New Diagnosis

rndrc
rndrc Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi-I have been diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor with one lymph node involved, or possibly involved. I had a ct on the 9th, followed by, visits to surgeon, oncologist and GI specialist; then PET scan one day and Endo/colonoscopy the next; waiting today to find out about surgery scheduling. I was kind of worried about the pet scan, when the tech pushed the tracer, my vein blew, and most of the tracer ended up in my wrist-any ideas on that? I am a critical care nurse, but have little oncology experience. I tend to be the "strong" one in my family, but need support; does not help that dh wanted to sleep on the couch last night after coming home from diagnosis post biopsy. Any suggestions, experiences navigating this new crappy world?

Comments

  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #2
    Welcome
    HI RNdrc, I'm sorry to hear that you have joined our group but wanted to welcome you anyway.

    Since you were able to have a biopsy, and from your monkier (RN DX w/RC) I am guessing you have rectal and not colon cancer. Is that correct or was the biopsy done during a colonoscopy? Treatments vary depeding on which it is. :o)

    I've never had a PET scan so cannot help with that. I assume your CT scan was all clear.

    I also assume you know that the 'one lymph node' might be zero or many more once they are biopsied after surgery, but at this point, it looks like you're a very cureable Stage III.

    I had colon cancer and completed 12 rounds of chemo (FOLFOX which is the norm) on Aug. 12th and still have neuropathy but no other side effects. :o)

    More details will allow us to answer properly.

    If you click on our pictures, you can read our stories.

    Again, Welcome!
    Diane
  • Fight for my love
    Fight for my love Member Posts: 1,522 Member
    #3
    At the beginning,I felt very
    At the beginning,I felt very confused and very emotional after my husband's diagnosis.But after I started to learn on line and joined this support group,we have been doing much better beyond our imagination.These are some websites I found very helpful at the beginning,at least gave me orientation.

    http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ESN/content/ESN_3_1X_I_Can_Cope.asp?sitearea=ESN(this is the american society website on line class for teaching people how to cope with cancer)

    http://www.chemocare.com/(this is a website designed to provide the latest information about chemotherapy to patients and their families, caregivers and friends)

    http://www.mskcc.org/(this is the website of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York,which is full of knowledge and specialist information)

    American cancer society has a book" American cancer society's complete guide to colorectal cancer",this is really a good book,we got it from the cancer center's library.

    My husband was diagnosed with stage 2A rectal cancer in May.We were very shocked and frightened at the beginning,but with time,the more I learned about cancer,and the more support I got from this discussion board,the less fear I have and the more brave I am.So far,my husband has finished the preopretive treatment(chemo 5-fu and radiation) and the surgery,they all went well.My husband had great response to preoperative treatment,his tumor got shrank by 90% before surgery.The surgery was done succfully by a very experienced surgeon,the pathology report showed the cancer was downstaged from stage2 to stage1.Now my husband is taking adjuvant chemo to make sure there is no cancer cells left over in the body.

    If you have any questions or any emotional issues,you can just post your questions here, many people here are very knowledgable and experienced,they will give you answers.If you want to vent and whine,just come here,people here will give you comfort because we truly understand how you feel and we truly understand what you are getting through.Best luck and best wishes to you with the whole treatment.Take care.
  • Holdtight
    Holdtight Member Posts: 151
    #4
    dianetavegia said:

    Welcome
    HI RNdrc, I'm sorry to hear that you have joined our group but wanted to welcome you anyway.

    Since you were able to have a biopsy, and from your monkier (RN DX w/RC) I am guessing you have rectal and not colon cancer. Is that correct or was the biopsy done during a colonoscopy? Treatments vary depeding on which it is. :o)

    I've never had a PET scan so cannot help with that. I assume your CT scan was all clear.

    I also assume you know that the 'one lymph node' might be zero or many more once they are biopsied after surgery, but at this point, it looks like you're a very cureable Stage III.

    I had colon cancer and completed 12 rounds of chemo (FOLFOX which is the norm) on Aug. 12th and still have neuropathy but no other side effects. :o)

    More details will allow us to answer properly.

    If you click on our pictures, you can read our stories.

    Again, Welcome!
    Diane

    CEA Numbers
    Hi! Congratulations on your recovery. I just finished my 6th tx out of 12.
    The last treatment I was told that my CEA count dropped from 27 to 5 and this tx was told my count dropped from 5 to 2.2 with a white blood count of 6.8. Because you have been through all treatments I thought maybe you would be familiar with how the counts read in order to be considered in remission.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated. Hugs to you and God Bless.
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #5
    Fight for my love said:

    At the beginning,I felt very
    At the beginning,I felt very confused and very emotional after my husband's diagnosis.But after I started to learn on line and joined this support group,we have been doing much better beyond our imagination.These are some websites I found very helpful at the beginning,at least gave me orientation.

    http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ESN/content/ESN_3_1X_I_Can_Cope.asp?sitearea=ESN(this is the american society website on line class for teaching people how to cope with cancer)

    http://www.chemocare.com/(this is a website designed to provide the latest information about chemotherapy to patients and their families, caregivers and friends)

    http://www.mskcc.org/(this is the website of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York,which is full of knowledge and specialist information)

    American cancer society has a book" American cancer society's complete guide to colorectal cancer",this is really a good book,we got it from the cancer center's library.

