New here, anyone else my age ?

Firefighter35 · July 2005

I have just found this site and i am finding a lot of great information already in the first few pages of posts. I am 35 and had my surgery 8 weeks ago, a subtotal colectomy. I just started back to work and i am supposed to start my chemo treatments in the next couple of weeks. I look forward to catching up on the rest of the posts here and giving help to anyone i can once i have finished my treatments.

kerry · July 2005

Welcome to the "semi-colons". Give us a little more information. We will be here for you through your treatment and beyond. Once a "semi-colon" always a "semi-colon".

You will find lots of information, advice, compassion and support.....and probably lots more than that.

I wish you the very best with your treatment. Hang in there.

Kerry

rthornton · July 2005

Hi Firefighter.

I just turned 36 on the 17th, but I was also diagnosed with stage four colon cancer when I was 35. I had a total colectomy on May 23, and have completed three of twelve chemo treatments.

There are a few other 30s people on this board, so you're certainly not alone. This is a great, great place to find support, information, encouragement, and recently several accounts of people having great success in their struggles. That's probably my favorite part!

Anyway, welcome to the group and please keep us informed of your experiences. Also, please feel free to email me if you have any questions about life without a colon or chemotherapy.

Rodney

Firefighter35 · July 2005

Thank you Kerry and Rodney for the warm welcome, and fast also !! More info. .... I was diagnosed with a problem with my liver first back in early January, PSC. It is a blockage of the bile ducts which made me jaundice. They checked for U.C. because they usually go hand in hand. After the colonoscopy they told me i had cancer. I underwent a lot of tests before surgery and got a second opinion. Surgery went well, the only complication being hiccups for a week. 2 of 28 lymphnodes were positive. I meet with my oncologist on Monday to finalize my treatment process. I will post an update once i have all of the specifics about the schedule and medicines. Thank you again for the warm welcome. So is there an official logo for the semi colons ? Just felt like being goofy for a minute

chynabear · July 2005

Firefighter35 said:
Thank you Kerry and Rodney for the warm welcome, and fast also !! More info. .... I was diagnosed with a problem with my liver first back in early January, PSC. It is a blockage of the bile ducts which made me jaundice. They checked for U.C. because they usually go hand in hand. After the colonoscopy they told me i had cancer. I underwent a lot of tests before surgery and got a second opinion. Surgery went well, the only complication being hiccups for a week. 2 of 28 lymphnodes were positive. I meet with my oncologist on Monday to finalize my treatment process. I will post an update once i have all of the specifics about the schedule and medicines. Thank you again for the warm welcome. So is there an official logo for the semi colons ? Just felt like being goofy for a minute

I'm pretty new here too, Firefighter. I am 27, so a little younger than you. I was diagnosed just over nine months ago, stage III, in the beginning of October. I went through surgery right away and started chemo as soon as they allowed. I only had the sigmoid part of the colon removed.

I reiterate, you have found a great group of people to get advice from, vent to, get support from, and share good and bad news with.

Welcome to the site.

Patricia

shmurciakova · July 2005

Hi! Yes, there are many, many young people on this forum. Shockingly......I was very surprised by it. I told one of my doctors and he said that it is just because younger people are more "computer saavy", but I don't buy it. I think there are an alarming number of younger folks coming down w/ colon cancer. It is something that really needs to be brought to the public awareness. Especially since early diagnosis is so important! Anyway, I was diagnosed when I was 31. I am 35 now and have gone 8 months w/ no more problems! Yea! I think you will find that this is a great place to have your questions answered and have your fears eased.
Welcome! Please read through some of our personal webpages and you will see that you are definitely not alone!
-Susan.

cal79 · July 2005

Hi and welcome to the group. I am also fairly new, and thought I was the youngest person on earth with this until I found this site! I was 25 at diagnosis and I'm 26 now, had surgery to remove my rectum and have a temporary ileostomy. This site is great for practical and honest advice and also brilliant for alternative therapy information. Hope all goes well with your chemo. Cal

CAMaura · July 2005

Welcome!!!
So great to have another survivor here! Best of luck. And please post often.
Cheers - Maura

kangatoo · July 2005

CAMaura said:
Welcome!!!
So great to have another survivor here! Best of luck. And please post often.
Cheers - Maura

Hiya Firey from oz. Welcome to the family. Let us have the info as soon as you can..it will help us to help you. Btw.....don't worry about being "goofy" here...I think a few of us beat you to that title...lol!
Don't get anal retentive either..let it all out 'cos we all know the good and the bad that comes with this crappy disease.
mmmm.......wondering if you are male or female too....us guys here are outnumbered and we need more support to keep tha gals in line!
Pity you had to meet us under the circumstances but no better place to be.
cheers, kanga(Ross) n Jen (my better arf')

steved · July 2005

And while we are being international welcome from the UK. I was daignosed last year with stage 3 rectal cancer and had the preop chemoa dn radiotherapy then the op and postop chemo then the reversal of teh ileostomy. I am 32 and yes there are many of us yonger people people here as I'm sure you have gathered.
I do believe there are some different issues that younger cancer survivors face and I have found it very useful to share this whole experience with many here who truly can understand what we are going through. There is also a lot we can learn from our elders too so I'm not disregarding them!

