Colon Cancer Chronicles

A Bowel Cancer Journey. Diagnosed in Fremantle Hospital Perth, Western Australia. A young family with a toddler and infant. Looking at the positives of illnesses such as cancer, MS, MVPS, Lyme's, fibromyalgia and similar ones. Inspiring ourselves to look forward to each day with purpose and hope. The purpose of human life and existence is discussed vastly across the blog. Ever wondered what happens to the 'Me/I' after my medical death?

[ourbowelcancer]

So far

Hello world!

It’s been a really long time since I have posted anything here. All thanks to Allah for keeping my hubby healthy ever since and the new healthy baby girl we had few months back, conceived around 8 months post chemotherapy. Tomorrow my hubby will be having his routine appointment with the Oncologist, that is why I wanted to come back here for a writeup.

Hubby’s bowel movements are much on track compared to post surgery times. But definitely no where with regards how thing were before all of this. All thanks to Allah, we are content. Flatulence has become a large part of life. We both have quite a lot of casual argument regarding what food produces the worst aftermath.

With regards to alternative treatments, he occasionally takes the blackseed, performed Hijamah (Wet Cupping) and consumes Jarrah honey solution.

“And your Lord inspired the bees, saying: “Take you habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they erect. (68) "Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you).” There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men. Verily, in this is indeed a sign for people who think”

[Noble Quran16:68-69]. 

Always keep in mind, that for the ones who believe in the absolute Oneness of Allah, there is no room in his life for regret about the past and there is no room for the words “if only” in his speech. What Allaah has decreed for His slave must be one of two things: 

Either it is because of a sin that the slave has committed, so Allaah has decreed it for him because of his sins. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned” [Noble Quran 42:30],

Or it is a test from Allaah to raise him in status and expiate his bad deeds. 

If the calamity is because of a sin that he has committed, or because of neglecting something that he should have done, what he must do is hasten to repent and seek forgiveness, and turn back to his Lord, and regret what he has done, and set things straight between him and His Creator and Lord. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them (till his death)” [Noble Quran 20:82] 

If the calamity is a test to raise him in status and expiate his bad deeds, then all that the believer who affirms the Oneness of Allaah can do is accept the decree of Allaah, and seek reward for what has befallen him with his Lord, hoping for reward and seeking to expiate his sins. 

In both cases, the heart of the believer who affirms the Oneness of Allaah will only become strong and at peace, and it will never become weak and feeble, rather he will hasten to obey and do good deeds. If he has sinned then he will give up his sins and become better than he was before, and if he was obedient to Allaah then he will become even more obedient to His Creator and Lord. 

[ourbowelcancer]

Black Seed Protocol

Since the past one week hubby is following the famous Black Seed Protocol pretty religiously. So, I just reminded myself to come back here for a write-up incase this turns useful to some of you out there. From the longest I knew hubby, I was aware that Hubby has been taking a Black Seed and Honey concoction almost daily. So basically, a good few years before his cancer diagnosis. He continued taking this mixture through out his chemotherapy period. It was during one of those days I remember reading that the black seed concoction was an established cancer treatment in alternative medicine. That felt like a huge plus and deep inside I had a feeling that the black seed might have really helped to control the aggressiveness of his cancer. That website however provided an organized approach regarding the dosage. The protocol is as follows Morning prior to breakfast, mix 1 teaspoon of blackseed oil with 0.5 teaspoon of raw honey Lunch time, Mix 1 teaspoon of blackseed oil with the juice of one orange Night time prior to sleeping, mix 1 teaspoon of blackseed oil with 0.5 teaspoon of raw honey A friend of my hubby is a dealer of raw honey in Perth area, so usually we are able to get hold of rich and raw Jarrah honey. Also, so many of the Middle Eastern stores carry black seed oil. God Willing, we are hoping to stick to this method now. We have been reading on the Budwig Protocol too, which mainly uses Flax seed oil and low fat Cottage Cheese. As most of these items are available locally at the Chemists or at Coles/Woolworths, we are planning to incorporate it into our treatment once we are done gathering the details. If you are interested to have a look at the website I mentioned at the beginning of the post, click here. May Allah protect our families. How wonderful are those moments in which a person turns to his Lord and knows that He alone is the One Who grants relief from distress. How great is the relief when it comes after hardship. Allaah says in Quran (interpretation of the meaning): “but give glad tidings to the patient. Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: ‘Truly, to Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.’ They are those on whom are the Salawaat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones" [Quran 2:155-157]

[ourbowelcancer]

Bumpy Ride

I am back here to write down some new symptoms which hubby has been noticing since few weeks. I need to write it down now or I might forget the details.

