New Here :(
I had a colonoscopy yesterday after enduring seven years of on-again-off-again diahhrea that my doctor called Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The gastroenterologist found something he highly suspects (to the tune of 80% certainty) to be sigmoid colon cancer. Joy. He also removed a polyp.
I'm having CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis on Monday and will see a surgeon soon after. Surgery is definitely in my future, no matter what the CT says cuz the dang thing is narrowing that section of the poop shoot and has to come out regardless. Having had a hysterectomy and gall bladder removal in past years I am SO NOT LOOKING FORWARD to more surgery. Uggghhh. OK. I'm done complaining.
Any advice on what reading I could/should do? Thanks!
Comments
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Welcome, sorry you are here though, but you've come to the best place for information and help. Just wait, you'll have loads of information about this awful disease.
I was diagnosed Stage III 3 1/2 yrs ago and am now unfortunately Stage IV and still fighting. Best way to find out about the folks here at this site is to read the web pages. It gives lots of background information and treatments and just some warm fuzzy about the folks here.
I wish you the best of luck. I'm sure you'll have lots of replies here soon.
Kerry0 -
Thanks Kerry! It helps to have support at a time like this. Keep up your good fight. I'll be praying for ya! I'll check out those web pages...kerry said:Welcome, sorry you are here though, but you've come to the best place for information and help. Just wait, you'll have loads of information about this awful disease.
I was diagnosed Stage III 3 1/2 yrs ago and am now unfortunately Stage IV and still fighting. Best way to find out about the folks here at this site is to read the web pages. It gives lots of background information and treatments and just some warm fuzzy about the folks here.
I wish you the best of luck. I'm sure you'll have lots of replies here soon.
Kerry0 -
Welcome (oh, how I HATE to say that, cause that means you have at least been brushed by the beast!!!!)
Stage III (I always though it was II, silly me...new onc told me different...'hindsight' hehehehe)rectal cancer. BUT it was squamous cell, so its not 'normal' colon cancer.
I had a resection that took my rectum, sigmoid colon, and a hyster with oopherectomy. Pretty much like going into Albertsons grocery for one thing, coming out with a whole basket load! No colostomy.
Congrats on moving fast, the sooner its treated (if it IS the beast...20% says it's NOT)the better the outcome. I just finished my double hitter...breast cancer found from the PET for the colon...and, 19 months out, I am NED (saw your other post...lol).
There IS life after surgery...my new plumbing is working great most of the time (even old plumbing misbehaves once in a while!).
The key is questions, questions, research, best surgeon (Mine was Dr. Stamos at UC Irvine Med Center in California...specialized in low bowel resections). Oh, and attitude...seems you already have THAT handled...lol.
Welcome to the family and PLEASE keep us posted!!!
Hugs, Kathi0 -
Thanks, Kathi! I'll have to do some quick research on that surgeon topic. I'm going through the University of Michigan... anybody out there want to recommend a surgeon?KathiM said:Welcome (oh, how I HATE to say that, cause that means you have at least been brushed by the beast!!!!)
Stage III (I always though it was II, silly me...new onc told me different...'hindsight' hehehehe)rectal cancer. BUT it was squamous cell, so its not 'normal' colon cancer.
I had a resection that took my rectum, sigmoid colon, and a hyster with oopherectomy. Pretty much like going into Albertsons grocery for one thing, coming out with a whole basket load! No colostomy.
Congrats on moving fast, the sooner its treated (if it IS the beast...20% says it's NOT)the better the outcome. I just finished my double hitter...breast cancer found from the PET for the colon...and, 19 months out, I am NED (saw your other post...lol).
There IS life after surgery...my new plumbing is working great most of the time (even old plumbing misbehaves once in a while!).
The key is questions, questions, research, best surgeon (Mine was Dr. Stamos at UC Irvine Med Center in California...specialized in low bowel resections). Oh, and attitude...seems you already have THAT handled...lol.
Welcome to the family and PLEASE keep us posted!!!
