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sfan428
sfan428 Member Posts: 32 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello All, My name is Shane and I am 35 years old and was diagnosed with stage IV rectal cancer on 5/28/10. I just finished 5 weeks of preop chemoradiation and am now just waiting for surgery. My surgeon recommened this site for support and I have been lurking around, reading as much as I can for about a month now. With that, I really want to say thanks to all of you for so much great information. I also figured it was time to jump in and say hi. Anyway, I hope to be posting for many years to come and certainly appreciate any advice or encouraging words. -shane
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Comments

  • stratplayer
    stratplayer Member Posts: 42 Member
    #2
    Hello Shane. You keep that
    Hello Shane. You keep that positive attitude and you will do well. I was DX last June and have had Zoloda and Radiation. The tumor almost completely disappeared. I had Radicle surgery last Nov.2009 with an Ileostomy reversal last month.
    The hardest part will be different for everyone. The reversal has been mine.
    Exercise and build up your strength before the surgery. It will help your recovery.
  • pluckey
    pluckey Member Posts: 484 Member
    #3
    Shane-
    damn, 35 years
    Shane-

    damn, 35 years old....every week I am learning of someone in theri 40s with colon cancer, but 35????

    I'm glad you found us semi-colons. We're her to support, encourage and be enlisted in your fight!!! Great people on this board. I am sorry you had to join us, but we'll help you any way we can

    Peggy
  • Kerry S
    Kerry S Member Posts: 606 Member
    #4
    where are the mets showing up
    Shane, to be stage 4, where are the mets showing up???? For me the chemo/rad was the worst of it. Keep your fighting face on at all times. Stay positive!!! Don’t give this cancer crap an inch.

    If you ever don’t like or fully understand what your doc says, post it here. You name it and someone on this board has been there and done that. I was dxed stage 4 in 3/08 and am doing just fine. If an old guy like me can do well you sure as hell can.

    Kerry
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #5
    Welcome!
    Welcome Shane,

    I am so sorry that you have this cancer + at such a young age, but you have found a great forum to ask questions, vent, share information, etc., etc. I am glad you are planning to post for years to come; we love hearing from long term survivors! Take good care + I hope you can enjoy some good times between now + surgery (+ after surgery of course!)
  • Jaylo969
    Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member
    #6
    Welcome Shane
    Hi Shane my name is Pat and welcome to this support group.You will find a lot of wonderful, caring folks here.

    I am so sorry that cancer has struck such a young person but you sound very upbeat and positive. That attitude will take you far.

    Glad you posted and my best wishes to you.

    -Pat
  • dorookie
    dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
    #7
    your doctor is a smart man
    This is the best site to be a part of...Welcome, sorry you have the need to seek us out, but very glad you found us..please always feel free to ask any questions, there are many here with many different experiences, someone, somewhere will have an answer or advice...I will be praying for you if you dont mind...and please feel free to vent here anytime, you will find you will be going through many emotions.. I was 38 when i was DX'd, I am now almost 42 (next month) and almost 2 yrs cancer free. I continue with my check ups and will for as long as it takes....

    God Bless you

    Beth
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #8
    Welcome
    So sorry that you had to find this group, but we are a great bunch of people that will try to help you deal with your situation and questions or concerns you might have. You can ask or post at any hour you want because there is usually someone on. You shouldn't feel embarrassed to discuss anything here as we have probably covered every topic. Look at previous postings too as there is a wealth of information from other people.

    Kim
  • sfan428
    sfan428 Member Posts: 32 Member
    #9
    Kerry S said:

    where are the mets showing up
    Shane, to be stage 4, where are the mets showing up???? For me the chemo/rad was the worst of it. Keep your fighting face on at all times. Stay positive!!! Don’t give this cancer crap an inch.

    If you ever don’t like or fully understand what your doc says, post it here. You name it and someone on this board has been there and done that. I was dxed stage 4 in 3/08 and am doing just fine. If an old guy like me can do well you sure as hell can.

    Kerry

    mets
    Hi Kerry, appreciate the encouraging words. They found one met on my liver that was 1.5 cm in size and there was a small spot on the lung that they said was too small to characterize. I guess I would have to say that the hardest part of this whole thing so far has been putting my 2 year old to bed at night and wondering if I am going to be here to play catch with him, or see him graduate, all that. I have a great support system and certainly plan to give this thing my all. -shane
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #10
    So Young -
    Shane: Gosh I really hate reading of so many young ones with this damn cancer. You said you are Stage IV, where do you have metastasis? My hubby was diagnosed Stage IV, 3/09, transverse colon, mets to liver and lungs. Hang in there. Hubby is so far doing well, chemo no picnic but he did work through his treatment, watch for the fatigue and just give in to it. Now treatment for colon is different than rectal, no radiation.