The scariest of the symptoms is the return of the blood stains in stool. Hubby occasionally reports slight pain in the stomach. Flatulence is a concern and we are still trying to track down the causes. Some of the suspected items are Chocolates and Potatoes.

Then the other day, he had a bout of nausea quite early in the morning. That was very unusual for him since finishing chemotherapy. As he wanted to rest in a quiet room with kids away, my mind was painfully flooded with memories of the chemotherapy days when hubby preferred a quiet setting like this one.

All thanks to Allah for blessing us with provisions with which we can continue studying and gathering Islamic knowledge. Although, the situations may seem horrible in first glance, it is amazing Allah puts tranquility in our hearts as we deal with it.

As Muslims, we believe that Allah tests believers with different situations to erase our sins and raise our status. The life of this world is temporary and all of us will eventually cease to exist in one way or other leaving behind our spouse, house, car, savings, career etc. The everlasting life is in the hereafter where Allah will judge every human being on the Day of Judgement and permit him into Paradise or Hell depending on how this human lived on earth. Always keep in mind, when we die, we will take with us our good deeds only. These good deeds are described in Islam through Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him).

The peak of the good deeds is to accept that there is only one true God(Allah) and to worship Him the way He wants us to. Allah says that on the day of Judgement He may forgive all the sins of a person as long as he believed and worshipped Allah on earth. So, avoid worshipping false Gods, statues and humans who claim to be god. Learn about Islam and find the truth, your creator deserves the right to your worship. Just as we can’t accept that a sophisticated watch can appear out of nowhere in a desert without a watch-maker who built it sometime, so is the reality of our bodies and everything in this universe so precisely managed. God is All Powerful.

Illnesses such as cancer is a test which we must patiently accept and use it as a means to achieve closeness to Allah. May God guide us to Him. May God help us to remain patient during these trials and grant us the highest places in Paradise.

[ourbowelcancer]

CT Scan Result Update

So a week after the CT Scan hubby had an appointment with our Oncologist at Fremantle Hospital. Me and kids accompanied him. Armed with gummies, tetra pack juices, chocolates and other unfamiliar junk food to keep the busy toddler and restless infant under control we made preparations early. All thanks to Allah, the waiting time was less this time.  By Allah’s immense bounty upon us, the blood works and CT Scan came out perfect. We got scheduled to meet the Colorectal Team at the end of March. A routine colonoscopy appointment is also anticipated.

I cannot even begin to write about the calmness or rather excitement I experienced upon hearing hubby’s result. All thanks to Allah. This state of joy certainly reminded me about a particular incident that will take place on the Day of Judgement as Allah states in the Qur’an

“So as for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will say, ‘Here, read my record!  Indeed, I was certain that I would be meeting my account.’  So he will be in a pleasant life – in an elevated Garden, its [fruit] to be picked hanging near.  [He will be told], ‘Eat and drink in satisfaction for what you put forth in the days past.’” (Quran 69:19-24)

Muslims believe that on the day of Judgement, God(Allah) will assemble all the creatures. Humans will be judged based on their deeds and rewarded accordingly. In Islam we believe that all our deeds whether done in public or private are recorded by the Angels. Hence, this day will be a heavy day as men and women will worry whether they will be allowed to enter Paradise or be cast into Hellfire. So the above verse talks about a person who has done ample good deeds and he is so joyful such that he will show his record to others saying Read my record! After all this is the only acheivement that in reality matters and is worthy of any celebration! So I reminded myself that my joyful state at the doctor’s is not the ultimate and the lasting kind. May Allah guide us to lead a worthy life and to get a record we are proud of on the Day of Judgement.

The best deed in the sight of God is to submit oneself completely to God and strictly avoid associating partners with God. This monotheistic belief is the fundamental of Islam. God says in Quran that He may forgive all the sins except the sin of worshipping other false gods beside the One True God.

And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them (till his death)” (Quran 20:82)

Allah says: “Say: O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Quran 39:5]

[ourbowelcancer]

CT Scan update

On Monday February 10th, hubby had CT scan at Fremantle Hospital. InshaAllah result will be discussed in an appointment next week.

Besides this, I am reminding myself its been around 4 months since chemotherapy ended. Alhamdulilah for all the ups and downs.

I can discuss some things about hubby's health at this point. His bowels habits are not very predictable. Yet we have been able to track down certain food items namely milk, egg, fruits, chocolate, POTATO etc. Not that hubby can't tolerate these food every time, rather generally they are problem makers. So especially when we eat out or setting out for road trips, he will avoid them to be on the safer side.

