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by Jolene
Tue Jan 29, 2019 8:34 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Rectal Cancer: Habr-Gama Watch and Wait Strategy to Avoid Surgery
Replies: 595
Views: 304127

Re: Rectal Cancer: Habr-Gama Watch and Wait Strategy to Avoid Surgery

Determination of a clinical complete response is by visual observation only. I understand Dr Habr-Gama published photos and very complete descriptions of what the doctor needs to observe before declaring a CCR. My surgeon told me that these strict guidelines included a determinations of the color o...
by Jolene
Sun Jan 27, 2019 3:35 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: How did you first discover or got diagnosed with colorectal cancer ?
Replies: 16
Views: 3755

How did you first discover or got diagnosed with colorectal cancer ?

Hi everyone, I'm curious as to how everyone first discovered or got diagnosed with colorectal cancer ? I have always thought symptoms only present itself when it's T3 and above or when you are above 50, but I see that quite a number of members got diagnosed at T2 or even T1 and a number of you are a...
by Jolene
Sat Jan 26, 2019 10:37 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Coping at work while on rectal cancer treatments
Replies: 10
Views: 1856

Re: Coping at work while on rectal cancer treatments

Dear all - thanks for sharing your work situation while coping with the treatment ! It gave me an idea of how best to manage my expectations and work place responsibilities over the next few months ! I'm sorry to hear that some of you are in an employment situation that is less than ideal, it sucks ...
by Jolene
Fri Jan 25, 2019 9:23 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?
Replies: 34
Views: 5335

Re: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?

I’m sorry you are going through this. I also could have written this post, and did actually write a similar one way back when on this board. Around that time I went on Celexa, and it did wonders to stabilize my mood. I’ve also felt therapy was helpful now and then, but the medication helped the mos...
by Jolene
Fri Jan 25, 2019 9:17 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?
Replies: 34
Views: 5335

Re: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?

Jolene, I can remember how reluctant I was to make my first appointment with a psychologist - all the way back in 1988 when I was 27 years of age. There was a definite anti-therapy culture then, an ingrained belief that you don't go outside of your circle of friends/family or that you should just s...
by Jolene
Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:57 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?
Replies: 34
Views: 5335

Re: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?

Hey Jolene, I have a few years on you, but my "perimenopause" is basically just manifesting itself like a missed period here and there, which may even last for a couple of years, I hear. Don't let doctors blow off your concerns, but I also wouldn't assume that the day you end chemo you'll...
by Jolene
Thu Jan 24, 2019 1:09 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?
Replies: 34
Views: 5335

Re: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?

Hi, I get it that you don't want to appear whiny to you doctor. I felt/feel the same. I was just like you and I feel like I'm giving advice to my younger self. And there are a lot of things that I wish I did differently when I was initially diagnosed. I was overwhelmed and scared. So, while the bes...
by Jolene
Thu Jan 24, 2019 5:01 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: What Week Of Chemo/Radiation Do The Symptoms Start Getting Worse?
Replies: 20
Views: 4170

Re: What Week Of Chemo/Radiation Do The Symptoms Start Getting Worse?

Can anyone please tell me your experiences with Capecitabine and radiation treatment for rectal cancer. I am ending week 1 1/2 right now (Started last Thursday) and can say that I have yet to experience any side effects. I have 5 total weeks of treatment or 25 total radiation sessions. I do smoke a...
by Jolene
Wed Jan 23, 2019 10:10 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Coping at work while on rectal cancer treatments
Replies: 10
Views: 1856

Coping at work while on rectal cancer treatments

Hi all, Just want to discuss and find out how does everyone cope with life at work while on the various rectal cancer treatment ? I've just completed a 28 session chemoradiation which fortunately wasn't too disruptive to my work routine. I'm now dreading the surgery bit, the post surgery recovery ti...
by Jolene
Wed Jan 23, 2019 9:46 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?
Replies: 34
Views: 5335

Re: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?

Hi Jolene and welcome, I could've written your post myself, ten years ago (yikes!) or yesterday (haha!). I wish I could give you a hug! Before my cancer diagnosis, I had never seen a therapist. With all that you go through mentally and physically with a cancer diagnosis, I feel like it should almos...
by Jolene
Wed Jan 23, 2019 9:23 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?
Replies: 34
Views: 5335

Re: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?

Jolene: Be aware that the corticosteroids you receive as part of your chemotherapy infusions are likely a key component of your mood swings. Dexamethasone is the corticosteroid more commonly partnered with chemotherapy infusions. Dexamethasone has a long-half life in the body and has a strong effec...
by Jolene
Wed Jan 23, 2019 9:20 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?
Replies: 34
Views: 5335

Re: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?

Yup, the water's warm but no peeing in the pool, k? :D When you've gone through such intense invasive trauma to your body and have received a devastating diagnosis, you're entire world is flipped on its head! There is far more awareness these days of post-operative ptsd and resources, such as psych...
by Jolene
Wed Jan 23, 2019 9:13 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?
Replies: 34
Views: 5335

Re: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?

Hey Jolene, Mood swings/lashing out can be a sign of bigger mental health issues. Not saying that's the case for you. But I know a couple where the husband was very sick and the wife was the one with mood swings. Hers started prior to him getting sick, but seemed to escalate. It was wearing him dow...
by Jolene
Wed Jan 23, 2019 9:07 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?
Replies: 34
Views: 5335

Re: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?

Oh my word. Let yourself off the hook, Lady! Of course you are having erratic mood swings! (Come on in. The water's warm!) I have to tell you, almost immediately upon diagnosis two years ago, I called the Women's Cancer Resource Center and got the name and number of a therapist who specializes in c...
by Jolene
Wed Jan 23, 2019 12:25 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?
Replies: 34
Views: 5335

Managing erractic mood swings. Is psychologist the answer ?

Hello everyone, Am new to the forum and so glad to have found this place ! So grateful to everyone who shared their experiences and resources on this forum ! I got diagnosed with rectal cancer 2 months ago and feeling really anxious about all that is going to be unfold - surgery, stoma bag, reversal...

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