    My husband was diagnosed with stage 2A rectal cancer in May.We were very shocked and frightened at the beginning,but with time,the more I learned about cancer,and the more support I got from this discussion board,the less fear I have and the more brave I am.So far,my husband has finished the preopretive treatment(chemo 5-fu and radiation) and the surgery,they all went well.My husband had great response to preoperative treatment,his tumor got shrank by 90% before surgery.The surgery was done succfully by a very experienced surgeon,the pathology report showed the cancer was downstaged from stage2 to stage1.Now my husband is taking adjuvant chemo to make sure there is no cancer cells left over in the body.

    If you have any questions or any emotional issues,you can just post your questions here, many people here are very knowledgable and experienced,they will give you answers.If you want to vent and whine,just come here,people here will give you comfort because we truly understand how you feel and we truly understand what you are getting through.Best luck and best wishes to you with the whole treatment.Take care.

    Yes, I know like everyone else in here how you feel...
    Also dh may have needed some alone time to get his head straight on coping with you having cancer.....Yep, its gonna suck but its very doable and it will take about a year all toll but it will speed by, trust me, it will speed by. The main obstacle through this whole ordeal with you and dh and anyone else involved will be the emotional side of it, the upsets, the sudden crappy news then the upbeat news, its a rollercoaster that no one wants to ride but there is like all rides an end to it, and it will take about a year but it will end, and most times on a great note. There have been major strides in colon cancer survival rates and do not use the internet for a study guide. You will find every answer imaginable right here in this thread by people who have experienced the very thing you are about to undertake. Lots of great stories here with great endings. You have to have a great attitude which you already seem to possess, and a willingness to take baby steps in this journey, also to be sure that what you hear is what you want , in other words you become your own advocate for your care and treatment regimen. If its not right or isn't what you want then speak up. There are also all types of medications for the pain, radiation tanning (sunburn) and the Drs will give them to you. Don't suffer for anything, and let your Drs and Oncologists know everything. It is all to benefit you and your journey through this to the other side. Take full advantage of friends that want to help for thats the only way for them to say they love you . Be ok to talk about your illness to others and be open. It always helped me to talk openly about mine. It keeps the frustration from building up. and in those moments of venting, buy you a plastic trashcan to kick around, I love that exercise...lol...most of all listen to your body, it will tell you exactly what you need.....Good Luck and we'll be here anytime you need anything.........Buzzard
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #6
    welcome
    Welcome, but sorry you need to be here. You'll find this is a great place for information, support, or just venting when you need to.

    I understand about being the "strong one" in the family - but eventually the others adjust and take on that roll to a certain extent. Just give them time.
  • thready
    thready Member Posts: 474
    #7
    Hello
    Hi RNDRC,
    I am also an RN with ICU background, mostly heart stuff, so a diagnosis of Stage IIIB colon cancer was brand new to me.

    Just wondering if the CT scan was clear (organs other than lympy node involved)?

    I would ask one of your Dr's about the tracer. It seems if the tracer does not make it to the organs it can not light up any problems that might be there. Might need to repeat this. You might know this but PET scans not the best to find little bitty issues, CT is better for that. I would also call the head of the radiology department and let them know what happened. Don't think you need to be charged for another scan if they did not do it correctly.

    One thing to take heart in, if the carcinoid has not moved to other organs, and only is in one lymph node your prognosis is good. There could be the chemo thing, mine would be different than yours because I am colon not rectal cancer, but it is do-able.


    You do need support right now and this is great place to get some! Everyone here is very knowledgeable and helpful, so please ask, vent, what ever you need. One thing that caught me by surprise was how frank and forthcoming everyone is but I guess we are dealing with CR issues! :)

    Let your family know that you are still you-that has not changed. I know my family watched to see if I became someone else. They were relieved that I am still Jan (although I know there are things about me that have changed, but mostly still me)

    Take care and let me/us know how it is going! Folks here really do care about you. PM me if you need, we can visit. (Heck PM anyone here and they will be there for you.)
    Jan
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #8
    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    welcome
    Welcome, but sorry you need to be here. You'll find this is a great place for information, support, or just venting when you need to.

    I understand about being the "strong one" in the family - but eventually the others adjust and take on that roll to a certain extent. Just give them time.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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