Round 3 hit me pretty hard, I discovered a deeper chamber to my cave but am hoping that my low white blood cells count had something to do with it. My level was .6 before my treatment and my doctor told me she would have postponed my chemo if it had been .5, close call! She ordered a Neulasta shot which is a shot that boosts the bone marrow’s production of white blood cells but she then proceeded to tell me that some people find the side effects worse than chemo and that I may get intense bone pains (whoo hoo exactly what one wants to hear knowing that they are about to dive into their cave). Well I got the shot at noon yesterday and so far so good, I am afraid to say it out loud for fear of jinxing it but maybe writing it doesn’t count… I will need to take Claritin and Aleve for 4 more days but so far it seems to be working.
When I met with my oncologist on Monday, I asked her if she had received the results from the Colaris test. Colaris is a genetic test that assesses one’s risk of developing hereditary colorectal cancer and it looks for various mutations on specific genes. I had the test done during my first visit and had been anxiously waiting for the results. The potential ramifications of the results were pretty disconcerting. If you have the gene, then your kids have a 50% chance of having it and so do your siblings. Spontaneous mutations are extremely rare so chances are, one of your parents would have the gene and then their own siblings would have a 50% chance of having it and so on and so forth. The potential domino effect was unnerving.
My doctor had not seen the results and said she would have one of her girls look into it. When I went back on Wednesday to get unhooked from my pump (such a deliverance) and get my white blood cells booster shot, I asked one of the girls if they had heard anything about the genetic testing. She looked through my chart and handed me a sheet that said “patient copy”. I was a bit shocked not to get the results “sitting down” but then again not much surprises me anymore and at least I was not driving (LOL). So anyways, I took the piece of paper and read the capital bold letters at the top:
“NO MUTATION DETECTED”
Wow!!!, whew!!! phew!!! (big sigh of relief!), a huge weight was off my shoulders. The first thought that went through my head was that my kids did not have a 50% chance of having this gene (yay yay yay!), then I thought about my siblings, my parents and my extended family, what a relief… This was such a big worry that I could just finally let go.
However, my reflection didn’t end there. I like to put percentages on things because it helps me keep things in perspective. So I can say that 95% of me was extremely relieved and ecstatic to find this out, but there was a selfish 5% of me that was disappointed, not for my family of course, but for my self. I know I will probably never find out why I got this cancer, but thinking that it was maybe genetic made me put this question to rest. It was just bad genetics. But now I know for sure, that it was not bad genetics, so what could it have been? The nasty McDonalds fries I liked so much?, the fact that I didn’t exercise as much as I should have? the fact that I lost patience with my boys and yelled?, the fact that I spent too much time on pinterest while not paying attention to my husband?, the fact that I always tried to do so much and didn’t “self nurture” enough like I always taught all the women who sat on my couch? what the fuck was it???? (sorry dad)
I don’t think about this all the time, but of course I do have the normal fleeting thoughts that come with having such a diagnosis. I thought I had successfully boxed up those thoughts for good but with the results yesterday, I was forced to reopen the box and take out the explanation I had thought I had found. As a result, all the questions came back…
I will find my meaning, I know I will, I just need a little patience…
“Said, woman, take it slow
And things will be just fine
You and I’ll just use a little patience
Said, sugar, take the time
‘Cause the lights are shining bright
You and I’ve got what it takes
To make it… ” Guns and Roses…
Beating Stage IV Colon Cancer at 40 
dear Rachele I have been reading your story from the beginning, I cried, smiled and finally relieved with the latest news no mutation detected. Perhaps you do not remember me, I am Valerie’s mother and when I visited her I often saw you and your family at Muriel’s place, you can imagine how unbelievable your story is for a person who I saw in good health, (but very thin) at this time… but nothing abnormal. I and some friends have been praying a lot for you there is a catholic priest who has died 150 years ago, he has been doing one miracle during his lifetime, and the Vatican is waiting for another one to canonize him as saint, we have been praying for you for this miracle to happen. We are all with you in Mauritius, can you imagine a little island so far from you, people thinking and praying for you, you should be blessed. Keep it up … Claude May
I clearly remember you Claude May and Mauritius island has always been on my bucket list 😉 there is nothing I want more than to be this priest’s miracle so that he can be canonized and that I can come put flowers on his shrine on your beautiful island. Thank you for all the prayers.
I am pretty sure it is not because you spent too much time on pinterest while not paying attention to your husband. LOL and Lots of Love;) Rachel, I can only imagine the overwhelming relief of not thinking that the gene was passed to the boys, but also, the deep sadness and anger of wondering, then why me, Lord???? May God hear all of our prayers and answer them with complete healing. Love you!!!
Then it’s got to be the McDonald’s French fries lol!
Hurray! What fantastic news! You WILL know the answers in time Rachel! With all of my spirit im continuing to send strength, peace and a little patience to you, Fred and the boys. Love from Sandy Rich and Nathan
I’ve had a delayed response to this post. I still have a hard time accepting that you have cancer let alone thinking about your sweet, gifted young boys possibly being at risk. I am in shock learning about everything you are dealing with.
Why you? You are the most energetic, enthusiatic, attentive and loving mom and wife. It’s obvious to me how crazily in love Fred is with you cause I often catch him look at you with incredible tenderness. I feel as if I am witnessing infatuation or new love. As far as the mom you are… well you could pin all day with all great birthdays, vacations, teaching, cooking, baking, home design and decorating you’ve done. So why did this happen to you? My head is still spinning, but I can see you are paving new ground for this journey. I can see you swimming like never before. You will crush cancer’s ass and I’ll watch you and do whatever I can every step the way.