Second opinion

[Adezroz]

Hi my name is Debbie this last week I had a colonoscopy that showed a malignant tumor in segmoid colon partially blocking at the emergency hospital I had gone to for a stomach ache the week before showed some three nodes to lungs a lesion on liver I am waiting for pathology report and I am scared to death I don't understand why the report is taking so long the colonoscopy doc said in a few days now I am told two weeks should I schedule appts to some cancer hospitals

[H is for Hawk]

If logistics allow, getting a second opinion at a top national cancer center, such as Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson, Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, Stanford, Dana Farber and others would be advisable.

[chrissyrice]

Agree.... while you are waiting for final results, start looking for the best care in your surrounding area.

A National Cancer Institute (NCI) will usually offer the best care and surgical experts with Colon Cancer.

You want to have a Board Certified Colorectal Surgeon Medical Oncology.

Glad you came to the Colon Club Talk first for some help ... lots of support here and first bad ass experience.

If you are not at risk for bowel rupture or blockage right now you have time to look around for the best care.

Good luck and other will be by to help as well.

Chrissy

[jhocno197]

Depending on where you are, pathology can take a while to come back.

[kirac]

Yes, get a second opinion. It's not so much a second opinion on what you have but how to treat. The cancer hospitals and research centers have access to more types of treatment. You only have one shot at treatment and the farther along you are, the less room you have for any delay or things that you wish you could have done differently.

[turtle]

Debbie, you will want to start looking into clinical trials, because you are stage IV, like me. The life expectancy for people like us is short. I can help you find clinical trials, if you want. I understand the SHOCK of the news of having metastatic cancer. Warm hugs.

[Adezroz]

Yes I would like any ideas clinical trials any suggestions would be much appreciated I am helping my daughter raise my granddaughter and she needs me for most of my grandchildren I am their only grandma I gotta stick around awhile I am really scared

[BeansMama]

My GI doc also said a few days for results and it took a few weeks to actually get them. It was incredibly frustrating.

I'm sorry you have had to find us but glad you did. You will find support and a wealth of information here.

I wouldn't pay attention to the survival statistics, they include people with other underlying conditions as well as people who opt not to seek treatment so they are not exactly accurate. It is my belief that we make our own statistics and maintaining a positive attitude makes a huge difference.

I would start researching and looking for top notch care now, don't wait. Make sure if surgery is recommended you go to a board certified colorectal surgeon. Find the best care that you can.

I know how hard the wait is, we all do. You may have to wait for those results for a second opinion but it doesn't hurt to try. Have you tried calling the office of the doctor that did your colonoscopy to inquire about the status of your pathology report?

I will add you to my prayer list. We are here to help when you need it.

[turtle]

OK Debbie. I just sent you a private message through this forum with a question in it, to help you find trials. If I don't hear back from you by private message in the forum, I will try to contact you again.

[rmblack]

I got a second opinion at MD Anderson and I think everyone should go for a second opinion. What does it hurt? It just validates if you are on the right track or if there are other options you need to consider.

[rp1954]

....malignant tumor in segmoid colon partially blocking at the emergency hospital I had gone to for a stomach ache the week before showed some three nodes to lungs a lesion on liver

Deja vu, plus some extras beyond this too.

While we were out arranging multiple opinions and interviews, we immediately administered "first aid", as high dose cimetidine, low carb diet, and parts of several immune boosting supplement regimes including from Life Extension protocols to prepare for surgery and then chemo with great success. Pre-op preparations can change the situation, radically.

Here's one summary with important links on our actions, initial reading, and priorities, for what is the highly fatal kind of colon cancer. Today, so early in the game, you have some good possibilities for "first aid" in the weeks before surgery. These first steps enabled us to sort them and beat the standard odds, greatly, more reliably, and cheaper.

[Thetoad]

Yes, these survival statistics! I'm still obsessed with these numbers to the point when I suspect my Dr is getting a little tired of my repetitive questions. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if someone with cancer dies in an accident before the 5 year period, are they then considered a non survivor even though the cancer was not the cause? I have stopped consulting Dr Google (almost) as it makes me even more confused. Best wishes to all.