[jgprather]

I began my battle with colon cancer in April. I had a large mass removed by an exhausting surgery. Took me a couple of months to feel recovered then began chemo in mid-May. Treatment was 12 rounds of chemo. I have to say, chemo didn't start to kick my butt until the last couple of months. I've lost a good 15 lbs (I'm 5 ft 2 in, so that much weight gone really takes its toll on my small frame). Finished chemo on December 11th and expected to be on the road to recovery. I battled mild pneumonia and severe fatigue. Had minor surgery, a colonoscopy and CT scans this week.

I'm eating 3 rather calorie-packed meals a day plus snacks. I guess most of my energy is being used on recovering from surgery, pnuemonia and killing cancer.

I'm only 26. No history of colon cancer (hardly any cancer at that). I've stopped asking "why." There's no use in stressing over something that I can't control or figure out. I had a bilateral lung transplant due to cystic fibrosis 8-1/2 years ago. I made the most of my new lungs by becoming extremely active; including running. A month before my diagnosis, I ran a 9.3 mile race. I was the strongest I'd ever been in my life. Then the anvil dropped.

In fact, I bought my 135i because of my diagnosis. I figured that having 300hp under my foot would help me feel better! I know that during my Performance Delivery, I got to forget my cancer for 2 days! I've thinking of signing up for the 2-day Car Control Course at the Performance Center for Spring Break.

I guess I'm just a little discouraged by the slow pace of my recovery. And now I start a 14-day wait for CT scan results; telling if the chemo did its job.

Anyone out there been through chemo? Or have a close family or friend go through it? Being in my mid-20s, not many of my friends can relate first hand to cancer.

[MrRoboto]

Keep your head up bro. Our prayers are with you.

[Mega Man]

Just remember, when you get better the open road awaits!

[scs]

yeah, you definitely need to keep your chin up, the doctors will take care of your body, but you have to take care of your mental state for optimal results

hang in there,
positive thoughts coming at you
-seth

[EINSER M]

cancer can be defeated, hang in there and keep your spirits up and surround yourself with positive people in your life. good move on getting the 135...now you have to go enjoy it fully!

[Italteen3]

I do not know what it is like to have personally gone through chemo, but my youngest uncle is currently going through chemo again for a rare bone cancer. He said it is horrible, but his family keeps him going. Keeping positive has been his best medicine.

Like MrRoboto said keep your head up! That, some laughter, and family & friends are some of the best medicines there are. Keep on chugging and look forward to the day when you can drive your nice new car to the race AND run in the race.

Our prayers are with you.

[BForbes]

Hang in there man! My prayers are definitely with you. Just remember you have a 135i in proximity. :thumbup:

[jgprather]

Thanks everyone. I have an incredible family and great friends that give me their support every day. I know that I will be back to where I was previously. I'm just wanting to be there NOW.

[bigslick82]

The best advice I can give to you is to stay positive. A great and positive attitude goes a long way. I've seen it work time and time again in the medical field. Trust in your family, your friends, your treatment team.

You were dealt a rough hand even early on, but you seemed to be making the most of it. The active lifestyle goes a long way for your mental and physical health.

Thank you for sharing your story. Best wishes to you.

[boxerdog]

I hope you get better soon. You are young and determine to fight this so I'm sure you will.
Hey, My parents live in Jacksonville and I go there to visit from time to time. Maybe someday you can show me your 135i and we can grab a bite to eat or something. I feel like I'm the only person in Minneapolis who owns or even knows what a 135 is. Never seen one on the road. In a way, I love that..

[jgprather]

Originally Posted by boxerdog

I hope you get better soon. You are young and determine to fight this so I'm sure you will.
Hey, My parents live in Jacksonville and I go there to visit from time to time. Maybe someday you can show me your 135i and we can grab a bite to eat or something. I feel like I'm the only person in Minneapolis who owns or even knows what a 135 is. Never seen one on the road. In a way, I love that..

That sounds like a deal! I don't see that many on the road around here.

By the way, my CT scan results came back today and everything looks good! Now I'm waiting on pathology results from my colonoscopy. But my oncologist is very pleased at where I am at with my progress! Please send good karma my way for good pathology results (1-1/2 weeks away).

