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Newly Diagnosed Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer | Last Active: Oct 22, 2023 | Replies (17)Comment receiving replies
Hi, my mom (63 f) has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer. Her doctor found a tumor in her colon, had it biopsied and it was classified as malignant. She had surgery removing it in its entirety on Dec 1st. Her next part of treatment is to go through radiation and chemotherapy. She said that there hasn’t been any cancer cells detected anywhere else at this point in time. I’m wanting to find good credible information about this subject, but when I google answers I quickly become overwhelmed and shut down. So I’m trying this approach and maybe I can be more successful with gaining knowledge about this topic by this method. Thank you for reading this and if you or your loved one is dealing with this issue please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lauren
Replies to "Hi, my mom (63 f) has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer. Her doctor found a..."
I can only cite my experiences - stage 3C colon cancer - removed the entire colon and 108 lymph nodes. Mine was found after a positive Cologuard test and subsequent colonoscopy during which they took a bunch of samples for biopsies. Cancer was confirmed and a month later had surgery robotic-assisted laparoscopic. The surgery was actually fairly easy - in my case they connected the small intestine to the rectum - thus no colostomy. CT scans showed a dozen or so "suspicious things" ranging from unknown spots on my lungs, nodules in my thyroid, kidney cysts and liver cysts. I underwent a 12 cycle regiment of FOLFOX6 chemo over a period of 8 months - several pauses were necessary and removing the oxaliplatin part of the regimen was done due to side effects. I didn't have any radiation. Chemo is particularly hard on the nervous system - loss of taste, numbness/tingling of lips/throat are common, neuropathy in fingers, hands and feet are also common.
Scans over time proved the other suspicious spots were not changing and thus are neither cancerous nor dangerous.
Fast forward to where I'm at now nearly two years post chemo. It takes months to recover fully from the side-effects of the chemo - my were mainly nervous system related. Had the chemo port removed late last week - chemo is too strong to go in arm or hand - so they install a port which enters the large vein going into the heart. That sounds much worse and risky than it really is.
Anyway, I'm cancer free at this time - I have blood work and scans every 6 months to detect any new cancer per the protocol. Very thankful.
It was difficult to get through the chemo - one day at a time, one foot after another. I can say that the experience strengthened my faith and has made me a better person.
Net: colon cancer is very scary, but it also is not a death sentence. It can be successfully treated. The treatment is like running a marathon, not a sprint. It's a day by day effort. It requires a lot of patience with yourself, but at the same time a lot of will and insistence, perhaps even stubbornness to push through it. Having a solid support system surrounding the person (such as a community of faith) is helpful as well.
I hope this helps and is an encouragement to you and your mom.
My best wishes to you.
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Hello @thebutterflyeffect517 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. First, let me start by saying I am deeply sorry for your mom and her diagnosis. She is lucky to have you in her life to support her and do the research and learning that she may not be feeling up to at the moment.
You will notice that I have moved your post into an existing discussion with others who have been newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer in hopes that you will be able to connect with members such as @quilthouse1 @mardee313 and @tinad who have had experience with personal or familial diagnosis.
What type of information would be most helpful to the pair of you at this point in her journey?