T3N1

[oren1031]

Greetings
Unfortunately my father who is 63 was diagnosed yesterday as suffering rectal cancer
Is very very healthy person eats healthy food do not smoke and goes to the gym four times a week, weights and everything ...
We are still in shock we feel the sky collapsed
Today he had an ultrasound test
And the results were T3N1
We are still waiting for the pathology will be followed by a meeting with an oncologist for information about the radiation treatment.
Then surgical removal of the tumor
I would like to know
Does anyone know of innovative therapies
Any information will help
We have to wait a week for a CT scan
I am really afraid that the spread of the cancer has already occurred
Thanks in advance
And good health for everyone
Oren

[sadysue]

Oren...I am a rectal cancer patient (T3N1) and had no cancer anywhere else in my body. I have always been very healthy and active, no cigarettes for over 20 years and rarely drink. Also no family history of ANY type of cancer and I had a 4 inch tumor and never knew it until a check up. I had surgery in August 2011. I've had a couple of CT scans since surgery. I saw my chemo doctor today who had the reports of my most recent CT scan and I am happy to say my body is still clean from cancer. Don't be pessimistic and get ahead of yourself - take one day at a time and stay positive. Good luck.
Mary Ann

[oren1031]

Hi Mary Ann
Thanks for your comment
I really hope that my father will overcome this terrible disease
I know it will be difficult in the near future
Helps me to know that people have been through this and were able to fight
Once the doctor said tumor, and I asked whether malignant or benign
And she said that if she says tumor
So it means malignant
And now the results that say T3 ...
Actually your answer is the first encouraging thing I've heard
Thank you
Oren

[CimmamonGi]

It is a myth that healthy people don't get cancer. I was in the same boat as your father 2 years ago, and now have been NED for 1 year. I feel very blessed to have been "only" Stage III. The treatment is rough, but yes, there is hope! His overall health will be a big plus in carrying him through the next year. All the best to you and your dad.

[tammylayne]

Hi Oren....

I am another T3N1 rectal survivor - There are MANY of us!!! I am a full year out of treatment, 6 months since my ostomy reversal. So far, all clean. I go next month for my colonoscopy and CT scan. Of course I am banking on everything being ckean still, but I don't go there. Not now, not today. I could worry, think of the "what ifs". but it serves no purpose. Having said that, I certainly didn't think this way those first few days, weeks, months. Your family is in one of the hardest phases. Everything is new and SCAREY. Once you get a plan, start working your plan, you will find that things become a little easier. It becomes your "new normal".

Reach out here, and anywhere you can to get support. We have many awesome caregivers here that can help you as they understand what you are going through.

T3N1...not a walk in the park, but very doable, and still very curable.

Good luck to your dad...and the rest of your family.

[oren1031]

Hi Tammy
Thanks for the response
Really any such response helps
We feel as if we are facing a bottomless pit
And responses of members here  gives a little light at the end of the tunnel
My father is  very strong physically and mentally I hope it will help him recover
I have to have  him with me for  many more years and really not ready to give him up
I would like to know if there recommendations for how to support him and help him
Thank you all
Oren

[sadysue]

Oren...everybody's cancer is different and cancer is definitely NOT a death sentence. Sure, it's hard on your dad knowing he's sick but the rest of the family should try their best to remain positive for his sake. A positive attitude is important for a person who has cancer and is going through treatment. He will have good and bad days but he will get better. You don't get healthy overhight - see my signature below to get an idea of the timeline - but your dad WILL be healthy again. I am only a few years younger than your dad and feel great. Cancer is a fight but if you want to get better, you do what you must. If you think of any more questions, this is the best website to come to for help. Best wishes.
Mary Ann

[Kathryn in MN]

Lots of otherwise healthy people get cancer. The majority of us on this board were diagnosed with cancer under age 50 and were otherwise healthy and led healthy lifestyles. It is a myth that healthy people don't get cancer. It is also a myth that cancer is a death sentence. Many people are cured of cancer. And many others live a long time with it as a chronic disease.

Sure, a cancer dx sucks, but it isn't the end of the world, and the sky isn't falling. Treatment is no picnic. Your dad needs everyone behind him with a GOOD attitude - not a negative or "sky is falling" attitude, to help him get through the next year which will have its challenges. He has a very good chance of getting through the treatments and coming through it all just fine and remaining clear after that.

[alphagam]

After a rectal ultrasound, I was diagnosed as T3N0. Pathology of 5cmx5cm mas that surgeon removed showed NO invasive cancer, only high dysplasia. Scopes and PET in the last two years are negative. Ultrasound was wrong. Plain and simple.

[oren1031]

Thanks to all reaplies
Does anyone know of the de vinchi device
For surgery?
Its some kind if robot...

[Ontario Guy]

Oren,

Da vinci device:

http://biomed.brown.edu/Courses/BI108/B ... vinci.html

As for diagnosis, wait for the pathology. My cancer was fairly obvious (huge and low) from the time of my colonoscopy, but treatment kept getting adjusted as it went on. At first, I was told that I would have 6 weeks of radiation. After CT and MRI, that became 5 (it makes a difference!). Before surgery, I was told to expect at least 5 months of chemo; I am now scheduled for 4, since post-op pathology was a bit different from what was expected.

Don't make assumptions. Listen to your oncologists, surgeons and nurses. Waiting for test results can be nerve-wracking, but well worth the wait.

Good luck!

Ontario Guy.

[oren1031]

Why when ever someone talks about serviving all talks about five years?

[BrownBagger]

Why when ever someone talks about serviving all talks about five years?

That's the benchmark that's traditionally been used to calculate survival odds, i.e., "Thirty percent of Stage 4 colorectal cancer patients survive five years after diagnosis."

I personally think it's an outdated way of assessing survivability, since better chemo and treatment options have extended many of our lives well beyond the 5-year mark. And with some cancers, if you are NED for 5 years, you're considered "cured."

But I think the whole thing needs an update.

[hoping forever]

My husband's was also dx T3N1M0. His PET/CT scan showed no spread of cancer. He had 6 weeks of chemo/radiation before his surgery. Then there was a 9 week wait before surgery. The radiation is still working to shrink the tumor. His tumor was the size of a pea when he went in for surgery. It was originally about 1.5 inches. His surgery was done with the DiVinchi Robot. He was in the hospital for 3 days. He had 5 smaller cuts and one larger one right below his belly button. He was up and walking the day after his surgery. Slowly but still walking. He also had an epidural for his pain.

[oren1031]

Sounds like a greate device is it that good?
Im from israel and its realy new here...