New here -- HI!
I'm 46 and have a family history of CC. My dad was dx when he was 67. I had absolutely no signs or symptoms of CC. Just went in because it's the thing to do when you have a family history. I went in for a colonoscopy on the 17th of Nov. Pathology came back on the 23rd and Bowel resection on the 3rd of December and was found to have a 3cm. tumor, not outside of the bowel but invaded one lymph node out of eleven. (T3N1MX) From what I've found, this puts me at stage III B. (right?) In fact, I came here to find out what stage my cancer was. It's been two weeks since surgery, went to see my surgeon today and have an appointment with my onc on Jan. 11 to talk to him about chemo schedule and regimen.
I have no idea what to expect, or what not to expect. I've had no CTs/MRI/PETs. I'm pretty much just going with the flow here.
I did want to introduce myself before I start posting.
From what I've read, this is a great group to be in. Comments
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Welcome
Welcome to the board Holly although to be truthful I wish you did not have to be here. My husband George was diagnosed 3/27/09 with Stage IV colon cancer (transverse) colon. We have gone through surgery, 12 rounds of the big guns chemo, he is doing well, and is now on a new scaled down chemo. Feel free to post any and all questions you have and someone on the board will chime in. No question is to minor to ask, they discuss everything on here. I don't know much about staging so I won't comment on that. I am surprised you have not had a CT or PET scan yet but your oncologist may schedule that. Once you know what chemo you will receive just post it and everyone will respond to you about side effects, etc. Everyone handles it different. George handled chemo well and was able to continue working full time except for chemo days while others have a horrible time. Take care and try not to worry too much, just take one day at a time. Tina0 -
Welcome
I am somewhat new here as well. I cannot say enough about the fantastic people here. I fond this board after all my treatments were done, but it feels wonderful to be able to share with others who have been through the same thing. Keep us posted and ask away!!!\
Kathy0 -
Evening Holly......khl8 said:Welcome
I am somewhat new here as well. I cannot say enough about the fantastic people here. I fond this board after all my treatments were done, but it feels wonderful to be able to share with others who have been through the same thing. Keep us posted and ask away!!!\
Kathy
Sorry why your here but you have come to the right place. We all want to invite ya in and welcome you to the most loving, caring, heartwarming place that no one wants to have to join, but we're here just the same. We talk about everything from poop to peanuts so if you have anything at all to ask and were afraid to then the door just opened for you. We will laugh with you, cry with you, be amused by you or simply listen to you vent. We accommodate everything, or at least try to. Please settle in and relax around our very diverse and outspoken group of friends. You will feel completely at ease here in a day or so, allow us to answer or try to answer any and all questions because searching anywhere but here for answers to cancer will only scare you, they are outdated, or obsolete, 3-5 years behind on statistical data, but here we are up to the day on events, new medicines, trials, and your daily gossip if you like that also. We are kinda of our own public newspaper that anyone can subscribe to...Enjoy the fellowship you will find here, there is a calm in here you will find in no other place. This my dear has become your second home now so relax and enjoy the brothers and sisters..............Love and Hope, Buzzard0 -
Welcome
Welcome to the site.You will have some side effects from the chemo,but the effects depend on the chemo,plus everyone is different.The radiation is what made me sick,but I survived.Feel free to ask any questions,or even just to vent.It will help to write down any questions you may have for the dr.,once you get chemo brain you tend to forget things.Best of luck to you.0 -
Hiyas Holly!tootsie1 said:Hi
Hi, Holly.
I'm sorry you have to be here, but we'll try to help you in any way that we can. You sound like you have a wonderful attitude about all this, so I'm thinking you're going to do GREAT.
*hugs*
Gail
Welcome to the family! I cant be much help with the staging, didn't the doctor let you know what you were? I'd definitely give him a call to let you have an idea. I am Stage 4 cc with multiple mets to the liver, and like you, had no symptoms till it was too late, but alot of hope with a new technology and advances in medicines out there to hopefully help us out, I'm not operable yet, but hope there will be something down the road for me eventually.
Just post away whenever you need too, we're always here for everyone, we all laugh, cry, yell, and have fun with each other here, as we all are sisters and brothers in cancer, which includes our wonderful caregivers.
Hope to see you post more!
Hugsss!
