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Mona6518
Mona6518 Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all...
Surgery went great (removed 10-11 inches of colon, plus the tumor and 13 lymph nodes).
The staff at the hospital was great and I actually miss 'em :(

Pathology came back as T1, N0 but I'm still going to meet with an oncologist anyways - just so I know what my options are (anything to avoid another surgery).

I have to tell ya, just knowing y'all (the semi-colons) existed did wonders for my outlook going into all of this :)

Monkey

Comments

  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #2
    Hi Monkey - congratulations. Sounds like you have the best results you could possibly have. Seeing an oncologist is a good thing, but it sounds like you have an excellent prognosis.

    Betsy
  • HowardJ
    HowardJ Member Posts: 474
    #3
    Agree with Betsy...as long as the "M" is also 0, this is excellent news. You will still need regular follow up visits with the oncologist.

    Howard
  • 4law
    4law Member Posts: 110
    #4
    Hi Monkey,
    Great News!
    Absolutely see an oncologist -- you had cancer and should be treated by an oncologist. Ask about adjuvant chemo after you heal from your surgery.
    I was diagnosed in Sept. 2004 following a colonoscopy, had radiation/chemo for 6 weeks, surgery, temp. colostomy, and just completed adjuvant chemo. It's been a hell of a year, but I am 1000% better. Although tumor was removed by radiation/chemo before surgery and lymph nodes were clean, my onocologist reminded me that rectal cancer was aggressive -- it only takes a cell or two to reoccur, and therefore I went all out and continued with adjuvant chemo for weekly treatments over 6 months. The way I look at things, I didn't want to leave any stone unturned and I want to be sure I do everything possible to kill all traces of cancer in my body. I view the 6 months of additional chemo as my insurance policy.
    Be aggressive and fight back hard and do everything possible so you can be here for a long, long time. I will pass on what one of my doctors told me, -- you "had" cancer, but you don't have it now.
    By the way, do your best to get out of bed, walk and push yourself -- it will speed up your recovery.
    You will find lots of friends here to offer advice.
    Good luck!
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #5
    4law said:

    Hi Monkey,
    Great News!
    Absolutely see an oncologist -- you had cancer and should be treated by an oncologist. Ask about adjuvant chemo after you heal from your surgery.
    I was diagnosed in Sept. 2004 following a colonoscopy, had radiation/chemo for 6 weeks, surgery, temp. colostomy, and just completed adjuvant chemo. It's been a hell of a year, but I am 1000% better. Although tumor was removed by radiation/chemo before surgery and lymph nodes were clean, my onocologist reminded me that rectal cancer was aggressive -- it only takes a cell or two to reoccur, and therefore I went all out and continued with adjuvant chemo for weekly treatments over 6 months. The way I look at things, I didn't want to leave any stone unturned and I want to be sure I do everything possible to kill all traces of cancer in my body. I view the 6 months of additional chemo as my insurance policy.
    Be aggressive and fight back hard and do everything possible so you can be here for a long, long time. I will pass on what one of my doctors told me, -- you "had" cancer, but you don't have it now.
    By the way, do your best to get out of bed, walk and push yourself -- it will speed up your recovery.
    You will find lots of friends here to offer advice.
    Good luck!

    Hiya Monkey n welcome back!The road to recovery is now with you and I hope that as time goes on you wioll be able to tell us that tha "pipes" are working well without any problems. Although doing all the good stuff like walking and eating well wil help you get back to normal, remember you have had a major surgery so go easy on yourself and don't try to overdo things.
    All the best from oz, Ross n Jen

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