His amazing GP (May Allah reward him and his family), is doing an amazing job of keeping track of hubby. I am not sure about the technicalities, but his LFT(and also renal) values remained away from what's normal since chemotherapy began. Now it has progressively improved. Besides that he suffered some kind of muscle damage, which he's recovered now. Presently, he is having trouble focusing. The GP suspects that it maybe a lens damage. Anyway, he is planning to visit an eye specialist soon. May Allah protect him and grant him full recovery.

In the end, we only ask from Allah his mercy upon us in this life, at the time of our death and whatever that follows it.

[ourbowelcancer]

Chemotherapy Summary

The plan was that hubby would need 8 cycles. Each cycle would last three weeks. Hence chemotherapy would last for nearly six months from April 2013 to October 2013.

In each cycle, the first day he will attend the day unit where Oxaliplatin will be administered through a cannula. The entire procedure used to take 3 hours (can't remember well). Then for the two weeks hubby would take capecitabine  tablets. Then the last week will be drug free. Apparently, the recovery period.

Now that its three months since chemotherapy ended as I write the post I have forgotten a lot of details. So the post will only be a summary . Also, me being a carer writing this post can only describe only very little of the reality.

May Allah give strength and patience to all believers who are undergoing this trial.

○We were advised that the first cycle will be managable, then succeeding ones would be difficult and the last few ones will be tolerated better than the ones preceeding it. For us, this turned out pretty much true.

○The Oxaliplatin (cannula administered) caused the most side effect. The effects could be noticed just as hubby was still being administered.  Such as, sensitivity to cold. The effect of this drug usually increased by the third day and then slowly weared off. I remember how hubby would be completely down for the first 5 to 7 days so much so that he wouldn't speak except very little. Alhamdullilah after this period, he would come and spent time with the family. This gave me so much relief to see him interact with me and kids. Because seeing how much tiredness he sinks each cycle, I would worry uncontrollably whether would we get his normal self back. All thanks to Allah for bringing us out from such pain.

○Change in taste was another noticeable effect. During the initial cycles, i was experimenting what he could tolerate. Personally I felt that just as tiredness peaks during the third day, the taste sense also show some intolerance. I will share some food that my hubby seemed to tolerate. Most of the readers won't recognize all the food items as some of them are South Indian dishes. ◇Toast ◇Green Tea with Honey ◇Cucumber-Tomato Salad (Salt and Vinegar) ◇Pathiri(Rice Pancake) and Fresh Coconut Milk ◇idiyapam and chicken gravy ◇Appam and Potato Stew ◇Chicken Soup ◇Grapefruit/Orange with Salt  sprinkled ◇Pomegranate Lollies helped to keep the distaste away from the tongue. We used to alternate it with Pomegranate which he would eat one by one. Usually the taste gets better when the Oxaliplatin wears off.

○We had couple of Emergency trips. One because he was severely dehydrated as he couldn't tolerate any food. Another one was for a sudden vertigo attack causing severe vomiting just as he was about to go for work.

○The first week of cycle he rested at home and most of the days of the next two weeks he worked. Alhamdulilah. He being the sole breadwinner got me worried so many times whether his job would be in danger. Then Alhamdullilah, my hubby would remind me that the sustenance is from Allah. We should strive to preserve the rights of Allah and worship Him more. Whatever happens is the decree of Allaah and we should be patient.

○We were told that the seventh day post-chemo is the time hubby would be least immuned. So we scheduled shopping accordingly. A few days before a new cycle started so we had enough supplies to last through.

○One time his chemo was postponed due to flu.

○ After the Oxaliplatin was introduced at the beginning of each cycle,  he would get constipated for two days. So coloxy-senna was taken once during eachof the cycles.

○Apart from the conventional treatment, hubby took Aloe Vera (home grown), black seed and honey. Black seed is recommended by Prophet Muhammad ( peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him ) and the benefits of Honey is emphasized in the Qur'an.

○ As we are Muslims, we are obliged to pray five times daily at prescribed times.During the initial week when he gets completely fatigued, he used to join the prayers as per the regulations in Islam. Because difficulty caused by sickness is one of the excuses which make it permissible to join prayers.

This is all I can recollect from those days. If I remember anything else that may benefit others I will come back and fill in. InshaAllah.

May Allah protect all of the believers. Indeed the greatest calamity is to not have Islam in our life. Because if we don't recognize our Creator and understand the purpose why we were created! Then there is no loss greater than that.

