Hello Justin,

Its never good to have to join the club and sorry to see u here, especially at 24. If you caught it early at stage 1, your odds are very good. If you are at stage 4, you will have quite a fight on your hands. In that case do a lot of research and get educated in what treatments are available other than chemo. Even though it pisses oncologists off, you want to become more knowledgeable than they are and believe me that is not very hard to do.

Ren

annalexandria said:

Hi Justin,

and welcome to the board.  I hope you're getting the help you need, in terms of both the cancer and the drug issues.  You have a lot on your plate for a young man.  If you want to share more details about your cancer situation, there are many here who can provide you with information and support.  Pretty much anything cancer-related has been addressed by someone on this forum at some point; there's really a wealth of knowledge here.  Sending strength your way~Ann Alexandria

so so glad you found us....welcome to our band of warriors.....cancer warriors that is.  You must be very frightened....the beginning is always the very worst when cancer is all new and there is soooo much to learn.  Stick with us.....let us know more if you feel like sharing.

Best love and sending good wishes your way...

maggie

I was just diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer too. Have my first oncologist appointment on Monday. Good luck to both of us on this journey we're on!

Hey Justin, I have a friend who followed the same kind of path at about the same age.

She got into the drugs, she got out of the drugs, she was diagnosed with stage 3A colon cancer at 26. Surgery, chemo, a little misbehaving led to one more surgery, and now she is seven years NED (no evidence of disease) and as healthy and fiesty as ever.

You're young, and you're healthy, you will kick this just like my friend did. 

We're here for you along the path. Surgery was a doddle but the chemo sucks. 

Think positive all the way. Cry when you have to, but only for a short time. 

magikproductions said:

I had the blood test done my

I had the blood test done my hemoglobin was getting lower and lower, they wanted to find the reason for my shortage of hemoglobin so I had a rectal test thingy done with a little amout of blood in the stool. this led to them wanting to do a colonoscopy and the one down me throat. nothing in the upper half, they went in the bottom saw a lump, but I was not "cleaned" out enough lol. so more mag citrate and this big jug of what tatsed like salt water, finally after 2 more times they got the biopsy sure it is cancer, now they need to find out what stage and then the chemo if need be to shrink it abit I reallly dont wanna have a colastomy bag, I will if I have to but I will try anything else to fight it off. any who sorry for not being more detailed on what happend my laptop was dieing that night and I had to type super fast was too tired and couldn't sit up to plug it in.

 

thanks for all the support

Justin

The bag may not be necessary.   It will depend on how much they have to cut.  My husband had his tumor removed & 6" of colon no bag.   He has a bag now due to return of cancer & blockage from treatments.  Take care of your health and get on a good healthy diet to  get well and hopefully get cancer free.

magikproductions said:

thanks

Honestly I do not know the stage either I kept asking but no anwser ill ask on my appointment monday and let you guys know thanks for the words a encouragement they really do help

Remind me, was the surgery to remvoe the tumour or placement of your port?

If you've had your tumour biopsied then they will have a pathology reprot which they base their staging on. This can take up to a week, though mine came in a few days thank goodness. 

I suggest you ask for copies of your medical records. Regardless of your concerns, you should have copies of all your medical records for your own files at home. That includes blood test results, scans etc. 

Its an emotionally trying time, espeically at the beginning when you are waiting, waiting, waiting. We are all here for you and wishing you well. 

Continue to keep us posted. 

magikproductions said:

I had the port put in they

I had the port put in they wanna shrink the mass before removig it as do I I would preferr not to get a bag for my life, if I have to then I will but i am tryin this first. and I do I have this pretty sweet book from the lance armstrong foundation, it have like pockets to save all my info and place to right how i feel when i start chemo, and my appointments. I will get all my info from the appointment on monday and save it so I know what is happening, as of now we are waiting to see if medicaid is on the yes track to apporving me so they can start.

My husband always has something funny to say about my port. 

Its a wonderful invention, and I am glad that you were able to get one, as some people can't. 

Now I wonder if they can stage your cancer if they don't remove the tumour. I'm still new and fairly ignorant, so I'm sure others here will be able to help you with that. 

I really can't see why they would not tell you up front what your cancer is staged at, so maybe they have not determined that yet. 

Good luck with medicade. I was born and bred in England, and find the American insurance system terribly frustrating. 

oxaliplatin is often added (refered to as FOLFOX).  Did they say why they wouldn't be using that?  And I saw you got a port put in.  Those things are awesome.  I would recommend asking for a numbing cream if they have it available.  You put it on about an hour before the port is accessed and it's pretty much pain-free.  If they can't presribe the cream, they will usually have a little shot they can give you in the area of the port.  It stings a little, but less so than having the port accessed with nothing to blunt the poke.  Good luck, and keep us posted.  You're in the scariest part right now, too many unknowns, but it will get better, I promise!  Hugs~Ann Alexandria