Newbie, but been around the block a time or two

classicman
classicman Member Posts: 34
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
For starters, Hello to everyone stricken with CRC, Im from northeast missouri, i was diagnosed with stage 1 colorectal cancer on April 13th2009 after a routine scope for low hemoglobin levels, I went to Barnes Jewis Hospital which has excellant doctors and staff, I started Chemo Xeloda and radiation right away, after 18 weeks of radiation and 25 weeks of chemo, i was allowed to regroup and had surgery on August 24th and left the hospital 10 days later with an ileostomy. I was held over because of an abnormal heart beat( slow) T hhen started more agressive chemo, both oral and infusion for 9 weeks, it took me several weeks of trial and error to master the changing of the flange and pouch, but thanks to my loving girlfriend, we got by, but i hated wearing it, even with care in placing it on, you nevet knew when it might pop loose. i went thru all the normal side effects, numbness in hands and feet, extreme sencitivity to cold temps, loss of sleep, no appatite, list goes on and on. On March 24th 2010 i had my Ileostomy takedown procedure, it went well, still having some minor bowel concerns but im getting by, I hope any of you who went thru this will feel free to comment or ask questions.

Comments

  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #2
    Welcome Classicman!
    I hope you will find this forum as helpful as I have.
  • HollyID
    HollyID Member Posts: 946 Member
    #3
    I want to welcome you, too...
    This is a great forum. I'm sorry you're here, but glad you're here at the same time. This has been a great resource for most of us!

    Love and Hugs,

    Holly
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #4
    hi
    Hi Clasicman and welcome,
    Thanks for sharing your story. You have been through it and it sounds like things are going well for you. That is always good to hear. Look forward to hearing more from you.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #5
    I'm wondering
    You said you were diagnosed Stage 1 amd had chemo? I was diagnosed with Stage 1 colon cancer on Nov. 2, 2007, and I was told the best option was not having chemo. I'm curious as to why they put you through all this.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • classicman
    classicman Member Posts: 34
    #6
    tootsie1 said:

    I'm wondering
    You said you were diagnosed Stage 1 amd had chemo? I was diagnosed with Stage 1 colon cancer on Nov. 2, 2007, and I was told the best option was not having chemo. I'm curious as to why they put you through all this.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    I wonderd
    i wondered and worried and got 2 additional opinions, and due to the location, and size the all felt that the combonitation of chemo and radiation the wanted to shrink the tumor and elliminate the chances of the cancer cells going thru the lymph nodes,,
  • classicman
    classicman Member Posts: 34
    #7
    HollyID said:

    I want to welcome you, too...
    This is a great forum. I'm sorry you're here, but glad you're here at the same time. This has been a great resource for most of us!

    Love and Hugs,

    Holly

    Thanks so much, i only
    Thanks so much, i only regreat that i didnt find this site sooner, in my area the cancer support failed, i actually started chatting to ACS people thru a different area, and they were great help,
  • classicman
    classicman Member Posts: 34
    #8
    tootsie1 said:

    I'm wondering
    You said you were diagnosed Stage 1 amd had chemo? I was diagnosed with Stage 1 colon cancer on Nov. 2, 2007, and I was told the best option was not having chemo. I'm curious as to why they put you through all this.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    Also i guess i failed to
    Also i guess i failed to post that the chemo was taken both before surgery and after... maybe this will clear up any confusion on my part
  • greybeard64
    greybeard64 Member Posts: 254
    #9
    Welcome
    welcome classicman to the best place no one wants to find themselves. Sounds like things are goiong fairly well for you now, and I am glad to hear it. I live just across the river from St. Louis and also have had dealings with Barnes Jewish hospital (BJC) and the center for advanced medicine (cam bldg.) I had radiation treatments and a few surgeries there and found the Docs I dealt with fantastic, Dr. Fleshman has led the surgical part of my experience, He was one of three specialist involved in my last one in March. It was a doozy to say the least.Radiation was handled by Dr. Myerson who may not move all that fast but is sharp as a tack and has a very good support team. I have done my chemo closer to home with a Doc (Dr. Popovic) who was actually my third ONC and I have the greatest respect for him in both the medical aspect of my treatment and the emotional as well.
    I hope being here brings you what you need, there are fantastic, caring, supportive people here and if ya stick around you will find they seem like an extended family. Continued good luck to you, and look forward to hearing more from you.
    Hope this finds ya smilin
    Greybeard
    Chris
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #10
    welcome
    Hello and welcome to the board.
    I never had an ileostomy, so I can't give you any advice on that, but I have been in treatment off and on (mostly on) for stage IV rectal cancer close to 3 yrs now, so I definitely am familiar with the different types of chemos. I had a liver resection 2 yrs ago, but that was my only surgery. I never had the rectal resection, as I had radiation and the rectal tumor disappeared. Since it had already spread to my lungs and liver and there was no sign at all of any cancer left in the rectum, my surgeon and I decided together to not do the surgery. I did end up having a rectal recurrence just this past Feb, however, so I don't know if it was the best decision or not. Honestly, though, I am still glad for the 2+ years I'd been able to not have to deal with the "bag". My last scan May 9th showed everything stable, so I don't know that I'll be needing the rectal surgery even at this point, since I really have no problems from it. I feel pretty good most of the time, with really no symptoms at all from the cancer (just pain in my joints- either arthritis or side effect from chemo, I'm thinking).

    Since your cancer was found at an early stage I, you have a very, very good prognosis. So, I would be feeling very good and hopeful for your future!


    Best wishes,
    Lisa

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