You have Cancer. This is one of the most scariest times in ones life. This year almost 1.4 million Americans will hear the words "You've got cancer," and in that instant their lives will be forever transformed.

Carol and I could certainly say that our life has now forever been changed. I remember early last spring Carol was the one that was making me go to the Dr. for the colonoscopy. With my family history, we wanted to make sure that I was clean. So off to the show I go. I go in and sure enough 3 or 4 polyps were found and removed and sent to the lab. No worries the Doctor said. They came back negative. Whew. Calamity dodged.

So, we now go about our lives again. Carol with the many troubles that she has had remain our focus. For all intents and purpose, I was fine. Fast forward to October. Carol falls on the 21st. I had already gone to work. She calls me and says that she thinks she broke her leg. I rush home and go to the bedroom. Yep sure enough, Carols ankle is off to the side of her leg and out of the socket. Call for the ambulance and off to the hospital she goes. An evening surgery and a night stay and she comes home.

Meanwhile, she is telling the nurses that she doesn't feel safe going home. Sent home anyway. We are doing well , but with Carol, her determination to do things on her own is getting her in trouble. She doesn't like to be tied down.

It is now November, right around thanksgiving time. Carol falls again. When I go to check on her, she is unable to speak properly. After a quick non-professional assessment, I really thought she was having a stroke. I called the ambulance again. This time she was evaluated by several Dr's. One thing that they found was that she was really anemic. She was losing blood from somewhere. Now the search was on to find out where.

She was scheduled to go home, but caught an infection. This time 8 days in the hospital. If any of you have been in the hospital, you don't get much rest. The nurses are always checking on you which is their job. She was set up with appointment for an upper GI scope and a lower GI scope. It was the lower GI scope where they found the colorectal cancer.

At our hospital, the family member stays in the room, the bed is whisked away and the Dr. and or Nurse will call the room to give you updates as to what is happening in the Surgical room. I got calls all morning, she is now under doing fine, she is awake now and doing fine. It was the next phone call that I did not expect. Dr. Johnson called to the room. "I have bad news". Gulp. Carol has colorectal cancer. Oh boy I said. I just couldn't believe it and didn't really know what to say.

It didn't take but a minute to register. My wife has cancer! I got on the phone immediately and called her parents. They were out of town. Still One of the worst phone calls of my life. They literally just got home. I mean they walked in the door looked at the message machine and called me. I transferred the same sentiment the Dr. sent. Carol's mom picked up the phone, called me, and I said, I have bad news, Carol has colon cancer. I couldn't hold it in anymore and busted up like a big ole baby. I asked if they could come down. It was more of a support for me. Hmm, how selfish. My wife is just diagnosed with cancer and I need sympathy?

When Carol came into the room, she was still a little droggy from the procedure. She looked up at me and said, "Honey, I'm sorry but I think I have cancer." I will never forget those words that she told me.

They came down and it was a relief. I was actually scared. The fear of the unknown is a two edged sword. I did learn that Cancer can take over your life – it sucks up your energy and ravages your health. What doctors don’t tell you is how much cancer takes over your mind. The voice in your head asking “Will I make it?” The lingering doubts. The loneliness. This happens for both the one with cancer and the family member.

Finally Carol was allowed to come home.