And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). (Qur'an 51:66)

The Prophet Muhammad ( peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him ) said “Allaah has shared out your attitudes among you just as He has shared out your provisions. Allaah gives worldly provision to those whom He loves and those whom He does not love, but He gives religion only to those whom He loves. So whoever is given religion, Allaah loves him…” (Narrated by Ahmad)

The Prophet Muhammad ( peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him ) said “A man will be tested according to the level of his religious commitment, and the trials will keep affecting a slave of Allaah until he is left walking on the face of the earth with no burden of sin whatsoever.” (Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 4013)

All thanks to Allah for guiding us to Islam. May Allah enable us, our children and the believers to stay away from ingratitude and disobedience. May Allah be Merciful to us on the Day of Resurrection and enter us to Paradise.

[ourbowelcancer]

First Appointment Post Surgery

Two weeks after the Surgery, we attended the Colorectal clinic at Fremantle Hospital to discuss the biopsy result of the surgery.

Hubby suffered a migraine as we were waiting there. A while later, came our turn. I remember hubby struggling to see as his vision was blurred on one side. The doctor began discussing the result. What we heard next was absolutely unbelievable.

The result stated that the cancer has spread to multiple lymph nodes. Hubby had stage 3c bowel cancer. The next treatment plan was chemotherapy for 6 months. And that our children need to be monitored for colon cancer.

I couldn't control my tears. We just realized that another trial from Allah has befallen us. We held our hands and walked back to the waiting room.

Dad and my little girl were waiting for us. Me and hubby were quite affected that we couldn't talk to dad regarding what the doctor said. We just walked back to the car and dad began driving. I still remember the stillness in the car. Finally hubby explained the situation.

It was indescribable. May Allah protect us and our children from calamities.

The Prophet Muhammad ( peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him ) said “A man will be tested according to the level of his religious commitment, and the trials will keep affecting a slave of Allaah until he is left walking on the face of the earth with no burden of sin whatsoever.”  (Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah , 3249).

May Allah accept our patience and forgive us of any discontentment we have shown.

[ourbowelcancer]

Post Surgery and an ED trip

It's been a long while since I updated the blog. And a lot of details have already been forgotten. So now on most of the post relating to what happened until the recent times will only be a summary.

By day two post Operation, he got better alhamdullilah and he spoke little by little. Hubby was so relieved that Allah answered his supplication to save him from the ileostomy. He told me while he was put in the recovery room after the operation, the first thing that he wanted to know upon getting consciousness was to see if there was a 'bag'. Although someone among the staff convinced him there was no bag, hubby worried about the tube that ran from his right abdomen, just around the place where the stoma nurse mark the spot incase he needed ileostomy.  Poor thing! May Allah ease his worries.   On the second day, hubby was given ice cubes to eat. From third day or so, hubby was given soft food. If my memory serves right, he passed wind on day two or three. Probably, a very awaited effect of the success of the surgery as the doctor kept  enquiring about it. By the third night, or so hubby managed to walk holding my hands in the corridor of his ward. Alhamdullilah he could revert to his usual diet. This same time his catheter for passing urine was removed. Although with some initial worry, Alhamdullilah hubby could pass urine and open bowels. Glory to Allah! The mere passing of urine itself is a great blessing from Allah. If only we could thank Him enough! Only when a blessing is taken away, we realize how precious it was. The external drain that was still draining liquids from the surgery site was removed and the area was stitched.

Dad used to drop me and my youngest one at Fremantle Hospital at 8 am and come in the evening after Magreb Prayer (After Sunset Prayer) to pick us. For the time period I was with hubby, I managed to offer my Obligatory prayers in hubby's room. My dad brought along my mom and our son one evening so they could see hubby. It was a special time in my life to help my dear one for the sake of earning Allah's pleasure. Hubby was in hospital for less than five days post operatively. He was given ample pain medication through a hand controlled pump . All thanks to Allah. The nursing staff who looked after hubby were exceptional. May Allah gift them with guidance to The Truth.

May Allah bless my dad abundantly for driving everyday back and forth to drop me at the hospital so that I could remain beside my dear hubby and care him.

May Allah bless my dear mom with the best for looking after my playful toddler each and every single day I was away.

Hubby was discharged after few days. We returned home. He required 4 to 6 weeks of rest. My current recollection is that he was on a normal pain killer like panadene forte or similar for a few more days.

My son was very excited to see dad back home alhamdullilah. We fixed a baby gate for the room where hubby was so the little  ones dont hurt the recovering one and the healing wounds.

