Here We Go... My Surgery Is Scheduled For Oct. 2Nd, Wow.. This Is Really Going To Happen

Yeah, I know, that probably sounds crazy right? I have known for just over 2 months this day would come, but somehow it feels even more real now. And more scary as I listened to the surgeon explain what I would be going through. So it's set for Oct. 2nd.

I got some new info today... some scary and some surprises. The gastrointeroligist who did my colonoscopy had said the tumor was 2 cm. Today I find out it was actually 4 cms. They examined me and said it has shrunk from the radiation but is still there and likely is still cancerous but has shrunk some.

 I also found out my surgery is different from what I thought it would be. The day it was explained to me was the day all the news about what I was facing  was dropped into my lap and I missed some of the info. I will actually be having a ileostomy instead of a coliostomy. The will actually connect everything back after cutting out the tumor. Then they will cut  my small intestines and make a stoma. This is all so new to me... I hadn't read much about ileostomies. The surgeon says it is my best chance for not having to have a permanent colostomy. He said it will give things a much better chance of healing well. He will also be making a J pouch.

 So here we go... ready or not! The doc says it will be a difficult surgery and recovery for me. He is going to install something new into my stomach cavity that releases some type of anesthesia ( I think) there is actually an article on the front page of this site about this new procedure. So hopefully things won't be as bad as I am afraid of.

 Thanks to those who have sent words of encouragment. I keep reminding myself I am only 42 and people who are much older than me have gotten through all this so surely I can too.

Anita

Anita,

 Yes the whole thing is scary as it changes what our "normal" was.  However, get it over with and start on the road to recovery so that by the holidays you will be well on your way to being better and finding your new "normal"

We will all be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.  Like others before you, you too will get through this.  Just think by this time next year, you can be helping some "newbie" out and telling them that, they too, can go through treatment!  Definately not fun, but oh so necessary.

 

Jaynee

Jayne,

U are sooooo right! If I learn nothing else from this or if only a few good things come from this I want more than anything to be one of those people who can help those when they first face this and all the uncertainties. It is so overwelming and scary.

 I want to reach out to others and be the one who helps when someone has needs. I no longer work and probably won't go back at least not a fulltime job. I LOVE to cook and plan to use that gift to help people in my area who are sick and in need. I really want to find the gifts God has given me and put them to use. I want good things to come from the bad. I don't want to suffer in vain.

 I started a myspace page the week I found out about all this. I update my blog weekly when possible. If anyone is interested in more details as to what I am going through you can check it out at www.myspace.com/lifeisworththefight  just send a friend request and I will gladly let u in.

 

Thanks so much..  my mind is tired right now and I can't remember... but weren't u diagnosed a few days after me? if so when will u finish chemo and radiation?

I wish the best for u and everyone else facing this.

Anita

Hi Anita

My name is Diana and I am 45 years old, I was just diagonased with Squamous  Cell Carn on Monday night  went in the hospital for Hemorriod removal and was told I have rectum cancer - wow my entire world has stopped

I have had my PET scan yesterday, but can seem to get into a doctor ( recommended  docotr at Moffitt Cancer cemter ) for 2 weeks, that seems like a long wait?

they are telling me I need surgery prior to any other treatment option? so I am waiting on the surgeon.

I was hoping you could give me some insight of what lays ahead for me and when the tears stop - I cry all the time and can't seem to get a hold of my emotions - I am a very storng person and will fight this battle head on.but can't seem to grasp anything but the fatc I have cancer.

Please knwo my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

kind regards,
Diana

Hi Diana,

I feel your pain and anxiety! believe me I still remember vividly how it felt the day I spoke with the surgeon. What kind of doc diagnosed you? And the surgeon you're going to see is he a specialist? You really need to see a colorectal specialist for surgery. He is the one who gave me the entire plan layout for my care and best chances for a cure. I have gotten more info from him than anyone else at this point. Two weeks does seem like a long time.. I got in in less than a week. BUT I should tell u I have a different kind of Cancer. I have poorly differientied mucin producing andenocarcinoma.. YES a mouthful!  Little did I know when they told me that that the first two words were of great importance. I didn't get REALLY scared until I typed in all 5 words and did a search. I've gotten over the shock now and it's to were I don't cry much anymore... at least not until yesterday when the surgeon gave me al the info.

 I have a my space page that has a weekly blog from the day I was diagnosed until now. You can get the most insight as to what I have been through and what I face there if you're interested. You have to have a myspace account.. but that only takes a few mins. to set up and u don't have to actually set up a page of your own.

 the link is here: www.myspace.com/lifeisworththefight just click on my friend button and I will send u an invite to get in. Or u can email me at

--Message edited by CancerCompass staff. For personal protection, email address removed. Consider private reply. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html--

 I will be more than happy to talk with you about any questions you have. I know I am really just getting started but I do at least have the first 2 months behind me and A LOT has happened in those 2 mths.

