Ken Garron
Sutton, MA
My name is Amanda, and I am 20 years old living in Central Massachusetts. My father is currently in the progress of battling rectal cancer.
My grandfather and my Nana had colon cancer. My father was diagnosed at 49 years old on February 18, 2011. Still in the battle, but stronger each day!!
My father is surrounded by love everyday. Myself, my mother, my sister, my brother in law, my boyfriend, my grandparents (mom’s parents), my aunts & uncles, my cousins, his football players, his co-workers, his long time friends, his co-coaches…. people, love, faith and hope is what can conquer a terrifying disease.
This battle has been unreal. One we never could have imagined. And it is true what people say, “you never really know what a cancer patient goes through until you’ve gone through it, or you watch a close loved one go through it.” Having family and friends’ support is what has gotten us through this extremely hard time. You must keep spirits up though, because with a positive attitude you can conquer anything.
My father received treatment at home, the UMASS University, and UMASS Memorial (worcester, MA campuses) He had 12 weeks of chemo, 11 weeks of radiation, surgery (removed his rectum, his bladder and his prostate), currently enduring his second round of chemo, pill form at home and via port at UMASS Memorial, Worcester, MA
The most challenging part my father faced, still faces today, is dealing with a urostomy bag, and a colostomy bag. He has both, so as some of you can imagine, two is harder than one. He is slowly but surely getting used to them! We embrace them because he is still alive and with us, and currently cancer free! (more chemo for precautionary reasons)
I think my father’s words of wisdom would be ‘NEVER GIVE UP. YOU CAN BEAT THIS. HAVE HOPE & FAITH….’ even when you feel like there is nowhere to turn… I promise you there is! We have been there, we have been through it. You will get mad, you will get sad and you will get depressed. That all comes naturally with this disease, but things will get better. You have to believe in you and believe that you are a strong individual!!!!!!! Talk to people! Do not keep everything inside because that will make things worse. Talk to family, friends, co-workers, doctors, nurses, support groups. There truly are so many people out there who want to make the best out of this terrible situation, you are never alone!!!!