New here and New to Cancer

Lovekitties
Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all. I am 62 yr old female with rectal cancer. I got the “95% sure it is cancer” diagnosis the week before Christmas, and the 100% positive biopsy results just a week ago. Will find out CT scan results next Monday. Those results will determine if I need to make any decisions on surgery, chemo, and radiation. Right now am just concentrating on doing spring cleaning a bit early

I have been reading your posts, and find your compassion and tenacity in the face of such adversity to be inspiring. You all seem to have that passion for fighting the good fight.

I know without any response that you welcome all with open arms and all good wishes. I send each and every one of you my own good wishes and prayers to survive and live life as fully as you can.
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Comments

  • khl8
    khl8 Member Posts: 807
    Welcome
    So sorry you had to find us this way, but we are here for you, whether it is to vent, ask questions, anything!
    Kathy
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    khl8 said:

    Welcome
    So sorry you had to find us this way, but we are here for you, whether it is to vent, ask questions, anything!
    Kathy

    TY for Welcome
    Kathy, I appreciate your welcome. It is a wonderful thing to have others who are either going through the maze or have been there to rely on for that emotional support.
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    Lovekitties
    Welcome. I guess you've figured out by now that rectal cancer and colon cancer are treated differently.

    Most probably you'll have chemo and radiation at the same time, then surgery followed by more chemo. As long as you have no mets to other organs, you'll probably be given FOLFOX. It's not easy... but I'm 59 and did my 12 tx's.

    Were you told how close the tumor is to the rectal opening? I'm sure someone here can help with info on that. I was colon and no colostomy.

    Diane
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    Welcome to this board; it is
    Welcome to this board; it is a great resource & support for all of us. I wish you all the best!
  • khl8
    khl8 Member Posts: 807

    Lovekitties
    Welcome. I guess you've figured out by now that rectal cancer and colon cancer are treated differently.

    Most probably you'll have chemo and radiation at the same time, then surgery followed by more chemo. As long as you have no mets to other organs, you'll probably be given FOLFOX. It's not easy... but I'm 59 and did my 12 tx's.

    Were you told how close the tumor is to the rectal opening? I'm sure someone here can help with info on that. I was colon and no colostomy.

    Diane

    I was rectal cancer and temporay illeostomy.
    Kathy
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member

    Lovekitties
    Welcome. I guess you've figured out by now that rectal cancer and colon cancer are treated differently.

    Most probably you'll have chemo and radiation at the same time, then surgery followed by more chemo. As long as you have no mets to other organs, you'll probably be given FOLFOX. It's not easy... but I'm 59 and did my 12 tx's.

    Were you told how close the tumor is to the rectal opening? I'm sure someone here can help with info on that. I was colon and no colostomy.

    Diane

    Hi Diane
    I am certainly in the learning stage of all this for sure.

    Surgeon said from the start that he felt total hysterectomy, colostomy, chemo and radiation were in my future...but only if CT scans didn't show anything critical.

    Adding to the complications of the disease are that I have no insurance and am having to cover all costs out of pocket, and I have to say that is coloring what I may or may not do in the way of treatment. I know there is financial assistance out there...my doc even said he would take just 20% of his usual fee and if I couldn't make that they would just write it off.

    I have to say, I lucked out in the doc department. He is just what I need...straight forward, willing to talk with me any time, and understanding of my situation. I hear he is darn good with a knife to...lol...if it comes to that.

    I am sure I will have more info and questions after next Monday when I get the CT scan results.

    I appreciate this web site and all the wonderful people here. Having read so many of the messages, it is like being hugged the way everyone hangs in there for each other. The news posted may be good or bad, but there are always those "hugs" to let one know they are not alone in the fight.
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    Welcome to the Board
    Welcome to the board. My husband George has the cancer, Transverse colon. As far as the insurance thing is concerned, talk to the hospital, they are pretty good on getting you on anything that is available in your area. There are others on here in the same situation. Start a discussion about what to do if you have no insurance and those in the know will post. Treatment can be expensive, there is help out there. Let us know how things go. Take care - Tina
  • just4Brooks
    just4Brooks Member Posts: 980 Member
    Welcome to the board
    Just wanted to welcome you to the board. I have/HAD stage 3 colorectal cancer. I've been through radiation (5 days a week) and Chemo (24/7) for 7 weeks, then surgery (now have a temp iliostomy), them 9 treatments of chemo for "Mop up". It's a rough road ahead but we're here to help in any way we can. Let us now the results of your tests. I hope everything will come back oksy!!


    Life is funny sometimes

    Brooks
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    Hi LK
    It sounds like you

    Hi LK

    It sounds like you already know us, or at least know of us - there is a ton of great info here and even more love and support - so you're first decision to come here is a great one!

    I've had rectal cancer - click on Sundanceh and you can read my story if you would like to. To sum it up: I'm still here after 6 years - it's not easy, but the good things never are.

    Once you get settled in and have your CTs back, you will begin to have some questions and we'll do what we can to answer them.

    Nice to meet you and welcome here.

    -Craig
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    Sundanceh said:

    Hi LK
    It sounds like you

    Hi LK

    It sounds like you already know us, or at least know of us - there is a ton of great info here and even more love and support - so you're first decision to come here is a great one!

    I've had rectal cancer - click on Sundanceh and you can read my story if you would like to. To sum it up: I'm still here after 6 years - it's not easy, but the good things never are.