Anyway, welcome and do feel free to let us know a bit more about you eg married, kids etc (and I'm sure we have also had a couple of other figher fighters on here in the past but they haven't become regulars so you may find them still lurking around.

Steve.

jsabol · July 2005

Hi and welcome;
I was diagnosed nearly 2 years ago at the ripe old age of 53, and my onc told me I was young! Ha! I also found this site between surgery and chemo; there was so much support and info here, I just keep coming back. So welcome to the club; high price of admission, but it is a life time memebership!
Someone suggested brown wrist bands for our club, but that was poo-pooed by many. There is an "official" American Cancer society blue pin, but I haven't seem many of those. Maybe we should sponser a contest? Judy

RunnerZ · July 2005

Firefighter,

I am 42 now, but was only 3 when I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer. After a year of preoperative treatment/surgery/chemotherapy, I have remained disease free for over 6 years. I read Lance Armstrong's first book when I was in the midst of my mental recovery from cancer, and remain inspired. I was always a runner, just appreciate it even more now. I run 6 miles or so every day...just as fast as before cancer. I also work as a prosecutor, a hectic and stress-filled job. However, after surviving cancer, murder trials are a walk in the park. Good luck in your recovery. You will do well. We will be here for you.

RunnerZ · July 2005

I mean 36 at diagnosis...3 would be REALLY young!

rthornton · July 2005

shmurciakova said:
Hi! Yes, there are many, many young people on this forum. Shockingly......I was very surprised by it. I told one of my doctors and he said that it is just because younger people are more "computer saavy", but I don't buy it. I think there are an alarming number of younger folks coming down w/ colon cancer. It is something that really needs to be brought to the public awareness. Especially since early diagnosis is so important! Anyway, I was diagnosed when I was 31. I am 35 now and have gone 8 months w/ no more problems! Yea! I think you will find that this is a great place to have your questions answered and have your fears eased.
Welcome! Please read through some of our personal webpages and you will see that you are definitely not alone!
-Susan.

I don't know, Susan, I think that computer literacy might have something to do with so many younger patients posting notes here on CSN. This past Saturday I went to a colorectal cancer seminar sponsored by my oncologist's office and Genentech (makers of Avastin), and I was the youngest patient in that room by an enormous margin. There were probably about 100 patients there, and the closest to my age (35) was a very nice lady in her mid 40s. But anyway, I think you are absolutely correct about early screening. All the doctors speaking at this seminar were saying that people should start getting colonoscopies at the age of 50, or 10 years younger than a parent who might have had colon cancer. Since my mother was diagnosed at age 48, I'd probably have died if I had followed all that advice! If I'm stage four now with liver mets, how much could that have progressed after three more years of neglect? So, yeah, maybe people should be advised to start getting colonoscopies at age 30 (which still doesn't address the others here who are in their 20s).

You are right ... the need for screening definitely needs to be addressed among younger people.

Rodney

markatger · July 2005

Allo and Welcome! : )

33 here, rectal cancer diagnosed this year with liver metastasis. I have had chemo but surgery not until end of august. Chemo was not bad at all for me. And if you do have problems they have an arsenal of strategies now do deal with side effects both with drugs and natural alternatives.

As suggested, feel free to talk openly about the intimate details of your GI Tract. Bathroom horror and humor is welcome here!

I am very interested in better screening for colon cancer in younger patients. I was told to contact http://www.colonclub.org/, although I hate to admit that I have only just visited there website so far. I beleive it was founded by a group of young women with colon cancer interested in spreading awareness of the disease. They are the ones who are touring the country with the Colossal Colon! There is also Planet Cancer which is especially for young cancer patients including children. I havent posted there myself though.

Again, welcome ... and hope you are doing great today
Maria

Firefighter35 · July 2005

A few more details about me. I'm a male, 35, a volunteer firefighter in Delaware. I got separated a couple of weeks before i started showing signs of the liver problem, got jaundice. I have no children and i am currently living with my parents who have been a tremendous help since this all started. I work on commercial cooking equipment for a living, just back to work this week, very hot !! If there are any people in the Delaware or Southeastern Pa area i'd love to find out if there are any groups that meet in person also. Thank you to everyone else who welcomed me so warmly. I'm sure i will be here daily getting inspiration and getting to know all of you better. Maybe one of these days i can offer good advice as well. Take care all and God bless you all.

jana11 · July 2005

Firefighter35 said:
A few more details about me. I'm a male, 35, a volunteer firefighter in Delaware. I got separated a couple of weeks before i started showing signs of the liver problem, got jaundice. I have no children and i am currently living with my parents who have been a tremendous help since this all started. I work on commercial cooking equipment for a living, just back to work this week, very hot !! If there are any people in the Delaware or Southeastern Pa area i'd love to find out if there are any groups that meet in person also. Thank you to everyone else who welcomed me so warmly. I'm sure i will be here daily getting inspiration and getting to know all of you better. Maybe one of these days i can offer good advice as well. Take care all and God bless you all.

