Another Newbie

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C2WAVE2
Posts: 25
Joined: Sun Apr 23, 2017 3:22 pm

Another Newbie

Postby C2WAVE2 » Thu Apr 27, 2017 5:37 am

Hi,
Thanks to the creator, and those that participate on this board.
I found it very useful so far..and comforting to see a lot of success
stories

I just starting my journey, and will post my story so
far, if anybody has any comments, suggestions whatever, please respond, thanks

I'm 55 male that had some rectal bleeding, so went to get it checked out.

4/13/17 got my first colonoscopy, they found a mass that is 10-15 cm from
anus, I think it 5 cm long. I think it very close to the border of the rectum and simoid colon,if I'm
getting my info straight..


4/24/17 Went for 2nd Colonoscopy for surgeon to look at, measure, mark.get a better sample
He said biopsy confirmed it is cancer.

Getting Blood test for
CBC, CEA, BMP, Prealbumin, Albumin

Getting CT of Chest and Abdomen

Getting MRI of Pelvis w/contrast , should get results by end of next week

DR says, depending on Results, I may need Radiation and Chemo first before surgery,
that would postpone surgery, 5-8 weeks, but if not will have surgery in 3 weeks.
He said he will have install a temporary bag so things can heal up and no have problems..

That's where I'm at, still researching,thanks again for all the great info here..
Good luck to all that's battling..

Chuck

JesaWicked
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 2:20 pm

Re: Another Newbie

Postby JesaWicked » Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:58 am

Hi chuck! I just wanted to say good luck on your journey. I'm also a newly diagnosed newbie. I had to get a bag installed as well for the obstruction. It definitely is something to get used to but it's not so bad right now. It got rid of my stomach pains so that's a plus. I'll be reading your updates on your journey. :)

Again good luck!
Female, age 33, mom of a 3 year old
03/16/17 - DX CC stage IV SRCC age 32
(mets: Abdominal)
04/06/17 - Ileostomy Loop
04/27/17 - FOLFIRI (x6)

benben
Posts: 324
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:18 pm
Location: Washington State

Re: Another Newbie

Postby benben » Sat Apr 29, 2017 10:36 am

Hi Chuck,

I'm Newbie as well.
It's a tough pill to swallow that's for sure.

The location of your tumor and size of tumor was very similar to my own. I had a 3.9 by 1.5 inch tumor that was mostly in the sigmoid colon, but also went down the rectum slightly.
I had a second scope done by my surgeon who took margins and put a tattoo on the inside of my colon to mark where to cut.
I had surgery prior to chemo, which I have yet to start. Med port is to be installed next week. I'm already looking forward to 6 months from now when chemo is done and I haven't even started.
Obviously they should be able to learn more about your exact tumor locations with CT/MRI. I was lucky in that I had surgery prior to chemo and the surgeon was able to do a resection of the colon to the rectum without temp ostomy.
I lost a couple inches of rectum and now have much smaller and frequent bowel movements. I'm just 12 days out of surgery, so hoping to see improvement on that. I had a total of 8 inches of colon/rectum removed and the left side colon was detached and moved closer to center of stomach and attached to rectum with staples.

Good luck in the battle Chuck. Stay strong.
----------------------
3/29/17 diagnosed CRC - 44 y/o Male
4/17/17 ULAR - Straight anastomosis - no ostomy.
Path: low grade T3n1m0 - moderate diff.
KRAS - NO, MLH1/PMS2/MSH6/MSH2 - Normal.
5/3 med port install
5/22 folfox - first treatment.
3rd treat, delayed - low ANC - reduced to 90% OXI
zarxio all treats
Treat 7 - 75% OXI
Treats 8-12 - NO OXI, Luke & 5FU
10/20/17 CT- NED
3/18 Scope - Clean
11/8 PORT OUT!
7/22 CT - NED (5 years!)