~Donna0 -
Hello
and welcome to most supportive family you will find on the internet. We are here 24/7, 365 a year and never close We take no holidays, sick leave or annual leave. We believe in staying opening cause you never know when someone may need support, guidance or just a smile.
Your path report should indicate what stage you are and it should be located at the end of the report. I was DX in 2006 with Stage II NO and MX. Since your family has a history of CC, you may want to request to get your tumor gene tested and tested for KRAS as well as HNPCC.
Depending on your tumor and your oncologist will determine your course of action with chemo. Stage II patients, before 2006, were basically given the option of surgery and not really chemo, but in 2006 due to the MOSICA Study, the industry started offering FLOFOX to Stage II patients as an insuranc policy. I was 42 when DX, so my Onc Dr wanted to be agressive and offered me the FLOFOX Regime, but it was ultimately my decision.
So I aired on the damn'd if you do and damn'd if you don't conclusion and went with the chemo. I wanted to be proactive.
There will be a lot of decisions you will need to make from this point on so make sure you ask A LOT questions no matter how small you may think it is and make sure you TAKE CHARGE of your body and your health. Medical doctors are there for you, but you KNOW your body.
Please check in often and keep us posted.0 -
Hello Holly and Welcomenudgie said:Hello
and welcome to most supportive family you will find on the internet. We are here 24/7, 365 a year and never close We take no holidays, sick leave or annual leave. We believe in staying opening cause you never know when someone may need support, guidance or just a smile.
Your path report should indicate what stage you are and it should be located at the end of the report. I was DX in 2006 with Stage II NO and MX. Since your family has a history of CC, you may want to request to get your tumor gene tested and tested for KRAS as well as HNPCC.
Depending on your tumor and your oncologist will determine your course of action with chemo. Stage II patients, before 2006, were basically given the option of surgery and not really chemo, but in 2006 due to the MOSICA Study, the industry started offering FLOFOX to Stage II patients as an insuranc policy. I was 42 when DX, so my Onc Dr wanted to be agressive and offered me the FLOFOX Regime, but it was ultimately my decision.
So I aired on the damn'd if you do and damn'd if you don't conclusion and went with the chemo. I wanted to be proactive.
There will be a lot of decisions you will need to make from this point on so make sure you ask A LOT questions no matter how small you may think it is and make sure you TAKE CHARGE of your body and your health. Medical doctors are there for you, but you KNOW your body.
Please check in often and keep us posted.
Hellos Holly: I love your name....so glad you checked in here. So sorry to hear about your cancer. I think I started here pretty much in the same was,,just sort of dropped by and the thing is everyone here is basically in the same boat, variations and intensities and at different stages along the path.
I hope you can rest and heal from your surgery. Chemo may be another step but you will get there soon enough.
Welcome Holly
maggie0 -
Welcome Holly
Hi Holly and welcome!
The only thing I would add to what others have said is you REALLY need a CT scan to be sure there is no spread (mets) to other organs. Please insist on one.
) MX means unknown. M0 means 'none' or no spread.
While they're testing, have them go ahead and test for KRAS and COX. Dr. will know what you mean. KRAS mutants do not respond to 2 meds and the COX is greatly benefited by one full strength aspirin daily AFTER CHEMO ENDS and if you have no bleeding concerns, etc.
You'll do fine. I'm 59 this month and completed all 12 rounds of chemo in August. Also Stage III.
Diane0 -
Hi,dianetavegia said:Welcome Holly
Hi Holly and welcome!
The only thing I would add to what others have said is you REALLY need a CT scan to be sure there is no spread (mets) to other organs. Please insist on one.) MX means unknown. M0 means 'none' or no spread.
While they're testing, have them go ahead and test for KRAS and COX. Dr. will know what you mean. KRAS mutants do not respond to 2 meds and the COX is greatly benefited by one full strength aspirin daily AFTER CHEMO ENDS and if you have no bleeding concerns, etc.
You'll do fine. I'm 59 this month and completed all 12 rounds of chemo in August. Also Stage III.
Diane
Holly, so glad you found us. And I will just say uh huh to everything that folks above me have already said. My husband was diagnosed with Stage III (B?) dunno bout that. But he had 14 lymph nodes removed and only 1 was malignant. Sounds very similar to what you are.
