Not what I expected

tootsie1
tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Hi, Everyone.

I don't know if there's anyone here who remembers me. I haven't participated in this board regularly for awhile now. I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2007. I was fortunate enough to be Stage 1, and I have been clean for many years now. Until now...

A trip to the ER last week for what was thought to be an ulcer caused by aspirin that i take since I had a heart attack in Sept. A CT scan, however, showed that there is a large mass on my pancreas. I have elevated cancer markers for colon and pancreas. So, I am in a boatload of trouble, most likely.

Anyway, I will report when I get the definite word. I have a PET scan on Monday and a biopsy will follow shortly after that. 

Trying not to panic, but I am scared.

 

 

Comments

  • sgold88
    sgold88 Member Posts: 85 Member
    edited May 2021 #2
    Hi

    I am very sorry to read this and to hear what you are going through. My family is new to cancer (my wife was diagnosed in 2019) but we are told over and over again that having cancer today is much different than having cancer 15, 10 and even 5 years ago. Even 3 years ago. There are many more potential life saving options available these days as I understand. It's hard but be positive in the absence of anything definitively negative. Warm regards.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    edited May 2021 #3
    I remember you...

    and I am sorry to see you back here. 

    Go ahead and panic, in as calm a way as you can. 

    It is awful to be out of the game for so long, and then to find out that it is back.  I will think of you on Monday, and hope that the news from your PET is not completley awful.  

    We will wait with you, for the results. 

    Tru

  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #4
    sgold88 said:

    Hi

    I am very sorry to read this and to hear what you are going through. My family is new to cancer (my wife was diagnosed in 2019) but we are told over and over again that having cancer today is much different than having cancer 15, 10 and even 5 years ago. Even 3 years ago. There are many more potential life saving options available these days as I understand. It's hard but be positive in the absence of anything definitively negative. Warm regards.

    Thank you so much! I'm trying

    Thank you so much! I'm trying to be as positive as i can be. i was able, through my son and my family doctor, to be in touch with an oncology team at a larger cancer hospital, and they will see me soon. So I feel very good about that!

  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    edited May 2021 #5
    Trubrit said:

    I remember you...

    and I am sorry to see you back here. 

    Go ahead and panic, in as calm a way as you can. 

    It is awful to be out of the game for so long, and then to find out that it is back.  I will think of you on Monday, and hope that the news from your PET is not completley awful.  

    We will wait with you, for the results. 

    Tru

    Thank you! It's so nice to

    Thank you! It's so nice to not be alone!

  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #6
    I remember you

    I am so sorry to hear of all that you are going through.  I also was diagnosed in 2007 with Stage IIIc Colon cancer had resection and chemo.  No fun but I'm still here.  I also recently had a PET and it showed 2 active areas of probable malignancy right near my resection site.  Had colonoscopy that came back clear.  Now they say that it must be on the outside of the colon or in that area.  All that history to say "I understand the fear of the unknown.  I encourage you to allow yourself to feel all these things and then  Start Fighting and don't give up.  I don't know where you live but hope you can get to a major cancer center.  Find the best and make your insurance give you access to 2nd opinions.  I will keep you in my prayers.  Please keep in touch

    Debbie

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,289 Member
    edited May 2021 #7
    We had the same start being

    We had the same start being diagnosed in 2007, some bleeding, mass in the sigmoid, mine went 111b, so chemo, and two liver resections. I read stories here but didn't join until 2013, so I likely never spoke at you before, but it's hard to remember times you partly wish to leave in the past. I'm sorry this stuff has showed up again in you. For all the hassle I went through with the recurrances, chemo, and such, I'm grateful for the continued 6 month blood panels, that will warn me, I hope, if such a return happens. I wish you the very best of outcomes with this new challenge......................................Dave

  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #8
    grammadebbie said:

    I remember you

    I am so sorry to hear of all that you are going through.  I also was diagnosed in 2007 with Stage IIIc Colon cancer had resection and chemo.  No fun but I'm still here.  I also recently had a PET and it showed 2 active areas of probable malignancy right near my resection site.  Had colonoscopy that came back clear.  Now they say that it must be on the outside of the colon or in that area.  All that history to say "I understand the fear of the unknown.  I encourage you to allow yourself to feel all these things and then  Start Fighting and don't give up.  I don't know where you live but hope you can get to a major cancer center.  Find the best and make your insurance give you access to 2nd opinions.  I will keep you in my prayers.  Please keep in touch

    Debbie

    NC

    We live in NC, and I'll be going to University of North Carolina.

  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    edited May 2021 #9
    beaumontdave said:

    We had the same start being

    We had the same start being diagnosed in 2007, some bleeding, mass in the sigmoid, mine went 111b, so chemo, and two liver resections. I read stories here but didn't join until 2013, so I likely never spoke at you before, but it's hard to remember times you partly wish to leave in the past. I'm sorry this stuff has showed up again in you. For all the hassle I went through with the recurrances, chemo, and such, I'm grateful for the continued 6 month blood panels, that will warn me, I hope, if such a return happens. I wish you the very best of outcomes with this new challenge......................................Dave

    Thank you

    I have been getting CEA and colonoscopies on schedule and thought I was good to go. You never know, I guess.

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