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New here

Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2021 4:01 pm
by Ravrita
I’ve had weird symptoms for months. I also had a period for months. Went to primary care dr March 1st, got a referral for colonoscopy based on symptoms (wasn’t 50 yet) and for gyno. Went to gyno first, had iud removed which ended the 3 month period. Family members were diagnosed with covid so hx quarantine and cancel first gastro visit. More family members were diagnosed a week later, so longer quarantine. Then I had to cancel colonoscopy scheduled for work related reason. Finally had it done May 17. Thought for sure my problems were ibs related. Nope. Found a mass which came back cancer. Had ct that saw some “lesions” on liver and lungs that may or may not be anything. Have appt with surgeon on Tuesday. I’m so scared and struggling bad with anxiety. Please pray I’m not stage 4 and can be cured with just surgery. Also if you’re in Northern Va area any surgical or medical referrals appreciated. Thank you and thankful a place like this exists for information. I just found this today and feel completely overwhelmed, sometimes paralyzed by fear.

Re: New here

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:33 pm
by Green Tea
Best Hospitals for Colon Cancer Surgery in Virginia
https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/va/colon-cancer-surgery

Re: New here

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:52 pm
by roadrunner
To try to answer your questions, or at least help you frame them optimally, we will need more specific information. For example, what was found on colonoscopy? Was it a rectal mass or in the colon (treatment is very different)? What size and location? Looks like your GI did a biopsy. If so, what did the pathology report reveal? What kind of “lesions” were found on the liver and lungs? What size? Were they characterized in any way by the radiologist or your doctors? That kind of thing. You can get an idea of the basic information by looking at member “signatures” (info at the bottom of the posts). It’s helpful to do a good signature once you have information, but just the above right now would be a good start I think. Others may suggest other questions.

Re: New here

Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2021 12:35 am
by Green Tea
Ravrita wrote:... Have appt with surgeon on Tuesday. I’m so scared and struggling bad with anxiety...

Good luck with your meeting with the surgeon today. When you get a chance, let us know what you find out.

First meeting with the surgeon
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=60747&p=481109#p481109

How to find a Board Certified surgeon in your area
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=52349&p=410280#p410280

NCCN Guidelines - Rectal Cancer vs. Colon Cancer

Re: New here

Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2021 6:25 pm
by boxhill
If you don't have a copy of the reports for the colonoscopy and scan, or online access to them, you should contact the doctors and get copies/access ASAP. Check and see if your GI has a patient portal. With that information in hand you can formulate good questions for the surgeon and for us, and do worthwhile research online. I have found that doctors tend to tailor the information they give to the patient's apparent level of knowledge and interest in acquiring knowledge.

No one comes into this well-informed. Don't worry, you are already ahead of the game by coming to a place like this.

Re: New here

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 10:44 am
by crikklekay
Hello, fellow Virginian! I'm unfortunately in the Richmond area so I can't share any recommendations, but I completely understand struggling with anxiety. It looks likely that my DH has a liver reoccurrence, though we don't have a biopsy to confirm yet. I've had bad test/scanxiety ever since he went into remission, scared about this possibility, and now I have moments where all I feel like I can do is curl into a ball and try to remember to breathe (I currently work from home so I'm alone most of the time, this does not help at all). My best advice is not to Google anything, I've been researching a few things today and it has made my anxiety so much worse. What does help is reading the signatures of those who have been NED for a while. I can't find the one for stage 4 right now, but here is stage 3: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10574

Seeing people with similar experiences who have been in remission for a while always gives me hope, and I hope it will help you as well. <3

Re: New here

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:31 pm
by Green Tea
crikklekay wrote:... What does help is reading the signatures of those who have been NED for a while. I can't find the one for stage 4 right now... but here is stage 3: https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10574

Seeing people with similar experiences who have been in remission for a while always gives me hope, and I hope it will help you as well. <3

crikklekay -

Here are some Stage 4/mCRC signatures for you to read in your spare time ...


Re: New here

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2021 9:53 am
by DarknessEmbraced
I'm sorry for your diagnosis.*hugs* I hope your cancer was caught early and that your surgery goes well.*hugs* I hope the lesions are benign.