He had 11 rounds of 5FU with Oxy and Leucovorin. Finished his 11 (Dr. said we could stop at 11)in June and is now clear. He had minimum side effects (sensitive to cold, tingling hands, jaw spasm, fatigue and occasional diarrhea) with the chemo-he was very lucky or very brave and never indicated he was in pain. Hope that you get the answers you're looking for and that you, too have the minimums. Hang in there hon, we're here for you.
Sandy0 -
Hi Holly!
Welcome to the board. Everyone on here is great and very helpful whenever you need it. I'm in a similar situation. Family history, mother Dx at 48. Went for my 40yo physical this year, Primary said get a colonoscopy, found 2 polyps, 1 cancerous. Resection in September, 1 out of 18 lymphs removed cancerous. With only 1 lymph positive, I was told it was stage IIIa. The next step you should get would be a abdominal CT to check for any other mets before you actually get staged. Next step after that would be chemo or not? I was debating whether or not to go through it. Then, with the help and wise advice from the semicolons, decided on the chemo. My Onc even suggest his stage II patients go through it. My take is why give the beast any advantage whatsoever however small of returning. Yes it's an inconvience, but it'd only 6 months to better the rest of your life. If you have a good Onc he will work with you as long as you keep him/her on top of things. My 3rd treatment was pretty rough, he tweeked this round gave me additional meds and this treatment was rather tolerable. Get a CT, get a good Oncologist that will give you a detailed treatment plan, and lean on us. You'll get through this just fine!
-DJ0 -
You're all so wonderful!!
I have quite a few questions for my oncologist. We have two at the hospital where I work. To fill you guys in, I'm an RN. It's been a zillion years ago that I graduated from nursing school. I work in the NICU with babies and also with postpartum moms. In my nursing career, I've done a lot of orthopedic and post surgical nursing, correctional nursing and emergency room nursing. I never wanted to learn anything about oncology because it just didn't interest me. I do know for a fact that CC treatment has come a long way since my dad was dx with it. His physicians pretty much closed him up and told him to prepare for death. If he was diagnosed today with the same thing, he'd be alive and kicking.
I've never met the oncologist, but I do have great friends that take care of his patients. I know they love him and his patients love him, so I not really worried about his skills. I know when I had my surgery, the surgeon looked every organ over bit by bit. I'm also surprised that I didn't have a CT scan. I'm positive that this doctor will order one. I'm sure he'll order a lot of different things. In fact, I was very surprised that he didn't put a central line in while I was in surgery. I mean, I have to have one anyway. I know he removed all cancer when he was in there. He removed about 15cm of colon with about 6cm borders on each end. My cancer was in my lower sigmoid.
I'm learning. I may be a slow learner, but I'm learning! Thanks all for great hello's. I'm sure I'll have tons of questions and will be in to vent, cry, celebrate, etc. 0 -
Welcome from a Fellow NurseHollyID said:You're all so wonderful!!
I have quite a few questions for my oncologist. We have two at the hospital where I work. To fill you guys in, I'm an RN. It's been a zillion years ago that I graduated from nursing school. I work in the NICU with babies and also with postpartum moms. In my nursing career, I've done a lot of orthopedic and post surgical nursing, correctional nursing and emergency room nursing. I never wanted to learn anything about oncology because it just didn't interest me. I do know for a fact that CC treatment has come a long way since my dad was dx with it. His physicians pretty much closed him up and told him to prepare for death. If he was diagnosed today with the same thing, he'd be alive and kicking.
I've never met the oncologist, but I do have great friends that take care of his patients. I know they love him and his patients love him, so I not really worried about his skills. I know when I had my surgery, the surgeon looked every organ over bit by bit. I'm also surprised that I didn't have a CT scan. I'm positive that this doctor will order one. I'm sure he'll order a lot of different things. In fact, I was very surprised that he didn't put a central line in while I was in surgery. I mean, I have to have one anyway. I know he removed all cancer when he was in there. He removed about 15cm of colon with about 6cm borders on each end. My cancer was in my lower sigmoid.
I'm learning. I may be a slow learner, but I'm learning! Thanks all for great hello's. I'm sure I'll have tons of questions and will be in to vent, cry, celebrate, etc.
