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Hi Debbie,
I am so sorry you are at this site, but it has been a sanity saver for me. I'm afraid I don't have any answers to your situation, but I would recommend a genetic test to see if you are carrying a gene mutation for HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer). The reason I say this is that HNPCC not only causes colon cancer, but endomtrial, bladder and kidney cancer, as well as some brain cancer. Since you have already had the kidney cancer and your rectal mass was so big, it makes me very suspicious that the kidney cancer was secondary and that the rectal cancer is the primary site. If you insurance covers it, it is worth it so that the rest of your family knows that they might be carrying the gene, too. If the gene is present, colonoscopies should start at age 25. Also, if it is HNPCC, you may want to have a hysterectomy at the same time you have your resection done. My gynecological oncologist says that it is getting to be standard to do the hysterectomy at the same time if you are carrying the gene, since you have very high odds of also getting endometrial cancer.

I hope you are not, and that this is the last time you will have to deal with it. I know there are others on this board who have been in your situation, so they can help you better with the treatment questions.

Lots of hugs, and God Bless!

Kirsten

Hey, it sounds like you are getting good treatment. If you are concerned about what might be right for you, I used a resource on the website for the National Cancer Institute. They have a treatment tree that allows you to interact with your specific criteria. It's mimics what most oncologists use to make their decisions. It helped me to understand the options because it's very explicit in naming drugs and related treatment options.

My husband was dx Oct 03 with rectal cancer. His treatment was xeloda and radiation. He was told he would have a permanent colostomy also. His last test showed he is still cancer free and he was able to avoid the colostomy because of the shrinkage of the tumor.
You will be in my prayers.
God bless,
Kaye

My husband was dx Oct 03 with rectal cancer. His treatment was xeloda and radiation. He was told he would have a permanent colostomy also. His last test showed he is still cancer free and he was able to avoid the colostomy because of the shrinkage of the tumor.
You will be in my prayers.
God bless,
Kaye

dn220 said:

Thank you all for the responses. I had a hysterectomy several years ago. My radiation doc said I need to be tested genetically since i am only 46. But I am on medicaid so I dont know if that will pay for it or not. My kidney cancer came back as RCC but I still dont understand all this. They said I have 2 seperate cancers for sure and that I would most likely have more during my lifetime. Thats what my rad doc said anyway. they also said trhat I have a mass in my gallbladder that is most likely cancer but the doctor said that is the least of my worries and that he will be removing that when he does the surgery. There is a mass in my liver as weel but they think that is just a hemotoma, i also have a nodule on each of my adrenal glands but they dont think they are cancerous. I am really sweating all this out and hoping that I am doing the right thing by leaving it all in my doctors hands. I have decided that if they are all cancerous then it is in the Lords hands but I do worry about my daughter. I am all she has and she is only 16 so I worry about hanging around til shes grown at least but I do have another question for you all. They told me I would probably have problems with bowels from the radiation and chemo but until this past weekend I have had nothing "new" but now I have what I think is a fissure. Any suggestions for that? I have an appt tomorrow with chemo doc so I will ask her but I think that is what it is, as it is so awfully painful. I have tried prep H but that hasnt helped at all. Is this normal? thanks, Deb

I can't address the anal fissure myself, but I think there is a post on it in some of the older (but not to old) postings that I read. You might want to go through some of the older posts to see if you can find it and if there is any helpful information.

On a separate note, I just want to say how sorry I am that you are going through all this. I have two small children and I know how you feel about wanting to see them grown! My prayers are with you and your family for a positive outcome to all that you are dealing with.

Ok..This is gonna be a long response.
I am a 43 y.o. female. I was diagnosed at the age of 42, 10/23/07, with Stage 3 Colorectal cancer. After 5 weeks of hemhawing around the Dr's got busy with a treatment plan. Needless to say after many hours of struggling through, CT Scans, CT Simulations, Colonoscopies and multiples bolld draws, they came up with a plan. However, the Radiation Dr I had was too far away from my home and the Social Worker suggested I change Radiation Dr's as it would be easier on me later on in treatment. I figured the treatment plan would reamin the same and guess what? Nope!! She wanted to change EVERYTHING!!!!!
That meant more CTScans, More Blood draws, and more CT Simulations (that is the hardest part for me)She didn't agree with the radiation treatment plan nor the Chemo plan. So, she changed it all. She said for Colorectal cancer the best way to treat in radiation is in the prone postion(laying on tummy) and that Xeloda is not a good way to treat Colorectal cancer as it hasn't shown any significant inprovements over 5 F-U. So, 7 weeks after the diagnosis, I was scheduled to begin treatment. Small glich came up 2 days before treatment was to start. My cancer decided to make a new home in my liver. So, now I am upgraded to a Stage 4 and my Dr said words like...not cureative, 1 year to live, maybe 2 on pallitave care....I tuned her out and bawled.
She said we are going to go ahead and treat the way we had planned. However, she is still believeing those ugly words she told me on 12/14/07...Pallative care..Bite me!! Not for me.
I'm a fighter and I plan on fighting this and winning.
Currently. I am on week 5 of 6 1/2 of both radiation and 5 F-U continuous infusion 24 hrs a day.
I have been doing pretty good until last week. At week 4 I really began noticing how cumulative this stuff really is!!
I am sick to my stomach everyday. I feel so terrible. But, I have really good stuff to take that works.
The radiation effects aren't as bad as I was warned they might be. They are bad but not un bearable. I have the broken down skin and any thoughts of sex? HaHa...Not happen here for a very long time!! LOL
My dilema now is finding a Dr that wants to do further treatment. As it stands now, treatment is over on 1-29-08. By the way...The liver Mets is on the left lobe only and there are 4 lesions ranging from 6-10MM in size. I have been told it is resectionable.
So, I will not give up hope.
I have a 3 children a daughter 24, a son 21 and a daughter 10. Also, a granddaughter 3 1/2, a grandson 1 1/2 and one on the way in July. I'm not going anywhere willingly...I will fight kicking and screaming.
Please you do the same.
I am seeing my Dr tomorrow and requesting a referral to both Stanford and MD Anderson.
Say your prayers.
God Bless you.....