Gary Reeder
for those of you keeping up with Charlie Herf's daughter
Tuesday, December 04, 2018, 12:52

Allison and her fight with cancer, here is the latest right from her...

Hello Family and Friends

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
I'm happy to say this year I spent Thanksgiving with my family, who all traveled here to enjoy the holiday with me. Drastically different from last year, I spent Thanksgiving alone because I was on isolation from the discovery of C-diff & e coli infection I had in my digestive system. The infection was highly contagious and if not treated correctly can be fatal, awesome!! Little did I know this was just the begining of what was going to be the hardest year of my life!!

Today marks exactly one year to the day that I was diagnosed with cancer. I was immediately admitted to the hospital in preparation for the 1st of many surgeries to remove a tumor that was so large it was blocking 95% of my colon. As you all know all of this was unexpected so you can imagine how hard it was a year ago making that phone call to my parents and knowing from this moment on my life will never be the same. Upon being admitted the tests began, from labs to CT & MRI scans, etc... to see what we were dealing with. It was then I heard the words no one ever wants to hear, 'You have stage 4 colorectal cancer that has spread to your lymph nodes and liver' pretty sure I didn't hear anything after that for a few minutes. I went through every emotion possible in my head while trying to keep my exterior demeanor as calm as possible. It was GO time, and started out with a bang, major surgery removing the large tumor, part of my colon, resectioning my colon into an ostomy bag, and exploration to see the extent of damage. Little did I know the next 12 months were going to be, literally, a battle for my life, relentlessly testing my strength both mentally and physically on a daily basis.
I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I've had 2 major surgeries, 3 not so major trips to the OR, 3 months of narly chemo, 6 weeks of daily radiation with chemo, multiple trips to the ER, from infections to ostomy prolapses I've been through it all!
I will be closing out this year of fighting with another surgery, exactly 1 year to the day of surgery #1!! As you know I had my last major surgery in August, after a week in he hospital, about week 2 of my recovery I began getting this numbing pain in my tailbone area. The numbing pain became intense acute pain rather quickly, come to find out I had a massive bacteria infection in my pelvic region as a result from invasive surgery. There was a large abscess filled with yuck pressing up against the bone causing intense pain. I had another surgery to insert a drain with a tube that runs from the abscess out my upper left butt check in to a bag. Yep I now officially have 2 exterior bags surgically attached to my body, a real life 'Bag Lady'!!! I make fun of it but this one truly blows!! I had an easier time getting used to an ostomy bag. Unfortunately the pain did not subside with the insertion of the drain, it actually increased due to the placement of the drain that was pressing against a major nerve every time I moved or put any pressure in that area, again Awesome! I was supposed to have the drain for 1 week to 1 month... well it has now been 3+ months of literally a pain in my ass!!! The pain is so intense I can barely sleep, any movement onto my left side I'm immediately woken up in pain. I've tried everything and until the drain comes out and the infection is cleared up this is a pain I have to tolerate, even with medication I'm well aware of the discomfort 24/7. Needless to say the past 3 months have been beyond exhausting and frustrating, making the arrival of my family so special at Thanksgiving because I was not able to travel.
I will be having surgery Friday morning to hopefully remove the drain & abscess if possible, there's also a chance it's gone into the bone, if so the deaden bone will be shaved off. There are many things up in the air with this surgery, until she gets in there to see what we are dealing with and what the best possible outcome will be, your guess is as good as mine. Once I'm out of the hospital next week I will update you, even I have a million questions but it's a wait and see situation. That is one thing I've struggled with throughout the year is "waiting and seeing" lets just say patience is NOT a virtue I greatly posses, however when there is no option I have to roll with the punches.
I'm just hoping for a successful surgery, to lessen my pain level, enabling me to go home this year for Xmas, instead of spending it in the ER like last year. That would be the best present for me this year, home for the holidays, no ER, no treatments and no surgeries for at least a couple weeks! I know I still have another major surgery coming down the path sometime in late Jan / early Feb, but we'll cross that bridge after the New Year, one trip to the OR at a time is enough for me!
I will keep you all posted on how this week goes and what the road ahead looks like!!
I can't Thank you all enough for all of your love, support, encouragement, generosity, positivity and prayers!!
I greatly appreciate it and could not have made it through this year without all of you being there for me, you all make me fight harder and give me the strength I need to get through some of these fabulous road blocks along the way, with you I pave my own way to charge forward!!! Cancer does suck!!! but it won't suck the life out of me, too much to live for and too much life left to live!!! I don't make New Year resolutions or crap like that but this year, when asked my reply is "Live me life the way I want that makes me happy" pretty simple and something I can accomplish.
Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday and Happy New Year!!!!
Thank you again
Love,
Allison
Help spread the word! Keep the prayers and notes coming 3429 Ray Street, San Diego CA 92104.