Just recently diagnosed with colon cancer

1235»

Comments

  • magikproductions
    magikproductions Member Posts: 25
    #82
    annalexandria said:

    So sorry to read this, Justin.

    I know how scary it is to get those kind of scan results, having had several recurrences myself.  But I've also had many things show up on PET scans that were not cancer.  The PET is super-sensitive, and picks up all kinds of inflammation.  Do you know what the SUV was for each spot?  That's the number that shows how active the cells are.  Even a fairly high number can still be something other than cancer.  I know it's virtually impossible, but try not to worry.  Especially with such recent radiation treatment, it's quite possible that it will end up being nothing to worry about.  And if it does end up being more cancer, well...that's not uncommon.  The latest thinking on cancer spread is that everything is there from the start, just too small to see.  So as it grows, stuff will become visible and you have to deal with it.  But that process can end with your cancer being in remission or even cured (I've been NED for 16 months, so even with recurrence you can get there), so try not to be too scared about that either.  You are going to get through this, and we'll be here to help you.  Keep us posted (and maybe start a new thread, so people can quickly see what's going on with you).  Big hugs~AA

    PS  If you have any Ativan, or medical mj (or non-medical mj, for that matter...ahem), now would be a good time to break it out and give your nerves a break!

    yeah you are right We will

    yeah you are right We will have to wait and see, they gave me xanax which helps a ton I take one 1mg tablet and i get the munchies lol so i can eat finally all the stress and stuff made me not eat or sleep so today I got at 2:30pm to schedule my surgery and while he is in there he may either take out the lymph nodes or biospy them I am just scared it could come back. and also the colostomy bag . I am not the cleanyness person in the world and afraid it will get infected or i will do something wrong and my guts will like fall out of my stomach oi vie I worrie tooooo much I just need to take it day by day think of it as in blocks, block 1 done chemo/rad block 2 get the tumor out and be cancer free. take it day by day.

    Also I just went on See your chart .com and it says Probable stage III cancer with lymph node involvment so finally i know what stage it is

  • db8ne1
    db8ne1 Member Posts: 142 Member
    #83
    magikproductions said:

    yeah you are right We will

    yeah you are right We will have to wait and see, they gave me xanax which helps a ton I take one 1mg tablet and i get the munchies lol so i can eat finally all the stress and stuff made me not eat or sleep so today I got at 2:30pm to schedule my surgery and while he is in there he may either take out the lymph nodes or biospy them I am just scared it could come back. and also the colostomy bag . I am not the cleanyness person in the world and afraid it will get infected or i will do something wrong and my guts will like fall out of my stomach oi vie I worrie tooooo much I just need to take it day by day think of it as in blocks, block 1 done chemo/rad block 2 get the tumor out and be cancer free. take it day by day.

    Also I just went on See your chart .com and it says Probable stage III cancer with lymph node involvment so finally i know what stage it is

    Justin,

    Easy to say...hard to do!  Just take things one day at a time.  Sounds like we are the same path.  I had 6 weeks of chemoradiation that ended February 13th then surgery to remove the colorectal tumor on April 11th.  Did you have a post chemoradiation endoscopic ultrasound or some other scan?  My GI guy said that these post scans were not too great - as there is still swelling from the radiation that keeps working long after they stop the radiation.  So, while the tumor shrunk - the "depth" of the cancer still appeared to be T3 after treatment.  Still, shrinking the tumor was great - as it makes surgery that much easier for the surgeon to remove.

    When the surgeon opened me up - my uterus was in the way.  (At least you won't have to worry about THAT!).  I knew previously that I had many, large fibroid (non-cancerous) tumors - but the surgeon said my uterus looked 20 weeks pregnant.  That's the size of a large grapefruit.  So, he called in OB/GYN to remove that so he could have a clear field to get the tumor.  Fortunately, after that the surgery was "text book" and I didn't need a temporary colostomy (always a posibility - but surgeon said they never know until surgery if it will be needed).

    The first day or two following surgery are usually the worst - but they give you great pain meds to alleviate pain - so that really helps.  They also get you up walking within 24 hours.  All I can say is walk as much as you can.  It helps with blood flow to your wound to help with healing - and gets your intestines moving, as well. I also think that it helped me with pain management. (More blood flow - less pain??).  As for infections - typically you receive antibiotics pre and post surgery.  They do everything that they can to try and eliminate any possiblity of infections.  So, be encouraged!

    As for the lymph nodes, my surgeon told me that they take as many as is included in the portion of colon resected.  I had 10 inches of colon removed - it included 15 lymph nodes. 

    Make sure you ask lots of questions.  In my experience, knowledge helps my anxiety levels.  I don't like to be surprised...

    I'm praying for you!  Let us know when your surgery is scheduled.

    Best wishes!

    J

Discussion Boards