We kept a chart for "food consumed - bowel movement frequency". Nothing that made a major difference was learnt through this chart. We certainly did notice some players. But were left puzzled as to why some days he tolerated them while other days it completely left hubby going back and forth from the loo.

On one such day, hubby was left very dehydrated, hence we thought of going to Fremantle Hospital Emergency to rule out any issues. Alhamdulilah, the doctors assured us that he is fine generally,  just a little dehydrated. We returned home and pretty soon realized that erratic bowel movements have become a new part of my hubby's life.  Alhamdulilah for Islam we have always something to motivate us.

Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) “When Allaah wills good for His slave, He hastens the punishment for him in this world, and when Allaah wills ill for His slave, he withholds the punishment for his sins from him his sin until he comes with all his sins on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2396)

[ourbowelcancer]

Surgery

One March 5 Tuesday, as hubby was returning from work he received a call from Fremantle Hospital. The surgery date was confirmed and scheduled for Friday! We just had two days for preparing. SubhanAllah! And time was flying.

So, next day hubby informed work and got his medical leave approved until April 22. Then, we finished some essential shopping that evening at Kmart and Coles.

Then, on Thursday hubby had to follow a pre-Colonoscopy diet, i.e clear fluids and preps to flush the colon. It was pretty much the same ordeal as in January.

Hubby was asked to pack for a five-days post-surgery stay at hospital. And I packed a baby bag with sufficient supplies for my nine weeks old baby to last two days. Not that we were allowed to stay overnight at hospital. I didn't want to run out of baby items at any cost. My dad and mom were still with us Alhamdulilah.

Day of Surgery

On Friday, after offering the Fajr Prayer(Obligatory Dawn Prayer of Muslims), we got ready and headed to the hospital. Mom stayed home with my toddler boy. Hubby, myself, dad and baby reached Fremantle Hospital by 6:30 am. Soon after that, hubby was given a spot in a waiting area for the patients having operation. The stoma nurse marked a spot on his abdomen incase he needs an ileostomy. He had to change into a hospital gown and slip on a compression stocking. Soon, obs and blood checks were done. The Registrar doctor met hubby and everything was ready. Hubby seemed to be the youngest one in the queue.

It was 7am. The nurse told me that hubby would be leaving in five minutes. My heart was pounding and I was struggling for words. Somehow managed to say bye to him. We conveyed Asalamu Alaikum (Islamic Greeting meaning, Peace be upon You) and the staff wheeled him away in the strechter towards the elevator. Beyond this point was Public Restricted Area. It was unbelievable for me, that this was actually happening in my life as I watched the elevator door shut.

I can always look back and say it was one of the heaviest moments in my life. Frankly speaking, these words can't put across anything much. The only reason I was stopping myself from breaking down was because dad was with me. And I feared he may worry about my condition. Also, my hubby quite often advise me to be a strong mom for our children. I had never gone through anything this hurting. I comforted myself Allah helps the believers. All the bits and pieces of Quranic verses mentioning patience, calamities etc were running in my mind. All thanks to Allah for helping me not lose focus and spend my time in His remembrance.

Me, baby and dad were back in the waiting room. A few female employees arranged a room for me to nurse my little one. She was sleeping for hours together that day. Alhamdulilah that took away some additional stress and I tried to maintain my focus in reading Quran and seeking Allah's mercy.

I was told that hubby's current condition can be obtained from the reception. So at 1pm, I went up there to ask and was told that the surgery is pretty much finished and he will be taken to a recovery room next. By then, dad looked up for a mosque for praying the Jumu'ah prayers (A congregational prayer at midday on Fridays). I met a muslim family in the waiting room. Alhamdulilah, they were kind enough to take my dad in their car for the Jumu'ah and drop him back to the hospital. May Allah reward them abundantly. I managed to pray my Dhuhr prayer(Obligatory Noon Prayer for Muslims) in the same room where I went to nurse my baby.

I was so overwhelmed missing hubby by now, I carried on seeking Allah's protection. By around 2:30pm, I received a call informing me that hubby is now in recovery room and is well. When dad came after Jumuah prayer, I shared the news and we thanked Allah immensely.

About an hour later, the receptionist told me that hubby is now being taken to his private room and we could go and see him.

So we followed the instruction to reach his room. I was so panicky and eager I could almost see myself tripping on my Jilbab ( A flowy modest attire of Muslim Women).

