just diagnosed

Hi! I was there where you are about two month ago, so I know exactly how you are feeling,try not to worry at this point about the spot that showed on the liver, I have been reading from so many survivors on this site that a spot not necessarily means cancer, so be as optimistic as you can be, I am sure you will be feeling better emotionnaly as time passes, at least for me that first days after diagnosis where the worst, right now that I had my surgery and just started treatment, most of the days I feel peaceful I pray for that every single day. Here you are going to find lots of friends that will be on your side through this journey that you just started, I'll be one of them. I will be praying for you ,especially this coming Friday, lots of hugs, BETINA

HI. I am 49 with Stage II. My CT scan showed two spots on the liver and an enlarged ovary. An MRI ruled the liver spots to be cysts, and surgery removed the ovaries and, again, it was cysts. So stay positive. Not all "spots" are cancers. Ask if they can do an MRI to determine before surgery if the spot is anything serious. They will also check the liver when they do the surgery to remove the cancer in the colon. Ask if they can do the surgery laparoscopically, which is less invasive. Good luck! Let us know how it goes today!

The main things I have learned through my mom is to always get a second opinion, especially in the beginning..and if they can get the cancer out surgically do it, but if they can't there are still lots of optins especially for the liver so don't give up.
Erika

Be sure to get a CT scan and/or a PET scan so that you are sure about what you have in your liver before your surgery. I had surgery scheculed for colon cancer, and they weren't sure whether there was cancer in the liver. I got advice from a friend's brother, a liver surgeon, and he suggested a doctor who specialized in liver surgery. This doc was able to resection my liver, removing 50% and resection my colon, removing 12 inches. If the other doctor had done the surgery, more than likely I would have had to have two surgeries. Not likely that you have cancer in your liver, but you want to be prepared for whatever. I'm sorry that you are haveing to go through all of this. I'll keep you in my prayers. jams

I just finished radiation/chemo/surgery/chemo about nine months worth. If I learned anything it is from day one stay on top of what is going on with you. Don't expect the doctors to call with test results or to be direct with you about your situation. Keep your files; keep your labs; force the doctors to treat you like an adult and get info and info. For example my onc insisted on a pet-scan with long arguments with insurance company but I got one. I was told results would be back in 3-5 days...not a word from anyone for ten days. I finally called my onc nurse and she said let me read the results. She did and then said oh you better come see the doctor. Now that will scare the %$#@*& out of you! My pet scan showed some suspicious spots by my stomach. But both my doctors said it was what they call false positives or low grade images that are 99% likely nothing. My surgery confirmed there was nothing there while poking around doing the colon tumor removal. My point is you take care of you. I don't blame the docs there are just too many of us. Don't worry about being scared I was and will always be scared just don't let it overwhelm you. Lots of help from everyone here from knowledge to support - use it.

Hi there,

Sorry to hear what you're going through now. But hey, can't remember who said it - I have cancer, cancer doesn't have me! That's what you've got to believe. All of us on this site are survivors and winners and soon you will be one too. Yes, it ia all really overwhelming in the first few weeks. Jsut try to live one day at a time, and do the next right thing that's obvious. I am sure you will, like all of us have, find the strength to fight the beast and win.

After the surgery, remember to walk walk walk. The sooner you walk, the sooner your colon will wake up, the sooner you can eat, the sooner you'll poop and the sooner you'll go home. Whew, run on sentence that was

Best of luck to you! Take care and keep us posted on how you do.

Cheers,
Ying

Sorry to hear that you have need of this site; but glad you found us. Getting that diagnosis (age 53)sure took my breath away for a long time. The surgery is not too bad (remember GOOD pain control and walking) and the adjuvant treatments, if needed, are something most of us have experienced and gotten through OK.
I had 3 spots on my liver; they are "cystic in nature" and have gone no where in nearly 3 years. My surgery revealed one positive node, chemo for 6 months, now 2 years out of treatment and No Evidence of Disease.
As I was told when I forst found this site, YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS, one day at a time, one breath at a time. Be your own best advocate and accept EVERY offer of help anyone gives you....meals, babysitting, shopping, driving (makes friends feel better, too.
Take care of yourself, keep us posted; best of luck on Friday. Judy