Just Found Rectal Cancer, Need Chemo & Radiation Or I'll Have A Colostomy. Questions...

This is so close to the end if the chemo & radiation doesn't get completely rid of it I have to have a permanent bag. I'm a 44 year old women who still thinks she's 21. I ride my own Harley and like to dress in cute outfits to go to rock concerts. I love my long hair. I guess that will all change with a bag on my side. I know that's all the vain stuff that shouldn't matter and I'm gonna have to do a lot of growing up. I don't know much about this. I guess if the chemo & radiation works (and it hasn't spread anywhere else) I won't need the bag but that's not my luck. Can anyone let me know anything about these bags or this kind of cancer & treatments? It's a scary time and I'm searching for info. There's a lot of unknown in front of me. I've only just been told and have no real info yet. Thanks.

Theresa Winter

New to this site but I believe it was fate to read your message first. I have had an illiostomy since Sept 1994 due to colon tumor. Entire Large Intestine/colon & illium had to be removed. I am much older than you but it was very traumatic at first.
The first piece of advice I can give is to make sure you have the best product and fit for you. Anything else will be very hard on the nervous system and stress is one thing you do not need. I found the contoured wafer to work for me. After that I can change and go on to better things in my day. Years later had Rectal and anus area removed due to rectal cancer. Now it is in the fatty tissue in pelvis just above what was rectum.

It is possible to swim, go biking, or whatever. Cannot advise on the BR thing as I am over it. Little humor there. The main think is KEEP YOUR SPIRITS UP try to laugh at yourself when a circumstance it really comical and not a poor me thing. It will help you and others around. Friends and relatives alike. It does get better with a little time. It is ok to contact me at anytime if I can help you in any way.

Nita

Theresa,

If you are going to lose your hair due to Chemo, you might see about getting it made into a wig? Or you could donate your hair to locks of love organization who makes wigs for children with cancer. Keep your spirits up, this is a great place for support.

Thanks
Wendy

My wife is 34 with 2 kids and found out on Dec. 5th 2002 that she has stage 4 colorectal and had a colostomy installed. What that meant was that she had to remove her belly ring and start fighting to main control of her life.

She went into surgery a size 7 and came out a size 12. She went from being miss thing to not - at least in her mind. She will always be beautiful to me but she doesn't want to hear it. She is 5'10, 145 lbs., long dark hair with highlights and Mediterranean skin color through Dec 5th. She is upset with herself but I tell her to be healthy and get skinny later. You won't necessarily lose your hair, it depends on the drugs.

I have been battling this with her for the past 7 months. I keep her spirits up and try to keep her from the day-to-day rollercoaster. She has the tougher fight but it is hard as hell to watch her struggle with this. We are in NJ. Write back when you get this. I have done a lot of searching on this. I maybe able to help you save time and get what you want or direct you to answers.

Eric, Is her colostomy permanant? Did they put her on drugs that made her gain weight? Was it steroids? I figured I'd be losing weight not gaining. She's lucky she has you! Keep letting her know who much you love her & that she's beatiful in your eyes. I'm hoping I will be able to hide a lot from my loved ones so it's not hard on them to be around me. I'm trying to keep joking and laughing and stay myself. With 2 kids you have your hands full. I guess I wonder about what chemo & rad is like and what it's like to have the colostomy. I found a place called the colon cancer list that has helped with a lot of info. Try http://listserv.acor.org/archives/colon.html

Yes, her colostomy is permanent unless there is a miracle. Not sure what caused the weight but she hasn’t been eating a lot. She did have a hysterectomy so it could just be a chemical thing. My wife is the most vain woman on the earth and she hides the bag by wearing long shirts or sweatshirts when wearing shorter shirts. Stay away from radiation; do with 5-fu leuciovorn and cpt-11 – thinning of hair, not loss, and the most effective treatment to date. I have talked to Sloan, Fox Chase, Texas U, Harvard and many other cancer centers plus I get monthly email to me for the latest and greatest. There is one guy in Washington D.C. but it is very radical and risky but the pay off is high. Other doctors don’t agree. How is your hog?