New diagnosis, 35 year old Just had sigmoid colon resection, waiting on pathology

LearningAsIGo
LearningAsIGo Member Posts: 27
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I was diagnosed May 2018 with sigmoid mass, on colonoscopy, no evidence of metastasis on CT scan. I’m day 6 recovering from partial colon resection, and an additional mass in omentum and nodule on peritoneum were also removed. Surgeon says chemo will likely follow. My energy is struggling to return-is this common? I am 35 years old with zero family history and no obvious risk factors. These are uncharted waters for me, I find moments of sheer fear of not being here for my husband and child, and then moments of being ready to tackle this thing. Awaiting pathology report and just hoping for some encouragement and alliance with those who have traveled this path. My appetite is not great, but forcing good caloric intake and have an amazing support system to assist. Thanks for helping me get ready to navigate this.

Comments

  • darcher
    darcher Member Posts: 304 Member
    #2
    Been there

       Most of us have been where you are now.   It's a very tough road.  You'll likely be fine.  At your age it's a lot easier battle than if you were twice your age.   It's not always a circumstance of family history as an indicator.  Although my father had it at 70 and so do I my genes say otherwise.  I had it checked and there aren't any cancer markers.  There can be a lot of things that cause it and it's not always so obvious.  Neither is the timing to onset.  For me, it took 40 years to catch up to me.  Hopefully your husband is supportive and comforting.  That's a big plus if you have it.   We're here for you too so if you've got questions, fire away.   BTW, being tired and fatigued is part and parcel having this.  It flows like water. One moment your up and the next your in the hellish pit of cancer.  It's all normal.

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,289 Member
    #3
    My story is similar, though I

    My story is similar, though I was 49yo at the time. I just turned 60, with over ten years passed a late stage diagnosis, and 3 1/2 years past the last liver surgery. Click on my name to get the details, and have faith. Your young and strong, with a lot to fight for. It's hard as hell in the beginning, but you'll toughen up and gain perspective as you go. This place is for many things, including the stuff you can't share with the regular world, as we've been there, in one form or another. The very best of luck to you...............................Dave

  • SandiaBuddy
    SandiaBuddy Member Posts: 1,381 Member
    #4
    Advice?

    Perhaps you should allow yourself time to heal for now and be confident that your husband and child want you to get better and are behind you on this.

    If your weight is down, it makes sense to eat what appeals to you and to get strong.  The only other thing I would encourage is to get out and exercise.  I remember the day I got home from the hospital, I was only able to walk a few hunderd feet.  But within a week that can be extended to miles.  Exercise and sunshine will increase your chances of a cancer-free survival.  

    The pathology reports will come, and you will deal with them then.  The same with the recommendation for chemo.  As of now, I would suggest your focus should be on the immediate recovery.  You have been through an ordeal with the surgery.  Give yourself time to recover.  Just my opinion. 

  • LearningAsIGo
    LearningAsIGo Member Posts: 27
    #5
    darcher said:

    Been there

       Most of us have been where you are now.   It's a very tough road.  You'll likely be fine.  At your age it's a lot easier battle than if you were twice your age.   It's not always a circumstance of family history as an indicator.  Although my father had it at 70 and so do I my genes say otherwise.  I had it checked and there aren't any cancer markers.  There can be a lot of things that cause it and it's not always so obvious.  Neither is the timing to onset.  For me, it took 40 years to catch up to me.  Hopefully your husband is supportive and comforting.  That's a big plus if you have it.   We're here for you too so if you've got questions, fire away.   BTW, being tired and fatigued is part and parcel having this.  It flows like water. One moment your up and the next your in the hellish pit of cancer.  It's all normal.

    Thank you for the reassurance

    Thank you for the reassurance and for welcoming me to this forum. It’s good to know there are so many others out here who can just let me know my feelings are normal and its all part of the process. And to have a safe place to fire away the questions and uncertainties. Thank you.

     

     

  • LearningAsIGo
    LearningAsIGo Member Posts: 27
    #6
    beaumontdave said:

    My story is similar, though I

    My story is similar, though I was 49yo at the time. I just turned 60, with over ten years passed a late stage diagnosis, and 3 1/2 years past the last liver surgery. Click on my name to get the details, and have faith. Your young and strong, with a lot to fight for. It's hard as hell in the beginning, but you'll toughen up and gain perspective as you go. This place is for many things, including the stuff you can't share with the regular world, as we've been there, in one form or another. The very best of luck to you...............................Dave

    I’m glad to have this place

    I’m glad to have this place to reach out too, even with my very loving husband and support system. Thank you for the reassurance, and encouragement as I begin this journey!