Hugs, Kathi
Hey, Kathi, whats this about you running around naked all the time? What's that all about? LOL!0 -
Kathy, just re-read that part about the double hitter. Now that just plain stinks.... hanging in there are ya, lady? Good for you.KathiM said:Welcome (oh, how I HATE to say that, cause that means you have at least been brushed by the beast!!!!)
Stage III (I always though it was II, silly me...new onc told me different...'hindsight' hehehehe)rectal cancer. BUT it was squamous cell, so its not 'normal' colon cancer.
I had a resection that took my rectum, sigmoid colon, and a hyster with oopherectomy. Pretty much like going into Albertsons grocery for one thing, coming out with a whole basket load! No colostomy.
Congrats on moving fast, the sooner its treated (if it IS the beast...20% says it's NOT)the better the outcome. I just finished my double hitter...breast cancer found from the PET for the colon...and, 19 months out, I am NED (saw your other post...lol).
There IS life after surgery...my new plumbing is working great most of the time (even old plumbing misbehaves once in a while!).
The key is questions, questions, research, best surgeon (Mine was Dr. Stamos at UC Irvine Med Center in California...specialized in low bowel resections). Oh, and attitude...seems you already have THAT handled...lol.
Welcome to the family and PLEASE keep us posted!!!
Hugs, Kathi
This cancer stuff is not new to my family either. My mom had breast cancer and adrenal cancer (not related to each other) and died of pneumonia while she was dying of some other non-related stomach cancer that they couldn't pinpoint. My sister died at age 50 a few years ago of lung cancer (non smoker) and my dad has had three malignancies removed.... kidney, bladder, and prostate, all unrelated. He has also has had lots of polyps removed. And he's 83 and golfing three times a week so I hope I take after him and not my sister or my mom!
Gotta stay positive, right?0 -
Hi Patrusha,
I just want to say welcome and glad you found us. We are a very informative group and very supportive. I'm Stage 3 node 1 colon cancer. Had my tumor removed Dec 20, 2005 (my birthday, go figure). I'm now doing chemo treatments, folfox. Tell us how the surgery goes. I was in for about 5 days. Yes I got out on Christmas and was the best present ever. I'm in PA so can't help with the surgeon. Only comment on that is find someone you feel comfortable with. That goes for oncologists too. Take care and HUGS.
Lisa0 -
Hair Loss QuestionPatrusha said:Thanks, Kathi! I'll have to do some quick research on that surgeon topic. I'm going through the University of Michigan... anybody out there want to recommend a surgeon?
Hey, Kathi, whats this about you running around naked all the time? What's that all about? LOL!
Hi, I have a question about hair loss. I am on chemo, 5FU/Leucovorin, have had 9 treatments so far. I know that this is going to sound very trivial to some of you, but my hair is really beginning to come out, and I'm so upset about it! I know that they say 5FU doesn't cause complete hair loss, but, even so, it's really freaking me out! When it happens, does it continue to fall out the whole time you're in treatment, or does it slow down, or stop? I have at least 4 more months to go, and at this rate, I don't think I'll have any hair left ;-( I am not one of those girls who will be comfortable wearing a scarf.....Again, I know this sounds trivial, but I feel so violated by this horrid disease! I am a hairdresser by profession, and I've always had very strong hair. This is making me so sad....What have your hair loss experiences been like?
Mary.0 -
Hi! Best of luck on your upcoming CT scan. I will be keeping my fingers crossed that all is well with that. As far as the surgery goes, it is amazing how quickly the bowels can recover. I had a polyp in the Sigmoid region and had that section removed back in 2002. Other than going to the bathroom 2-3 times/day instead of once like I did before it is not really a big deal. You may not ever have "abs of steel" again and your bikini days are probably over, but that is a small price to pay! LOL. Anyway, I think it took me about a month to feel back to normal if memory serves me right.....Hmmm. It has been a while, but it is not such a bad surgery. Just make sure you have a soft teddy bear or something to hug in the hospital. Because if anyone tries to make you laugh, you'll need to squeeze the bear, lamb, whatever, cause it hurts!