Hi... sorry I'm a little late with the introduction. I was diagnosed at 32yr old, I am now 35. I was stage 3, but progressed to stage 4 with a single lung met. I have been NED (no evidence of disease - best title EVER) for just over a year.

This site is amazing. ANY question are OK, and you will get responses from people who have actually lived through it!!

I live in Houston, and know full well what hot is... summer kills me down here!

Hope all is going well. jana

fitlisashubby · July 2005

rthornton said:
I don't know, Susan, I think that computer literacy might have something to do with so many younger patients posting notes here on CSN. This past Saturday I went to a colorectal cancer seminar sponsored by my oncologist's office and Genentech (makers of Avastin), and I was the youngest patient in that room by an enormous margin. There were probably about 100 patients there, and the closest to my age (35) was a very nice lady in her mid 40s. But anyway, I think you are absolutely correct about early screening. All the doctors speaking at this seminar were saying that people should start getting colonoscopies at the age of 50, or 10 years younger than a parent who might have had colon cancer. Since my mother was diagnosed at age 48, I'd probably have died if I had followed all that advice! If I'm stage four now with liver mets, how much could that have progressed after three more years of neglect? So, yeah, maybe people should be advised to start getting colonoscopies at age 30 (which still doesn't address the others here who are in their 20s).

You are right ... the need for screening definitely needs to be addressed among younger people.

Rodney

Hi All,

Fitlisa's husband here again.... Sorry I've been out of touch. Still trying to get through what happened, and trying to move on with my life alone.

In regards to the age factor with colorectal cancer, I found out an alarming statistic right here on the American Cancer Society's main site. It was very shortly after Lisa passed away, and I started digging for statistics (I'm glad to say I'm finally able to start getting together the "Fitlisa's Dream Foundation" for the awareness of and early detection of Colorectal Cancer)... Anyway, the American Cancer Society cites the statistic that 39% of people who develop colorectal cancer are UNDER the age of 50... 39%!!!!! My first thought was "Oh My God!" And that's what stuck in Lisa's crawl too, about all of this - there ARE a lot of very young people being diagnosed with colon cancer, and without someone stepping up to the plate (as she planned to do, and as I WILL do, since she is no longer with us), there are going to be more and more young, vivacious, wonderful people who are going to be struck from out of nowhere with this terrible disease. Lisa's and my plan for the foundation was/is to raise awareness that this is NOT an "old man's disease" and debunk the notion that it's the "men over 50" who are at risk. Funds raised by the foundation will be used two-fold;

1. To raise awareness of the risks and statistics showing the propensity of this disease to strike ANYONE - even the 20 and 30 and 40-somethings.
...and...
2. To use the funds to DIRECTLY PAY FOR colonoscopies for those who wish to be screened, but don't have insurance, or whose insurance will not pay for screening for whatever reason (they may deem "risk factors" like family history to not be a valid reason to be screened at an early age, the person doesn't have any risk factors, so they won't pay, but the person wants to be screened anyway, and whatever other excuse the insurance companies can come up with for not paying for screenings.)

Screenings BEFORE there are symptoms of problems, as we all know, are the ONLY way we are going to find those who are stage one, two, and even stage three (Lisa and I were shocked at the number of stage 4 compared to stage 3 on this board. When she first joined CSN, she came to me in disbelief and said "I can't find another stage 3 person on here - these people are ALL stage 4!) We later learned there WERE stage 3 people on here, like Lisa, but they are the exception here on the board, and I believe, in those who we don't see here, too.

Well, it's getting late, and I have to put my son to bed, so I'll say bye for now. I will be back with more info on the foundation as I make progress. While I have a lot of my and Lisa's ideas in the pot, any ideas and thoughts about the foundation would be greatly appreciated and, I'm sure, very useful and constructive.

I'll try to be back soon, but if anyone wants to contact me directly, my personal email address is "simonapowell@hotmail.com"

Take Care Everyone,
Simon

nettie4 · July 2005

hi am 36 and stage 4 colon orig dx age 28. i have been fighting this a long time. there are alot of different treatments out there now and i am sure more on the way, just remain an active part of your healthcare and make wise and researched choices. i pray you will do well.

nettie

Vicki2005 · August 2005

Hi Firefighter35
I am 37 and I had surgery in May.They did a anterior resection. I did my first set of chemo and it went pretty well. I hope you do well .Just hang in their.

New here, anyone else my age ?

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