UPDATE - Father Diagnosed with Colon Cancer

We really wish you didn't need to find this site, and that your dad didn't get diagnosed with cancer, but he has and you have definitely found the right place.

The initial shock of finding out that your dad has colon cancer will wear off, especially when he gets going with his treatments. Knowing that something is benig done is a HUGE relief.

I am glad that dad is in overall good health, that will be a HUGE help; and it sounds as though he is being positive and facing things head on. Being positive is a HUGE key. Not just him, but your mum and you too. The more positive vibes around the better off he will be. 

Of course there will always be fears, but if you can contain them to a short peroid of time, you'll be surprised how normal and happy one can be in spite of the journey.  During those first weeks after I was diagnosed, I would allow myself to fear the worst for a short period of time when I first went to bed and then I would fill myslef with positive thoughts. It worked for me. 

You will find many a person here who has battled this dreaded disease and come out on top even if the fight is still on. I know you will find inspiration, support and information. 

Stick around and we'll walk the walk with you and your family. 

Blessings. 

Megan-

You've come to the right place.  The people here are like a family.  So many different experiences and great sharing.

It sounds like they have caught your dad's cancer early.  Good.  He is in a positive mood.  Also good.  I had stage III cacer and finished my chemo treatments a little over a year ago.  I tried to stay as positive as I could and I think that helped me deal with a lot.  I found that quite a few people who finished their treatments and have clear blood tests and scans don't come to this board as frequently as the ones who are still in treatment.  There a lot of success stories.  They just may not be posting them to this board anymore.  

I know it is a scary journey for you and your family.  Keep coming back to this board.  We want to support you by sharing our experiences.

Your father is lucky to have such a caring daughter.  Try to stay positive even in the hard times.

Deena

Hi Megan
I am sorry to hear about your father. The only information I can give you is what I went through.  I was 43 when I was diagnosed with colon cancer. My first surgery they removed part of my colon, and I was in the hospital for 7 days.  I ended up back in the hospital 2 days later, there was a perforation in the colon. They did another surgery and I received a colostomy bag, and I was in the hospital for another 10 days. I went to Danna Farber and I was told that I had stage 3, and I may be stage 4. There was spots on my liver and they were concerned about that. I had a CT and a MRI scan a month later. The liver was ok no cancer.  I started chemo and did 12 treatments one every other week for six months. Chemo was not as bad as I thought (it was no day at the beach) I still worked during chemo. Six months after chemo I had the rest of my colon removed, this was a two part surgery.  Three months after that surgery they removed my colostomy bag and that was my last surgery (that surgery was called “j-pouch”).  My first surgery was Dec 2011, and I finished Chemo July 2012. I have to go for blood work every 3 months, and scans every six months. I wish your father well. My advice to him and you would be don’t focus to much on the long term take each day as it comes. I don’t live my life with blinders on, I don’t focus too much on cancer, I live my life to the fullest.

SilentRenegade said:

Great Advice

Hi Linda, 

That is very insightful! I will only be at appointments that I can be available for. My mother is the second set of ears so to speak in most cases. The one thing I have to watch for is looking up too much on the Internet. The doctors advised my parents against this and I can see why. I prefer the personal stories such as what I see here. 

 

I'm definitely not a nurse so I don't think I could really help at an appointment anyway except maybe asking an insane amount of questions. 

 

Once again I thank ALL of you for taking out the time to tell your stories and give advice. 

 

-Megan

Megan, the nurses at the treatment center will be your "go to" people since you usually don't see the oncologist for very long on treatment days.  The nurses we had were all great - very patient and willing to answer any and all our questions.  Good luck with your dad, keep up updated.

Linda

Trubrit said:

Politely disagree

While I agree that the nurses are wonderful and can answer questions, the Oncologist is the one who is treating your father and thus he makes the time to answer any and all questions that are asked. Heaven knows you pay enough for that office visit before the treatment. 

When I had questions between office visits, I would happily talk to the nurses, and if they couldn't answer the question they would happily go and consult the Doctor.

 

I meant that the nurses were great for the day-to-day side effects, education, etc. in the place we went.  Of course the oncologist is the lead caregiver, but the nurses we had would go get the doctors (sometimes several  times during a treatment) if they were needed.  Our treatment center may work a little differently than yours.  The doctors were always approachable too.

I'm very sorry that your family is going through this.  It's a hard road to walk, that's for sure, maybe one of the hardest.  But we'll try and support you and provide info as best we can!  I think you'll find that there will be someone here who can give you input on just about any question you might have.  We've got a lot of veterens, including a number of people wth stage 4 cancer (including me).

You mentioned marijuana...I live in WA where medical mj has been legal for a while (and mj just for fun is now legal too, of course), so I got an authorization for it.  It can be very helpful, esp for nausea and sleep issues.  If you have access to it in your state, it's definitely something to consider.  It's important as a cancer patient to use every tool in the tool box, and medical mj is one of many drugs that can help combat the side effects that will come with treatment.

Do you know yet what chemo your dad will be on?

Hugs to you both~AA

SilentRenegade said:

Hi AA, 
We don't know yet

Hi AA, 

We don't know yet what they are putting him on. He goes on Friday so I will post an update then. 

Thank you for the input regarding MJ. I am researching the state laws (NJ), but can get it from somebody  (never thought I'd have to but I have no problem doing that if it will help him). 

I wish it was easier to get here since I've read and heard about how much it helps people.

 

Thank you so much for the advice!

So sorry the hear of his diagnosis.   Stage 4, after colon surgery and 60% liver resection, I'm still here. Almost 5 years since diagnosis.   Keep up the good spirits.