Way too young...scares me.

Yesterday my cousin Valerie passed away at the age of 32. The same age as me. We grew up together until about the last 12 years, where we only saw each other at reunions, etc. She was diagnosed with Colon cancer a few years ago, and it just basically attacked her body non-stop. A complete hysterectomy, parts of her liver, lungs, etc were removed, along with her entire colon, and parts of her large and small intestines.

Obviously, it is a very hard thing to go through for a family. I am upset, and I feel horrible for my aunt and Valeries brother. What scares me is the fact that I have ulcerative colitis, which also affects your colon, and from what I've read, leads to much greater chances of cancer. I'm already on a high dose of prednisone every day, basically for the rest of my life, as my body quit producing cortisone because of the dosage. It is the only way for me to lead a normal life and work. So my bone density is getting less and less, my immune system is getting worse, and I still have very, very bad days. No other medicine works.

I try to tell myself that I'm going to be fine, but I can't help but think of the long term toll this is taking on my body.

Sorry, I just had to vent a little. Glad I have the kids and my fiance to keep a smile on my face.

Oh, and if it has taken a while for me to return any pm's, etc, I apologize.