Hi,
Totally new to this. In June 2016 I finally bit the bullet to have my constant bleeding looked into. The first colonoscopy discovered my colon was 70% blocked and this was causing the bleeding. The biopsy was inconclusive as the scan only showed what could be inside that part. Moved my care to the best colorectal hospital here in Turkey where I live and work with my family. The care was totally amazing! The surgeons operated on what they thought would take an hour but in the end took four and a half hours of digging, probing, cutting. They removed 22 cm of colon and the large tumour that was nestled between my colon, bladder and spine.
Being in Turkey I found the information initially a bit hit and miss. Up until the fifth day after surgery was the first time the surgeon informed me of the presence of malignant cancer. Subsequent scans found it was a very rare Squarmous Cell Carcinoma of the colon. The doctor insisted that he 'got everything but we need to treat with either radio or chemotherapy any of the microscopic leftovers. Eventually it wasn't as easy as one dose of chemo and off I go. I'm now in my 3rd cycle of 8 cycles. 1st day, IV then 14 days oral.
I''m pretty strong and even feel that I don't belong in the chemo lounge surrounded by so many suffering so badly. I haven't lost any hair, not much weight loss and the nausea etc is minimal. The stomach after food is horrible with gas and constant but small bowel movements. The worse thing is the neuropathy and in winter here in Turkey it's almost unbearable.
Have had great support from family anf frienda all over the world. Some of them setting up a GoFundMe page to keep the financial stress at bay.
I've always been a bit of an adventurer globally and spend my time painting and showing people around the WW1 battlefield of Gallipoli here in Turkey. People seem to look at cancer from the outside as something of a death sentence. Me, well I've looked at it as just one more life adventure. albeit an unpleasant one.
I feel that faking it and keeping positive even on the worse days is good for me and my family.
I wish you all the best of luck on your own 'adventures', some of us will come out the other side, others sadly will not. My thoughts go out to all of you. Great to meet so many survivors!
Cheers,
Roachie - The Gallipoli Artist
Thanks for adding me, so many questions answered here
Thanks for adding me, so many questions answered here
Not sure of the jargon and acronyms but...
Diagnosed with Squarmous Cell Carcinoma of the colon, apparently quite rare.
Had open surgery to remove a large tumour nestled between my colon, bladder and spine in Sept 2016.
Undergoing 8 cycles of chemo.... IV on first day then 14 days oral. Currnetly in cycle no.3
Surgeon states all the bad things gone, some lymphatic effect and removed before metatsis.
All looks good but with Turkish as a second language I do end up dealing with the odd surprise.
Diagnosed with Squarmous Cell Carcinoma of the colon, apparently quite rare.
Had open surgery to remove a large tumour nestled between my colon, bladder and spine in Sept 2016.
Undergoing 8 cycles of chemo.... IV on first day then 14 days oral. Currnetly in cycle no.3
Surgeon states all the bad things gone, some lymphatic effect and removed before metatsis.
All looks good but with Turkish as a second language I do end up dealing with the odd surprise.
-
DarknessEmbraced
- Posts: 3817
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
- Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
- Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Re: Thanks for adding me, so many questions answered here
I'm glad your chemo is going well!*hugs* You have a wonderful attitude! 
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured!
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured!
Re: Thanks for adding me, so many questions answered here
Welcome, to the best club you never wanted to join. I found this place when I was in the hospital after my surgery, it's a blessing.
Hope your chemo goes well!
Hope your chemo goes well!
Vomiting and blockage 9/19/16 46 y F
R hemi colectomy 9/20/16
Stage 3 B CRC, located in cecum
3 out of 16 lymph nodes positive
perineural invasion/lymphovascular invasion
infiltrating, mod differentiated adenocarcinoma with a mucinous component
separate tumor nodules present in pericolonic adipose tissue
MSI-high
Baseline PET scan clear 9/16 CEA 0.5
FOLFOX 10/16- 3/17
April 16th, CT scan clear. CEA 1.1
Lynch "inconclusive"
Colonoscopy 10/5/2017 clear
R hemi colectomy 9/20/16
Stage 3 B CRC, located in cecum
3 out of 16 lymph nodes positive
perineural invasion/lymphovascular invasion
infiltrating, mod differentiated adenocarcinoma with a mucinous component
separate tumor nodules present in pericolonic adipose tissue
MSI-high
Baseline PET scan clear 9/16 CEA 0.5
FOLFOX 10/16- 3/17
April 16th, CT scan clear. CEA 1.1
Lynch "inconclusive"
Colonoscopy 10/5/2017 clear
Re: Thanks for adding me, so many questions answered here
Welcome, sorry for the reason you are here. You will find a wealth of information ans support here.
