1. < Colorectal Cancer

Stage 3 colon cancer: What's your experience?

Posted by maya8238 @maya8238, Jan 10, 2023

I didn’t get an a b or c though. Just got told Stage 3. 7 lymph nodes found out of 37. The surgeon didn’t seem to be worried about my stage 3 made it seem ok but Google tells a different story. I call the oncologist today.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.

martin77 | @martin77 | Jan 25, 2023
In reply to @paul28 "I think that after cancer surgery and with a doctor feeling that all cancer was removed,..." + (show)
@paul28

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.

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My oncologist gave me the same 40% figure but said that chemo would reduce the risk to around 25%. That seemed to me to make the chemo worth a try but time will tell!

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kitty2 | @kitty2 | Jan 26, 2023
In reply to @paul28 "I would first want you to not be afraid facing any health procedure be it surgeries,..." + (show)
@paul28

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

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Hi..I just read your post and you are an inspiration. I am too single age 70 , female, without family and have been facing lots the last year, but I have been determined to get better. I get up every morning and go to work, and do what I need to do. I have not been dealing with cancer at this time, but covid last year left me with severe ulcerative colitis and long covid. The biopsies in October were benign , but they were not able to remove all the polyps due to the inflammation. So this is far from over, but I try to say " I am getting better every day". I wish you the best and I thank you so much for your positive attitude. It gives others hope and courage to do battle over these illnesses. Thank you...Kitty2

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paul28 | @paul28 | Jan 26, 2023

I think that we all need some positive influence at times of our greatest challenges.
Fear can be debilitating.
I find that life is easier to live when fear or being afraid is not part of your DNA.
Kitty, thank you for your wisdom and kind thoughts !
I wish you health and happiness always !
Paul

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chrisjenn8287 | @chrisjenn8287 | Feb 8, 2023
In reply to @maya8238 "I got my port put in today. Part of my choice for chemo is because of..." + (show)
@maya8238

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.

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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?

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2 replies
maya8238 | @maya8238 | Feb 8, 2023
In reply to @chrisjenn8287 "My husband found out yesterday he has a >50mm Malignant mass in the rectum 8cm from..." + (show)
@chrisjenn8287

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?

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I’m sorry to hear that. It’s such a shock and the unknown is the worst. Your husbands sounds just like my case in terms of size and location. I did not get any chemo before surgery and I wasn’t given a stage until after surgery. All I knew was it wasn’t stage 4 after seeing clear scans. We were hopeful it was stage 1 and the oncologist kept stressing to us that the size doesn’t indicate stage. Unfortunately in my case it was found in lymph nodes after surgery making it a stage 3. I started chemo about a month after surgery. It’s not the best but I’m managing it ok. Mostly tired and some neurological symptoms. For now just focus on the scan. If that’s clear then it’s a huge weight off your shoulders. Stage 1 2 and 3 colon cancers are treatable. Stage 4 would be much more if a challenge but these days they can prolong life and really do a lot. Keep us posted on the scan results.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 8, 2023
In reply to @not2ruthless "Christmas gift of Colon Cancer Stage 3 Hi all, new to this group. Have learned a..." + (show)
@not2ruthless

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

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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?

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1 reply
not2ruthless | @not2ruthless | Feb 8, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome, @not2ruthless. I moved your message to this existing discussion: - Stage 3 colon cancer: What's..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

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?

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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!

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1 reply
dwarren69 | @dwarren69 | Feb 9, 2023
In reply to @chrisjenn8287 "My husband found out yesterday he has a >50mm Malignant mass in the rectum 8cm from..." + (show)
@chrisjenn8287

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?

Jump to this post

How is ur husband doing, meaning on day ago Feb 8th 2023? I was told a 6cm mass mid rectum March 4th 2022. I was 58, Duke MRI said a lymph node area was lighting up and it was stage 3… Atrium Health in Charlotte NC put me through a 6 week course Late May/June of radiation and Chemo.. today no mass, no cancer, no ulcer at the spot of treatment and No surgery. I follow up every 6 month with my Doctor Davis and hope my body and lifestyle keeps any cancer from gaining any beach head in my body ever again. Very active Before cancer and love playing pickleball now after this battle victory. I put on weight during chemo and did not throw up, just a FYI. Wish u slam the best. Doctor did say I was in the 20% or less who gets this outcome. Dane

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 15, 2023
In reply to @not2ruthless "Hello and thanks! I have had two Keytruda only treatments thus far and another one this..." + (show)
@not2ruthless

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!

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Great news, @not2ruthless. I hope your appointment with the oncologist went well last week.

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not2ruthless | @not2ruthless | Feb 15, 2023

Thank you Colleen! I have been tempted to ask, but don't know how to ask or start another thread. What experiences people have had with oncologists and surgeons giving totally differing diagnoses? Does this happen regularly, e.g. NO, if continues to shrink don't see why surgery needed, versus YES, it will still be required. Does it mean that they just aren't communicating, or is it a differing philosophy of sciences. I mean I DO feel they are both very great at their jobs and experiences, but it kinda has driven me crazy. Actually, from the start! (Not first time.) I try to read between the lines and have patience, but wonder if am going nuts with my understanding of what each one said... and am pretty darn practical and non-judmental. Thoughts? Worthy of discussion? And/or????

p.s. regarding Keytruda after the 3rd treatment. I DID get briefly nauseous 2 days later and threw up just a tiny bit. Nothing else except a vague "spaciness" at times. I imagine accumulative effects can do this as time goes on. Will see.

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