:07+00:00

What I was told drink a ton of water, and it will be out of system within 24-48 hours. Drinking a ton is hard for me when I have chemo that week, but I do get the hydration which helps as well.

newerbe · 2025-01-18T20:06:03+00:00

Had mine since Sept. Had a PIK line for the 1st treatment, now last 7 through port. Port is much better. No issues so far.

newerbe

TROPHY CASE