[135i_TT]

Youve been thru A LOT... obviously your a strong person and youve made it thru a lot which says a lot of good things about you. Im also glad to hear your results came in good from colonoscopy. Hard work always pays off my friend. I wish you the best of everything and truly hope your pathology results return just as good news as your colonoscopy. Im sure youll make it out of everything and I hope soon to! =)

[Dave]

me and my wife will pray for you, stay strong

and god bless

[warmtoes]

Dude, all the best to you in your battle.

Our friend went through her breast cancer treatments and just finally got her stint (sp?) out of her chest for the post chemo medicine.

She went through chemo and it was tough. Some days were good and others not so much. Lost all of her hair but she has it back now and it grew in even thicker and stronger than before.

She was in her late 40's so I'm sure you being 26 you'll be able to pull through even better.

She is now cancer free and hopefully will continue to be.

Good luck to you.

[MatthewDFW]

Thoughts and prayers are with you. My wife had colon cancer two years ago; caught very early (early detection came by way of colonoscopy thanks to Katie Couric's televised one). She had a 12" section of large intestine removed and was left with a monster scar. But, she lucked out in other ways: because the cancer was spotted early, and encapsulated well, they managed to get it all and she avoided chemo. Even so, it was a long recovery from a tough surgery - and she gets scoped every year now.

She benefitted from aggressive treatment and good humor throughout (the oft-repeated joke was she went from a colon to a semi-colon).

It's late to offer this advice, but several friends who have had chemo warn to avoid eating your favorite foods during treatments as this will forever kill your desire for them. At least this is what they say.

Even so, my old horse trainer is going through chemo right now for ovarian cancer, and she reports that the chemo chemicals - and their companion anti-nausea drugs - are much improved from the ones her parents were given years ago.

Better detection, treatment, and chemo these days makes the "Big C" a little less big, I think. You have youth on your side, which is a huge advantage. So don't let the tough days beat you down. We are all pulling for you to kick the crap out of your cancer... and look forward to some good progress reports!

[jmr_70]

You've been through so much already in your life, stay strong and although it may be hard at times, keep enjoying your life the best way you can. Our prayers are with you, GOD bless you my friend.

[busyguy8]

hang in there, keep your chin up and stay positive! Remember, you are strong!

[Car Whore]

hang in there man - if you ever want to hang out - hit me up via pm since i'm local

[jkp1187]

Keep your head up. If they say you're on the road to recovery -- that's amazingly good news. That means you can definitely beat this.

Attitude is everything in cancer. My mother was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in 1990. Given 6 months to live.

Her attitude was incredible, though. I don't know if I appreciated it as much at the time as I do now in looking back on it. She was a fighter. She was the one who encouraged all the other patients at the oncology department.

She lived for nine more years. And nine very full and active years, I might add, despite the chemo and all that nonsense.

Not necessarily the happy ending, I know. But every second was precious. And remember -- she was only supposed to live for months. The docs had more or less written her off. She lived for a decade more. And she was almost 40 years older than you are now.

Bottom line is: treasure every day. Stay active. Chin up. And absolutely you MUST GO BACK TO THE BMW PERFORMANCE CENTER!

(And buy a good RADAR/LASER detector, for that N54!)

[xbook]

Sorry to hear of you being sick.

I wish you the best in getting better.

My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer about 6 months ago. Luckily they caught it early, and were able to give surgery as the best option. He opted for a procedure with the bulk of the work being done by a freakin' robot. A very cool lookin' contraption called a Da Vinci Machine what was the surgeon used to operate on him. He had his surgery on October 30 of '08. November 21-23 of '08 he and I met up in San Francisco and had a great time partying it up @ the Cal vs. Stanfraud "Big Game" :drinking: . He just had to pee a lot .

Again, best of luck to you.

-Jason

[ben14142001]

Prayers are with you friend.

-Ben

[jgprather]

Wow, I really appreciate all of the encouragement! I'm excited about getting back to the gym and hopefully start running races again in a few months!