I was originally dx with stage III colorectal cancer on April 28, 2004. I had sudden severe bleeding which was the result of a tumor that had burst... The mass was the size of a grapefruit and they took a piece of my colon. Following surgery I had nine months of FOLFOX treatment in addition to 49 days of radiation.
Since I have maintained a pretty healthy (and somewhat boring) lifestyle... I work out regularly, eat organic, and all the other good stuff.
After about a year following my last chemo treatment I got my routine CT scan which revealed 2 cancerous lymph nodes above the area I was treated. A PET scan was ordered followed by various peeks inside my bum followed by a lymph node dissection on Jan. 19, 2006.
Two days ago I had a meeting with my dr.'s who recommended that I start FULFURY chemo. Based on the lack of data for someone of my age with no family history and the pattern of recurrence they feel that this is the best option because if the cancer comes back a third time it will probably be in one of my major organs (liver, lungs). They can not be certain if any microscopic cancer cells remain in my body, nor if chemo will make a difference.
My GF did some research and found that people in my age group (30 and younger) have a different biological make up than do older people in their 50'-60's and should be treated like a pediatric patient. Cancer in younger people is less responsive to treatment and therefore chemo treatment
needs to be more aggressive because the body can take the abuse better than an older person.
Few Questions: Anyone share my experience? Any advice? Has anyone heard of different treatments? Has anyone either heard of or been treated more aggressively because of young age.
Hit me, everything is appreciated...