We reached hubby's room and walked in. Especially Merciful is Allah. I couldn't accept what I was seeing at that point. Hubby always had a fear of needles and hospitals. But here I was seeing him wired to all these gadgets and tubes coming out from him. As we walked closer he opened his eyes and smiled. Me and dad conveyed Salam, but I dont remember well if hubby replied back. He tried to smile but his lips were too dry. The anesthesia didnt wear off yet maybe, he fell back asleep.

We stayed beside hubby until the visitor's time ended. It was very difficult for me to leave for home seeing him in such a heart breaking situation. He was still very drowsy at this point. He needed rest.

We returned back home. Alhamdulilah my toddler behaved well with my mom. He being too busy with play did not notice that his dad didn't come home tonight. One day InshaAllah I will relate this to him and remind him of  how Allah's trials are indeed a source for expiation of our sins.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If Allaah loves a people, He tries them, and whoever has patience will have patience, and whoever is anxious will be anxious.” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad; Saheeh al Jaami’ , 1706).

May Allah shower us with patience. May Allah bless my parents  for assisting us in every way they honestly could.

[ourbowelcancer]

Second Thoughts

We started having second thoughts about the surgery! SubhanAllah that was difficult. We consulted few other doctors during this time and all of them gave green lights for the surgery. As hubby was 'seemingly'  healthy at that time, we feared that the surgery might leave him in a worse condition. We prayed Salat-al-Istikhara and asked Allah's Counsel. We started noticing conditions favoring towards the surgery.

“Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allaah verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest” [Quran 13:28] 

 All thanks to Allah for helping us get past those days with ease. Hubby informed his work regarding the surgery and the medical leave. And we sat waiting for the appointment.

[ourbowelcancer]

First Visit to Fremantle Hospital

Our first appointment at the Fremantle Hospital Colo-rectal Unit was in mid February. My father, hubby, myself and our month old daughter attended. While mom and toddler stayed home. While we were waiting there, a considerate lady staff arranged a nook for me to feed my little one. After a bit of waiting, came our turn. There we met the Registrar doctor and a Colo-rectal nurse. The doctor was a very kind man who patiently explained what was happening as per the biopsy report. We froze when the colo-rectal team recommended a major surgery. To be precise, they suggested a Laproscopic Ultra Low Anterior Resection + Loop Ileostomy. Considering how young hubby was, the doctor emphasized the importance of this operation. The procedure was explained, the surgeon would identify the spot where the polyp was removed from, then resect that part. They would then perform an anastomosis, which is to reconnect the other two ends. This would prevent a future polyp growing out of the same spot. Alhamdulilah that seemed fair. The second part of the operation is the Temporary Loop Ileostomy. This procedure would temporarily link the end of the small intestine directly to the skin surface, thus avoiding the digesting materials from entering the large intestine(colon). This helps from straining the anastomosis and encourage better healing conditions. The doctor mentioned that hubby may or may not undergo the ileostomy as the decision is based on the nature of the anastomosis. Further, post operatively hubby would need four to six weeks of rest. By the way, ileostomy like mentioned above, connects the small intestine to the skin surface. That means all the faecal matter will come out of this hole(called stoma) somewhere near our tummy. A stoma-nurse(that was her specialty) spent a good hour discussing an ileostomy factbook. A 'stoma bag' with a sticky neck will be attached to the stoma and faecal matters would just come and fill the bag involuntarily. It had to be emptied, replaced, checked for leakage, watched out for culprit foods ... and the list goes on. And finally few month after the surgery, when the anastomosis is healed, another surgery will reverse the ileostomy and everything will be back to normal. Hubby was mortified by the ileostomy and the stoma more than the surgery itself. We were double minded when the doctor asked us for a decision. On one hand, the surgery would prevent a future polyp and that was important. But on the other hand, the surgery obviously would not guarantee against polyps growing at other sites. Adding to this, the list of possible side effects from the surgery. We both struggled to weigh the benefits. In the end, we gave our consent as further delay would push us deeper down the waiting list. Looking back, it seems unbelievable how fast things were progressing towards a major surgery in a half an hour(or so) discussion. Hubby was going through procedures after procedures such as, chest x-rays, blood checks etc. The pre-operative procedures were completed that day itself. We returned home by evening. The date of the surgery would be notified through a phone call. So we were told to expect it soon.

