New. Scared. Merry Xmas.

Merry Christmas

I hate to say welcome but you found the right place. I know you're scared. We've all been there. I encourage you to read posts and profiles. 

i was diagnosed Feb 2016 and I'm still here! (You can read my profile) I wont kid you,it's a hard fight but you can do it. If you have any questions or want to know what to ask your doctor, you can find information here. If I can answer anything, please message me or post.

I know it will be impossible but try not to stress too much. Of all the cancers to get, this one is the most curable. I was diagnosed as stage 3. After hearing the treatment I asked my oncologist, "so what are we shooting for here?"    He said "cure". 

Sending love and peace. Take this time to enjoy the holidays. Relax and prepare for your fight.

k

Fight

You ask when will the 'fight' start. I can answer that. Just as soon as you start chemo, or have surgery, then you are activly 'doing' something about the Cancer, and that makes all of the difference.  Sitting, waiting to do something about it, is just plain scary. 

Welcome to the forum, though. It is a great place. So many of us are either fighting it or are fighting for our loved ones. We are all at different stages and on different treatments. Some of us - like myself, are enjoying what we call NED - No Evidence of Disease. It is a glourious state, which you will reach very soon; especially if you are only Stage II.

Chin up.  enjoy this beautiful season and all that it has to offer. Then, let the fight begin. We are with you all the way. 

Tru

SandiaBuddy said:

Tough Timing

Susy.  Welcome.  I hope you find this forum useful.  

I am sure the timing of your diagnosis is tough.  Holidays can sometimes be trying in themselves, but to add the worry and uncertainty you likely feel to the mix is a challenge.  Plus, you will likely have to deal with family.  I found that people said all sorts of odd things after my diagnosis.  The only people I really listened to were the others who had cancer.  It often seemed that as hard as they might try, people who had not experienced this did not understand.  That's where this forum comes in handy.

From my perspective, finding ways to forget about the cancer diagnosis was useful.  Sometimes that would be having a few drinks, and sometimes it would be taking on a challenging hike.  Somehow the moments of forgetting gave me comfort in the process.

I, and others on the forum, have found some comfort in meditation as well.  Tru often mentions a CD she used.  I particularly like a book called "You are Here," which is deceiving in its simplicity.  It is a few hour read, and you could grab a digital copy online to occupy you in the quiet moments during the holiday.

Also, you mention getting ready for the fight.  You likely have either surgery or chemo ahead of you.  I approached surgery like training for a competition.  I exercised as much as humanly possible, and tried to eat and sleep well.  You can undertake similar training for the challenges before you.  Plus, as I always say, "exercise helps with everything."

So, in summary, from my perspective it helps to take time to forget, and to prepare physically for the days ahead.

I am so sorry you are here, but please know that you are among people who have experienced similar things and understand. 

 

Very well said!

Very well said!

Oh my goodness

I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, especially right before Christmas.  Mine was diagnosed the day before Thanksgiving so can understand your concern about keeping your feelings in check during this time.  It was hard for me as well being the day before Thanksgiving and all our our kids and grandkids being over. 

You have come to an amazing group of people that can help you get through this.  We have been in almost everyone's situation, so no question or comment is off the table.

Just wait until you get the results of the rest of your tests to see what they tell you, and remember we are always here to help you.

Kim

The shock
It's something we're all familiar with and a memory we'll never forget being told we have cancer. It seems like your in the first stage of grief, disbelief. There are five; denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Depending on the treatment you may not get a chance to experience them all which might be good in one sense because you'll probably be cured before you do. If it is stage 2 or 3 then you're half way home since from3 down is easily curable. Many on here were and can attest to it.

Hello

Hello susy,

Welcome to the forum!

My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer stage 4 Jan/Feb 2020. I remember how scared I was. Chemos and surgeries. Even though I am a med student it did not calm me. Sometimes the more I read, the more worried I get. 

But you will always feel better when you know what the doctors will do. The moment doctors get all the answrrs from tests etc they will give you the proper treatment. If you dont trust the doctors then get a 2nd opinion. Look for a doctor who takes time to answer your questions, explains things etc . I once asked my dads oncologist a full hour with my questions of things I did not know. 

Yeah sometimes reading in the internet makes you crazy. I know this feeling and btw it doesnt help. It can make you stressed, cry all the time and deepen your anxiety. A common rule I learned while searching the internet: you will never find a good study or a statistics that satisfy you. But here are people who proved these studies to be wrong. 