    Once you get settled in and have your CTs back, you will begin to have some questions and we'll do what we can to answer them.

    Nice to meet you and welcome here.

    -Craig

    TY for Welcome
    Yes, I feel like I am already one of the family...even though up to today I was a lurker...lol...have been busy reading lots of posts the last week, and have gotten a real feel for the type of folks who are the real contributors to the board.

    What amazes me are the stories of continuing effort to get back to a better normal. I am having to look real closely inside myself to see if I have what it takes to make that fight even a 10th of what most of you folks have. Right now just taking it one decision at a time as I find out what is what.

    May everyone here find joy in one more day...(to be repeated daily)
  • Fight for my love
    Fight for my love Member Posts: 1,522 Member
    Hi lovekitty,my husband was
    Hi lovekitty,my husband was diagnosed with stage 2 rectal cancer last May.After the preoperative chemo, radiation and surgery,the result came out very good,he was downstaged from stage 2 to stage 1 because he had great response to the peroperative treatments.Now he is on adjuvant chemo to make sure there is no potential cancer cells left over in his body,and he just had his 7th of the 12 treatments.He is going to finish all the treatments at the end of the March or at the beginning of April.Please take one day at a time,you will be fine finally.If you have any questions,please let me know.Good luck with everything.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Welcome
    Welcome to the group but sorry you had to find us. We are a great bunch of people all here to try and help you if we can. We have covered most topics on here so don't ever be afraid to ask away. There is usually someone on at different times of the day so even if you get up in the middle of the night and have a concern or question, someone usually pops up. Good luck with all your appointments and scan.

    Kim
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    No Insurance!!
    Oh that is a real problem. My chemo cost $16,660 every TWO WEEKS.

    As soon as you talk to the onc and get your results, you're going to need to find some financial help. Oh I hate to hear this!

    I know some of the other members have found SOME help and it varys from state to state. Can you share what state you live in so someone in that area can help?

    God bless,
    Diane in Villa Rica, Ga.
  • theresa8
    theresa8 Member Posts: 61
    We're here for you
    Hi Kitty, my husband also has a rectal cancer stage 2. I know just how you're feeling since we were there last October. Once you get your CT scan results you'll know what's ahead. The waiting is awful but I'm sure ou can do it.
    Don't worry you have a great support group right here to help you along the way. Even if things seem really bad right now they wil get better and you'll still have some really good times along the way and let me tell you you'll learn a lot. Good luck to you I'm praying for you.
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    theresa8 said:

    We're here for you
    Hi Kitty, my husband also has a rectal cancer stage 2. I know just how you're feeling since we were there last October. Once you get your CT scan results you'll know what's ahead. The waiting is awful but I'm sure ou can do it.
    Don't worry you have a great support group right here to help you along the way. Even if things seem really bad right now they wil get better and you'll still have some really good times along the way and let me tell you you'll learn a lot. Good luck to you I'm praying for you.

    Hi Lovey!!!
    I just wanted to welcome you as a sister in our humble family. I'm sorry you have to go through this, but please know we are all here for you! don't be afraid to ask anything, we talk about EVERYTHING in here. I'm so glad to see you here!

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • lcarper2
    lcarper2 Member Posts: 635 Member
    Shayenne said:

    Hi Lovey!!!
    I just wanted to welcome you as a sister in our humble family. I'm sorry you have to go through this, but please know we are all here for you! don't be afraid to ask anything, we talk about EVERYTHING in here. I'm so glad to see you here!

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna

    welcome
    OMG no insurance my 8 day stay in the hospital for my colon cancer surgery was 63,000.. if you are 62 do you work or draw ss if it is the later see about medicare If you have cancer ss disibility is an option also check with your state DHS apply for medicaid it will pay something and you would only have a portion to pay...but what ever they say you need trust them it will save your life...praying for you.
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member

    No Insurance!!
    Oh that is a real problem. My chemo cost $16,660 every TWO WEEKS.

    As soon as you talk to the onc and get your results, you're going to need to find some financial help. Oh I hate to hear this!

    I know some of the other members have found SOME help and it varys from state to state. Can you share what state you live in so someone in that area can help?

    God bless,
    Diane in Villa Rica, Ga.

    It is expensive to be sick
    I live in Virginia.

    I am on Social Security.

    I have already submitted paperwork with my hospital to see if I can qualify for financial assistance there. Did this when had blood work done. If I qualify, and if all treatments can be done there, then that will help. Due to timing I had to go to another service for CT scan and that bill was $2,500. Thank God for plastic! lol

    Right now I am just taking this one step at a time...
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    Welcome!
    Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. What a lousy Christmas present!!

    Peace and blessings... Rob; in Vancouver

    “Life is short,and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us. So let us be swift to love, and let us make haste to show kindness.”
    Henri Amiel
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Welcome
    Hi. Welcome to the board. I'm so sorry about the cancer, but take comfort in the fact that you have a great "team" here behind you. We'll be here to support you in any way we can.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • PPrice
    PPrice Member Posts: 7
    Hi LK!
    Hi LK,
    I am new as well as of a few minute ago... lol. Like you, I have really sensed a wonderful, inspiring group of folks here, full of support and good information. After "lurking" for about 2 mins, I was motivated to set up an account and respond...lol.
    I look forward to seeing more of you and others on this site, and I wish you well in your treatments and recovery!
    You can do it!
    Prentiss :)