Survivor Stories

When I was diagnosed with cancer over 23 years ago, it would have been so comforting to have someone come beside me and share with me their journey. To have someone tell me, “I’ve been there - and here’s what I can tell you from my experience.” It started with a simple polyp, which was cancerous and removed surgically. As a result, my surgery warranted an irreversible colostomy. After enduring 22 radiation treatments only lasting 22 seconds each session, this surgery lead to an ileostomy, due to post-radiation burn and other post-surgery complications.

My doctor told me that if I would have only come to him when the symptoms first occurred, he could have removed the polyp and we would have avoided all the rest. If only there was a recall button. By sharing my story, I hope to bring further awareness to the importance of early testing and detection by blogging (http://chatwithdeedee.wordpress.com/), social media and fundraising efforts. Ten years later, I discovered yet another effect of the radiation burn, I was diagnosed with lymphedema in one leg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymphedema). I learned to manage this by being a fighter, a survivor, a woman determined to live life to it's fullest. I accomplish this by a daily combination of compression pump therapy, leg wrapping, compression stockings, elevating my legs, and specialized lymphatic massage therapy. About four years ago while being treated for a UTI, I was given Leviquin through an IV drip, later to find that it resulted in a reaction causing Neuropathy in my weakest limb, the limb with lymphedema. The next day, I woke up paralyzed in one leg. After several months, I had regained some mobility but due to Gabapentin Rx treatment. It took away a lot of the pain, but still causes increased numbness, instability, and poor balance. I was determined over the last few years to search for the right treatment. I am so pleased to share with you the new treatment I've started the ReBuilder Treatment System (www.rebuildermedical.com also used by Cancer Treatment Center's of America). Since I've started using it, I've regained movement in my toes, which were previously numb and lifeless. I can now feel temperatures again, and I even walk better at times without my cane though I am still careful! I am so grateful to God for this miracle and for finally gaining some relief. I highly recommend investigating if you have neuropathy to determine whether or not this treatment is right for you. It is covered up to 80% by Medicare.

If you are feeling or experiencing something similar, I’d love to hear from you. I didn’t have anyone who could relate to me at the time and I don’t want that for you.

Love and God’s Blessings,
Dee Dee
My Blog: https://chatwithdeedee.wordpress.com/
My Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ChatWithDeeDee

At age 52, I finally agreed to have a colonoscopy. My OB/GYN had tried to convince me to at 50, but I had no family history, and no symptoms. I did, however have a chronic persistent cough. It started in January of 2009. I went through allergy tests, pulmonary tests, chest X-rays, blood work, treatment for all kinds of possible respiratory issues...nothing helped. Finally, in late November, 2011, I agreed to an endoscope to see if I had acid reflux and my family doctor suggested a colonoscopy. At first, I rejected the idea-after all, I wasn't coughing there! He convinced me that there may be digestive issues, I'd never had one, I could have both scopes at the same time...I gave in. I am so thankful for his persistence. On the 12th of December I awoke to "You might have a little acid reflux..and, we found a mass in your colon." On January 27th, I had a foot of my colon removed. Fortunately, and by the grace of God, it had not spread to the lymph glands. It is Stage One. I don't have to have
any treatments. Please don't delay getting a colonoscopy as soon as you turn 50 or sooner if you have ANY signs!