Male Age 21, Stage IV Colon Cancer (Signet Ring Cell)

My name is Diana and my 21 year old son has Stage IV Colon Cancer, Signet Ring Cell. He has had surgery and will begin treatments on Oct. 1st. Our whole family has changed our diets of no sugar, no dairy, no red meats, low sodium, etc. I get him up each morning and go for a walk. He is drinking Essiac tea twice a day. We are going to try anything that will add to his survival rate. Is there anyone out there that is as young as my son? I'd really love for him to have someone to talk with that can relate to the thoughts that go through a 21 year olds head. I must admit that this message board is quite depressing in regards to "stage IV" patients. I'd love to hear some good information! : ) Diana

Hi,

I don't remember the name but there is a forum for young adults with cancer.  I would google it.  From what I remember the forum was pretty active and supportive.

Lynne

There is a new book out Crazy Sexy Cancer, good book for patients, caregivers, survivors, family.  Uplifting positive book.  I believe in getting as many people as possible praying also.  It works!!

One site dedicated to young people with cancer is http://www.planetcancer.org/html/index.php.

 I am really sorry to hear about your son.  There are some success stories with Stage IV colon cancer and each person is different.  I have been battling Stage IV colon cancer with mets to my liver for almost two years now.  Although the mets have returned twice, we seem to find ways to eliminate them.  My quality of life has been fine.  Don't give up hope and find ways to help your son live each day to the fullest.

I am sorry to hear about your son.  It is hard to imagine someone that young with colon cancer.  My husband just turned 30 on friday.  He was diagnosed in Feb. of this year.  He had no symptoms  I am a nurse and noticed one day that he was short of breath.  I was nervous that he had a blood clot and convinced him to go to the hospital.  We learned he had metastatic colon cancer with metastasis to the liver, lungs, spleen and pancreas.  He had surgery to removed the 2 tumors in his colon.  He began chemo right away and it did make him sick.  He has been on chemo for 7 months and has just changed regimens.  Based on his last scan, the only cancer that was left was the liver.  It is very scary for us having a 2 year old daughter.  She doesnt exactly understand what is going on.  To be honest, the emotional part is more taxing than the physical anyday of the week.  I do my best to pray for a miracle and keep his spirits up.  I hope your son improves but know you are not alone.  I think people do not understand how hard it actually is for the caregivers.  I never knew how strong I really was until this happened.  God has given me the strength and courage to get thru each day.  When and if my husband gets better, I plan on lobbying for earlier screening.  Colon cancer can be avoided if screened early and frequently yet it is the 2nd leading cancer cause of death.  God had a purpose for my husband.  He saved his mother, uncle and sister, all of whom had polyps and who would have never gotten checked if it had not been for him.

Where did his cancer spread too?  As a Stage IV cc with mets to the liver survivor, I was told to eat a lot of red meat after my liver surgery to help it regenerate.  The doctors told me that since my blood work was so good, not to change my diet.  Whatever I was doing was working well for me. 

Since the chemo would increase my metabolism, it was important that I eat as much as possible.  That now was the best time to eat fast food.  However, I did change one thing in my diet, I quit drinking my one vice and that was coca cola.  That turned out to be a big mistake.  Nothing cured my nausea.  The doctors told me to drink coke.  I told them I gave it up.  The told me that that was why patients shouldn't change their diet.  Coke worked to cure my nausea.  So I wasted time taking anti-nausea drugs, when all I needed was a coke.

Anyway, I was diagnosed in July of '04, initially told I could die at any moment.  I went to a great hospital and have had no evidence of disease since September of '04.  Have been off of chemo since June of '05.  I currently take no medication and I still drink Coca cola. 

Just make sure you doctor is informed of this diet change. 

You can go to this web site, they have young survivors there.

http://www.communityzero.com/cca

Keep us posted and let us know how we can help.  You've come to a great place. 

 

On 9/22/2007 dysvnat wrote:

My name is Diana and my 21 year old son has Stage IV Colon Cancer, Signet Ring Cell. He has had surgery and will begin treatments on Oct. 1st. Our whole family has changed our diets of no sugar, no dairy, no red meats, low sodium, etc. I get him up each morning and go for a walk. He is drinking Essiac tea twice a day. We are going to try anything that will add to his survival rate. Is there anyone out there that is as young as my son? I'd really love for him to have someone to talk with that can relate to the thoughts that go through a 21 year olds head. I must admit that this message board is quite depressing in regards to "stage IV" patients. I'd love to hear some good information! : ) Diana

Hello Diana,

This online thing is new to me; however, my daughter knows all about how it works.

