Just starting my journey

For obvious reasons, we never want to welcome anyone.  But it is a great place with great people.  

My diagnosis came out of the blue, in otherwise fine health, just a bit over a year ago.  Had surgery where a good portion of my ascending colon, appendix and part of the abdominal tissue was removed (Stage IIIC, in a ton of lymph nodes), followed by 6 months of chemo.  3 days every two weeks.  (Home pump, hooked up Monday at MSK, disconnect Weds at home).  

No medications, no health issues to speak of beforehand.  Just caught accidently for the most part.  

Get opinions and options.  It stinks to have this dropped on you, but take a breath and pause for a second.  Get at least one more opinion.  Also find the best docs you can.  I am fortunate in that I am close to Memorial Sloan Kettering.  As a courtesy I met with another surgeon first, based on the recommendation of the doctor who performed my colonoscopy.  I immediatelty thought Sloan, but talked anyway.  My primary was making arrangements for Sloan immediately.  I would be in real rough shape right now, if in fact I would still be here, if I went with the first person.  

Instead I am in pretty darned good shape.

Hang in there, it stinks, but you got good things going.  And hang out here, you will get a ton of help, advice and support.

Hi, I was about your age when diagnosed with a rectal tumor.  That was 6 yrs ago next month.

Like you I was uncertain about what direction to take.

I was offered chemo/radiation with the hope to avoid a perm colostomy.

I opted for surgery only, since there was a possibility of the perm colostomy anyway.

Each situation is different, and I only offer my choices as background, not a recommendation, because that is between you and your doctors.

Like you I was in good health prior to this with no issues.

Having the perm colostomy has not proven to be a problem, just something new to get used to.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

Wishing you the best,

Marie who loves kitties 

I am glad you are here. I am glad this forum and its wonderful members helped you to make a decision that may just see you live 'Happily ever after'. 

One of the first questions I had for my Oncologist the day I met him (in hospita after my resection) was, how long would treatment give me? I just didn't want to go through months of chemo and radiation for a few short months of life. So, I know how you felt, initially. 

I am glad that you are moving forward with treatment. It will drag when you are going through it, and when you look back on it, it will seem like a drop of time in the ocean of life. 

We are here to help you through the drag. Most of us have 'been there, done that' to one degree or other, and the rest have watched and supported those they love through to the other side (and I don't mean that 'other side', though some you meet here, have lost their loved ones). 

We talk about all the stuff that normal (yeah, we're not normal anymore) folks wont. Bowels, Bowel movements. We use words others shy away from, like Anus, rectum, incontinence. Everything you are about to go through has been experienced by someone here, so come loaded wtih your questions. 

Talking about questions; one thing that saved my bacon when I went through treatment was a notebook. I would jot everything down. Every little thing I was experiencing, I talked it over with my Oncologist. Some of it seemed ridiculous, but to me it wasn't, at the time. 

We're with you for the long haul. I'm glad you found the forum.

Sue - Trubrit

Everyone here deals with more than they thought they'd have to, after all, cancer happens to other people. One day at a time. Stay in the moment. These are mantras for many of us, because looking very far down the road is scary. Sometimes I wonder how I got this far without giving in or up. We're pretty durable creatures, adaptable to all sorts of stressful circumstances. You can do this, you're  otherwise healthy with good habits and family/support. They need you to try, and we here need the stories of people who fight this crap and continue to live their lives with attitude and commitment. You may grieve the life you had, but this new normal can have great moments amid the tedious and worrisome stuff. Keep reading the stories here, they've done wonders for me......................................................Dave

Sue_2015 said:

Dear Kazenmax

I hear ya.  In Feb 2015 (at age 62) I was diagnosed with colon cancer with liver mets.  No symptoms, no surgeries, and I thought I was healthy except when a colonoscopy found the malignant tumor in my ascending colon then MRI, PET scans etc. showed the giant liver tumor etc.

I try everything they throw at me.  They say I can't have resection of the tumors until they have shrunk small enough.  I had Y-90 to the large liver tumor and it did shrink some, but not enough yet.  None of my chemo treatments have worked (they say, since I have net mets popping up.)  New scans show more new liver mets and possible lung mets.  So I'll be trying new types of chemo and will have more Y-90 radiation to the liver mets one of these days.  We're waiting on the lung nodule biopsy at the moment.

Stay strong and try to keep positive (I know it's hard to do.)

Best wishes and keep up updated!

Sue

 

Keep fighting Sue, you don't know happens, people here bring up new stuff all the time, and there's stories that amaze me as to how they get ahead of this stuff.............................................Dave

Kazenmax said:

Thanks so much for the kind

Thanks so much for the kind advice. Yesterday I spent the evening with my son and daughter-in-law and my two wonderful grandchildren.  And for one night I forgot about the cancer. We laughed and enjoyed each others company. I started out telling my son my fears and he just said well look at us and everything we've been through. We can do this.

I have read lots of inspiring stories here and I will continue to do so.

Thanks,

It may be a rather bumpy ride, but it is doable.  Take it a day at a time and who knows how many you will have.  Best of juck to you!!