  • LearningAsIGo
    LearningAsIGo Member Posts: 27
    #7
    SandiaBuddy said:

    Advice?

    Perhaps you should allow yourself time to heal for now and be confident that your husband and child want you to get better and are behind you on this.

    If your weight is down, it makes sense to eat what appeals to you and to get strong.  The only other thing I would encourage is to get out and exercise.  I remember the day I got home from the hospital, I was only able to walk a few hunderd feet.  But within a week that can be extended to miles.  Exercise and sunshine will increase your chances of a cancer-free survival.  

    The pathology reports will come, and you will deal with them then.  The same with the recommendation for chemo.  As of now, I would suggest your focus should be on the immediate recovery.  You have been through an ordeal with the surgery.  Give yourself time to recover.  Just my opinion. 

    SandiaBuddy, thank you for

    SandiaBuddy, thank you for putting into words how to keep things simple and grounded for now. My family is everything to me and so supportive, and it’s good to be reassured to take one day at a time and be patient with this process. I got outside for the first time today and just soaked up the sun on my face and enjoyed watching the hummingbirds flutter. Tomorrow I will try to walk to our garden...and hope every day is a little better. Thank you for welcoming me here.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #8
    It's sometimes hard

    This path that you are taking is not going to be easy but it is sure doable.  It's something all of on this board have gone through in one form of treatment or another.  We might not all take the same route you will but we have been there with the fear, anxiety, determination, energy loss or gain.  Wait for the report and then see what they recommend in the way of treatment.  It is very good they did not see any spreading on the scan.  That's very good.  You will be tired after surgery as you have been through much.  Give yourself some credit and take the time you need to heal and rebuild your energy.  It's going to be difficult (or can be) at times, but just take one day at a time.  Hoping that the path comes out good.  Welcome to the board, but sorry you had to join.  Please come on to ask away, we are always here to help.

    Kim

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    #9
    age

    your Young age is quite to your advantage. I was 77 when diagnosed.  After bumbpy ride became NED(no evedence of disease).  Will be 86 next week.  Have been NED ever since 2010

    .  If I could beat it, so can you!!! Good luck!

  • LearningAsIGo
    LearningAsIGo Member Posts: 27
    #10
    Annabelle41415 said:

    It's sometimes hard

    This path that you are taking is not going to be easy but it is sure doable.  It's something all of on this board have gone through in one form of treatment or another.  We might not all take the same route you will but we have been there with the fear, anxiety, determination, energy loss or gain.  Wait for the report and then see what they recommend in the way of treatment.  It is very good they did not see any spreading on the scan.  That's very good.  You will be tired after surgery as you have been through much.  Give yourself some credit and take the time you need to heal and rebuild your energy.  It's going to be difficult (or can be) at times, but just take one day at a time.  Hoping that the path comes out good.  Welcome to the board, but sorry you had to join.  Please come on to ask away, we are always here to help.

    Kim

    Thank you Kim for your

    Thank you Kim for your compassion and support and perspective. Today it’s hard to get out of bed, as I’m willing my body to heal after surgery. I did not expect this level of fatigue and weakness. One day at a time. It’s hard to read in so many places “get out and walk” when it’s difficult to get out of bed...I’m afraid I’ll relapse by overdoing it! I’m struggling to make myself eat with so little appetite. Determined to turn this around! Thanks again for taking the time to reach out, your words mean a lot!

  • LearningAsIGo
    LearningAsIGo Member Posts: 27
    #11
    danker said:

    age

    your Young age is quite to your advantage. I was 77 when diagnosed.  After bumbpy ride became NED(no evedence of disease).  Will be 86 next week.  Have been NED ever since 2010

    .  If I could beat it, so can you!!! Good luck!

    I sure hope so

    Thank you for the good luck wishes and encouragement. I sure wish I felt stronger. I’m exactly 7 days post-op today and anxiously awaiting pathology, which is an emotional roller coaster in and of itself!

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