You have a great attitude, it will take you far
All the best,
Lee
You have a great attitude, it will take you far
All the best,
Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!
Re: Thanks for adding me, so many questions answered here
Welcome, sorry you had to find us but glad you did.
You will find so much knowledge and support here. I am so glad your chemo seems to be going well.
Your positive attitude is great, try and hang onto it, it will serve you well through this journey.
I will add you to my prayer list
You will find so much knowledge and support here. I am so glad your chemo seems to be going well.
Your positive attitude is great, try and hang onto it, it will serve you well through this journey.
I will add you to my prayer list
41 yrs old
Tumor found 9/2015
Surgery 1 - 11/2015 LAR and colostomy
Surgery 2 - 11/2015 wound vac
Surgery 3 - 12/2015 revise resection, move colostomy
Mets to liver - tumor inoperable - one add'l met destroyed
Stage IVa (T3 N2a M1a)
Primary tumor 9 cm x 7.5 cm x 2 cm
Beginning Folfox 1/2016 - Failed
Beginning Folfiri and vectibix 8/2016 — Failed
Beginning Folfirinox + Avastin 11/2016 - Failed
Beginning Keytruda 1/2017
CEA drop from 345 to 7.3 after starting immunotherapy
Lynch positive 3/2016
Tumor found 9/2015
Surgery 1 - 11/2015 LAR and colostomy
Surgery 2 - 11/2015 wound vac
Surgery 3 - 12/2015 revise resection, move colostomy
Mets to liver - tumor inoperable - one add'l met destroyed
Stage IVa (T3 N2a M1a)
Primary tumor 9 cm x 7.5 cm x 2 cm
Beginning Folfox 1/2016 - Failed
Beginning Folfiri and vectibix 8/2016 — Failed
Beginning Folfirinox + Avastin 11/2016 - Failed
Beginning Keytruda 1/2017
CEA drop from 345 to 7.3 after starting immunotherapy
Lynch positive 3/2016
-
Maggie Nell
- Posts: 1151
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2015 1:57 am
- Location: Central Highlands, Victoria, Oz
Re: Thanks for adding me, so many questions answered here
Good to hear that the medical services in Turkey are tip top.
May the spirits of the ANZACs be with you and keep your powder dry.
May the spirits of the ANZACs be with you and keep your powder dry.
DX April 2015, @ 54
35mm poorly diff. tumour, incidental finding following emergency R. hemicolectomy
for ileo-colic intussusception.
Lymph nodes: 0/22
T3 N0 MX
Stage II CRC, no adjuvant chemo required.
35mm poorly diff. tumour, incidental finding following emergency R. hemicolectomy
for ileo-colic intussusception.
Lymph nodes: 0/22
T3 N0 MX
Stage II CRC, no adjuvant chemo required.
Re: Thanks for adding me, so many questions answered here
Thanksfor all the kind words of support. 4th cycle begins tomorrow, not looking forward to the pinsand needles again ces't la vie. Thanks for your Anzac reference, it's what keeps my mind off throwing poison into your body. lol
Not sure of the jargon and acronyms but...
Diagnosed with Squarmous Cell Carcinoma of the colon, apparently quite rare.
Had open surgery to remove a large tumour nestled between my colon, bladder and spine in Sept 2016.
Undergoing 8 cycles of chemo.... IV on first day then 14 days oral. Currnetly in cycle no.3
Surgeon states all the bad things gone, some lymphatic effect and removed before metatsis.
All looks good but with Turkish as a second language I do end up dealing with the odd surprise.
Diagnosed with Squarmous Cell Carcinoma of the colon, apparently quite rare.
Had open surgery to remove a large tumour nestled between my colon, bladder and spine in Sept 2016.
Undergoing 8 cycles of chemo.... IV on first day then 14 days oral. Currnetly in cycle no.3
Surgeon states all the bad things gone, some lymphatic effect and removed before metatsis.
All looks good but with Turkish as a second language I do end up dealing with the odd surprise.
Re: Thanks for adding me, so many questions answered here
Roachie, my Grandad was at Gallipoli with the Lancashire Fusiliers. He passed away when I was thirteen, but I was told he said that having survived the landing, being pinned down at Gallipoli saved him from the Western Front. Not that he had any choice in the matter, but somehow he managed to survive it all.