    Wanted to say Welcome to the Board, ask any questions you want even if you don't know the lingo, members will know what you mean. Caregivers are also very welcome on this Board and members have been so wonderful with informtion and encouragement to me, as a caregiver.

    This crap is still new to you but as time goes by, you and your caregiver will ease into things.

    Take care and hang in there - Tina
  • Lilmiss82
    Lilmiss82 Member Posts: 257 Member
    #11
    geotina said:

    So Young -
    Shane: Gosh I really hate reading of so many young ones with this damn cancer. You said you are Stage IV, where do you have metastasis? My hubby was diagnosed Stage IV, 3/09, transverse colon, mets to liver and lungs. Hang in there. Hubby is so far doing well, chemo no picnic but he did work through his treatment, watch for the fatigue and just give in to it. Now treatment for colon is different than rectal, no radiation.

    Wanted to say Welcome to the Board, ask any questions you want even if you don't know the lingo, members will know what you mean. Caregivers are also very welcome on this Board and members have been so wonderful with informtion and encouragement to me, as a caregiver.

    This crap is still new to you but as time goes by, you and your caregiver will ease into things.

    Take care and hang in there - Tina

    Hi Shane
    My name is Melissa and I too have stage IV rectal cancer. I found out last april 09 at the age of 27 so I can relate to you and your situation. I did chemotherapy/radiation followed by surgery( liver resection for 1 met and removal of primary) than 6 months of folfox. Recent ct shows no new mets so just doing avastin as maintenance. Please feel free to ask me any questions this site has helped me tremendously and I'm sure it will help you too.
  • just4Brooks
    just4Brooks Member Posts: 980 Member
    #12
    Welcome to the boards
    I'm so happy you found this site because it sure was and still is a big help to me. Dang.. You're just 35. I'm 46 and thought I was young for getting colorectal cancer. I also have young kids like you do so I know how scared you are for them. One good thing we got going for us is our age. So our health isn't too bad to start off with. Thank gosh we dont have to try to fight this monster in our 80's. I did 8 weeks of preop chemo/radiation before my surgery. I took this time to eat like crazy to put a few pounds back on and I walked like crazy to get back in shape before surgery. It made recovery easyer. Are you going to have a Ostomy or a temp iliostomy? If you are go see the Ostomy nurse FIRST to se where the best placement of it for you. I sure wish I did because mine was about a inch too low. Feel free to contact me anytime with any questions that you might have.

    Brooks
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #13
    Welcome
    Hey, Shane.

    I'm really sorry you have to face this mess at such a young age. I'm sure your precious family is your main concern. My main piece of advice at this point would be to make as many wonderful memories as you can. Then you can look back on them years from now you're finished fighting the beast. *smiles*

    I'll be praying for you, dear.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Crow71
    Crow71 Member Posts: 679 Member
    #14
    Hey Shane - Welcome to the
    Hey Shane - Welcome to the @$*#ing club. I'm glad you posted. I was diagnosed stage IV a year ago at 37.

    I've got a 4 year old son and daughters age 8 and 11; so I'm feeling your pain and worries there. You're right - Bed time is hard sometimes. Stay strong and focussed. Lot's of people have beaten this and so can we.

    What surgery are you having?

    Roger
  • chicoturner
    chicoturner Member Posts: 282
    #15
    Hi Shane, so sorry to have
    Hi Shane, so sorry to have to meet you here, but glad you found us! I was dx stg 4 with mets to the lungs. Hey, I am a grammie to a 2 year old and have a daughter due in Jan. These are the little people that keep me going!! You have the best reason ever to beat this! Keep your chin up!! Jean
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    #16
    chicoturner said:

    Hi Shane, so sorry to have
    Hi Shane, so sorry to have to meet you here, but glad you found us! I was dx stg 4 with mets to the lungs. Hey, I am a grammie to a 2 year old and have a daughter due in Jan. These are the little people that keep me going!! You have the best reason ever to beat this! Keep your chin up!! Jean

    Hi Shane
    Pleased to meet you! Sorry it had to be here. This is a fantastic family...you came to the right place. Feel free to ask everything and anything. Take care

    Jennie
  • vhtqm1
    vhtqm1 Member Posts: 107
    #17
    advice?
    hello Shane and welcome. i hope this advice helps? all i can say is, give it your best shot! unfortunately this is not a 40 yard dash or a Marathon but it is """"AN ALL OUT SPRINT ALL THE TIME AND NEVER EVER EVER LET UP""""grab onto any positive moment to help propel you forward and of course were all here for you. fortunately i've been Blessed to know when those moments present themselves and here i am still living and beating the odds, thank GOD! there are many of us at Stage IV and there's so much more help on the horizon to add to the success already achieved. let us/me know if there's anything we/i can help you with.

    ed
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #18
    welcome
    Welcome and sorry you have cause to be here.

