Thank you for the help and insight you've already given. My sweet husband is strengthening so much to be ready for the 9/19 surgery next week. The surgeon will remove tumor (and lymph nodes? how do I know? idk) and says will try to do a J-pouch or D-pouch with a yet-to-be decided type of ostomy. Surgeon says he is trying to save enough muscle in the rectum to make a reversal possible. Then, you all know the deal - harsher chemo via a port one month after surgery.
QUESTION
My husband (and now I) am wondering if he really has cancer. So, since the oncology practice can't make our info portal work, I called and asked for all labwork. I've got the labwork and am oddly hoping to see some confirmation of cancer. So odd - never thought I'd say that. I don't see anything. I was looking for that CEA marker (still am going through it all but not finding) and can't find.
How do I know the tumor is cancerous? Are doctors just making observations to determine cancer at this juncture? Do I call the doctor who did the colonoscopy? I'm not even sure that doctor took a specimen.
Thank you for answering my stupid question,
Cynthia