Hi folks,
First-time poster! I wanted to start by expressing how grateful I am for this wonderful site and its even more wonderful members. Your knowledge, advice and bravery are what have kept me sane over the past couple of weeks, and I am sure will continue to do so in the weeks/months (/years?) to come. I hope in turn I will be able to provide hope for others in the future.
So after many, many years of undiagnosed ~stomach~ issues (extreme nausea, bloating etc) I ended up in hospital with severe anaemia. A colonoscopy revealed a 5x5cm malignant tumour and a few days later, I underwent a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. Surgeon said they got everything and that was 7 days ago. Happy to report that I am back home now and recovering well, minus that horrible bloating
Today I received my surgical pathology report: T3N2MX (although CTs didn't show anything on my liver or lungs), moderately differentiated. I guess that means stage 3b?
I have my first appointment with the local Oncologist in a weeks' time to discuss the results and next steps in my treatment plan however I am expecting to move back to Europe for chemo to be closer to family, and will sadly be leaving my DH here in the Middle East where we are living and working currently. We got married a week before I ended up in hosp..poor guy! Explains why I felt so crappy on our wedding day! So anyway, my medical team will be changing soon.
In the meantime and whilst I am recovering from surgery before I fly to Europe, I want to find out as much as I can from the Surgeon, Onc & team here so am hoping for your help with a list of questions / tests I should be asking for? And I guess any other advice in general?
I am only 28 and right now don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. I have no family history of cancer, non-smoker/drinker, slim and eat relatively healthy. Pre surgical CEA was 1.11, CA19-9 was 3.7, if that's important.
Love and prayers to all, and thank you!