[ourbowelcancer]

Malignancy Detected

A week into February, the nurse called us to book an appointment with the GP at the earliest. We knew straight away the biopsy result must have reached the GP. We both along with our 5 weeks old daughter visited the GP the same Friday evening. There was a long delay at the GP's, and finally we became the last ones in the waiting room. It was almost closing time and the staff were leaving. I still remember that kind desk staff come to us and meet our little daughter. She told us how big her little boy has grown into now and reminded us to cherish the times. Alhamdulilah All thanks to Allah. After some more waiting, the GP called us in. It was a worrying walk to the doctor's room. Yet cancer was not even in our thoughts. Hubby has a familial history of hemorrhoids. So frankly, that was the worst I was expecting to hear that day. The GP began to discuss the biopsy results straight away. There wasn't any sugar-coating really. Not necessary either as it wouldn't have made a difference to the heartbreak. Malignancy was the word. The polyp was cancerous. The GP went on with the aspects of the report, but we were quite shattered by then everything else just felt like a murmur. We are being sent to Fremantle Hospital, Colo-rectal Surgery for further investigations at the earliest. Anyway the doctor assured us that the colonoscopy was done at the right time. We got rid of the polyp. All thanks to God. At the back of my mind I was wondering whether we just cleared up everything or was it all beginning with this new finding. Whatever the case, this is a decree of Almighty Allah. I tried to remember the supplication for the time of distress. Before leaving the doctor's room, we asked for a hard-copy of the biopsy result. I was sure we both missed out many things from the GP's discussion. We walked back into the parking lot pale faced and drove home in silence pretty much. All thanks to God for making Islam clear to us. Every pain is a source of purification of our sins. We prayed to Allah to keep us patient.

[ourbowelcancer]

His First Colonoscopy

Early January, my hubby submitted the FOBT samples as per the GP's direction. In a week's time, we received a call from the nurse. This time, the pathologists identified blood cells in the sample. As our GP was still on vacation, we had to wait until February for a follow-up appointment. At this point, hubby still described poking sensation and altered bowel habits along with the presence of blood. But we didn't give much importance and carried as usual. It was mid-January, me and baby number two were finally settling in after the delivery. Our older son was(and is) a busy toddler. Pretty much handful!. My parents had flown in from our homeland to attend the birth and stay with us for a while, so our days were lively and time was flying. Then, within a week's time we got notified about a Colonoscopy appointment at the Armadale Health Service. A few days later Hubby had a pre-colonoscopy appointment to discuss about the procedure and preps. In a Colonoscopy procedure, the specialist can view the interior of the colon and look for polyps, ulcer, inflammation etc. This is done by a scope that is administered through the rear passage. The scope is fitted with a camera enabling the specialist to guide it inside the patient's colon. Additionally, the scope can take tissue samples or remove certain unwanted growths. Now that is a very simple definition. As the week leading to the Colonoscopy neared, hubby had to strictly watch what he was eating. Five days before the colonoscopy he stopped eating nuts and seeds, then the last two days he had to stick to limited items such as white bread, white rice etc. The day before the colonoscopy was a clear fluids day. This means he could only drink clear fluids such as water, apple juice, clear soup, jellies (Yellow or Orange colours only). All of these restrictions help us to provide a favorable environment for a successful colonoscopy. The preps(medicinal drinks to flush the colon) began in the afternoon prior to the big day. I saw hubby struggling to somehow finish off with the concoction. He had to literally stay at close proximity with the loo as the prep triggered frequent stools and diarrhea. This is a desired and expected effect of the prep as it signifies the colon emptying its contents. By evening, hubby was exhausted and sore from the diarrhea. That day all he consumed was jelly, clear soup, water and the prep liquid. May Allah reward him for the difficulties he endured. The following morning, hubby and my dad went to the hospital. I and my mom stayed home with my toddler and newborn. Hubby was among the first patients to be checked-in. After the usual observations, he got changed into a hospital gown. His consultant was one of the senior doctors. Pretty soon hubby was offered a sedative after which the Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy were carried out. After the sedation eased off, the doctor met with hubby to discuss the immediate findings. All thanks to God, the Gastroscopy did not show anything significant. But, the Colonoscopy yielded a discovery of a large Recto-Sigmoid polyp which was removed during the procedure itself. A biopsy of the polyp was sent to the lab for further examination. We were given a 15-day waiting time for the lab results to arrive. The doctor insisted us to follow up the biopsy results with the GP. Of course, at this point the doctor hinted that if malignancy were to be detected in the upcoming lab results, then our next place would be Fremantle Hospital. This was when the faces went pale (first).

