Stage 3 colon cancer: What's your experience?

I think that after cancer surgery and with a doctor feeling that all cancer was removed, a majority of Oncologists will still recommend chemo regardless. I get it. There's always that chance that a cancer cell remained. ( * but isn't that the reason we do blood tests and CT Scans ?)
So the patient looks upon chemo as insurance against something bad happening.

In reality, something bad will come to approximately 40% of all colon cancer patients that will see the cancer return in 2 to 3 years after surgery, chemo &/or radiation.
So I could be doing chemo right now immediately after surgeries for a couple of years or so and still see cancer return afterwards.
While I wait to see if cancer returns, I am so far living a normal life free of pain or sickness at this time.
I seriously feel as good as I ever have and no one could guess that I have had two major surgeries in the past 7 months.
I have side stepped chemo in favor of blood testing every 3 months and CT Scans every 4 months. At 7 months thereafter, I'm good so far.

So I am choosing quality of life rather than chemo at this time and until future tests dictate otherwise.
I am at peace with my decision.
Life in itself is a gamble and I'm gambling that some period of time without chemo is better than with.
This is me. Others have to make a decision that is right for them.

I would first want you to not be afraid facing any health procedure be it surgeries, cancer treatments or more.
Go into this with clear determination and all of your strength that you will beat cancer !
Relieve yourself of worry and stress and march in saying, "OK. This is good. Let's get this over with !"
Attitude helps when facing adversity. Relax, smile, make a joke, hear others laugh. Hug your wife.
I am male, single, no nearby family and left my house on 30 occasions by myself driving to doctors appointments, hospitals for tests, surgeries and follow-ups.
My determination to successfully accomplish all of this while alone got me through. NEVER AFRAID.
I am 72. I don't act 72.
In my favor was being of normal weight, no high blood pressure, no high cholesterol, not being diabetic and in overall good health.
I sincerely wish you great success and great years ahead for you !!
Paul

I got my port put in today. Part of my choice for chemo is because of my age. I’m quite young. Early 40s. My wife was very worried about me getting chemo too but the oncologist was very certain that this would be the best chance of living saying that the chemo would kill left over cancer cells. He said if we wait then the cancer could go to the liver ir lungs resulting in stage 4 cancer. My wife is more on your plan but I definitely feel the chemo is the best choice for me. But I have respect for your choice as well. There’s a lot of research about healthy living and beating cancer from coming back. May I ask you age range? If I was older I would probably not have taken chemo. I’m afraid so I’m trying to find comfort in my choice I guess.

My husband found out yesterday he has a >50mm Malignant mass in the rectum 8cm from the anal verge. His CT is scheduled for this Thursday. He is 40 years old. We don’t know what stage he’s at. We’re hoping for stage 1. He had the same symptoms as you. His blood tests also all came back normal giving us hope, but now I’m not so sure.
Did you have to do radiation and “lite chemo” before your surgery?
How is your chemo going so far?

Christmas gift of Colon Cancer Stage 3
Hi all, new to this group. Have learned a lot so wanted to first say thanks!! After a colonoscopy FINALLY, was diagnosed with Colon Cancer in upper ascending colon, they attempted laparoscopic surgery to remove it, but found it was too close to abdomen side wall to cut around. So, next... will be 3-5 months???? of immunotherapy (Keytruda) to try to shrink it somewhat first. I have had two treatments thus far and thus far no big side effects. I was experiencing some pretty bad pain from the tumor but that has subsided this week. (I was sure keeping Advil company in business tho!!) My understanding is that immunotherapy works quite slowly compared to chemo, so hard to believe any changes in tumor could have already happened?? Am more than willing to share what I have learned and/or experiences during this process . Thanks again for this resource!! Ruth

Welcome, @not2ruthless. I moved your message to this existing discussion:
- Stage 3 colon cancer: What's your experience? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stage-3-colon-cancer-diagnosed-yesterday/

I did this to help connect you easily with other colon cancer members like @maya8238 @paul28 @lisag03 @martin77 @kitty2 @chrisjenn8287.

I'd also like to bring in @mercator @cnso and @bea1972, who have had immunotherapy for colon cancer. Here's a related discussion on that topic.
- Immunotherapy - Keytruda for colorectal cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/immunotherapy-keytryda/

Not2ruthless, when do you have your next followup to check how treatment is working? How are you doing?

My husband found out yesterday he has a >50mm Malignant mass in the rectum 8cm from the anal verge. His CT is scheduled for this Thursday. He is 40 years old. We don’t know what stage he’s at. We’re hoping for stage 1. He had the same symptoms as you. His blood tests also all came back normal giving us hope, but now I’m not so sure.
Did you have to do radiation and “lite chemo” before your surgery?
How is your chemo going so far?

Hello and thanks! I have had two Keytruda only treatments thus far and another one this Friday. They are scheduled for every three weeks. The only side effects for me right now seem to be .... very dry and irritated skin (maybe a rash on face, but dermatologist does not think that is due to treatments) and at times maybe a little lack of energy. I DO have to add tho, that these both could also be attributed to winter time and lack of general physical stamina since was so inert for awhile with the tumor spasms!

The good news is, the tumor pain is totally gone, and the surgeon can tell that's it's already shrinking!! He also said that it had been observed that these can almost shrink down to a "scar" type of thing. (p.s. my colon cancer type is MMR BRAF Mutation (acquired mismatched) He said another surgery would be required even so, and because of its location -- being so close to abdominal sides (and they had found during the initial surgery that there was no "fatty" issue to cut around....it could still be a rough one.) This is concerning to me, because they won't know until get in there again with those laparascopic Edward scissor hands!!!

I will be getting the Oncologist take this Friday on possible time lines, initially they had said treatments for 4-6 months, but surgeon felt this might not take that long. I am thinking also, about getting a second opinion before what could be a major surgery (if they have to rebuild abdominal walls, etc.)

But I am sure happy to report that for ME, I have not found either the treatments NOR any effects that are that worrisome. Am aware this can change as treatments continue, but having no tumor pain has been a huge huge blessing in the meantime!!

Thanks for asking, and will keep everyone updated!