 GOOD LUCK TO YOU! and hang in there.. we can beat this!

Hugs

Anita

here is a site I found to be very helpful with info on rectal cancer:

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1994.htm

 

On 9/14/2007 jammerboat wrote:

Hi Anita

My name is Diana and I am 45 years old, I was just diagonased with Squamous  Cell Carn on Monday night  went in the hospital for Hemorriod removal and was told I have rectum cancer - wow my entire world has stopped

I have had my PET scan yesterday, but can seem to get into a doctor ( recommended  docotr at Moffitt Cancer cemter ) for 2 weeks, that seems like a long wait?

they are telling me I need surgery prior to any other treatment option? so I am waiting on the surgeon.

I was hoping you could give me some insight of what lays ahead for me and when the tears stop - I cry all the time and can't seem to get a hold of my emotions - I am a very storng person and will fight this battle head on.but can't seem to grasp anything but the fatc I have cancer.

Please knwo my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

kind regards,
Diana

 Hi Diana,  I too went to get my hemorrhoids removed and was told I have rectal cancer -  I was treated at the Moffitt Cancer Center.  I have been 11/2 cancer free now.  There is plenty of help you can receive at the Moffitt center.  To this day I am receiving help.  I am still learning to cope with my new self.  Every other month I part take in an ostomy support group.  We will be meeting tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.  if you receive this message before then and would like to join us, please let me know.  The group is very supportive and they give much needed information. 

God Bless and Best of Luck. 

Good Luck Anita,

 

Let me know how it goes, I'll be having mine about 5 weeks after you.  I spoke to a lady today that had hers 6 mos. ago and she said it's rough but you get through it.  They will give you meds to keep you comfortable and each day gets better.

Take care,

Terry

Hi Anita, My surgery is scheduled for October 2 also. I, like others, had my rectal cancer discovered during hemorrhoid surgery on May 15. It took several weeks before I had interviewed all of the docs and tried to figure out how to proceed. I had chemo and radiation that ended four and a half weeks ago and the tumor has almost completely resolved according to the Pet scan. The doc is still cautious and serious and that seems odd because the tumor has changed so much. I am having a rectal exam on Tuesday the 25th. I insisted on being sedated (The doc wasn't excited about it, but my hemorrhoid repair is still healing and I don't want to feel him in there looking around. I am proud of myself for taking care of myself. On Thursday we will find out which procedure he feels is best for me. He is a strong personality and I am intending to be treated with compassion and respect. Sometimes it is hard to question doctors, but we need to do it so we understand best we can what is happening. I am grateful to find this group. Up until now, I didn't know anyone else with rectal cancer...to think, I have buddies out there I didn't know about. Are you all aware of any chat rooms for rectal cancer support? I also have a blog where I am recording my experience. I was unable to write (or do much of anything) during chemoradiation and I am just reconnecting. I would love blog visitors: http://magicalcat3733.wordpress.com/ Anita, let's intend that our surgeons are empowered mightily on the 2nd, to flow in their amazing giftedness and put us back together with minimal discomfort. May we and all others overcoming cancer be blesse with comfort and healing at all levels. I wish we would have met in happier circumstances, but I am glad we crossed paths. Whenever I am anxious about my surgery, I am going to think positive thoughts for you and the others. We can do it! Catherine

        Anita,

 

        My journey with rectal cancer began in September of 2005. A colonoscopy revealed a 2 centimeter mass near the sphincter muscle that was causing sharp pain at the bottom area of my spine along with intermittent pain at both hips. It became uncomfortable to sit or lie down with the only relief coming when I stood up. I had a colonoscopy done and we awaited the results. After a week my wife, and wonderful care giver, Debbe, and I received the news that most people dread. The mass was in fact cancerous. I was directed to a local hospital for follow up and treatment. The surgeon met with Debbe and I towards the end of September that year and we began to get the ball rolling. However the radiation and oncology end of the treatment never got underway. One Dr. was on vacation while the other didn’t receive certain paper work. After a biopsy the surgeon informed me that the Dr. that preformed the colonoscopy was generous with the sizing of the mass. In a few short weeks it had doubled in size to 4 centimeters! Unlike the oncology and radiation Dr.’s this tumor was on a fast track with me in its sights!! The call came on a Thursday that I will never forget. Around 11:30 AM the phone rang…….When I answered, it was my surgeon on the other end. I was informed that the MRI showed that the tumor had now penetrated the rectal wall and was likely engaging the prostate which meant that it was out of my surgeon’s expertise and she felt uncomfortable with the operation. Upon hanging up the phone and informing my wife she immediately broke down. She like I realized that after a month we were back at ground zero only this time with a tumor at least twice the size from when we started and rapidly growing. 

