1. < Colorectal Cancer
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How do you deal with this diagnosis? It's rectal cancer

Posted by jmoshore @jmoshore, Sep 8, 2025

I have had strange BM for 55 days. Got a contrast cat scan Saturday and ER Dr told me I have rectal cancer. I'm losing my mind. Did anyone ever just have this to say you had cancer ? Thank you

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johnmac14 | @johnmac14 | Mar 3 9:14am
In reply to @cmcalerney "I too have been recently diagnosed (mid Feb). The location of my tumor is very low,..." + (show)
Profile picture for cmcalerney @cmcalerney

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!

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@cmcalerney
Hi,
I have just finished treatments for anal cancer, 33 rads and 2 weeks of chemo. The breaking down of skin was the most disturbing effect, front to back, all new skin. That is mostly healed, 6 weeks after my last radiation, I still have irritation after BMs but not the lingering sting I used to have. I take Metamucil and a teaspoon of olive oil every night before bed with lots of fluids. Healing is a slow process but I am more able to sit now and am easing back into normal life.
I wish you well.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 14 8:18pm
In reply to @cmcalerney "I too have been recently diagnosed (mid Feb). The location of my tumor is very low,..." + (show)
Profile picture for cmcalerney @cmcalerney

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!

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Welcome, @cmcalerney. You certainly have a lot going on and no time for such a diagnosis. But, unfortunately life had other plans. I can imagine your son and your husband are worried about you and about how things are going to change for you and for them. You sound like you're used to being the one organizing things. How are they managing the news and changes? How are YOU?

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | Mar 15 9:36am

First, i hope you get good docs and treatment….the first time the word cancer was used, it was a shock…they said it was big and growing fast…i got the subtle hint I had better get my affairs in order—so, while I was tested a lot,I saw lawyer and bankers which kept me so occupied i didn’t think too much about cancer…it took me a long time to use that word…I was glad to get treatment going with a plan for surgery, to zap the darn thing ! The beginning is hard, so much info and uncertainty ! One step at a time and I got to no cancer sooner than expected. Family support helped, and I kept working at home on my music arrangements. Wish you the best !!

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jmwallop | @jmwallop | Mar 30 7:15am

I was diagnosed 8 years ago with rectal cancer and you will get through this. Make sure to get treatment from a center that has had experience in treating rectal cancer, like Mayo or MD Anderson.

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jaspithill1946 | @jaspithill1946 | Mar 31 5:17am

If Houston is accessible to you, I highly recommend Baylor - St. Luke’s.

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ammiatx | @ammiatx | Apr 1 8:07am

Sorry but MD Anderson is where anyone with colorectal cancers can go. Make your own appointment, self referral.

I have FAP, it's an amazing, caring facility and I had Stage3b rectal cancer and I am here to tell the story

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jaspithill1946 | @jaspithill1946 | Apr 2 6:54am

If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan, MDA may not work for you.

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jmwallop | @jmwallop | Apr 3 7:31am

Initially I was scared. Fortunately my Drs encouraged me to get a second opinion which I did. I tried to stay in the present and not get overwhelmed by the what if’s. I took a family member to my appointments which helped because I have a tendency not to always hear what I’m being told.

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