Just diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer

Well this is about same as my husband, he had 12" removed in 2008 was stage 2, no colostomy bag.    He had a 3 year remission.  He has kinda been in a battle for last 12 months but holding his own.   He now has a colostomy bag and just finished chemo, but he is also just back in remission.  The chemo is bearable you just have to limit your traveling due to chemo schedule.

Everyone is different & you may get a complete remission, however, the doctors will monitor you very carefully.  The goal is to stay ahead of the cancer.   Try not to be terrified sounds like it hasnt spread and you should do well. 

And everyone is willing and ready to be there for you and share their experiences Being terrified is a normal emotion and you will go through many feelings..Please remember we will be here for you to help you get through them. Sending positive thoughts ...~ Ann

My wife was initially stated as stage III .  One of the things that I was glad is that we started asap, some basic off label items, that are poorly utilized, or even understood, in the US.  

Cimetidine around surgery, perhaps even right now, is really important for 2/3+ of the advanced CRC cases. Perhaps a difference of years or even cure. The cimetidine even for 7-30 days near surgery, appears to make a big dfference in life expectancy amongst people who otherwise recur, but can't be used later during FOLFOX days.  

Vitamin D blood testing and several months of high dose vitamin D3 - my wife did 16,000-17,000 iu for about 2 months, before chemo, then ca 12,000 iu per day while on chemo.  Turned out 12,000 iu per day on chemo was too low for her, thank goodness her intake wasn't the more common 2000-5000 iu. Since then we have utilized many of the off label treatments like low dose aspirin, flavinoids (see LEF) and immune boosters (e.g. PSK).   

Starting out, I read several Life Extension cancer articles as if my wife's life depended on their information.  In fact I'm pretty sure it did.  She turned out to be on the pessimistic side of stage IV, but is doing well today despite all professional pessimism.   I credit the "extras".

littlethings said:

Your responses

Thank You all for your responses.  My chemo drugs are going to be FU-5 and Eloxitin.  I live in Port Charlotte Fl andamazing they only have a support group for Spanish Speaking people.  The other closest group is in Venice FL and everyone is in their 80's.  I can't imagine.. I am the youngest in my area... LOL

I did read on one pamplet for the drugs not to drink anything cold before or after chemo but the other drugs saysto put ice chips, popsicle or something cold in your mouth during treatment to help prevent the mouth sores.  Any advice on this?

Kathy= aka Littlethings

I love it when advice contraditcts.

Nothing cold after chemo, but popsicles and ice chips for mouth sores. YAY! 

I do get that constricting feeling when I swallow anything cold, this last for several days after chemo. 

Everyone responds differently to this cold aversion, so play it by ear. A little sip of comething cold and you'll know it. I got it the very first chemo session. BUT, I can sip room temperature drinks, as long as its a sip those first few days. 

Good luck with everything.

As for the support group. I wonder if someone young and energetic like youself could add a little life to the group. It must be SO HARD to be in your eighties and going trhough chemo. I wouldn't do it myself, but the will to survive runs strong.  I would join just to see if I could lift anyones spirits (and probably find they lift mine). 

Lots of new people joininlargely so I hope you are able to offer each other support as you take these early stages in all this. Starting chemo is hugely daunting and confusing. You are right about the cold advise. In truth most people do get a degree of loss of tolerance of cold both in the mouth and fingers and toes with oxaliplatin. For me it was short lived for a few days post infusion but can lead ontolonger term problems of neuropathy if persistent in thefingers and toes so do keep and eye on it and report to your oncologist. This probably overrides the advise about 5fu. In truth I did the combination for a time last year and found it fairly toleraBle for several cycles then had a funny allergic reaction to the oxaliplatin and had to stop it. Have to say a good number don't tolerate all the planned  oxaliplatin so play it cycle by cycle. The 5fu on the other hand is often well tolerated.

Do try to keep as much of life as normal as possible and spend this time getting your head around the situation and your knowledge of everything up. Is a huge thing to happen but you have timeknow toadjust both physically and psychologically.

Keep asking questions and I hope you find the support you are seeking here (ignore any arguing and odd spamming that is happening just now- its not always like that!).

Steve

dixonduke said:

i am new too.
I joined up on here this month and have gotten lots of support and some good info.

I was dx stage 3 about 3 weeks ago. I start chemo/radiation Monday and I too am afraid.....of the unknown. Luckily we have a Gilda's Club about 5 minutes from my house and they provide tons of support. The people on here will provide support also but I think it might be good to look further for more local support.

I don't know if I am supposed to do this....but as I learned a long time ago it is easier to ask for foregiveness than ask for permission....google Imerman Angels. They can help provide a "mentor"....someone that had gone through exactly what you have. Read the website and see what you think. They came highly recommended from Gilda's Club.

I just signed up to be a mentor at Imerman Angels.  I wish I had someone to talk to one-on-one who had been through the experience when I was going through it,   What a wonderful idea.

I didn't discover this forum until I was through my treatments and had learned a lot of things of the the hard way while going through it.  I'm glad newbies are reaching out here on this board to get support.

I was diagnosed with Stage 3c Colorectal Cancer in July 2011. I had surgery in August to remove about a foot of my colon. I finished 6 months of Folfox chemo a year ago. I have had several CT scans, two colonoscopys and alot of bloodwork since and as of today am totally cancer free! BELIEVE that you too will survive this! I know you are scared! I was too and there were days when I would get discouraged and think I couldn't take one more day. But I am here to tell you that YOU CAN DO IT!!! Focus on the positive things in your life. Surround yourself with people you love and with activities that lift your spirits. Keep your mind occupied with pleasant things. Don't allow yourself too much time to sit and think. For me the thing that kept me strongest was my faith in God. I will be praying for you. If you have any questions or need some advice as you go through this journey, don't hesitate to ask! I will be happy to help any way I can. Don't ever forget, YOU CAN DO THIS! Just BELIEVE!

tammyghent said:

Stage 3c Colorectal Cancer Survivor

I was diagnosed with Stage 3c Colorectal Cancer in July 2011. I had surgery in August to remove about a foot of my colon. I finished 6 months of Folfox chemo a year ago. I have had several CT scans, two colonoscopys and alot of bloodwork since and as of today am totally cancer free! BELIEVE that you too will survive this! I know you are scared! I was too and there were days when I would get discouraged and think I couldn't take one more day. But I am here to tell you that YOU CAN DO IT!!! Focus on the positive things in your life. Surround yourself with people you love and with activities that lift your spirits. Keep your mind occupied with pleasant things. Don't allow yourself too much time to sit and think. For me the thing that kept me strongest was my faith in God. I will be praying for you. If you have any questions or need some advice as you go through this journey, don't hesitate to ask! I will be happy to help any way I can. Don't ever forget, YOU CAN DO THIS! Just BELIEVE!

Tammy,

So glad to hear you're cancer free!  Love hearing stories of people that bear it!

Cynthia

Dx stage 4 in Feb 2011. Rediagnosed again last month. This is beatable and u will find lots of support on here. Sometimes I just read some of the discussions to read the positive support people give to one another on here when I'm down. Any ?s or just wanna chat feel free to do it cause I along with the others here will give u lots of support. Its the colon canccerworld in here. I enjoy coming here to know that I am not alone and NEITHER R U!