Anyway - my daughter just turned 22 this past May.  She also has stage 4 colon cancer signet ring.  She starts chem on Oct 31st.

Weezie

 

On 9/22/2007 dysvnat wrote:

My name is Diana and my 21 year old son has Stage IV Colon Cancer, Signet Ring Cell. He has had surgery and will begin treatments on Oct. 1st. Our whole family has changed our diets of no sugar, no dairy, no red meats, low sodium, etc. I get him up each morning and go for a walk. He is drinking Essiac tea twice a day. We are going to try anything that will add to his survival rate.

Is there anyone out there that is as young as my son? I'd really love for him to have someone to talk with that can relate to the thoughts that go through a 21 year olds head.

I must admit that this message board is quite depressing in regards to "stage IV" patients. I'd love to hear some good information! : )
Diana

Hiiiiiiiii Dianna,

Im 21 also and recently started to worry about colon cancer due to some gastro issues...i had my gallbladder out at 15 and i drink alot among other things...recently due to some disturbing systems i decided to go get tested but i have to find a new doctor first cuz i hate my (male) doctor (im a 21 yr old female) and apparently they need to do a rather invasive test there before i can see a specialist for stupid insurance reasons.  anyways, i went and got a colon detox system.  that would be a great thing for your son to use consistently to cleanse any waste.  to be honest your story is scaring the he11 outa me and ill be calling the doctor tommorow.  but tell your son to be strong..surgery at a young age sucks (i had 14 major head surgeries at 7 and then the gallbladder at 15) but the good part is we're resilient!!!!! keep your head up and i wish you the very very best.

 sincerely, anjie

 

Hey Dianna,

          I am new to the site as well but I am 22 (male) just one a year older than your son I was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer (Duke's D) in October 2008.. Not trying to scare or depress you but if you don't mind reading about my life id love to share it with you.. After being diagnosed I went threw Chemotherapy followed by Resection surgery We thought all was well that I was free of cancer for good, well 6 months later I went in for my check up and I was then told that my cancer had returned not only had it returned it had spread beyond my colon into a few lymph nodes and into my liver.. I then went threw Radiation followed by Cryosurgery to find out both treatments had also failed.. Thats when my doctors Re-Diagnosed me as having Recurrent Stage IV Colon Cancer instead of Stage IV so I had to leave the Cancer Center knowing that things were more than likely not going to get better from then on out, which this is why I said I wasn't trying to depress you oh and don't be a mommy and say your sorry!! Bugs me when people do that haha because they have no reason to be sorry.. :-) I am one of the few cases that treatment's cant help..

I asked the doctors if they had a round about figure to how long I had they told as just a guess I had around 4 years give or take a few months.. I know that it was just a guess but I can tell as each day passes that I am reaching those final few laps of my life... It took me some time to realize and accept that I don't have much time and yes it hurts beyond belief I wont sit here and tell you that Im okay with it because no one can EVER be okay with it.. After accepting it I started an online fund raiser called "Fighting today for a chance of a Cure Tomorrow" dedicated to raising money that is donated to the American Cancer Society's Research Programs (here is the link in case you were interested in looking at it http://www.raiseitnow.com/3625/fighting-today-for-the-chance  )..

Now I can look at my life as if I were to die tomorrow I will die knowing that I HAVE helped other people with their fight to win their battle over cancer and maybe they will get the second chance that I wasn't allowed to have and Honestly I am perfectly happy with that.. ;-D Well I wont keep ramblin on and on Im sure you don't all day to read a message haha.. I wish you, your son and family nothing but Good Luck and Positivity.. I apologize that this is so long It all kinda fell out of my finger tips.. HAHA.. If you would like someone to keep in touch with I am always here to lend an ear, virtual shoulder to cry on, or just someone to vent too I know kinda creepy coming from someone that randomly responded to your discussion :-) but at least ya know the offer is there if its ever needed.. Take care and God Bless..

William aka Scottie

I am 25, my name is Amanda I have stage 4 colon as well. It has spread to my liver. Im doing treatment currently and I feel good. Well chemo makes me feel crapy but I feel better with it rather than without it. Id love to know how your son is doing and any treatment hes doing.