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Another Newbie

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Sat Apr 29, 2017 4:43 pm

Welcome and sorry for the reason you're here!*hugs* I hope your scans and MRI go well! I'm glad you will get answers soon!
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! :)

User avatar
WriterGirl1969
Posts: 524
Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2016 3:48 pm
Location: Central NY

Re: Another Newbie

Postby WriterGirl1969 » Sat Apr 29, 2017 8:28 pm

Welcome Chuck, Jesa AND BenBen, so sorry you had to come and find us, but so glad that you did. After my diagnosis and while waiting for more information I felt very powerless. The people on this site were a saving grace for me. The information they provided about not just my disease but the treatments, along with the advice and perspective they offered helped give me some of my power back. It's not an easy road, and it can be scary as hell, but we're here for you and we get it. We've been there. There's lots of hope to be shared here, so drink deep of it.

For those of you with pending surgery, please make sure you will have a *certified colo-rectal surgeon* and not just a general surgeon. That advice is one that you will see echoed over and over, and with good reason. If you can do it, get your treatment at a major cancer center. If you can't, consider going to one at least once, and let them coordinate treatment with your local providers. And if you can't do either of those, at the very least, be informed. Make informed decisions. Remember that they are *your* decisions ultimately, and don't let yourself be talked into something if you feel it is not right. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to demand good care. Find doctors you feel good about. And most of all, try to avoid Dr. Google. He's often wrong or outdated. And don't forget to breathe. Day by day, bit by bit, some normalcy will creep back in.

Keep us posted on test results and updates, and don't be afraid to ask questions. It's what we're here for. :)

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.”

Aqx99
Posts: 403
Joined: Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:28 am
Facebook Username: aqx99
Location: Pfafftown, NC

Re: Another Newbie

Postby Aqx99 » Sun Apr 30, 2017 5:51 am

Welcome,

I am a little bit ahead of you in this journey. Tuesday will be my last day of chemoradiation. Then on June 14th my colorectal surgeon will be performing a robotic low anterior resection. Two weeks after my surgery I go in to see my medical oncologist about chemotherapy. She said most likely I will be on infusions and the pill (I'm guessing the CAPEOX regimen), the analysis of my tumor will determine the treatment.

Every person is different in how they react to the treatment, but I will gladly share my experiences. I've been lucky, I haven't really had any side effects from the capecitabine (chemo pill). I've had a few days when I needed to force myself to eat due to lack of appetite, but other than that it has been smooth sailing.

The main side effect that has bothered me with the radiation had been the sensitivity in the treatment area. I had to switch from belts to suspenders, because the fabric pulled tight against my backside was excruciating. Any pressure on that area hurts, so no more laying on my back to sleep or sitting back in chairs for me. I haven't experienced any sort of radiation burns.

The other main issue I have had to deal with is running the spectrum with bowel movements. I've been back and forth and everywhere inbetween with diarrhea and constipation. My doctors say it could be the tumor, the chemo, the radiation or any combination of the three. I just have to eat according to which issue I am having at the time, and take the proper medicine as needed to clear it up.

All I can do is power through, knowing that every day is a day closer to being cancer free.

Good luck!
Anne, 40
Stage IIIB Rectal Cancer
T3N1bM0
2/21/17 Dx, Age 39
2/21/17 CEA 0.9
3/23/17 - 5/2/17 Chemoradiation, 28 treatments
6/14/17 Robotic LAR w/temp loop ileostomy, ovaries & fallopian tubes removed, 2/21 lymph nodes positive
7/24/17 - 12/18/17 CapeOx, 6 Cycles
7/24/17 Dx w/ovarian cancer
9/6/17 CA 125 11.1
11/27/17 CEA 2.6
12/5/17 CT NED
12/13/17 CEA 2.9
1/11/18 CA 125 8.6
1/23/18 Reversal
3/21/18 CT enlarged thymus
4/6/18 PET NED
7/10/18 CT NED
7/11/18 CEA 2.6
9/18 Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

JesaWicked
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 2:20 pm

Re: Another Newbie

Postby JesaWicked » Sun Apr 30, 2017 8:10 am

WriterGirl1969 wrote:And most of all, try to avoid Dr. Google. He's often wrong or outdated. And don't forget to breathe. Day by day, bit by bit, some normalcy will creep back in.

