Hi everyone- This is my first time blogging you all. To introduce myself, I am a 30 year old with a terrific family, Doug is my husband, and we have a 15 month old daughter, Ella. I have recently been diagnosed with a rare form of colorectal cancer in which I have undergone 6 weeks of chemo and radiation then had surgery in which they removed the mass and did a total hysterectomy. During the surgery, they did find more cancer in the omentum (lining of my abdomen) which they could not remove. I just started chemo two weeks ago, the regimen is called Folfox. I go in once every two weeks to the Kansas City Cancer Center for about 5-6 hours while they infuse the chemo into my port, then I take home an infusion pump for another day and a half, then I go back in so they can take my pump off. I am then done for a week and a half. I go back this coming week for my next round of treatment. The first round wasn't horrible, I did get sick though, which isn't fun at all, especially in a room full of patients. Otherwise I did well with minimal side effects.
This is going to be my diary of my life. Now that I have you all up to date, I can go from here. Doug helped me set this up, I am not that computer savvy. We will try to put in some pictures of ella and the family once in awhile, she is much cuter than I am and definitely more entertaining! Thanks for reading. I got this idea from a couple other young girls who have been in the same situation I have and started a blog of their life. They have been inspirational and I hope I can inspire someone as well or atleast bring some awareness to colorectal cancer in young women, obviously it is more common than we think.
I would love to hear from you all. We will continue to update and work on this blog. I better go rest, tonight is girls night with the neighbors. I want to save up my energy. Thanks for reading. Talk to you all soon. shawndra
19 comments:
You are such great people.
I wish you three the very best.
Keep strong, and smile.
You're never alone.
God is always with you. Love,R.
I will be reading often. I pray for you and the family all of the time. You mean so much to Dre that you mean a lot to me. Keep up the fight.
Beth Patterson
Shawndra,
You are such a strong woman! You have already inspired many, including myself. I am blessed to have you as my sister-in-law. I think about you, Doug & Ella daily, and pray often. Andrea, Keaton, Avery and I look forward to one day soon living closer to home so that we can see you more often.
Love,
G
“Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.” - Gilda Radner
I know I've told you this is one of my favorite quotes. I miss you dearly and hope to see you very soon. I hope this next round of chemo treats you much better than the first. Don't forget to suck up to the nurses and techs... ;)
Take good care of yourself. I love you. -D
Shawndra
I am thinking of you and praying for you. Your CMH family is behind you 100%
Love
Dee Smith
Good luch with the second round.
TKO it Girl!!
Brandi
I'll be sure to read your posts regularly. Stay strong, you have so many people behind you for help and support, myself and Chad included! Good luck w/ round 2.
Shawndra,
If you do not know it yet, you have positively touched so many lives over these past few months. What an inspiration you have been to me to hold on tight to those around me, live for each moment and love unconditionally.
"Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, you're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting - So...get on your way!" Dr Seuss
I am here in any way I can be to help you through those challenging days. And for the good days, spend them with your beautiful family and amazing friends who are standing beside you each day. You are in my thoughts and prayers each and every day! Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Love,
Anissa
Shawndra,
You are a strong woman and we know you will persevere. You've been an inspiration to the both of us. We won't wait to do the things we've always wanted to do or say the things we've always wanted to say.
I'm not much for praying, but my thoughts are with you everyday. We love you, Doug, and Ella very much and we hope to see you all this summer.
Stay Strong!!!
Love,
Pete and Erin
Shawndra,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. You have an amazing attitude, exuding a wonderful positive spirit! Your strength and determination are such an inspiration to those who know you. Remember you are surrounded by the love and support from your family and friends~always! I will check back often. Keep fighting and take care,
Arista
Doug and Shawndra, I wish you the best of luck and will pray that all will go well for you guys. Doug , stay strong and if you need anything , you guys call me .
Shawndra! I was so glad to hear you read the paper re: Ireland. I saved it for you just in case and have been thinking of you daily. Kudos to Doug for getting the blog started! It is a beautiful page and I love the pictures!
You have a beautiful spirit (fruit of the Holy Spirit and yes I have to look up what they are to remember all of them) I look forward to hearing how things are going by reading your thoughts.
If there is anything I am learning lately- trust in the Lord and live with no regrets. Follow your intuition. Live strong like you are!.
Love you.
Adriane
I heard about you from one of your coworkers. It would be easy to feel sorry for you because you are so young. I realized that you do not need people feeling sorry for you, but to pray for you, pray for your strength and for your healing. SOOOO just so you know that complete strangers are praying for you and your family. I am going to read your blog often. Take care.
Shawndra,
I looked up to you as a role model in our younger years of Ice Skating. I continue to look up to you has a role model. You truly have touched many lives. Our thoughts and prayers countinue to be with you and your family.
Lisa Mudge
bld.I am way past puberty, menopause and edging into old age. I know you can lick this. There are always mountains and valleys so I will urge you on with prayers and promises that the man upstairs is watching over you. Fond regards.
You just surround yourself with the dear friends in the picture.
I don't know you personally but I feel like I do in a way. I'm a cancer surviver of breast cancer as of Nov. 2006.I think anyone that has had cancer or is going through it now that theres a conection we have with each other. It's really hard to explain but you might know what I'm talking about. I went through the chemo and radiation and surgery. You have to have a positive attitude everyday and know that the Lord will bring you through this. That's what faith is all about. I will pray for you everyday. You hang in there and think positive. God be with you during this time, and bless you and your family always. Peggy
You are awesome. stay strong! I continue to pray for you and your family often! aimee irwin
I just found your blog through Jennifer Ireland's blog. I will be following your story faithfully and praying for you each day. My name is Stacie and I too have a 15 month old. Stay strong for that blessed little girl.
Can you tell me how you thought to go to the doctor to be checked out? What were your symptoms?? You are so young! Lots of hugs and many prayers.
Hi Shawndra and Family, I just wanted to say hi. I am 34 and was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2002. I am almost to my fourth year out from treatment. I'm overall doing well and still go to check-ups etc..So, you hang in there. Your blog and Jennifer Ireland's blog are so important and amazing to me. I know what you are going through. I never did do a blog but I think it is so helpful to exlpain what you are going through to others. God Bless You and know you are in the palm of God's Almighty Hands! Ondria Hitt
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