Newly Diag Rectal Cancer Age 33

I feel your pain, but take a step back and wait until you get your colonoscopy done....Easier said then done, but just try not to stress over it too much...

I wouldnt be too worried about the procedure moving anything around, I was worried before mine and looking back on it, it was a walk in the park..

Chemo and Radiation...I havent had radiation, but have had alot of chemo....I'm not going to lie to you, its does suck, but there are so many types for different cancers and everyone reacts differently to them, but rest assured, you will be very closely monitored and they will do everything to make it was easy as possible...Anti-nausea meds, reducing dosages, etc..etc..The stuff sucks, but thats what they attack it with..Some people dont believe in and do other avenues, such as the Macrobiotic diet, Juicing, Nutrition...my personal belief is to do everything you can, I'm getting chemo, but have changed my diet, see an accupuncturist, which by the way really helps with the side-effects from the chemo, and see a shrink, which really helps as its been a tough 10 months so far...

HMO...I have an HMO plan and live in Los Angeles and have been very fortunate to have been dialed in to a very good Oncologist.

My advice in this area would be to see who is on your plan and ask around, certainly there is more than one person in your area, both a surgeon and oncologist, I would highly recommend getting more than one opinion..

I hope this helps a little, I know its scary crap, especially being young, I just turned 37 and was diagnosed at 36, and its still fricken scary! But, there are SO many people on this board who are supportive and have been there too...Keep your head up, YOU WILL BEAT IT!!

Always stay positive,

Rondog

I was diagnosed in May 04, age 37, with stage 3 rectal cancer. They think one lumphnode may have been involved but was unable to confirm because radiation obliterated the lymphnodes.

I know exactly the ride you are on now.... I am sorry you have to go through it... but you came to the right place.

I had 5 weeks chemo/radiation, 8 weeks recovery, major surgery in 9/04 resulting in a permanent colostomy and a rebuilt vagina, then did 2 out of 4 chemo treatments. I opted to stop chemo because I had such horrid side effects. Like everyone said, every body reacts differently.

My tumor was located at the very base of my rectum so a permanent colostomy was not an option... it was a definite. Oddly, that is the part I fought the hardest. I DID NOT WANT THAT!!!
Tara, who wrote above, was a huge help to me. She is exactly right... the emotional ride before hand was so much worse than life with a pouch.

Go with your gut feeling. Do your research, talk to people here. But in the end go with what feels right to you. The most important thing is to beat this disease.

Good luck and keep in touch!

MJay

Hi,

I'm so sorry about your recent diagnosis. My heart stops everytime I see a newly diagnosed patient... I remember the time of my diagnosis... Let me tell you, EVERYDAY WILL GET A LITTLE BIT EASIER. I promise.

My initial diagnosis was the same as yours. I was diagnosed January 2003 at 20 yo with stage III rectal cancer. I had six weeks of chemo/radiation (I strongly recommend this protocol because it prevents local recurrence) and my main complaint was fatigue. I had an abdomino-perineal resection of my rectum with a permanent colostomy and a partial vaginectomy. The colostomy was necessary as the tumor had infiltrated my sphincter and nothing could be saved. The doctors will do everything in their power to avoid the bag but if you do have to have one, it is really not so bad, AT ALL. I am grateful for my bag because it was after the surgery that I finally felt better and the pain from the tumor was gone. I then had 4 months of follow-up chemo. Unfortunately, disease has spread to my lungs, but I was a very advanced stage III at diagnosis (tumor had infiltrated to vaginal wall) so the doctors were not surprised. I am happy to report that there is no sign of local recurrence so the radiation and aggressive surgery did there jobs.

This is truly a very difficult part of your cancer journey. Keep us posted as a battle plan unfolds and we will be happy to answer any questions.

My thoughts are with you. Livestrong. Have hope and faith and surround yourself with love. YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS, one day at a time.

Andrea

Hi, there.
Like everyone is telling you this is the place to be right now. We have all gone through much of what you are and will be going through.
I can tell you my stage 2 tumor was 8 cm in from the anal verge and that is about 4 inches. After chemo and radiation had shrunk it to almost nothing I had an LAR (part of colon removed) with no colostomy. I was told a rule of thumb is that if the tumor is at least 6 cm or higher it MAY be possible to save the sphincter, etc.
Follow the advice here. Wait until you have the colonoscopy before making any decisions or drawing any conclusions about the future. Everyone responds differently to their tailored treatment regimen. Hang in there. You are in for a rough 8 months or so, and then.....relief such as you have never experienced before.

Hi,

I'm so sorry to hear your news. I know what a scary journey into the unknown you've embarked on. But congratulations for finding this board already! It took me much longer to check in here. There's a ton of support, information, and encouragement here. Welcome.

Regarding your HMO vs. university hospital, my sense is that much of colon cancer treatment is pretty standard procedure. I would definitely go for a second opinion, no matter what, because these are big decisions, but once you decide on a care plan, it may be that your network would do exactly what you'd get outside. That was my experience, anyway.

I'm stage 3 and finishing up 6 months of chemo. I know that everyone's experience varies, but for me, it really was quite bearable. If you go that route, I highly recommend an anti-nausea drug called Zofran. I also found that simple things like drinking a lot of water and taking walks as much as possible seemed to help move the chemicals along through my body. You can ask for more help if/when you decide on a treatment plan. People here love to give advice and share their tips!

Most of all, figure out a way to keep your spirit strong. I found deep breathing very, very helpful. And remember to keep an eye out for the bright spots. Although I wouldn't wish it on anyone, I really am quite grateful for the life lessons cancer has already taught me. Lance Armstrong's book, It's Not about the Bike, is also quite eloquent on this subject.,

Courage!

markatger said:

Hello
Can't say enough how much I appreciate this site and the advice and encouragement that I've received in the last day from everyone. Thank-you!!!
I just got back from colonoscopy and C-T scan yesterday. First the good news : rest of colon seems to be clear. Bad news : C-T scan showed a suspicious mass in my liver. Ugh....just read some not so bright news about liver cancer. But I think I've read here and other places of people who had liver mestastis who are doing ok. And its not confirmed that it is cancer, need to get more tests possibly a biopsy.
I'm still stuggling with being unsure about my HMO - Group Health in Redmond, Washington ( a suburb of Seattle). At the University of Washington they have a 25 member Colorectal Cancer team! At Group Health they don't even have one Board Certified Colo-Rectal surgeon. But I have been hearing that it is a fairly common procedure. But if my liver is involved maybe it will be less of a standard procedure. I am scheduling a second opinion at UW that my HMO is paying for which is great.
I'm sorry all of you faced what I am facing now. It's unreal for me. For some reason today I'm not doing too bad. Getting a lot of information has helped a lot.
Thank-you : )

I am Ned 2 1/2 years post dx rectal ca (11/01). For two years the doctors watched:
1. a suspicious shadow on my liver
2. a suspicious swelling on my left ovary
3. a suspicious lump in my right breast
4. something suspicious going on at the surgery site
5. I don't know what at the top of one hip bone
After much poking and proding and multiple scans and drawing of blood they chalked it all up to the mystery of the human body. Well, my body.
Don't worry about this stuff until you know for sure that it is something to worry about.
And then ask, "What's the plan?"
Aspaysia, who is still creaking along