CT scan results today
I know that this board is colorectal cancer and I probably don’t really fit the exact definition even though my cancer is in the rectum. It seems what I have is squamous cell. Doc said he personally has had only 6 cases. If not for a rectovacinal fistula which has occurred I could have gotten away with only chemo and radiation. As it stands now the next step is a total hysterectomy and a permanent colostomy. Surgery date yet to be determined since I will need two surgons.
I seem to be in good health otherwise…only abnormal result of all blood work was the CEA was a little high.
Like all of you here, I am just taking this one step at a time and making the decision which seems right for me. Have to admit that originally was not so sure about colostomy, but met with a very good specialist nurse and got lots of good reading material on the subject. Am still looking for other options to the chemo and radiation…
All the info that you all share has been a blessing for me and has helped me tremendously…so I plan to hang out with you, even though I seem to be an ‘odd duck’…lol
Marie
Comments
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Hi LK!geotina said:Marie
You fit in here just fine, no worries about that. Don't know squat about squamous cell cancer. Just wanted to say hang in there and do what you feel is best. Why the total hysterectomy? Take care - Tina
You know, if an onc said he personally only had 6 cases of what you may have to me, I'd be looking for someone who had more experience in it. I don't understand the total hysterectomy either, and would actually get a second opinion should I need all my female parts out, that just seems very radical right now, and please, you are no odd duck, you are very welcomed to this family, whether you have a different cancer or what...everyone's welcome, but to me, I think this doctor seems just really inexperienced.
Hugsss!
~Donna0 -
Moregeotina said:Marie
You fit in here just fine, no worries about that. Don't know squat about squamous cell cancer. Just wanted to say hang in there and do what you feel is best. Why the total hysterectomy? Take care - Tina
From what I read squamous cell cancer is more agressive than what is normally found in colorectal areas. I find that info intersting since my doc said this tumor was growning for some time with no symptoms...go figure.
The hysterectomy is due to the rectalvaginal fistula (original reason for further checking)...can't be repaired due to the cancer. As far as total goes...I am 62 and might as well take it all while in there...a few less places for any stray cancer cells to go. The intersting thing is that my PAP results were clear.
The only thing I do know is that there is no way to actually 'know' anything. We all just have to do the best with each day we have. So as long as I take a breath today...I consider myself a survivor...no matter what the actual definiton in the medical world is!0 -
Yes..Lovekitties said:More
From what I read squamous cell cancer is more agressive than what is normally found in colorectal areas. I find that info intersting since my doc said this tumor was growning for some time with no symptoms...go figure.
The hysterectomy is due to the rectalvaginal fistula (original reason for further checking)...can't be repaired due to the cancer. As far as total goes...I am 62 and might as well take it all while in there...a few less places for any stray cancer cells to go. The intersting thing is that my PAP results were clear.
The only thing I do know is that there is no way to actually 'know' anything. We all just have to do the best with each day we have. So as long as I take a breath today...I consider myself a survivor...no matter what the actual definiton in the medical world is!
That's true, cancer is so complicating no matter which it is, and weird that the PAP is clear though, and they still want to take it out, but that's true, to prevent cancer from spreading, there are women I hear who even have their breasts removed before they even get it, just to prevent it. That's definitely up to how a woman feels about it, and I would probably want a hysterectomy should it fall to that, not like I'm going to be a mom again anyway.
But you're definitely a wonderful, brave woman to have on board here, and I respect everything you say, we're all brothers and sisters in this, and I don't rely much on the medical world either, other factors are added in our lives as well.
Hugsss!
~Donna0 -
Little infoShayenne said:Hi LK!
You know, if an onc said he personally only had 6 cases of what you may have to me, I'd be looking for someone who had more experience in it. I don't understand the total hysterectomy either, and would actually get a second opinion should I need all my female parts out, that just seems very radical right now, and please, you are no odd duck, you are very welcomed to this family, whether you have a different cancer or what...everyone's welcome, but to me, I think this doctor seems just really inexperienced.
Hugsss!
~Donna
Based on what little info I have found on the internet, him having 6 cases is pretty high on the experience level. It seems this type of cancer is very rare. I always knew I was special...lol.
I know what you mean about questioning the hyterectomy...I sure did, but since the cancer has invaded the wall between the vagina and rectum and created a fistula...is does make sense. The cancer cells, while they haven't created a vaginal tumor (yet), are more than likely there.0 -
Thanks DonnaShayenne said:Yes..
That's true, cancer is so complicating no matter which it is, and weird that the PAP is clear though, and they still want to take it out, but that's true, to prevent cancer from spreading, there are women I hear who even have their breasts removed before they even get it, just to prevent it. That's definitely up to how a woman feels about it, and I would probably want a hysterectomy should it fall to that, not like I'm going to be a mom again anyway.
But you're definitely a wonderful, brave woman to have on board here, and I respect everything you say, we're all brothers and sisters in this, and I don't rely much on the medical world either, other factors are added in our lives as well.
Hugsss!
~Donna
I don't know about the brave part...lol...but you are right there are lots of other factors out there...and "UP" there. On the way to doc today, I was going thru all the "possibles" in my mind when the song on the radio came right out to me...the lyric was...You are going to be alright!
I never heard the song, and am sure it had nothing to do with my situation, but the only lyric of it that came thru to my muddled mind was...You are going to be alright.