Most colon cancers need years to grow. Unfortunately, most of it you wont feel anything. My dad was a different case: the colonoscopy was negative, then his medication killed his immune cells so a rapid growth happened in 3 years or so. There was simply no counter attacking system.

I want to mention a few things that I think are important for you and your journey. Things I learned in medschool, documentaries, things I read here and there. Maybe they will help you.

- try to strengthen your immune system. A good immune system will prevent infections and maybe your cells will be so good again that they will kill some bad cells. Vitamin, Vit C, magnesium and zinc are good.

-Let your cancer get tested for KRAS, BRAF, MSI or MSS etc. Some of these mutations might get some drugs off the table and others might be better. 

- I dont know how old you are or how old your mum was. Talk with your doctor about genetic testing if it would fit with your family history. Maybe you got from your mother a gene that increases the risk of colon cancer? Hopefully you dont but if you are, then your sister could get tested aswell and also your children if you have some. They will get monitored more, more prevention etc. 

If you go to the doctors: ask for the doctors letter, CDs from scans. Ask if you can record the meeting or take someone with you. Patients who get bad news tend to overhear everything after what the doctor says or get some things wrong. When my dad heard 8 more chemos, he was just thinking about this, what it meant and the doctor was explaining why and he missed it. 

Last but not least: dont let cancer ruin your life! Dont let your whole life be about cancer! Enjoy, talk with your family, watch funny movies, take a walk, meet friends when it is safe during covid times, read a nice book, ... I know it is a scary disease. I am not experiencing the procedures, side effects and pain you might endure. But every caregiver is worried about their loved one, I am scared too about my dad. But life is so much better when you smile and have fun. A fake smile reduces your stress level already and a positive attitude is so important during your fight. Never give up and smile! 

Tueffel

I'm sorry to hear about your

I'm sorry to hear about your situation.  There's never a good time to receive a diagnosis but getting it around the holidays is tough for sure.  I was received my news in 2019 on my wedding anniversary.  

I'm very new to this forum and I'll tell you that I'm glad that I discovered it!!  You have found a good place for support...it helps to share with people that can totally relate to what you are going through. 

It's OK and natural to be scared, these feelings will eventually be accompanied by acceptance and determination.  

It can be difficult in the beginning but a positive outlook is extremely important!  There are many methods to develop positivity as suggested above.  I found that a gratitude list helped me to,focus on the positive.  

Stay strong...take control and God Bless!!

Dealing with the same

Susy,

I was there just a few months ago. The doctor found a mass during a routine colonoscopy and it turned out to be a 1cm tumor which had spread to two nearby lymphnodes. This put it at stage 3A.

I had that section of my colon removed, and a PET scan has shown no more evidence of the disease. I'm going thjrough Chemo now for the next five months to make sure it's all gone, but I know this is no guarentee with cancer.

The waiting for test results is by far the most nerve wracking. Talking to folks here, or people that you may know that has gone through it, always helps. 

The best relief I found from the anxiety was with walking. Go walk for a mile or two. It doesnt have to be a fast walk, just a casual stroll can help clear your mind.

I hope you were able to find some peace over the holidays and was able to spend time with family.

-J

prep

would appreciate prep experiences...i read horror stories which scare me ...im doin 2 day prep next week wth dulcolax tabs and miralax wed and thur and colonoscopy friday.....some said pain so bad they almost called 911!!!! ty

Jurav said:

Dealing with the same

Susy,

I was there just a few months ago. The doctor found a mass during a routine colonoscopy and it turned out to be a 1cm tumor which had spread to two nearby lymphnodes. This put it at stage 3A.

I had that section of my colon removed, and a PET scan has shown no more evidence of the disease. I'm going thjrough Chemo now for the next five months to make sure it's all gone, but I know this is no guarentee with cancer.

The waiting for test results is by far the most nerve wracking. Talking to folks here, or people that you may know that has gone through it, always helps. 

The best relief I found from the anxiety was with walking. Go walk for a mile or two. It doesnt have to be a fast walk, just a casual stroll can help clear your mind.

I hope you were able to find some peace over the holidays and was able to spend time with family.

-J

Very similar story

We seem to be in a similar situation. I just joined this network as I was diagnosed with colon cancer on Nov 30th, 2020 after having a colonoscopy right before Thanksgiving. Was fortunate to have my Resection on 12/19/20 and am going in for my chemo port procedure tomorrow. Also had 2/19 lymphnodes come back cancerous put me in the stage 3 low risk range. Most likely will be starting chemo 1st week of Feb. Hope all goes well for you and the OP.

-JD-