Awaiting test results

gwj7

Hi everyone. I posted here yesterday about my mom who recently had a colonoscopy. They recently found a one inch "mass" in her ascending colon near her small intestines and she is scheduled to have it removed in the upcoming weeks. Is there anything different about having a "mass" (it wasn't confirmed as a cancerous tumor yet and it makes me feel better calling it a mass) in the ascending colon versus the other two parts of the colon? Also, does the size (one inch) indicate anything of significance?


We are awaiting the biopsy and cat scan and the results will be out sometime next week. How can anyone live like this? My mom is 56 and this whole situation to me is surreal and is making me feel broken. I feel like I am on the verge of tears literally every minute. I am 18 years old and I am going to be a freshman in college in the fall and I can't handle this if it is cancer.


I sat down with my parents to ask them questions today and I just uncontrollably started crying and it made my mom tear up a little. I feel horrible for getting her upset and I want to stay positive but it is so hard. I almost got into an accident while crying in the car after leaving work early because I was so upset. Within a matter of 48 hours all of my future dreams and goals mean nothing to me anymore. I honestly wish it were me instead of my mom. I love her so much. Thinking of life without her in my life makes me feel like living isn't worth it. My parents are both positive right now. They say "why worry when the tests results don't even come out for a week"? I can't help but worry.



Tomorrow I plan on going to the city with a few friends and I just feel like I am going to want to go home and cry. None of them know what is going on and I've been advised not to say anything to anyone so it is so hard. How does anyone live like this?!?!?!



Does my mom's situation sound bad (ascending colon one inch mass)? She told me she didn't really have symptoms but I don't know if I believe everything she is telling me. Please help me! How can I be strong for my mom and how can I not be so upset?

Cathleen Mary

Take a deep breath

Easier said than done, I know. Your Mom may have cancer but that doesn't translate to certain death. Many, many on this forum live with cancer as a chronic illness and have done so for years. If caught early, her chances of being cancer free following treatment are good. I felt better better when.the waiting was over and I knew what I was dealing with and had a treatment plan. Treatment wasn't easy but I felt more in control.
Is there someone you can talk to? A trusted aunt or friend or counselor? You will help your Mom best if you help yourself. Be gentle with yourself.
Visit here as often as you want. People here want to support you.

Cathleen Mary

gwj7

I also posted on another
I also posted on another forum and a supposed "MD Medical Oncologist and Hematologist - a cancer and blood specialist doctor
- with twenty years experience" said

"One inch is about 2.5 cm which is very small for a tumor of the ascending colon.
The only significance of the location is that these are the most difficult to find.
Why did she have a colonoscopy ? Just screening ?
She is very lucky she found something this small.
IF it is an adenocarcinoma, she should do very well.
A lesion this small may not have spread to lymph nodes.
She could be cured with surgery."


Is this true?

RobinKaye

Gotta keep going...
Hi GW,

I'm a mom to a 17 year old boy and three grown men. My husband has cancer. I just wanted to tell you something from a parents point of view and I've no doubt it is exactly what you mom is feeling. She to watch you enjoy your life, you're going off to college and this is a big deal to a mom. She relishes watching you grow and find your own life...that's just what a mom and dad does. Your mom needs you but she's a big girl and I have a feeling from what you have said so far that she has a good chance of being okay, if not forever for a long time.

Try and do the things you normally do and include your mom in your life - that will make her happy. If she sees you not going on with your life it will be really hard for her. Be there when she needs you, she'll let you know.

I know how important it is for my husband to know that our son is enjoying his last year of high school and being excited for college.

The first few weeks are the toughest. You will be surprised to find the time goes by quickly and somehow a new normal develops. There will be some ups and downs and I hope your mom has many more of the 'ups'.

Robin

Doc_Hawk

Howdy
Howdy GWJ

These early days are the most difficult on everyone because there are just so many questions and it can be agonizing waiting for the answers. I'm sure, though, that one thing that your mom does NOT want is for you to put your life and future on hold. Go to town with your friends tomorrow and have fun. And most definitely start college in the fall! You will have most -- if not all -- of the answers that you need for now before classes start and your mom should be on a treatment schedule. When that's started, you may find it much easier to concentrate your attention on academics with the knowledge that your mom is in capable and caring hands.

These days of uncertainty will pass, and when you look back they will have gone by very fast, just about in direct opposition to how slowly they seem to pass now. Try to relax and cheer up a bit, I know it's much easier to say than to do but it can be done. Remember that no two cancer patients are the same and we all react differently to what we refer to as "my cancer."

God Bless and you and your mom will be in my prayers.

Doc/Ray

steveandnat

to early
Just hearing the words of cancer is devastating but you'll find out there are many twists and turns in this cancer battle. I pray thay your moms cancer will be caught early and can be wiped out fast. Keep in touch with us. Jeff

tommycat

RobinKaye said:

Gotta keep going...
Hi GW,

I'm a mom to a 17 year old boy and three grown men. My husband has cancer. I just wanted to tell you something from a parents point of view and I've no doubt it is exactly what you mom is feeling. She to watch you enjoy your life, you're going off to college and this is a big deal to a mom. She relishes watching you grow and find your own life...that's just what a mom and dad does. Your mom needs you but she's a big girl and I have a feeling from what you have said so far that she has a good chance of being okay, if not forever for a long time.

Try and do the things you normally do and include your mom in your life - that will make her happy. If she sees you not going on with your life it will be really hard for her. Be there when she needs you, she'll let you know.

I know how important it is for my husband to know that our son is enjoying his last year of high school and being excited for college.

The first few weeks are the toughest. You will be surprised to find the time goes by quickly and somehow a new normal develops. There will be some ups and downs and I hope your mom has many more of the 'ups'.

Robin

....
Well said Robin.