[ourbowelcancer]

In the Beginning

At our home, Hubby is the bread winner and I stay at home looking after our first child. In October 2012, I was 6 months pregnant with our second child. We were quite excited as the due date was getting closer. Early October, Hubby caught a stomach bug. It gave him a high temperature at one point, but eventually got settled with a couple of Panadols (acetaminophen). But then, it turned into what my hubby described as waves of stomach cramps that would come and go. It was at this point, we decided to see the GP, who told us that the bug was doing rounds in Perth so just hang on. He prescribed some medicines and within a day or so hubby was back on track Alhamdulilah (All Praise to God) Following weeks, hubby started noticing strains of fresh blood on the stool surface. Assuming a case of harmless hemorrhoids here, we pushed this aside and carried on without visiting the GP. Within few weeks, we noticed additional symptoms including occasional ‘poking’ in the stomach during day time and a definite difference in bowel habits. We heard of a new GP who joined at the Clinic which I frequent for myself and our son. So we met the GP, who was a very compassionate man. My hubby was very delighted to discover a good male doctor for himself. The GP examined for anal fissures and discovered none. So next, the doctor suggested we do a FOBT (Faecal occult blood test) and another test for checking harmful parasites. FOBT is a test for detecting hidden blood in faeces. This is quite a simple procedure but highly recommended. We gave an FOBT sample at the pathologist’s in the following week, making sure that the sample we took did really include the blood stained poo. When the results came in, strangely enough there was no detection of blood cells . Also no harmful parasites were detected. By now it was mid-December. The blood-stained poo was now a regular and occasional ‘poking’ sensation still lingered. So we persisted for answers. The holiday season was around, so the GP said he will send a referral for hubby’s colonoscopy before he leaves for vacation. Me and hubby had no idea what a colonoscopy really meant. The GP also suggested two repeats of FOBT and to submit them with a week’s interval between them. Further hubby was given a medicine to rule out any hookworm infestation. Early January 2013, our second bundle of joy was born. All thanks to Allah Once the initial hustle-bustle settled, we submitted the two FOBT samples at the pathologist's. The Colonoscopy date was announced through a letter and scheduled for the end of January at Armadale Hospital.

[ourbowelcancer]

Prologue

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful The purpose of this blog is to share my experience coping with my husband’s Colon Cancer (Bowel Cancer) diagnosis and recording the journey which began that day. I plan to include our experience going in and out of hospitals, how the children were affected, lifestyle changes, emotional pressure, my husband’s work life, my new life as a Carer and most of all write about the Source that kept us functioning in the most testing moments.   We are a Muslim family, which means our religion is Islam. By being a follower of Islam,

We believe and worship One God Alone (Allah) with strictly no associates

We believe that God sent Messengers, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and final Messenger Muhammad (Upon them all be peace)

We accept the original unaltered Torah (Gospel of Moses) and Bible (Gospel of Jesus) since they were revealed by God. However, none of these Scriptures are in existence in their unaltered form. Therefore, Muslims follow the subsequent, final and preserved revelation of God, the Quran

We believe in Angels including Gabriel (Peace be upon him)

We believe in ‘personal responsibility’ of our sins. On the day of Judgment, every person will be resurrected and will take responsibility for their wrong deeds or words. An atom's weight of good deed or bad deed will be accounted for

As a Muslim, Our goal is to attain the pleasure and mercy of God, to enter Paradise and save us from Hellfire. This is done by performing actions that are pleasing to God and keeping away from actions that cause harm and corruption. The life of this world is temporary. We all are eventually going to die; young or old ; one way or another. No human has lived for ever. The One who created us has instructed about our purpose in this short life  “And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)” [Quran 51:56] "[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving –" [Quran 67:2] Also we believe that God tests a Muslim, to see whether his faith is sincere or feeble. The believer whose faith is sincere will patiently accept the will and decree of God, and will seek reward from Him. God highly praises those who are patient and says that He is with them and that He will give them reward without measure. Patience is a high status which can only be attained by those who are tested with things that they bear patiently. If a Muslim bears them patiently, he attains this high status which brings great reward. So when Allaah tests the believers with things that hurt them, that is so that they may attain the status of those who are patient. "Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried?" [Quran 29:2] "And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient" [Quran 2:155]   I hope to keep this blog as a reminder to myself and my family to look back to. When times are good, it is always empowering for the soul to look back at the difficult phases in life that God helped us manage through. It helps us to be thankful for the countless other blessings we have. God Willing, The blog will help me to jot down the little things which I may not want to forget as years go by. Dealing with cancer diagnosis is very heart-breaking no doubt. So getting right support and advice goes a long way in coping the situation. I hope that at least some of you can get some reassurance from this blog. Thank You