    I was 44 when I was diagnosed with Stage III rectal cancer -- I later had lung mets. I'm happy to share whatever information might be helpful but for now I just want to respond to your comment about the toughest part being your daughter.

    My 2 boys were 8 and 10 when I was diagnosed. My biggest wish was that I survive long enough to see them both finish high school -- and that has happened! My youngest finished high school this summer -- I have enjoyed so many wonderful moments of their development (as well as every horrible moment of adolescence!). I trust and hope you have the same. Meanwhile, I'm now adjusting my wishlist -- weddings? grandbabies?

    Tara
  • sfan428
    sfan428 Member Posts: 32 Member
    #19
    just4Brooks said:

    Welcome to the boards
    I'm so happy you found this site because it sure was and still is a big help to me. Dang.. You're just 35. I'm 46 and thought I was young for getting colorectal cancer. I also have young kids like you do so I know how scared you are for them. One good thing we got going for us is our age. So our health isn't too bad to start off with. Thank gosh we dont have to try to fight this monster in our 80's. I did 8 weeks of preop chemo/radiation before my surgery. I took this time to eat like crazy to put a few pounds back on and I walked like crazy to get back in shape before surgery. It made recovery easyer. Are you going to have a Ostomy or a temp iliostomy? If you are go see the Ostomy nurse FIRST to se where the best placement of it for you. I sure wish I did because mine was about a inch too low. Feel free to contact me anytime with any questions that you might have.

    Brooks

    ileostomy
    Hi Brooks, certainly appreciate the advice. Right now the plan is to do a temp ileostomy. That of course will be ultimately decided by whether or not the 5 weeks of chemo/radiation actually shrunk the tumor enough to avoid the sphincter muscle. The surgeon has ordered another scan but wont know for sure until that is done. Either way it looks like I will need to talk to the ostomy nurse. What am I looking for with placement? I love to camp and hike and have poopin' in a bag for years so this might work out well.
  • sfan428
    sfan428 Member Posts: 32 Member
    #20
    just4Brooks said:

    Welcome to the boards
    I'm so happy you found this site because it sure was and still is a big help to me. Dang.. You're just 35. I'm 46 and thought I was young for getting colorectal cancer. I also have young kids like you do so I know how scared you are for them. One good thing we got going for us is our age. So our health isn't too bad to start off with. Thank gosh we dont have to try to fight this monster in our 80's. I did 8 weeks of preop chemo/radiation before my surgery. I took this time to eat like crazy to put a few pounds back on and I walked like crazy to get back in shape before surgery. It made recovery easyer. Are you going to have a Ostomy or a temp iliostomy? If you are go see the Ostomy nurse FIRST to se where the best placement of it for you. I sure wish I did because mine was about a inch too low. Feel free to contact me anytime with any questions that you might have.

    Brooks

    l

    l
  • just4Brooks
    just4Brooks Member Posts: 980 Member
    #21
    sfan428 said:

    ileostomy
    Hi Brooks, certainly appreciate the advice. Right now the plan is to do a temp ileostomy. That of course will be ultimately decided by whether or not the 5 weeks of chemo/radiation actually shrunk the tumor enough to avoid the sphincter muscle. The surgeon has ordered another scan but wont know for sure until that is done. Either way it looks like I will need to talk to the ostomy nurse. What am I looking for with placement? I love to camp and hike and have poopin' in a bag for years so this might work out well.

    Same Thing
    Same thing for me too on if my tumer shrunk enough or not. I hated the bag at first but learned to love it. Have them mark where you want it. Bring a few pairs of pants to put on to make sure it's high enough and NOT on your belt line. Mine needed to be a inch or two higher and ran into my belt line and made in a pain in the **** to wear pants or shorts without looking like a teenager and "Sagging" Also bring a few shirts to be sure it's not too low that it shows under the shrit. Not too far to the left and not too far to the right. This might be something you might need for a long time so make sure it's in a spot where it works best for you. Have them mark for both a iliostomy and a otsomy because you never know what they will find once they open you up.

    Brooks

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