Can I borrow a shoulder to lean on?

Noon32316
Noon32316 Member Posts: 8
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Hello all. I'm post-port. Just like all of you shared with me, it wasn't bad at all. Logistically, it was a whole production like surgery but the procedure seemed like hanging out with the radiologist and nurses to swap tips on where to get the best fish and produce. Yes, that's what they talked about while I was in my twilight haze. Now I'm waiting for authorization approval for chemo to start. It's been a week and the oncologist office says it's still pending. I've been feeling down. Just sad. I can't fully describe what it is. There's so much waiting and not knowing or understanding. It's been 5 weeks since surgery and generally they say chemo starts 5-6 weeks after surgery. But all this waiting makes me feel like I'm not on schedule. Am I supposed to be doing something to help cure my cancer? Am I putting myself at a disadvantage somehow by not researching to become an expert or at least prepared for what happens next? I try to distract myself with different things so I can forget that I have cancer. But then the constant bathroom issues remind me that, no, things are not ok and I do have cancer. And I have a port. This is real. 

   

Comments

  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #2
    Waiting game?

    Waiting game?

    You didn't fill out your biography (profile page), so I have no idea what you have or had.....

    Assuming that you had colon cancer and have already had the operation to remove the tumor and are without an ostomy of any type... and assuming you're in the healing process post colon surgery..... (lot of assumptions)....

    The do not begin chemical treatments until the surgical wounds have healed. The chemicals damage the immune system enough to cause the wounds to be very subject to infection and remain unhealed for longer than necessary. No surgery takes place during chemical therapy; it's too risky.

    If the tumor is out and you're waiting for chemical therapy to "clean up" any cancer cells that might remain, waiting isn't going to be a problem. Chemical therapy is not and can not be used as preventative therapy. And chemicals usually do not have any effect on single cancer cells. Anything that can kill a cancer cell has to be targeted to the cell, and our technology presently has no way to target a cell that effectively, only your immune system can do that.

    Your port is in and once your surgical wounds have healed they can begin the chemical treatments. Take this time to understand what each and every chemical is and it's side effects; ask questions and demand answers, since many chemicals can leave dibilitating neurological side effects that can last years, or lifetime.

    What is administered to you is your choice and option. You have the final say what treatments you will submit to. It is very important that you fully understand the ramifications of each and every treatment. Do not allow fear to guide you, use your inner instincts; listen to your self survival instincts. Knowledge is your power.

    Wishing you the very best,

    John

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #3
    The worst part is the waiting

    The worst part is the waiting for things to get rolling. Once I found out I had a tumour I felt kind of unlcean or dirty or like something nasty was sitting inside me like an alien. I didn't have surgery to remove it until 6 months after diagnosis and I couldn't waitt o get it out of there. At one point they tried to do a colonoscopy but couldn't because it was in the way and I saw it on the monitor. Definitely a nasty moment. It was frustrating because I felt like I wanted to do something to help but had no idea what to do. And, really, there is nothing other than try to stay healthy otherwise amd positive. If I have a uti I can drink lots of fluids to help, if I have the flu there are things that will help, things like that. Cancer is just a waiting game.

    Also, I was told they like to do the follow up chemo within something like 2 months, if I remember right. I was over 90 days because of the abcesses and then infection in my incision site.

    Jan

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #4
    Go ahead and feel sad...

    it is not a sin, and quite a normal reaction to all that has happened to you these past months, and all that is ahead of you. The unknown is as scary as Hell (which I hope none of us visit....soon). 

    Once you start treament, you will probably find that you will feel allot better, mentally, about everything. You are actually doing something, as opposed to waiting to do something. Even though the treatment part isn't fun, you will feel a sense of the fact that you are actually 'fighting' Cancer, or fighting to keep it from coming back. 

    I spoke to my Rad Onc team today. I was quite shocked (and I mean, I had to stop and think, wow) when I told them I was almost three years out from treatment. THREE YEARS! 

    One day, you will be looking back at three years, but right now, that seems like an eternity away. 

    Allow yourself some sadness. Your life as you know it has changed forever. Even when you go back for your scans and tests and they keep telling you NED, NED, NED, you will still be a Cancer patient. Soon, you will embrase that and run with it. Being alive is fantastic, Cancer and all. 

    I wish you all the luck with your treatments. May they go swift and painlessly by. We'll be here throughout, whenever you need us. And soon, it will be you typing to some new forum member, sharing the advice, giving the support and living with NED (he's such a great one to live with). 

    SUE

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,289 Member
    edited May 2016 #5
    Not having much control after

    Not having much control after the course is set, and having to bide your time, is frustrating and depressing.  You are far enough out from surgery to start exercising some, as the better your conditioning, the better you'll handle or overide chemo's effects. That's about all I can think of that you could be doing to aid your fight, that and keeping busy/not stressing. Stay strong......................................Dave

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