Sorry that you have to be here, but you are welcomed with open arms. This is a great group of people. I am no longer working as a floor nurse, now doing nursing informatics. I did work in oncology in the 1980's where trhe treatments were brutal. Oh how things have changed! I was diagnosed with Stage 4 in April. Staging depends on involvement. If your tumor was only in the colon you are Stage 1, if it spreads to outside of the colon without lymph involvement youu are Stage 2, spreads to lymph you are Stage 3, if you have other organ involvement (like me) you are Stage 4. I had surgery in April and started the 12 brutal week of chemo in May. I survived the treatment, let me tell you the meds for pain and nausea are so much better than they were in the 80's. I am now on oral chemo and will have a chemo embolization in January. I had a huge tumor in my liver 9cm by 11cm, and it is now half the size. This site is awesome, people will help you with all of your questions etc. Keep in touch.
Pat0 -
Welcomepatsy1954 said:Welcome from a Fellow Nurse
Sorry that you have to be here, but you are welcomed with open arms. This is a great group of people. I am no longer working as a floor nurse, now doing nursing informatics. I did work in oncology in the 1980's where trhe treatments were brutal. Oh how things have changed! I was diagnosed with Stage 4 in April. Staging depends on involvement. If your tumor was only in the colon you are Stage 1, if it spreads to outside of the colon without lymph involvement youu are Stage 2, spreads to lymph you are Stage 3, if you have other organ involvement (like me) you are Stage 4. I had surgery in April and started the 12 brutal week of chemo in May. I survived the treatment, let me tell you the meds for pain and nausea are so much better than they were in the 80's. I am now on oral chemo and will have a chemo embolization in January. I had a huge tumor in my liver 9cm by 11cm, and it is now half the size. This site is awesome, people will help you with all of your questions etc. Keep in touch.
Pat
Sorry you are here, but we will be here for you and for any questions you may have. I was in your shoes one year ago, and did find out with through a CT Scan that the cancer spread to my liver. Hope your's hasn't!
Enjoy the holidays!0 -
helloNana b said:Welcome
Sorry you are here, but we will be here for you and for any questions you may have. I was in your shoes one year ago, and did find out with through a CT Scan that the cancer spread to my liver. Hope your's hasn't!
Enjoy the holidays!
Welcome to the boards Holly. Sit down, kick your shoes off and make yourself at home. Great place, great people, and great information! I was in your shoes also a year ago. My second treatment was over Christmas last year. I finished up in May, what a trip that was! I was stage IIIc, had emergency surgery and six months of chemo. Ask away!0 -
Welcome
Welcome to the group and I'm sorry you did have to find us. I know what you are talking about going with the flow, but once you talk to all your doctors you should be able to get more answers. They could stage you or should have already, however, maybe they are waiting for CT scans. You are going to be on a rollercoaster of doctor appointments and tests. We talk about anything and everything here, so don't be afraid to ask and we will try to answer you. Keep us informed as to how you are doing.
Kim0 -
welcome to a wonderful group of people
Hi and welcome to the club. Everyone one is so positive and upbeat and full of very important knowledge. Stay posted and learn from this site. I sure have. It's so important to be around positive people. I've been in the fight for 3.5 years and still going strong. God bless you
Jill0 -
Welcomejillpls said:welcome to a wonderful group of people
Hi and welcome to the club. Everyone one is so positive and upbeat and full of very important knowledge. Stay posted and learn from this site. I sure have. It's so important to be around positive people. I've been in the fight for 3.5 years and still going strong. God bless you
Jill
Holly,
You have come to the right place. This is such an incredible, caring, supportive, encouraging group of people. They take their involvement here seriously (not to say there aren't many reasons to smile at some of the posts) and really do their best to share their knowledge and experiences. I think more than anything else I am touched by their obvious sincerity. Come back often, to ask, vent, whine, whatever you need...no one judges here.
Blessings,
Joanne0 -
Hello Holly,unknown said:This comment has been removed by the Moderator
I didn;t find this site until after my ostomy....wish Ihad found it before the chemo/radioation prior to op. In addition to moral support, which is very important too, the empirical knowledge (info from experience)shared by others is a great help in learning what to expect of your treatments. The adice I recd;d on use of colostomy bag was priceless,as was info on effects of FOLFOX....Having doctors you trust is also important as is a good caregiver/////Best of luck in your battle, for a war it is--Never Give Up...Steve0
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