Newly Diagnosed and Post-Op

nickles

I am 47 years old. A mass was found in my colon in January and I was diagnosed with colon cancer in February through a colonoscopy. I had left hemicolectomy surgery on February 27 during which approximately 3 feet of my colon was removed and a resection done. No colostomy was needed. However, the cancer went through the wall into two of the nodes in the colon. It has not gone to my liver or any other organ. I have an appointment with my oncologist this week to discuss further treatment of either chemo or radiation. This diagnosis really has thrown me for a loop as the health problems prevalent in my family have been mainly heart ailments and diabetes. I am hoping that the worst is over and that it will be uphill from here on, but I am really frightened that it might not be. Even though I have done research, I don't know realistically what to expect. Has anyone had an experience similar to mine? Thanks in advance for your help.

dont

DEAR NICKLES:
YOUR STORY IS NEARLY A DULICATE OF MY OWN.THE FELLINGS OF THE UNKNOWN WERE THE WORST!YOUR ONCOLGIST WILL ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS IN DETAIL .
MY CANCER WAS DIAGNOSED ON JULY 19,2000,ON JULY 29,2000 I HAD SURGERY.THEY REMOVED 3 FEET OF COLON AND 7 LYMPH NODES,IT HAD SPREAD TO 3 OF THE 7.THIS MAKES THE CANCER A STAGE 4. THE STAGING INDICATES THE TREATMENT THAT IS REQUIRED.
MY TREATMENT WAS CHEMO THERAPY WITH THE DRUG
FLUOROURACIL A.K.A "5 FU"I RECIEVED DAILY INJECTIONS FOR 5 CONSECUTIVE DAYS,THEN NOTHING FOR 3 WEEKS,THEN THE PROCEEDURE REPEATED A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES.
FOR A PERIOD OF 1 MONTH,AFTER THE THIRD ROUND OF 5 FU,I HAD DAILY RADIATION TREATMENTS AND THROUGH A PORTACATH ,CONTINOUS INFUSION OF THE 5 FU.
THIS ALL SOUND COMPLICATED,IN FACT IT WAS NOT.I DROVE MYSELF TO THE TREATMENTS,AND CONTINUED TO WORK EVEY DAY!!!
I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE GREAT SUPPORT OF MY FAMILY,FRIENDS AND MEDICAL STAFF.A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS A MUST!!! I DID GET TIRED FROM THE TREATMENTS,BUT THAT WAS WAY BETTER THAN I EXPECTED.
LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTORS,FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE
AND KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE.

2bhealed

Dear nickles,

I was stage 3, lymph node positive, 0 metastisis also. My tumor was in the sigmoid colon. I only had 12 inches removed with a good margin. 2 lymphs out of 19 tested positive. I was advised to do adjuvant chemo which I have declined. Read my testimony at 2bhealed.

My sister died of adenocarcinoma at 34 years old. I was diagnosed right before my 40th b'day. Talk about scared. But I have kept a level head and done my own research and that's why I declined the chemo. She did everything Mayo told her and died. She had the radiation and chemo and survived four years. She hardly changed her diet, lifestyle or anything. She stayed ignorant of her disease and I think that was a mistake. I advise you to RESEARCH. Books that I have found helpful have been:

Questioning Chemo by Ralph Moss
Beating Cancer Through Nutrition by Patrick Quillin
A Cancer Battle Plan by Frahm
Prescription for Nutrional Healing by Balch
Reclaiming Our Health by John Robbins
The Cancer Prevention Diet by Michio Kushi
Your Child Doesn't Have to Die by Sorteberg

This is just a start.

I understand the fear--especially since I have watched my sister die of my same cancer (different location). You are not alone.

BUT PLEASE PLEASE research before you choose the chemo or radiation. And if you do choose that route PLEASE read Quillin's book b/c it will help you to enhance the work of the chemo/radiation nutritionally.

