Kris’s Story

Site created on January 13, 2012

I was diagnosed with late stage colon cancer in January 2012.  I have since had 70 (between infused and oral) rounds of chemo and 2 rounds of radiation to my liver.  My family and friends have been of amazing support and blessing in my life.  It's been quite a journey for our family but we are finding so much to be thankful for and enjoying each day as it comes.  Thankfully the past 4 years have been filled with many things to be thankful for as I have done incredibly well!

Thank you for sharing in this journey with me and for your continued prayers and support.









Many of you ask about how I was diagnosed so I thought I would share a bit of that process as it is my hope no one else will have to go through this and you will all get early colonoscopies - there is no reason to wait until 50 - we are seeing this cancer earlier and earlier and at very late stages.

I went in December 5, 2011 for what I had hoped would be a routine colonscopy after having some bleeding in my stool due to what I had thought was hemmoroids.  I was told there was a small spot on my colon but to expect a full recovery.  I had surgery on December 12th and then found out later that week it had spread to 3 lymph nodes and then in January was told I had 15 tumors in my liver.  It was probably one of the scariest days in my life - thinking of my family and my children especially.  As many of you know my mom passed away when I was 15 so the thought of my kids growing up without me was a bit too much at times for me.

I started chemo in January 2012 and have had 19 rounds since then and will have round 20 next week. I have responded extremely well to the chemo with my tumor marker going from 1500 in January to 7.9 two weeks ago.  For reference under 3 would be considered normal.  I have also had 2 rounds of radiation using the Y90 treatment, to which I will know the results in about 2 months, it takes awhile for it to work but I remain hopeful.

I have been blessed with so many friends and family members, vacations with family, etc it's hard to put it all into words.  My children are doing great - Lauren graduated and is currently working, Sarah is a junior in High School and doing well and Ryan is in middle school and seems to be enjoying school a bit more than years past which is great.

We have two vacations we are looking forward to - Missouri with all my sisters and their families at Christmas and Hawaii in February - I can hear the whales calling my name already!  There were many days I wasn't sure I would make it back there but I know I headed back this February and will enjoy the time with my family.  After that I will take a break from vacations except maybe to visit my sister.

As I look forward, it is hard to believe I will be coming up on my year anniversaries - crazy but I am so thankful to be feeling good and living life to the fullest. 

My blessings can hardly be counted but include:  amazing family and friends, amazing nurses and doctors that are there for me each week, meals and support for my family, friends that help with my children when needed, the ability to see milestones with my children, family time on vacations, the ability to work and spend time with toddlers and their families each week and hopefully share in their parenting journey in a meaningful way, the list could go on and on......  Thank you is the best I can say now.

Thank you for sharing in this journey with me and for your positive thoughts, support and prayers

 

 

Newest Update

July 28, 2023 checking in

Journal entry by kris anderson —

Hi all-

Thought I would send a quick update since it's been awhile.

Kris:

My chemo stopped working about a month ago so I had a bunch of scans and it was determined I had some growth in my lungs (about 7 small nodules/tumors) instead of the 2-3 I had previously.  They are still quite small but of course I'm not happy!  Along with the new growth, my tumor marker jumped to 80 from a previous 25.  Given all of this, we have discontinued the use of FOLFOX and I will be moving on to FOLFIRI - something I've been on before. I'll be bringing back my beanies (hair will fall out) and I also will be taking the med that gave me the facial rash - oh the joys!  But it was all manageable before so I'm hoping it will be again.

I'm taking my second trip back to my sisters in Missouri later this month. I always enjoy my time there with her and her family. My nephews are a lot of fun!  Ryan will join me for part of the trip as well.

I head back to work in September and am thankful to have my time with toddlers and their parents - it brings a lot of joy to my life. I'll also continue watching our little nanny boy, Barry, once a week - so excited for that!  Lots of laughter and smiles when he is around!


Mike:

Mike has completed 4 of his 6 rounds of treatment. He's had quite a few times when his blood count was too low for treatment, so he's had to get some booster shots to get them to the level needed.  He's been able to continue working and has some fatigue around treatment time.  He's hoping to get out fishing a bit this weekend.

Family:

Lauren and Fraser bought a house in Portland in May.  We've all been down to help with work there - they have ripped out carpets, removed wallpaper and done lots of painting.  The new floors are almost complete. I'm going down next week to paint all the new trim so it can be installed and Mike is going down the following weekend to help hang drywall and mud and tape.  

Sarah and Marty bought a house in Bellingham and just moved July 1st.  We all got to go up this past weekend to help them with mainly yard maintenance - lots of overgrown landscaping.  Mike and Marty also hung a ceiling fan and their new HUGE tv.  

It's been great to be able to support the girls in their new homes and help out as much as we can - we are very excited for them!

Ryan continues his work at Redapt and playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends. He's been very helpful at his sister's houses as well - mainly in the tech department, but also with some lawn mowing and landscaping!

Thank you for all your love and support,

Kris

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