I found during infusion that slowing down the drip rate of the oxaliplatin and increasing the drip rate of diluting saline solution helped. Also when the pins and needles in my arm got too much, I had them switch the drip to the other arm and that really helped.
I found during infusion that slowing down the drip rate of the oxaliplatin and increasing the drip rate of diluting saline solution helped. Also when the pins and needles in my arm got too much, I had them switch the drip to the other arm and that really helped.
Peter, age 65 at dx
DX 4 cm x 4 cm very low rectal adenocarcinoma into the sphincters 01/15
Stage III T3 N1 M0 with two suspicious lymph nodes
26 sessions IMRT radiation with 1,000 mg Xeloda twice per day 03/15 to 04/15
Complete clincal response to the chemoradiation...the tumor shrank completely away 06/15
No surgery...Habr-Gama watch and wait protocol instead
Xelox chemotherapy 07/15-12/15
MRI and rectal exam every three months starting 07/15
MRI and rectal exam every six months starting 07/17
NED
DX 4 cm x 4 cm very low rectal adenocarcinoma into the sphincters 01/15
Stage III T3 N1 M0 with two suspicious lymph nodes
26 sessions IMRT radiation with 1,000 mg Xeloda twice per day 03/15 to 04/15
Complete clincal response to the chemoradiation...the tumor shrank completely away 06/15
No surgery...Habr-Gama watch and wait protocol instead
Xelox chemotherapy 07/15-12/15
MRI and rectal exam every three months starting 07/15
MRI and rectal exam every six months starting 07/17
NED
-
WriterGirl1969
- Posts: 524
- Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2016 3:48 pm
- Location: Central NY
Re: Thanks for adding me, so many questions answered here
Hi Roachie. Glad you found this group, sorry you had to. But you will find lots of info here, as you say.
First, for your Neuropathy, check out this thread where everyone is talking about a topical cream that appears to be giving relief: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=56876
Second - don't feel bad having a good reaction and doing well. Yes, it's true, some in treatment don't do as well, so you can feel great that you're one of the people who can handle it okay. No guilt needed.
I feel that same as you that keeping up a positive face was best for both family and myself. It's wonderful that you can do that. Keep the faith and keep us posted.
Hugs and Prayers,
Tracy
First, for your Neuropathy, check out this thread where everyone is talking about a topical cream that appears to be giving relief: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=56876
Second - don't feel bad having a good reaction and doing well. Yes, it's true, some in treatment don't do as well, so you can feel great that you're one of the people who can handle it okay. No guilt needed.
I feel that same as you that keeping up a positive face was best for both family and myself. It's wonderful that you can do that. Keep the faith and keep us posted.
Hugs and Prayers,
Tracy
DX 3/4/2016 Colon Cancer; age 46 Mom of then 4-yr-old
Stage IIIB: T3N1M0
3/31/16 Surgery
4 to 10/2016: Xeloda Monotherapy
CEA: 10/16 0.56, 1/17 0.54
CT CLEAR: 3/6/17; 4/17/18; 4/16/19
NED 3 years
“If I can help somebody as I walk along, then my living shall not be in vain.”
Stage IIIB: T3N1M0
3/31/16 Surgery
4 to 10/2016: Xeloda Monotherapy
CEA: 10/16 0.56, 1/17 0.54
CT CLEAR: 3/6/17; 4/17/18; 4/16/19
NED 3 years
“If I can help somebody as I walk along, then my living shall not be in vain.”
-
Maggie Nell
- Posts: 1151
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2015 1:57 am
- Location: Central Highlands, Victoria, Oz
Re: Thanks for adding me, so many questions answered here
Behold in me the birth of luck, two charms combined:
TOUCHWOOD - FUMSUP.
My head is made of wood most rare, my thumbs turn up to touch me there.
To speed my feet they've Cupid's wings; they'll help true love 'mongst other things.
...I'll bring good luck to all away- just send me to a friend to-day."
Swiped from
http://www.3squadron.org.au/
DX April 2015, @ 54
35mm poorly diff. tumour, incidental finding following emergency R. hemicolectomy
for ileo-colic intussusception.
Lymph nodes: 0/22
T3 N0 MX
Stage II CRC, no adjuvant chemo required.
35mm poorly diff. tumour, incidental finding following emergency R. hemicolectomy
for ileo-colic intussusception.
Lymph nodes: 0/22
T3 N0 MX
Stage II CRC, no adjuvant chemo required.
Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 291 guests