Hi Jeff,
How are you doing? Cancer as a word is scary. My road has been up and down. It was definitely scary in the beginning. I know google isn’t recommended, but for me I actually found researching in between visits with my Doctors was necessary to help me cope. I need to ruminate on things before making decisions so the more information the better. If I hadn’t googled I never would have found this support group. Not everything should be googled and certainly when you do it’s best to check with your doctor on the validity. As far as staging its letters and numbers like a school paper. The higher the number and letter the farther along you are. Mine was Stage 3C when first diagnosed. Currently Stage 4 now and on lifetime regimen to maintain as long as my body will handle it or it stops working. I have found this isn’t the norm. Mine was on the right side of the colon which has a worse prognosis and doesn’t act like colon cancer. Most will go thru surgery to remove it and thats when you will get your staging. They should let you know how many lymph nodes were removed and how many were infected if any and if the tumor was attached or infiltration to any other sections. Mine was into my lining and I had 48 nodes removed with 43 infected. Ask about diet. After surgery the bathroom was a scary place. They don’t tell you about how to go when you get home and are constipated. You can’t push! I was stuck for hours… literally. Have prune juice on the ready in your bathroom! Or smooth moving tea. Most embarrassing moment in my life! I had to call my sister. She googled best positions to sit in to help. Its a whole thing!!! At least for me. I advise you to drink drink drink! Prepare if you haven’t already for surgery by eating a LOT of protein and building up your muscles if you are not in great shape. You will be needing the boost afterwards when you can’t move. I needed a tummy pillow to help roll over because I was told not to use my tummy to do it and it helps with the pain and also seatbelts. When is your surgery? Have they decided that yet? Mine was boom boom boom. Colonoscopy on Friday, saw surgeon the Monday after with pics of bleeding tumor to show as instructed by the dr who did the colonoscopy and surgery was planned for 1 month from there to give me time to get my muscles ready. I do recommend a port for chemo if thats your route. Its been a lifesaver. Surround yourself with friends family and church. My walk with God and their support and this group got me thru dark times. And there will be many of those. But let laughter and love in and let them love you. This effects everyone and thing in your life… but remember you have one and keep living it! You got this. It doesn’t necessarily mean a death sentence. So don’t look at odds. You are not a statistic Jeff. You will be a fighter! God bless you, and know you aren’t alone even at 3 am.