How do you deal with this diagnosis? It's rectal cancer

premi, Thanks! I never gave the diagnosis of cancer a second thought! Yes looking back it should have been a very traumatic decision! But it was surprisingly easy decision! I wasn't going to let it be a "Death Sentence"!
Was one of the Best Lessons in my Life!
Please others receiving a cancer diagnosis, "FACE IT, THEN GET ON WITH LIFE!" You can win the battle with a Positive Mind Set!
BLESS YOU ALL!
SUNDANCE aka RB

Be grateful for a straightforward and truthful diagnosis.
Now, get on with a plan to rid yourself of the rectal cancer - plenty of resources to help you.

Mine started with noticing occasional bloody tissues after I wiped following a bowel movement. I just thought it was internal hemorrhoids, waited each episode out, and it always resolved. But it started happening with a bit more frequency, so I scheduled a physical with my primary doc, and he said I needed a colonoscopy to get to the bottom of (no pun intended) the reason for the bleeding. When I woke up from the colonoscopy, BAM! I was told I had cancer, and was referred to the oncology department. That was on a Monday. I had my first appointment with my primary oncologist not that Friday, but the Friday after, and in that two week period, I had a CT, MRI, and PET scan. For that week and a half, I was a wreck, wondering how long I had to live , how I would afford everything, work, the dog, the house… A nervous wreck. In the first 5 minutes of my appointment with my oncologist, he told me he intended to completely get rid of my cancer entirely with chemo and radiation. I almost started crying tears of relief right then and there.

I’ll be honest, and my oncologist gave me this warning from the get-go, treatment was BRUTAL. The treatment period wasn’t too bad. I tolerated the chemo just fine; no nausea, no hair loss, not much of anything initially. And radiation was a breeze until the last week. Then the side effects started showing up. Oh man, excruciating bowel movements, neuropathies of my hands and feet, sores in my mouth and down my throat, I didn’t get much skin breakdown around my anus, because my tumor was deep internally, but bowel movements were a nightmare. My hands dried up and cracked, and I was exhausted all the time, to the point that I was often too tired to eat.

But… I got through it. And in July of this year, I had a follow up PET scan and my oncologist declared me cancer free. I still have to do follow ups, but the doc said he is highly confident the cancer will not be back. It worked. It actually worked.

I’m still having symptoms relating to treatment, primarily intermittent incontinence, cramping, and neuropathy pain, but it seems each day is just a teeny bit better than the day before. Healing has not been linear, which has been frustrating, but I’m improving over time nonetheless.

Hope this gives you an idea of what might be in store. Listen to your treatment team, be prepared, communicate, and know you can do this.

Best of luck!

It’s really tough especially when you first hear the diagnosis, and each test confirms it is a large and aggressive tumor….my doc told me it was serious… then I realized my legal and financial affairs needed updating for my POA/health proxy….a lot to do, but distracted me from cancer worry for a few weeks….i got the idea that I could be proactive and positive during treatment, surgery and recovery—my 2 nieces egging me on very lovingly. That really helped !! Also, l learn a lot from this group here.—Thank you, brave and kind souls !

@jaspithill1946 can you provide more detail details about your diagnosis and your treatment? How are you doing now?

Stage 3, adenocarcinoma of the rectum, no evidence metastasis or lymph node involvement. Twelve cycles of Folfox over six month period. With concurrence of radiation oncology chose not to have any radiation therapy, and proceed with surgery. Tumor and majority of rectum were removed as well as a number of lymph nodes, several of which were cancerous. An ileostomy was performed and taken down after four months with no complications. First surveillance CT scan performed after six months, came back clear. I am feeling great and have not had any setbacks or complication. I credit my outcome to a wonderful surgeon who I will be seeing again in April for my one-year follow-up and colonoscopy. If you have any additional questions don’t hesitate to ask.

Were you able to get rid of the ostomy and reconnect the colon so you could pass stools as before?

@pjebp, I hope you saw @jaspithill1946's response to your question. ,

@jaspithill1946, I see that @claudiod also has a question for you here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1507227/

@claudiod
I had an ileostomy, four months before it was successfully taken down. No complications which I credit entirely to my surgeon.

I too have been recently diagnosed (mid Feb). The location of my tumor is very low, so surgery is sadly is not an option right now. I too had an MRI, CT Scan and PET Scan at Mayo. I'm moving forward with radiation / chemo to hopefully kill it. If they don't kill it, at least shrink it to get surgery and put this horrible chapter behind. I'm a 52 busy mom with a career, a new house being built, a 13 year old boy, a worried sick husband and a full busy life. No one has time for this, but I agree with what everyone above said - get your plan in place, look into insurance policies you may have signed up for (I had a short term disability policy and a critical care illness policy w/UNUM I didn't even remember signing up for. Thank God I have them). It will help with expenses and travel (I live in NM, but will need to travel to AZ for treatment at Mayo). I also, as depressing as it was, looked to see how much life insurance I had (should the worse happen). I too am scared of the side effects of chemo / radiation but I can't let those fears stop me from trying. Stay positive, stay strong, and advocate for yourself until a plan is in place and you are moving forward!