Well, welcome to my first post of hopefully many.  My name is Colleen.  I am a mother, wife, nurse and most of all cancer survivor a few times over.  I have four children and we live in Houston.  My husband Chris is my best friend and biggest fan!  About five years ago, after having very few symptoms, I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.  At that time I was not married to Chris.  I was married to a Gastroenterologist believe it or not.  We were quite taken back by this diagnosis.  We did not have a strong marriage at that point.  I had doubts about his faithfulness and thought through this we would grow closer.  I started chemo and radiation immediately.  I have always had a larger frame and wanted to lose weight.  This was not the way to do it!  Between weakness and running to the bathroom I lost 30 pounds throughout the treatment phase.  My treatments consisted of chemo, radiation and a bowel resection.  All of this took place within three months.  After my surgery, I had another group of chemo.  Boy, I was relieved to get that done!
In May of 2006 I started to rehabilitate.  I went on a trip to soak up some sun. I was still weak but knew it would take time to become stronger.  In July I started having some hip and knee joint pain.  I remember speaking to my husband about it and he mentioned that maybe I had rheumatoid arthritis.  During my moment of silence, I remember him looking at me like I was quite the burden.  It was so hurtful to look into his eyes.  I made an appointment with a rheumatologist and was diagnosis later with Lupus.
I was now living with Lupus and doing my follow up visits to make sure the cancer did not come back.  I worked full time as a nurse and worried daily about my husbands obvious infidelity.  In November of 2006 after many battles over his girlfriend, I was greeted with the news of my pending divorce.  In hind sight it was God's way of getting that out of my life.  Thank you God!
After my battles with him and lawyers, the divorce was made final in July of 2007.  I was picking up the pieces of my life.  My two children seemed to fair well.  My son lived in Michigan and my daughter with me.
I continued with my follow up visits with my Oncologist.  All test were coming out well.  I gained back that 30 pounds I had lost with my treatment of course!  I would workout by walking 3 miles about 4 times a week.  I felt good physically but still had a long ways to go emotionally.
The next several months were a whirlwind!
Tomorrow I will tell you more about my 2007 experiences.  It will make you laugh and cry!!
I have to go pick up my step-daughter from school now.  Take care