Nene Leakes shared good news about her husband Gregg’s ongoing cancer battle this week.
The 53-year-old reality star revealed that after six weeks in the hospital following his recent colon cancer diagnosis, Gregg was finally coming back home.
Read MoreNene told People magazine previously that it was difficult to be a caretaker. “It’s very, very hard to be a caretaker,” she said. “People call and they say, ‘How’s Gregg doing?’ and I want to throw the phone and say, ‘How the f am I doing? I’m going crazy over here, Gregg is wearing me out!’ I am not good at this s! I would rather hire somebody. Gregg doesn’t wants me to hire somebody, but I’m just not good. I’m not good at fluffing the pillow; I’m good at buying the pillow.”
Gregg was first diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2018 and was hospitalized for close to three weeks.
Nene shared the news of his hospitalization on Instagram and later revealed it was cancer by snapping a photo of her husband at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
“Our New Normal and the fight begins,” wrote Nene on Instagram.
Things then seemed to go very well for Gregg, who thanks to an aggressive treatment plan was able to appeared alongside his wife on The Wendy Williams Show in September 2019 and announce that he was cancer-free.
Then, in March of last year, he posted lab results confirming that he was still cancer free to Instagram.
Things took a turn, however, and in June Nene shared the news that Gregg had been diagnosed with the disease for a second time.
“Hey guys….I was really caught off guard in that interview when asked about Gregg! He's a private person so i hadn't said anything publicly (his wishes) (Only our circle really know details) and really sometimes it's best that way because people just read into it whatever they want too and family, whew Chileeeeee i just can't,” wrote Nene on social media at the time.
“Gregg told me this morning he had 80 text messages and wanted to know what was wrong wit his phone. Thank you for your many prayers[,] text messages and calls.”
She closed out by saying: “PS: Gregg says to me, keep smiling.”
Gregg had previously shared the details of his cancer journey on social media in 2018, but hasn’t shared recent details.
How to Treat Colon Cancer
Surgery is one of best tools in the fight against colon cancer, but that doesn't mean that everyone should undergo surgery. If you are referred to a surgeon for your colon cancer, expect a conversation about the unique balance of risks and benefits that surgery would mean for you, Dr. Heather Yeo, colorectal surgeon at Weill Cornell in New York and a SurvivorNet Medical Advisor previously told SurvivorNet. It can be overwhelming to talk through the process, but don't be afraid to ask your surgeon any questions you might haveremember, they do this everyday. One of the most important things to ask about at the beginning is what the recovery will be like, because this is different for everyone.
Generally, surgery is recommended for anyone with stage one, two or three colon cancerthough stage two and three may require both surgery and chemotherapy. Even if surgery is successful at removing your cancer, there are always risks to surgery. If you hear the term "complications," that can mean anything from an infection that is treated with antibiotics to a problem with the surgery itself that requires another operation.
Dr. Heather Yeo explains why colon cancer screening is critical
Colorectal Cancer Facts
Symptoms of colon cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, include:
- A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days
- A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by having one
- Rectal bleeding with bright red blood
- Blood in the stool, which might make it look dark brown or black
- Cramping or abdominal pain
- Weakness and fatigue
- Losing weight without trying
Since all of these issues can also be common symptoms for other illnesses, and sometimes aren't always a cause for concern, it is generally best to see a doctor to be on the safe side.
Related: Colon Cancer Screening Options And Genetics: Myth Busting With Dr. Heather Yeo
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Yeo discussed the top three myths associated with colon cancer and getting screened.
Myth #1: Colonoscopies are the only way to detect colon cancer.
The verdict: Not true. Though colonoscopies are the best way, there are a lot of other methods like fecal occult blood tests (which look at a sample of your stool) and fecal immunochemical tests (FIT). "The [tests] have different roles and you should talk to a medical provider about what's best for you, but there are a lot of options," Dr. Yeo says.
Myth #2: Only people with a family history can get colon cancer.
The verdict: Not true. "In fact, the majority of people who get colon cancer have no family history," Dr. Yeo says. "The reason I do the specialty is that if we screen patients early, cancers can be prevented. We can have really good survival outcomes and so I tell that to a lot of my patients. It's important to have a positive outlook for that."
Myth #3: Only people with symptoms need to screen.
The verdict: Absolutely not true. "The guidelines have recently changed because colon cancer has increased in people under the age of 50 … The American Cancer Society has recently recommended that we start screening at the age of 45," Dr. Yeo says. And that means everybody.
Dr. Heather Yeo busts some myths about colon cancer screening
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