      It was at this point of my journey that God stepped in………

       Debbe remembered seeing a Cancer Treatment Centers of America commercial during one of the soaps she watched during the day and had decided to give them a call for some information a few weeks prior to that Thursday. (I never thought I’d be thanking God for the soaps!!) Around 1:30 that same afternoon, a mere 2 hours or so after the heart breaking news we received a phone call from CTCA. It “just happened” that someone had cancelled their appointment for that coming Monday and they could fit me in if I could make it out there!!! Hind sight renders this opportunity as a “no brainer” but at the time we were unsure how to proceed. We didn’t travel much and a trip of 711 miles away was a big step. The person at CTCA was extremely helpful and set up travel arrangements for my wife and I at no charge! It was obvious at that point how we should proceed.

      Whirlwind is the only way I can describe the next few days. They went by in a blur. We were met at the train station by “Angel” the stretch limo driver who put us at ease and shared with us the ins and outs of CTCA as we were being chauffeured to the Country Inn where we would be staying. There are no words to adequately describe the sense of love and hope we felt when we first entered CTCA. From the smiles on the faces of not only the employees but also the patient’s, to the beautiful fish tank to the inspiring survivor tree, all emanate hope. There comes a time in ones life when one feels that there is something special about to happen. This feeling is very deep and personal not unlike ones relationship with God. That is how I felt upon entering CTCA. I was soon to learn that my feelings were most certainly justified. The person that solidified my intent was my surgeon Dr. Sanchez. But first a little humor……

     Please recall that I was experiencing quite a bit of pain to say the least. Needless to say the wonderful people of pain management was first on my list of those to see! (Please note that we had seen another Dr. in Pennsylvania about treatment. Upon entering the room, since there was one chair and a stool, he made Debbe stand as he pulled her stool away from her, turned his back on her, and then proceeded to inform me on issues that Debbe and I were already aware of!!!!!) At any rate we had the same problem at CTCA only with a different solution. Upon seeing that we were short a chair the pain nurse immediately excused herself and brought back a very comfortably cushioned plush chair. Once I was seated she leaned over her desk and whispered,” I hope Dr. Chang doesn’t return soon. He may find something missing!!!!” That’s the standard at CTCA!

     Back to Dr. Sanchez….. We met with him late in the morning between surgeries. We gathered around a table as he fielded our questions with a calm confident demeanor belying his deep faith and conviction to walk with us on our journey no matter where it led. After the final question Debbe stood up and said, “I need a hug.” Dr. Sanchez said, “me to” and proceeded to hug Debbe!!! It was what happened next that solidified for me the fact that God was with us. I shook Dr. Sanchez’s hand and thanked him for his time at which time he said,” Don’t thank me, I am only an instrument in Gods hands He deserves all the thanks.” At that point peace and hope began to flood my heart and I knew that I had come to the right place. God was indeed there and working through the many wonderful and devoted people there. I will never forget the comment of Dr. Levin the oncologist when we set down to discuss the treatment options. After deep contemplation and much chin rubbing he looked over at Debbe and myself and then in his beautiful sense of humor said,” you just have a pain in the backside, once Dr. Eden is done with radiation it won’t be any bigger then your little fingers finger nail!!” This is the confidence and assurance along with the peace and hope that sets CTCA apart from all other institutions. Add to these memories Dr. Eden and his staff especially Judy (lover of Dark Chocolate!), pastoral care, mind and body, naturopathic medicines, nutritionists, the cafeteria staff etc. There are too many to name! All make CTCA with out a doubt the most ……….. Well there are no words to express my gratitude towards every one at CTCA. I thank God for everyone there especially Mr. Stephenson without whom none of this would have taken place. God bless you all!! I am currently on a 6 month check up now. I’m blessed to have the checks up in June (the Celebration) and December (the wonderful Christmas decorations). Everything is looking good on the cancer front. The only down side is that I miss my friends out there and think about them often. On an all together different front I’m developing some heart difficulties. I wonder if CTCA would consider going into the cardiac care field. Hmmmmmmm…………………………………. May God bless and keep you through these tough times!!!!

 

         I truly hope this helps and if I can be of any more help please feel free to contact me privately.         

                                                                        Dave