I am 李總, I’m a father of 3 from Taiwan.
My colorectal cancer was detected unintentionally due to stomach pain. I also noticed a change in bowel habits, and abdominal pain that didn’t go away. At first, I was told by my doctor that my 5-year survival rate was 5 to 20%.
Still, I went for a second opinion as my first doctor did not give me enough information.
After my diagnosis, I felt:
- Frightened, helpless and insecure
- Overwhelmed and worried
- Skeptical and withdrawn
- Confused and perplexed
I tried to improve my lifestyle by eating healthier every day.
My doctors recommended partial colectomy, chemo, 4D radiotherapy and targeted therapy. I first did a partial colectomy, and felt happy and hopeful about the decision.
As I went through treatment, I had to change some options because they didn’t work effectively, and I had some unbearable side effects. After making the change, I felt scared, but happy and motivated. Now I’m on chemotherapy, targeted therapy and pain medication.
In terms of side effects, the ones that affected me the most were:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
To manage them, I relied on eating better.
Unfortunately, I had some financial difficulties as I paid for radiotherapy, immunotherapy and cell therapy out of my own pocket, as well as genetic tests.
I continued to eat healthier every day, as best as I could.
Before I knew I had cancer
- Called/texted/visited my parents 3 times a week
- Spent time with my children 1 times a week
- Was intimate with my partner 2 times a month
- Went on 2 family trips a year
After knowing I had cancer
- Called/texted/visited my parents 3 times a week
- Spent time with my children 0 times a week
- Was intimate with my partner 0 times a month
- Went on 0 family trips a year
I plan to enroll myself into hospice and palliative care. If there is a chance to cure, I’d like to volunteer at a cancer resource center. My biggest hope is to recover or to make peace with cancer.
My biggest fear was cancer relapse and metastasis, as well as pain and suffering. To deal with it, I talked to my doctor about having radiotherapy.
Now, I feel sad, confused, perplexed and disillusioned.
To others, I would say: “Don't trust your doctor's treatment plan completely, take other people's opinions into account!”
This patient's story is published and shared with their full consent. Any personal data that can be used to identify the patient has been omitted.
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