Feel free to email me at my home address if you need/want to discuss/share with someone who is on this road. I do not often frequent this website. art41@cornernet.com

My best wishes to you and keep in touch.

peace, emily

ron50

Hi Nickles, I was 48 ,stage three six pos nodes,left hemicolctomy,no colestomy. Prognosis survival to three years with no chemo under 30%,with chemo 50%. My surgeons opinnion was 50/50 to three years ,no chance to five, I had 5FU and leucovorin for two months but could not tolerate it.I went onto twelve months of 5FU and levamisol(old remedy). it wasn't pleasant but I kept working,fishing and living. This January is the start of my fifth year with no recurrence and no worrying signs. I have regular colonoscopies ,scans and chest xrays every couple of years. I also have regular blood tests to moniter CEA and CA19.9. both of which have remained at the lowest end of the normal range. Good luck and remember It is perfectly O.K. to HATE!!!!! cancer.Ron.

willh

I can relate to your experience as I too was recently diagnosed with Colorectal. I began working with my Gp in Feb. 2001 with syptoms of dramatic change in bowel pattern and slight pain with movement. It wasn't until Sept 2001 that I received the diagnosis. My tumor was in the rectum and they removed one foot and were able to resect me, that was good news. My cancer had gotten into the lymph system and also my liver. Chemo was begun in November with my receiving Camptosar, 5FU, & Leucovorin. Tomorrow 3/28 I will meet with my oncologist and get the results of the latest C-T scan. At this stage we can start more definitive plans for the future. I look forward to corresponding with you. Will

mrslacsr

I had part of my colon removed at the age of 12 because of polyps. I have just been diagnosed with rectal cancer now at thee age of 36. I have been told that since it went through to the rectal muscles, they can not put me back together;therefore I have to have a permanent colostomy and I definitely don't know how I can handle this when it's time for this surgery, which is next month.

mrslacsr

willh said:

I can relate to your experience as I too was recently diagnosed with Colorectal. I began working with my Gp in Feb. 2001 with syptoms of dramatic change in bowel pattern and slight pain with movement. It wasn't until Sept 2001 that I received the diagnosis. My tumor was in the rectum and they removed one foot and were able to resect me, that was good news. My cancer had gotten into the lymph system and also my liver. Chemo was begun in November with my receiving Camptosar, 5FU, & Leucovorin. Tomorrow 3/28 I will meet with my oncologist and get the results of the latest C-T scan. At this stage we can start more definitive plans for the future. I look forward to corresponding with you. Will

I have read several stories about people having rectal cancer. You all seem so calm with it. How do you go about your normal lives with this? I have just been diagnosed with rectal in Jan. 02 and I am terrified! I have to have a total and permanent colostomy and I don't know what to do ? Can anyone help me through this? I really would appreciate some help with dealing with this! Can anyone help me!!!

ifiowa

i had colon cancer 3 yrs ago and it pentrated through the colon..not found in the lymph system but 4ft of large colon taken and some of my small colon...also had a colostomy bag. I got radiation and chemo treatment at the same time for a month...than had to have just chemo every week ...i only had 2 out of 4 of treatments cause it sent me to the hospital with low white count...I dont say these things to scare you but i made the decision to take the treatment cause of the less change of this reoccuring...i got reconnected and got the ostomy bag off 8 months later...now that was 3 yrs ago and have been cancer free so far....yes, it was a ordeal at the time but i am glad i did the treatment...if you have any questions about it let me know....

kickerrn

ifiowa said:

i had colon cancer 3 yrs ago and it pentrated through the colon..not found in the lymph system but 4ft of large colon taken and some of my small colon...also had a colostomy bag. I got radiation and chemo treatment at the same time for a month...than had to have just chemo every week ...i only had 2 out of 4 of treatments cause it sent me to the hospital with low white count...I dont say these things to scare you but i made the decision to take the treatment cause of the less change of this reoccuring...i got reconnected and got the ostomy bag off 8 months later...now that was 3 yrs ago and have been cancer free so far....yes, it was a ordeal at the time but i am glad i did the treatment...if you have any questions about it let me know....

I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Nov.2001. I had pre-op radation then had my colon & rectum removed with the formation of an ileostmy in Dec.2001. I am currently halfway through my chem (5FU & lecovorin). I am 39 years old with 2 kids (10& 12). I am feeling pretty good since my surgery and am trying to return to my hobby of taekwon do, a little at a time. I can't work through my treatments because as a RN the work can be too strenuos. I really believe that you have to continue to live your life while getting your treatment. My staging for my cancer was stage three but my surgery got all of it so we are hoping that i will be totally cured in the future.

sillymom

Sorry to hear about your news, I have just found this web page, and I am curious as to any symptoms you may have had, my husband will be having a colonoscopy this coming week, I am a little nervous. Any info would help. Thanks so much