Cancer is back again

Limey
Limey Member Posts: 446 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all, I thought it was time I gave you a quick update on my cancer story.
Some of you know I was diagnosed 2.5 yrs ago with stage II colon cancer. I did surgery and chemo. November of last year the cancer returned outside of the colon stage IV. I did Folfox for 4 months and the tumors had shrunk to NED. At that time I had surgery again to repair a damaged ureter due to scaring (I had a leg bag for my left kidney for six months). They could not find any evidence of cancer at that time Well my last pt/cat scan last week shows a spot on my liver and the cancer is again growing outside of my colon but only on one side so that is better than on both sides I guess.

I am scheduled for surgery on Friday the 13th to have the cancer cut out. I could use some positive thoughts for what is the right thing to do. I am going through a battery of tests this week and next to determine if they should take the left kidney and aggressively go after my colon and the surrounding tissue to increase my odds of getting all the cancer. When I was religious about juicing I felt great. Part of me is really beating myself up for not being a better caretaker of myself.

I have not been able to walk for almost two weeks now due to back pain (I am praying it is due to my bad back and not cancer in that area also). My partner is worn out with trying to keep up with work, our two young boys and with babysitting my sorry old butt.
Things come in threes so I fully expect this is the charm – I have been juicing up a storm and am trying only to accept positive thoughts. This network has been such a life support for me and that is due to all of your positive support.

I will do a better job of keeping in touch in the future.

Mark

Comments

  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #2
    Mark,

    Sorry about the bad news, but I love your attitude! Just to encourage you about the back pain... I think if it was anything having to do with the Big "C", they would have figured it out with the pet scan. You also have a healing wound on your left kidney... is that the side that hurts? It could be something really simple...

    I'm glad you are scheduled for the surgery to get rid of the spot in the liver. I look at it this way: if it's a spot, they can take it and I'm better off without it. Juicing seems to have worked well for you. Try to get back into that routine. Don't beat yourself up. We need to be kind to ourselves, not hard and unrelenting.

    Hang in there.
  • nudgie
    nudgie Member Posts: 1,478 Member
    #3
    I hope you don't mind me asking what form of Stage II? Did you have lymph node involvement or sides of spreading the first time?

    I am sorry to hear that it keeps returning. Have you spoken with your Onc Doc to figure out why this keeps recurring. Keep us informed.
  • dee42
    dee42 Member Posts: 23
    #4
    Hi Mark, I will be praying for you. I think you should go with the option you stated: to increase your odds of removing the cancer. Don't beat yourself up for what you didn't do in the past. Concentrate on what lies ahead. Perhaps you can rely on the help of your friends/siblings to assist your partner in the care of your boys, etc. True friends will not hesitate to help in the time of need.

    My mom had her 4th recurrence in three years of colon cancer Stage III and is currently in treatment post surgery. We just surround ourselves with friends and family that are positive and willing to render help and encouragement. We tend to avoid negativity altogether and you do the same. You will get through this!
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #5
    nudgie said:

    I hope you don't mind me asking what form of Stage II? Did you have lymph node involvement or sides of spreading the first time?

    I am sorry to hear that it keeps returning. Have you spoken with your Onc Doc to figure out why this keeps recurring. Keep us informed.

    Nudgie,

    Stage II by definition means there were no lymph nodes involved or spreading outside the colon. Problem is, there can be microscopic cells that escape that aren't picked up at the time that can resurface later... hope this helps.
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #6
    Hi Mark,

    Sorry to hear about your recurrance. Don't get down on yourself about something you feel you should have done. I would have been better off, I think, if I had gone in when I first had some rectal blood but I had assumed that it was the hemmorhoids that had bothered me on and off for 30 yrs. Perhaps if I had had surgery to remove the hemorrhoids the cancer would not have occurred as it was close to the same area. But that is in the past and I don't dwell on it. I can only deal with what is here now. Concentrate on getting yourself in the best condition for surgery, especially with some regular walking or other exercise. What hospital is your surgery going to be at? I think we live in the same general area if my memory about your previous posts is accurate (there's no guarantee on that-lol).
    We will pray for guidance in your decision making and a postive outcome for whatever you decide.

    ****
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
    Aw, Mark, sorry to hear the beast has reared it's ugly head again. It's time for you to get a break, my dear!!!!!!
    As far as the back pain, well, I have it off and on...and NED....I agree with Patrusha....the PET scan would have found it! So, it's probably the OTHER problem OLD AGE (just like ME...heheheehhe).
    Actually, Friday the 13 has always been a VERY LUCKY day for me...here's pushing mine to you!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • JADot
    JADot Member Posts: 709 Member
    #8
    Hi Mark:

    Please don't beat yourself up for anything. You've fought a valiant fight and will now do it again, all with such thoughtfullness and positive attitude. You should be patting yourself on the back intead!

    I am also a stage II, so your post hit me in a soft spot. I wish there is something I can do to help, but alas all I can do is to cheer you on.

    Best of luck with the next round!

    Ying
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #9
    Mark,
    I am sorry to hear your news. Don't beat yourself up. You can do everything right and still get bad news. I love the positive attitude you are showing at the end of your email. I know it's hard, but hang in there.
    Mary

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