Single Mom, Newly Diagnosed, Need Support

[Green Tea]

...I also checked that link to Hershey. Interestingly, only one of the docs that I am using is listed. There are others not listed, so I'm not sure if that is a list that is regularly updated?

I don't know the answer to your question. Maybe the others are listed under a different category. Here's a list of all the doctors at Hershey listed in alphabetical order:
All doctors

[roadrunner]

It sounds like the GI doctor made a judgment based on experience and imaging that there are likely cancer cells within the polyp. The biopsy taken during a colonoscopy generally only samples the surface. A low percentage of tubovillous adenomas contain cancer, but that percentage goes up as they get larger. There’s no way to know for sure until it’s removed and subjected to a full pathological work up, though. At least that’s the way I understand this.

[CherieCM]

Hello Single Mom. My story is so similar to yours, and ended up brilliantly. I had ongoing diarrhea consulted my dr, was initially diagnosed with diary intolerance but cutting out dairy over 3 months did not fix my symptoms. Went for a colonoscopy to (I thought) exclude IB. The GI specialist who did it told me bluntly that there was good news and bad news. Good news: it went well. Bad news:found a large cancerous tumour in my mid proximal transverse colon and I would need surgery and chemo. To say I was shocked was an understatement.and this was 5 days before Christmas last year. Biopsied 7 sites, all reported as tubulovillous ademona. But GI and Colorectal surgeon sure it was cancerous and had to come out anyhow. Had an Extended Right Hemicolectomy. Tumor 5.5x 3.5 x 1.7cm. Confirmed as giant Tubulovillis ademona with low grade displaysia after anxious wait.Lymph nodes all clear. Fully recovered within 3 months, life is normal. May you be so lucky, too.

[Green Tea]

... Now is the time to lean on your family. Be very clear with your family about what you need. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Most people want to help but don't know how to help...

I agree with utahgal7. If you need support right now, you could start with your extended family and your circle of friends. There may also be some cancer support organizations in Dauphin County that could suggest some possibilities. Some of the organizations, however, have cut back on home-visit operations due to COVID risks and confinement.For example, the ACS program offering free rides to hospitals has been put on hold due to COVID risk to volunteer drivers.

If you have specific needs for support for the January time-frame maybe you could describe your specific needs and someone here might have some suggestions.

Setting up a support team -- Five forms of support
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45375&p=328615#p328615

[kartusch]

Hello Single Mom. My story is so similar to yours, and ended up brilliantly. I had ongoing diarrhea consulted my dr, was initially diagnosed with diary intolerance but cutting out dairy over 3 months did not fix my symptoms. Went for a colonoscopy to (I thought) exclude IB. The GI specialist who did it told me bluntly that there was good news and bad news. Good news: it went well. Bad news:found a large cancerous tumour in my mid proximal transverse colon and I would need surgery and chemo. To say I was shocked was an understatement.and this was 5 days before Christmas last year. Biopsied 7 sites, all reported as tubulovillous ademona. But GI and Colorectal surgeon sure it was cancerous and had to come out anyhow. Had an Extended Right Hemicolectomy. Tumor 5.5x 3.5 x 1.7cm. Confirmed as giant Tubulovillis ademona with low grade displaysia after anxious wait.Lymph nodes all clear. Fully recovered within 3 months, life is normal. May you be so lucky, too.

Oh THANK YOU for this!! This does sound extremely similar to my story and the closest one I have come across. I absolutely take solace in your story. May I ask, was EMR/ESD ever discussed with you? Did you pursue treatment at a second/third/cancer-specialized facility?

[kartusch]

... Now is the time to lean on your family. Be very clear with your family about what you need. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Most people want to help but don't know how to help...

I agree with utahgal7. If you need support right now, you could start with your extended family and your circle of friends. There may also be some cancer support organizations in Dauphin County that could suggest some possibilities. Some of the organizations, however, have cut back on home-visit operations due to COVID risks and confinement.For example, the ACS program offering free rides to hospitals has been put on hold due to COVID risk to volunteer drivers.

If you have specific needs for support for the January time-frame maybe you could describe your specific needs and someone here might have some suggestions.

Setting up a support team -- Five forms of support
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45375&p=328615#p328615

My family scenario is a bit complicated. The "father" of my daughter has not been around since I was pregnant. My mom is facing a lot of issues right now including dementia which has my dad tied up as well. So that leaves my sister who helps when she can. I guess COVID is the real disappointment right now, as the friends nearby who want to help (hand out with my daughter, spend time with me) can not because of the risk. I am getting friendly text messages and offers for phone calls but again, it's just me and my daughter every second of every day (and she is GREAT!), but she is 7.

I've reached out to two separate therapist offices for intakes but turns out COVID has made those waiting lists super long right now. Fingers crossed one of them will come through soon. I have also reached out to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance for a buddy and am still waiting on that to come through too.

A whole lot of waiting. And a whole lot of alone time. Lately I've just decided to pretend that everything is totally OK and trying to get swept up in holiday stuff more than ever. I don't feel like there's much else I can do until January 7th (EMR/ESD day). Anybody have any good suggestions for making it through the wait?

[utahgal7]

Kartusch,

The waiting is hard. Try to find something enjoyable to distract yourself from worrying. I don't know what you enjoy doing. For me, I enjoy movies. My sister loves yoga and it has helped her immensely with anxiety. Exercise is good. Mindful meditation is useful. Anything that you can do that you can distract yourself is key. Just find an activity and do it.

[Green Tea]

... Anybody have any good suggestions for making it through the wait?

There are a couple of things you can do before January 7th that could make a difference for you on this Forum if you intend to remain active here.

• Begin using the PM system here - Now that you have been promoted to Regular Member status you have additional privileges and your posts will appear immediately without having to wait for moderator review. In addition, you have Private Messaging (PM) privileges so you can now discuss sensitive topics with other members here within the PM system without posting sensitive content on the main board.
  
  So, you could spend a little time now posting a few more messages, for example a message expressing your concerns about the upcoming EMS procedure, or a message describing your understanding of the differences between EMS and ESD procedures for the benefit of other readers here.
  
  Or you could send PMs to certain members to discuss sensitive issues in private, if you so desire.
  .
• Create a signature - There are instructions here for creating a 512 character signature, but if you don't have time to trim your first post down to 512 characters, then you can use an alternative suggested by CRguy, namely putting a link to your first post in your signature block. If you are interested in doing it this way instead of drafting a custom signature, you can do it in two steps.
  
  
  1. First, select and Copy the two lines below so that these two lines are in your paste buffer.
     
     My journey so far:
     https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=65109&p=506529#p506529
     .
     
  2. Second, click on the link below to open the Edit Signature page, then place your cursor inside the text region and execute your Paste command. (If you have an extended keyboard, you can use <Ctrl> V to paste). If not, just use the normal way you paste with your type of device.
     
     https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/ucp.php?i=ucp_profile&mode=signature
     
     Then you can Preview and Submit your signature by clicking on the relevant keys at the bottom of the form.
     
     Once this is done and Submitted, then people will be able to see your first-post summary by clicking on the link in your signature without having to scroll back and forth to find it