Take care,
Susan.0 -
I finished my treatments this past Tuesday...that's why I'm dancing naked...even with a 12 inch belly scar, 2 inch breast scar, and 2 inch scar under my arm.....Patrusha said:Kathy, just re-read that part about the double hitter. Now that just plain stinks.... hanging in there are ya, lady? Good for you.
This cancer stuff is not new to my family either. My mom had breast cancer and adrenal cancer (not related to each other) and died of pneumonia while she was dying of some other non-related stomach cancer that they couldn't pinpoint. My sister died at age 50 a few years ago of lung cancer (non smoker) and my dad has had three malignancies removed.... kidney, bladder, and prostate, all unrelated. He has also has had lots of polyps removed. And he's 83 and golfing three times a week so I hope I take after him and not my sister or my mom!
Gotta stay positive, right?
I call them my 'battle' scars!
Hugs, Kathi0 -
Thanks for the welcome. I'll keep you posted on the surgery... and hope for the best.lfondots63 said:Hi Patrusha,
I just want to say welcome and glad you found us. We are a very informative group and very supportive. I'm Stage 3 node 1 colon cancer. Had my tumor removed Dec 20, 2005 (my birthday, go figure). I'm now doing chemo treatments, folfox. Tell us how the surgery goes. I was in for about 5 days. Yes I got out on Christmas and was the best present ever. I'm in PA so can't help with the surgeon. Only comment on that is find someone you feel comfortable with. That goes for oncologists too. Take care and HUGS.
Lisa0 -
LOL!! My abs of steel turned to Jell-O many a year ago, Susan, and my bikini days have been over for some time, too! However, and maybe I'm just dreaming, but I figure if they're going to go in there and remove stuff I'll ask them to take some of that belly fat with them and do a little tummy tucking while they're at it. Think they'll go for it?shmurciakova said:Hi! Best of luck on your upcoming CT scan. I will be keeping my fingers crossed that all is well with that. As far as the surgery goes, it is amazing how quickly the bowels can recover. I had a polyp in the Sigmoid region and had that section removed back in 2002. Other than going to the bathroom 2-3 times/day instead of once like I did before it is not really a big deal. You may not ever have "abs of steel" again and your bikini days are probably over, but that is a small price to pay! LOL. Anyway, I think it took me about a month to feel back to normal if memory serves me right.....Hmmm. It has been a while, but it is not such a bad surgery. Just make sure you have a soft teddy bear or something to hug in the hospital. Because if anyone tries to make you laugh, you'll need to squeeze the bear, lamb, whatever, cause it hurts!
Take care,
Susan.0 -
Hi Patrusha -
Welcome. I am sorry you have to be here, but have a few thoughts to share with you. You will be able to learn much from this site, by the way.
A colorectal cancer diagnosis is a big shock and you are hungry for information. It is impossible to resist the internet and search for information there. But, do it in limited amounts and realize that much of what you find there will be depressing, but is often either outdated or not terribly relevant to any one individual. Avoid the statistics. Concentrate instead on the treatments (but try and avoid the statistical info). There are many examples of survivors on this Board for example (and elsewhere I am sure.) So, don't spend too much time reading depressing statistics or study results.
You clearly need surgery. Concentrate on the surgery right now and worry about the treatment later. You'll need to recover from surgery anyway before undergoing any chemo that might be necessary - so you can put that worry aside right now and come back to it later. (By the way most colorectal cancer patients do not lose significant amounts of hair during chemo, so while that is a pretty trivial concern in the grand scheme of things, you can pretty much not bother worrying about that now.)
Since your tumor is in the sigmoid colon, you may be able to have laparoscopic surgery. That was the case for me. Don't confuse this with fun, but I had it and while major surgery it is probably a bit easier than conventional surgery. I was back at work in 4 weeks and could have gone back in 3 if I had really wanted to push myself - which I did not.
Keep us posted about your CT scan. Your attitude sounds great and I really (REALLY) believe that is important.
Take care and keep us up to date,
Betsy0 -
Another IBS veteran! Yup, been there, been (mis)diagnosed that.
