Someone please help ease my mind

jessenj · New User Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 3

I'm a 36 year old father of 2 girls, and soon to be a dad for the 3rd time! About 3.5 years ago, I got the Lap-Band when I realized that I needed to change my life for the best of my new daughter. I also gave up smoking. About a year after surgery, I started having bad diarrhea and I just chalked it up to being related to the way my body processed food after the band.

About a year after that, I started having infrequent bloody BM's. I went to see a gastro, and he did a quick exam and thought that it was hemorrhoids. He put me on a cream solution and the blood cleared up. Within the next year, I had infrequent bouts of bloody BM's, but thought it was the internal hemorrhoids flaring up due to stress so I just waited for it to pass, and sure enough, it did.

In the past year, I've had diarrhea more and more frequently, but no blood in my BM's, so I decided to see the gastro again. He recommended that I get a colonoscopy.

Well, today was the day I had the colonoscopy, and lo and behold, after I came out of anesthesia, the doctor sat me down to tell me the bad news. She said that she found a mass, that she believes is cancer. It was 10cm in, and she was not able to give me a full colonoscopy because she said it was too large to bypass. She referred me to the local radiology center to schedule a CAT scan (which I am getting done tomorrow morning) and I also have an appointment tomorrow with a surgeon she referred me to. They are still waiting for the biopsy results to come back, and I was given a thick chalky concoction to drink in the morning tomorrow to prep for the CAT scan.

I'm really freaking out! I need some positive affirmations as this is devastating to me. I have a new family and the thought of not being around for them is crushing me emotionally. I am trying to be optimistic, but I don't know what expectations I really should have. Can someone shed some light on my situation? If you have any advice at my stage, I'm all ears.

Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,

Jessenj (jessenj@mail.com)

brainman

Hi Jessenj,

I am very sorry about the tumor. I know that your doctor cannot be 100% certain of what it is. Nevertheless, I can totally understand your being freaked out. What you are going through is not easy or fun by anyone's definition.

The good news is that even if it is cancer there are things that your medical team can do. You are also not alone. Hang around here and you will receive a lot of helpful info and support from others going through what you are.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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jessenj · New User Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks for the encouragement. That's what I've been really needing. I appreciate it. Granted, I will be getting no sleep tonight.

DJL · Regular Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 30

JessenJ,
I'm sorry that the doctor found a tumor.
You are so young to have to deal with all of this.

My story is similar to yours. Doctor was doing a colonoscopy and was going to band my hemorrhoids. Only problem was there were no hemorrhoids it was a tumor.
Like you, I woke up after colonoscopy to be told I had cancer. I was in shock for at least 2 weeks or more.

I had chemo, radiation and a colostomy. I survived it all and I'm thankful to be alive.

It's a rough road but you can do it. This forum helped me in knowing I wasn't alone through my battle.

Hugs,
DJL
_________________
56 year old Female
Diagnosed with rectal cancer 10/02/2007
Chemo & Radiation
Permanent Colostomy & Rectum Removed 01/21/2008

jessenj · New User Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 3

Thank you all for all your support. I have some new updates.

The biopsy results came back and the mass is malignant, however, the CT scans show that the cancer is only confined to the one mass, which means no other locations or lymph nodes affected.

I set my surgery date for June 30th, which will be an incision from my belly button to my pubic bone, and I will have a one foot section of colon removed, which the Colo-Rectal Surgeon believes will get everything. Afterwards, he said that I'd be looking at about 5 weeks of chemo to just make sure there were no cells left behind.

All in all, I'm very optimistic and thankful that it is as uncomplicated as it is. The power of prayer is an amazing thing, and I've told many people the same thing "I have faith in God, and trust in the doctors"

Again, thank you all for your support and prayers. My 3 year old and my 1 year old daughters are very grateful too, and my child on the way. My wife thanks you too!

Sincerely,

Jesse

blessed1 · Regular Joined: 10 May 2009 Posts: 24 Location: California

Hey Jessenj
Glad to read that your cancer has not metastisized. Just wanted to give you a heads up about post op. Your digestive tract will be different. The Drs. will want you to have a BM before they will feed you. You should go on a low residual diet for 6 weeks after surgery so you dont get blocked up. Also after you begin to have BMs you will be having alot of them. I had about 15 a day. Chemo makes it worse. I recently began taking a suplement called Align and it has helped me alot. I still wake up messy but it has cut my BMs down to 5 a day when I am not on chemo.
This has not been fun but but you will make it through.

I'll be praying for you and your family
_________________
50 year old male
Oct 2008 diagnosed w/Low Rectal Cancer
Stage 3
Mar.19 2009 AP Resection
Oct. 23 2009 finished post op chemo (Xeloda)

star · Senior User Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Ohio

HI JESSE,
So happy that the tumour was in one spot, and you are so right about God your life and your family is in his hands,so praying all the best to you and family,,,be positive and enjoy the moments with your family each day.....BEST WISHES BARB AND ROB

joepet · Senior User Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 377 Location: Japan

If you get a chance, try and confirm with your doc that they have absolutely ruled out lymphoma as a cause of the tumor. I was initially diagnosed with colon cancer, but on the day I was to start radiation treatments, they re-checked the biopsy and found that the tumor was actually non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Quite rare and still cancer, but the treatment is much different, usually involving only chemo/radiation and no surgery, as lymphoma can be treated (even cured) with chemo alone, and surgery is not usually helpful in treating lymphoma.

Good luck!
_________________
Age 37 (36 at diagnosis)
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 1AE (localized in colon)
Began six cycles of R chop 21 3rd Dec 2008
Finished R chop 21 Apr 2009
Complete remission as of May 2009

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