Well, I am alright today...and plan on being alright tomorrow...with the loving support from all of you wonderful folks here.
Marie0 -
HysterectomyLovekitties said:Thanks Donna
I don't know about the brave part...lol...but you are right there are lots of other factors out there...and "UP" there. On the way to doc today, I was going thru all the "possibles" in my mind when the song on the radio came right out to me...the lyric was...You are going to be alright!
I never heard the song, and am sure it had nothing to do with my situation, but the only lyric of it that came thru to my muddled mind was...You are going to be alright.
Well, I am alright today...and plan on being alright tomorrow...with the loving support from all of you wonderful folks here.
Marie
Now that I read your reply, it makes sense to do the hysterectomy. See how we have learned to question everything. Any idea when the surgery will be? Can they do it all at once or are they going to do two? Tina0 -
A Sign...Lovekitties said:Thanks Donna
I don't know about the brave part...lol...but you are right there are lots of other factors out there...and "UP" there. On the way to doc today, I was going thru all the "possibles" in my mind when the song on the radio came right out to me...the lyric was...You are going to be alright!
I never heard the song, and am sure it had nothing to do with my situation, but the only lyric of it that came thru to my muddled mind was...You are going to be alright.
Well, I am alright today...and plan on being alright tomorrow...with the loving support from all of you wonderful folks here.
Marie
.. Songs can be that! You will be ok! After the good, the bad, and the ugly, from what comes out of the sting of things, we will be ok, even if it takes time! I am still so tired from chemo last week, it seems the fatigue lasts longer the longer you're on it, and usually I have my energy back by now, but not so much! hope it gets better tomorrow, I know by the time I do feel better, it's back to the chemo again! blah!
You are brave, you're here talking about your condition which is brave, and hanging out here with others who have it, and going through the struggles we all go through. We need to be brave to face this darn beast, and facing it, you are
Hugsss!
~Donna0 -
One stop surgerygeotina said:Hysterectomy
Now that I read your reply, it makes sense to do the hysterectomy. See how we have learned to question everything. Any idea when the surgery will be? Can they do it all at once or are they going to do two? Tina
Thank goodness it will be only one surgery...just a lot to get done. Even with all this the doc projects only about 5 to 7 days in hospital with back to usual in 6 weeks.
No date for the surgery...probably some time in March. There seemed to be no concerns about putting it off that long. Having it that far out also gives me time to get my house in order...lol. Why is it that only when things like this come up, we think about getting rid of all that stuff we have been hanging on to and have never needed...lol. Oh well, am hoping to make lots of donations to folks who can use it...so something else good comes from all this.0 -
Fatigue is the pits!Shayenne said:A Sign...
.. Songs can be that! You will be ok! After the good, the bad, and the ugly, from what comes out of the sting of things, we will be ok, even if it takes time! I am still so tired from chemo last week, it seems the fatigue lasts longer the longer you're on it, and usually I have my energy back by now, but not so much! hope it gets better tomorrow, I know by the time I do feel better, it's back to the chemo again! blah!
You are brave, you're here talking about your condition which is brave, and hanging out here with others who have it, and going through the struggles we all go through. We need to be brave to face this darn beast, and facing it, you are
Hugsss!
~Donna
You may not be feeling up to snuff...but your posts don't show it...you are always so UP.
You are an inspiration to all.
Maybe BRAVE needs a new definiton for those of us fighting the beast...Brave here can best be described as putting one foot in front of the other (either physically or mentally) and facing what needs to be faced with dignity, compassion for others, and the strength (either from within or from others) to make it one more day.0 -
ILovekitties said:Fatigue is the pits!
You may not be feeling up to snuff...but your posts don't show it...you are always so UP.
You are an inspiration to all.
Maybe BRAVE needs a new definiton for those of us fighting the beast...Brave here can best be described as putting one foot in front of the other (either physically or mentally) and facing what needs to be faced with dignity, compassion for others, and the strength (either from within or from others) to make it one more day.
Love that, I believe you hit the nail on the head!
Hugsss!
~Donna0 -
you belong!Shayenne said:I
Love that, I believe you hit the nail on the head!
Hugsss!
~Donna
Ok odd duck Marie who loves kitties!!! of course you belong here...
how did you get soooo smart at this game soooo soon.....lol
yup every day one at a time. Every night one night at a time. Sometimes things seem to take forever and you are waiting and waiting and at other times they just rush up and bite you on the proverbial bum.
sending hugs
mags PS Marie before my first liver surgery I was told to get my house in order....hahah ie...get ready! so I threw all my winter clothes out not wanting DH to have to wade through that....that was 4 years ago....had to get new winter clothing and drawers and closets are still a mess 0 -
Colorectal includes rectum
Of course you belong here! We have loads of members with rectal cancer.
ANAL cancer is different and is usually treated differently because it is caused by the HPV. That's what Farrah Fawcett had and it's pretty rare. I think I read only 700 people die each year vs 63,000 from colorectal cancer.
Glad to hear no mets!
The CEA is because of the cancer.
) 0 -
Thanks BunchesHollyID said:We love it that you're
We love it that you're here!!
Congrats on the great CT results. I'm passing good vibes your way to a successful surgery.
You and everyone on this board as so wonderful and selfless in your giving hope, encouragement and sharing the highs and lows of this journey.
No words can ever express what that means, but I guess I don't need the words because hopefully each and everyone of you feels it too.
Marie0
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