I Don't Know What To Do

Hi Everyone, I have just started to read the board and my heart goes out to all who are going through this.

I had a routine colonsocopy on Sept 13 and found out shortly after that the tumor they found was cancer, located in the lower rectum. After many tests  I was told it was a T2, stage one,Ii had a transanel excision of the mass on Oct 11. I ws released from the hosipital on Oct 14. It has been more difficult than I was led to believe and when I went to the Dr last week he saw that the anal area was inflamed and gave me an antibiotic and som pain meds. He tryed to do an internal to make sure everything was okay, but with no pain meds I just about flew off the table. He thought everything seemed okay, He'll try again tomorrow when I see him Again.. The patholigy report didn't show any further cancer growth, but because rectal cancer has a habit of coming back My surgeon says I need to do one of two things.1. Have a radical abdomen surgery where they will remove the lymn nodes and check them, I may possibley have to have a temp colostomy(he doesn't think I will need a permanent one, but know guanrantees or 2, Chemo and radiation. I saw the Chemo Doctor yesterday He thinks Chemo and radiation will be enough I see the radation Dr on Monday(he was on vacation) I do not know what to do. I am scared of another surgery and a Bag, and I am scared of the side effects of Chemo and radiation. If anyone has any thoughts on this I would love to hear it. I need to hear from people who have been through this or know of someone. Thank you so much

 

 

orlando:

I too was diagnosed with a tumor (stage 4) that had spread to several lymph nodes. A biop of a couple of nodes in my groin confirmed their involvement. The initial plan was chemo (FU-5 and Avastin)for 6 rounds. This was to shrink the tumor and rid the nodes of cancer in prep for surgury to remove the tumor (a bag was likely due to the location of the tumor). After six months of chemo I visited the colorectal surgeon and had a PET scan. Results: NO TUMOR and a clear scan. This has been six months ago and a scope two weeks ago showed no activity. So, no surgury and no radiation required. If you would like more details or my oncologist's name reply privately.

TerryC

Relax! You are not as bad off as you imagine (as your thought processes run wild in the night). Take a deep breath and realize that you are still in control of this situation!! You really are. We, my wife and I, were in your shoes at your exact point about 8 months ago. We called CTCA (Cancer Treatment Centers of America) and within days were under the care of Dr. Citrin - in Zion, IL. He, like your doctor, believed, after a thorough exmaination and a bank of tests, that chemnotherapy (and possibly radiation to follow) would do the job. Lo, and behold, after 2 mos. the tumor was shrinking - and after 6 mos. it was gone! This was verified by a PET scan. The radiation was not necessary..
YOU have caught yours early, are getting several opinions, and now must decide who is the best (who you're most comfortable with). In our case, we trusted CTCA and Dr. Citrin completely - and are so glad we did!
You will have a job on your hands dealing with the whole package - but you are in charge and in control of your cancer - IT is not in control of you! Your mental attitude is 50% of the cure!! YOU must TAKE your life back! - not expect a "magic bullet" to give it back to you. God bless you and good luck...we are all in this together...

Hallelujah!  I'm so encouraged by hearing your good news.  I have metastasized rectal cancer & have now had 7 rounds of Folfox + Avastin.  My initial scan found 12 liver tumors, some small stuff in my lungs, in addition to the originally found rectal tumor.  Interestingly, nothing was ever found in my lymph nodes- the doctors said it must have traveled through my blood vessels, not the lymph vessels.  Anyhow, after just 3 chemo rounds, my PET scan showed the lung stuff to be almost gone & the 12 liver tumors were reduced to just ONE!  After the 6th chemo round, I was scanned again & the remaining liver tumor is still there at 2.9 cm.  The rectal tumor had shrunk some, but is still there.  I was a bit bummed that I didn't again get the dramatic response that I did at first, but my doctor put it in perspective by telling me I'm still ahead of most patients that were as bad off as I was.  I am still hoping and praying that they will go away, based upon my initial response to the treatments ( and believing what an awesome God can do).  If not, I will face either surgery on the liver tumor or possibly a CyberKnife treatment, which my dr. is excited about (it's new to San Diego County, where I live, by just 3 months).  Have you ever heard of CyberKnife or know anyone who's had it?

Well- best wishes to you!

Lisa