rectal cancer

cherriann
cherriann Member Posts: 155 Member
edited September 2023 in Colorectal Cancer #1
hi all,
just diagnosed with rectal cancer through biopsy.go for bone and cat scan on monday.port installed on thursday. can any one let me know what to expect out of these procedures. thanks

Comments

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #2
    Cherriann,
    sorry to have to welcome you to the family! I had stage II rectal ca. The CAT scan can be with and without contrast (involves an IV), either with prescan solution you drink or not. You are lying on a movable table, slid thru a donut-shaped thing. Other than the hugeness of the machine, this is not a bad test, except for the IV (if they do this, I personally HATE needles!) there was no discomfort for me. Lots of people will respond to your questions, I'm sure, and be better at telling than I. I have a port, called a mediport, inserted in my upper right chest. This is the best thing, chemo is delivered thru it, but it also can be used for blood tests, feeding (I got extremely malnorished). I had my port installed in the morning (Day Care surgery), first chemo used it later in the day. I have had this now for over a year. I LOVE it! It Cuts down on the veins they need to use. The best advice I can give to you is ask questions. Anything you are unsure of, have them explain to you. Don't just "suffer in silence". Many times I said "I'm scared, can you tell me what you're going to do now???"
    My prayers are with you, my dear....I'm sending you a BIG HUG!
    Kathi
  • taunya
    taunya Member Posts: 390 Member
    #3
    Hi Cherriann,
    I remember the scan as not being bad at all, very much like Kathi's description. It was the fear of the results more than the actual procedure that got to me. I don't have personal knowledge on the bone scan. Try not to get too scared. I hope it all goes well for you. I will be thinking about you. Hang in there.
    Hugs,
    Taunya
  • jerseysue
    jerseysue Member Posts: 624 Member
    #4
    The scan doesn't hurt at all. If you already got your port I'm sure you a feeling a bit sore. I hope your scan comes back with good news. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #5
    I've had several CT scans, 2 PET scans and 2 Bone Scans. The worse thing is the needle, oh, and drinking that stuff for the CT scan. Other than that they aren't too bad. One of those necessary evils we have to endure.

    Best of luck with yours.

    Kerry
  • donpitt
    donpitt Member Posts: 6
    #6
    Hey Cherriann, cat scans piece of cake! Just remember you will have to drink some of that juice to light up your insides, about 20 minutes before (drink fast)! They will take one scan, then they push through some solution, just light burning as the solution goes into your body. No big deal. Bone scan is not problem just the time on the table so the cameras can take the pictures (hold still). They are all open units, so don't worry! I had aggressive stage 3 rectal cancer. I had resection surgery. They removed my rectum, built a new one and things are working regularly. Just had a bag for 3 months. Did a very aggressive chemo treatments and radiation. I carried a chemo pump for first set of treatments (had it going into my chest port), radiation, then another 12 or so chemo treatments 1 time/week. I went to work, exercised, and tried my best to live a normal life during the 2 year process. Make sure you eat a good balanced meals, keep HYDRATED once you start chemo (carry a water bottle), get exercise (walk or whatever you like to do-just move out of your chair), keep imodium (over the counter stuff for those special stomach problems-be proactive), listen to your body, stay away from sweets, keep a journal and write (helps those emotional days), laugh a lot, focus on self and get well! You will do it!. The biggest headache is waiting for doctors, and waiting and waiting! Take books, magazines, etc to read or write in your journal! It is very important to keep HYDRATE because your blood counts will get messed up if you are DEHYDRATED. Keep positive! I am 4 years in remission and enjoying life to the fullest! Just get use to about 7 year program depending on your stage. I did 2 years of surgery and treatments then it is 5 years after that of ongoing checkups, blood work and scans. As you progress after 1 year, the checkups, blood works and scans will be reduced if things are looking good. The biggest challenge I had was after all the attention was over and I was on my own. You just need to stream back into life! I had chemo brain for a couple years after treatment, but with regular exercise and good nutrition I am ok now.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
    donpitt said:

    Hey Cherriann, cat scans piece of cake! Just remember you will have to drink some of that juice to light up your insides, about 20 minutes before (drink fast)! They will take one scan, then they push through some solution, just light burning as the solution goes into your body. No big deal. Bone scan is not problem just the time on the table so the cameras can take the pictures (hold still). They are all open units, so don't worry! I had aggressive stage 3 rectal cancer. I had resection surgery. They removed my rectum, built a new one and things are working regularly. Just had a bag for 3 months. Did a very aggressive chemo treatments and radiation. I carried a chemo pump for first set of treatments (had it going into my chest port), radiation, then another 12 or so chemo treatments 1 time/week. I went to work, exercised, and tried my best to live a normal life during the 2 year process. Make sure you eat a good balanced meals, keep HYDRATED once you start chemo (carry a water bottle), get exercise (walk or whatever you like to do-just move out of your chair), keep imodium (over the counter stuff for those special stomach problems-be proactive), listen to your body, stay away from sweets, keep a journal and write (helps those emotional days), laugh a lot, focus on self and get well! You will do it!. The biggest headache is waiting for doctors, and waiting and waiting! Take books, magazines, etc to read or write in your journal! It is very important to keep HYDRATE because your blood counts will get messed up if you are DEHYDRATED. Keep positive! I am 4 years in remission and enjoying life to the fullest! Just get use to about 7 year program depending on your stage. I did 2 years of surgery and treatments then it is 5 years after that of ongoing checkups, blood work and scans. As you progress after 1 year, the checkups, blood works and scans will be reduced if things are looking good. The biggest challenge I had was after all the attention was over and I was on my own. You just need to stream back into life! I had chemo brain for a couple years after treatment, but with regular exercise and good nutrition I am ok now.

    Wow, don, you really said it all, and so well!
    Glad to hear things are going so good....I've just reached a year for the rectal ca, still working on the breast that was found a little after.
    Kathi
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #8
    KathiM said:

    Wow, don, you really said it all, and so well!
    Glad to hear things are going so good....I've just reached a year for the rectal ca, still working on the breast that was found a little after.
    Kathi

    Hi Cherri and welcome.Pretty informative family here so ask lots of questions. Well said Don...hiya mate..don't think we have met yet.
    Cherri....love that port gal 'cos canulas in the top of the hand suck!
    (from a fella that desparately wanted a port!...lol!)Our very best for good results on monday.
    cheers, Ross and Jen
  • Moriah
    Moriah Member Posts: 1 *
    #9


  • kelle711
    kelle711 Member Posts: 1 *
    #10

    Just got diagnosed with rectal cancer on Monday. Don't know thebstage or size yet hoping to hear drop oncologist today.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    edited October 2023 #11

    Edit

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    edited October 2023 #12
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1709279#Comment_1709279

    You are at the beginning of a long journey, and I wish you all the best. 

    The forum runs slow, which accounts for the lack of responses. But we are a caring lot, honestly. 

    I hope by now, you are well on your way, with a good treatment plan. 

    You have responded to a post from 2006. If you would like to start your own thread/post, here is the link https://csn.cancer.org/categories/colorectal

    Let us know what is going on.

    Tru

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