Keep us posted on test results and updates, and don't be afraid to ask questions. It's what we're here for. :)

Hugs and Prayers,
Tracy

I think that was my problem in the beginning. I Googled everything and it just left me depressed because apparently according to Dr. Google I will have less than a year to live. I now strongly tell my family and friends not to Google anything colon cancer stage 4 lifespan related.
Female, age 33, mom of a 3 year old
03/16/17 - DX CC stage IV SRCC age 32
(mets: Abdominal)
04/06/17 - Ileostomy Loop
04/27/17 - FOLFIRI (x6)

C2WAVE2
Posts: 25
Joined: Sun Apr 23, 2017 3:22 pm

Re: Another Newbie

Postby C2WAVE2 » Sun Apr 30, 2017 2:01 pm

Thanks for the good wishes and hugs, and back at you, It is comforting to hear from others
in or were in the same boat...
My DR is board certified, 17 yrs experience, and specializes in colon surgeries, but not sure if he specifically certified for colon, is there a separate certification for that? So far I'm happy with him, at least explaining things to me, and not rushing
me out of the office..
I had cat scan friday, got a copy of it on CD and, was using dr youtube to try and figure out how to interpret it, need to get back to that,as a lot to take in,
but I should be talking to dr about it next week..
Jesa, Ben Ben ,apx99, take care, I will be tracking your progress, Best of luck.. Chuck
4/24/17. 55yr Male, Dx RC near Retcum/Sigmoid junction
O4/28/17 Ct
O5/04/17 MRI
Prelim. T1 N0 M 0 CEA 3.2
O5/23/17 Surgery, LAR 4.5" incision to remove tumor Temp Ileostomy
6/1/17 Pathology report 6.5 x 4.3 x 1.7 cm tumor, Adenocarcinoma,
Moderately to Poorly Differentiated , 0/27 Lymph, T2N0M0
08/02/17 Ileostomy Reversal

TheSquire
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2017 11:09 am

Re: Another Newbie

Postby TheSquire » Sun Apr 30, 2017 3:36 pm

Thank you, Aqx99. That's helpful information. Could you let us know your status TNM status. Thanks.
Age 53, male. Diagnosed with rectal cancer in lower rectum on 3/21/17. T2, N0, M0. No surgery. Going with Chemo-radiation approach. Started treatment on 4/25/17. Eight 14-day cycles of XelOx. Ended treatment on 11/3/17. Rectal exam and sigmoidoscopy (12/7) shows no tumor/complete response. Now on "watch and wait." Two years out still clear. Dec 2019.

Aqx99
Posts: 403
Joined: Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:28 am
Facebook Username: aqx99
Location: Pfafftown, NC

Re: Another Newbie

Postby Aqx99 » Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:18 pm

I knew there was something I forgot to add to my signature! I am T3N1M0. My surgeon said there were a couple of tiny spots on my lungs, but most likely that is from a past infection. We will be watching them closely.
Anne, 40
Stage IIIB Rectal Cancer
T3N1bM0
2/21/17 Dx, Age 39
2/21/17 CEA 0.9
3/23/17 - 5/2/17 Chemoradiation, 28 treatments
6/14/17 Robotic LAR w/temp loop ileostomy, ovaries & fallopian tubes removed, 2/21 lymph nodes positive
7/24/17 - 12/18/17 CapeOx, 6 Cycles
7/24/17 Dx w/ovarian cancer
9/6/17 CA 125 11.1
11/27/17 CEA 2.6
12/5/17 CT NED
12/13/17 CEA 2.9
1/11/18 CA 125 8.6
1/23/18 Reversal
3/21/18 CT enlarged thymus
4/6/18 PET NED
7/10/18 CT NED
7/11/18 CEA 2.6
9/18 Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

User avatar
WriterGirl1969
Posts: 524
Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2016 3:48 pm
Location: Central NY

Re: Another Newbie

Postby WriterGirl1969 » Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:35 pm

C2WAVE2 wrote:My DR is board certified, 17 yrs experience, and specializes in colon surgeries, but not sure if he specifically certified for colon, is there a separate certification for that?


Yes, absolutely there is.
There are some awesome surgeons out there, but a board certified colo-rectal surgeon does only this kind of surgery, and is the one you want to rely on if they have to make a snap decision having to do with things colon or rectal related. Search on this and see what others have said in other threads. I think it's important enough that I chimed in here. :)

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.”


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