Welcome to our on-line family. Hope the thing in the poop shoot isn't cancer. But if it is, you have all of us here to prove that colon cancer is treatable and beatable. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your results.
Best of luck to you, and don't worry yourself sick, just take it one day at a time, and check in with us everyday. We'll see you through this!
Cheers,
Ying0 -
How long did you waste under the IBS label Ying? I am curious as to how many people are given that diagnosis initially.JADot said:Another IBS veteran! Yup, been there, been (mis)diagnosed that.
Welcome to our on-line family. Hope the thing in the poop shoot isn't cancer. But if it is, you have all of us here to prove that colon cancer is treatable and beatable. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your results.
Best of luck to you, and don't worry yourself sick, just take it one day at a time, and check in with us everyday. We'll see you through this!
Cheers,
Ying
I've talked with my regular doc and she says that it could be Crohn's I am dealing with (which the gastro guy said as well.... though he seemed to lean heavily toward a malignancy). My 19-year-old daughter has Ulcerative Colitis so it is definitely a possibility that I have Crohn's. But here's the wierd thing. Both my doc and I agree that it might be better for this thing to be stage 1 colon cancer than actual Chron's! Never thought I'd be hoping for cancer, but here I am doing just that. I see what my daughter goes through with her UC and I hope I am lucky enough to have a low-level cancer that can be excised and allow me the heads up to be proactive from now on.
Am I really wierd, or what?0 -
Thanks for the welcome, fedester. I feel lucky that the colonoscopy caught my closing poop chute before it sealed ... what you went through must have been incredibly scary!!!fedester said:hi pat,
you have found a very interesting group of patients.survivors, and caretakers.
@^&**and she was able to see it in my eyes!!! lol
welcome to our family and post and ask questions often.
be well
all the best
never,never give up!!
bruce
BTW, my eyes are brown, too.... will they turn blue after all of this? I always wanted blue eyes like my mom's!!! LOL!!!0 -
Thanks for the reply, Betsy. You are so right... I am learning so much from this site aleady!Betsydoglover said:Hi Patrusha -
Welcome. I am sorry you have to be here, but have a few thoughts to share with you. You will be able to learn much from this site, by the way.
A colorectal cancer diagnosis is a big shock and you are hungry for information. It is impossible to resist the internet and search for information there. But, do it in limited amounts and realize that much of what you find there will be depressing, but is often either outdated or not terribly relevant to any one individual. Avoid the statistics. Concentrate instead on the treatments (but try and avoid the statistical info). There are many examples of survivors on this Board for example (and elsewhere I am sure.) So, don't spend too much time reading depressing statistics or study results.
You clearly need surgery. Concentrate on the surgery right now and worry about the treatment later. You'll need to recover from surgery anyway before undergoing any chemo that might be necessary - so you can put that worry aside right now and come back to it later. (By the way most colorectal cancer patients do not lose significant amounts of hair during chemo, so while that is a pretty trivial concern in the grand scheme of things, you can pretty much not bother worrying about that now.)
Since your tumor is in the sigmoid colon, you may be able to have laparoscopic surgery. That was the case for me. Don't confuse this with fun, but I had it and while major surgery it is probably a bit easier than conventional surgery. I was back at work in 4 weeks and could have gone back in 3 if I had really wanted to push myself - which I did not.
Keep us posted about your CT scan. Your attitude sounds great and I really (REALLY) believe that is important.
Take care and keep us up to date,
Betsy
That was a good reminder about not letting the internet color my own experience. When my sister was diagnosed with lung cancer it was easy to succumb to the horrifying things you could find out there to read. My doctor reminded me, too, that we really won't know anything for sure until the pathology comes back. I've made an appointment with her for next Thursday to go over all of the results. Hopefully all the results from the biopsies and the CT scans will be in. She's checking first thing Thursday morning to make sure the CT scan has been read before we meet that day.
I've had laparoscopic surgery when my gall bladder was removed and my hysterectomy was done vaginally so I am hoping we can go the laparoscopic route this time, too. A silver lining? You betcha. In this biz of dealing with health issues I guess we take all of the silver linings we can get, eh?0
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