I'm New

PeggyM · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:03 am Post subject: I'm New

Hello, everyone

I am Peggy from Ontario, Canada. Two weeks ago I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I would appreciate any information, support, beads of wisdom, etc. that anyone can offer me as I get used to the idea of having cancer, and as I prepare to face the surgery and treatment that lie ahead.

Thanks so much.

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

Hi Peggy,

Sorry to read your message,
Do you know what stage your cancer is at? also do you have any cancerous polyps? The Journey is a long one and many are on it and you are not alone... Main thing is to Pray and Stay Positive,,, and also look at your eating habits.. Drink lots of water, keep off processed foods, eat lots of fruit and veg, check out google..sugar and cancer,, Linseed oil and cancer,,, take a good multi vitimin every day,, keep immune sytem high,,, keep going ... if you want to know more help .. email me at bj2004rf@yahoo.com

Best Wishes Rob

DulcimerGal · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:24 pm Post subject: Re: I'm New

welcome to our forum Peggy!

First - line up (mentally) a list of people you can rely on to help support you.
You will need help at home, help at work, spiritual help and practical help.

People will want to help you - and you must let them. I found that people loved it when I could tell them specific things I needed or wanted that they could help with. It humbles you - but you will really appreciate it as you deal with all the issues that will come up in the coming months.

It's a lot to deal with - do you have a job - are your bosses supportive?

Are you getting chemo/radiation first? Or are you going to have surgery before any of that?

Best wishes - keep posting and let us know how things go
Cheers
DulcimerGal
_________________
Rectal Cancer diagnosed Valentines Day 2008
Finished 6 weeks of radiation and chemo 4/23/08
Surgery to remove tumor - June 18th 2008
Colostomy Reversal August 20th 2008
Five rounds of Xeloda (chemo) to ZAP anything left!

PeggyM · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:11 am Post subject: Thanks

Hi, All

Thanks so much for responding to my opening message. I do appreciate your words of encouagement and your advice. It's so nice to know that I'm not alone in this miserable journey.

Please keep in touch.

peggy

topazil · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject: Re: I'm New

Hello and welcome to the forum there are a great many wonderful people here to help you with questions and with good thoughts and prayers, support etc.

Someone asked if you knew what stage the colon cancer was, that information would be the first thing to help those of us here help you as we are all in different stages, different treatments, etc and it's hard to give help until some more detail is known.
_________________
Total hysterectomy July 23 2008, mass in colon.
Colonoscopy Aug 2008
Rigid Sigmoidoscopy with a laparoscopic-assisted partial colectemy with en bloc small bowel resection Sep 2008
Diagnosed: Stage IV Colon Cancer mets to lungs and liver. (T3,N2,M1,G2) KRAS Mutation
Started chemotherapy: 09/14/09 Folfox-6 with Avastin then Avastin alone.
Next treatment 03/22/10 Camptosar with Avastin every 2 weeks for 3 months then PET scan
Most recent CEA Level: 03/08/10 79.4 down from 240 on 03/01/10

PeggyM · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:55 pm Post subject: More Info needed

Thanks to topazil for pointing out that you need more info in order to help me out. In fact, I only know that I have a large cancerous tumor in the colon. I had a CT scan a couple of days ago and I am seeing my doctor in the morning and the surgeon next week. I imagine I'll have more specific info to tell you at that time. My understanding is that the first step in my treatment is surgery(specifically a hemicolectomy.

I'll post again when I have more to tell.

DulcimerGal · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: I'm New

Peggy -

how are things? Have you had more visits to the Doctor by now?
Hoping all is going well and you are putting a plan in place!

Cheers
DucimerGal
_________________
Rectal Cancer diagnosed Valentines Day 2008
Finished 6 weeks of radiation and chemo 4/23/08
Surgery to remove tumor - June 18th 2008
Colostomy Reversal August 20th 2008
Five rounds of Xeloda (chemo) to ZAP anything left!

PeggyM · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:58 am Post subject: Re: I'm New

Hi, DulcimerGal

I saw the surgeon last week and I am having a hemicolectomy on Monday. The surgeon said my tumor is the size of a grapefruit and that there is a second questionable spot in the colon, so he'll be removing more than the normal amount of colon.

With respect to the biopsy report that indicated that the tumor may not be the primary source of the cancer, he said not to worry about it right now and that he will have a good look around when he opens me up. I am hopeful the cancer will be contained in the colon.

Peggy

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

Peggy M welcome to the forum-sorry to hear your starting this journey,but its really nice to have this forum for venting,asking or commenting-people here really give of themselves and it will give you some stregth and security to get through. But as you read through you will find some solutions others have tried and worked for them..some will help you as well. alot of support well wishes and prayers are sent to you. please keep an update on your story..we care

PeggyM · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:18 pm Post subject: Re: I'm New

Sheila: Thank you for taking the time to give some words of encouragement. I will certainly keep posting throughout my recuperation.

PeggyM

wytyspy · Senior User Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 116

Sorry to hear that you are going through all of this turmoil. You must keep yourself strong and as others have said, form a support group that you can count on because you are going to need their help. Wishing you the best in your upcoming surgery. Will keep you in my prayers.

Lucinda

PeggyM · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:03 am Post subject: Lucinda's message

Lucinda,

Thank you for your kind words and good advice. I have a good support system of family and friends to help me through this.

Peggy

REB · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 2:53 pm Post subject: Re: I'm New

Welcome Peggy. Sorry you have to join this club.

It is a shock to learn you have cancer. Once that shock is over, you start looking at the battle you face. Hopefully yours will be an easy one.

Do you know what stage you are at?
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor & Temporary Colostomy
11-07-07 - 04-09-08 FOLFOX regimen and Avastin.
04-28-08 Colostomy Reversal
06-02-09 3 Tumors in the adipose tissue.
06-23-09 Start FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
10-26-09 Tumors gone.
11-25-09 Finish FOLFIRI, continue ERBITUX
01-27-10 Tumors in Liver and Adrenal Gland
01-28-10 start FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
Age Diagnosed 40. Current Age:43

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