2 primary cancers: Cecum Cancer and Follicular Lymphoma

Posted by Jackie, Alumna Mentor @travelgirl, Apr 1, 2016

Diagnosed with two primary cancers two weeks apart. Cecum Cancer and Follicular Lymphoma. Are there any others with Rare but Not Unusual Cases like mine?

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

Welcome to Connect, @travelgirl.
I see you've connected with some people on the thread about non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I have a few more people to introduce you to here on Mayo Clinic Connect. First meet @sue_in_delaware who also is living with colon cancer. And @martid who is also dealing with 2 primary cancers: breast cancer and now liver mets from colon cancer. @hopeful33250 was just recently diagnosed with her third neuroendocrine tumor.

While none of your diagnoses are the same, it's good to know you're not alone. Cancer is complex. There are so many different kinds.

@travelgirl I can't imagine getting the news about 2 different cancers 2 weeks apart. When were you diagnosed?

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Hang in there travelgirl! I am still new to my 2nd diagnosis - and mine came 2 years out of treatment from the first one (and I was doing so good - or thought I was). Getting hit so quickly as you did must have your head spinning. I do not even have a treatment plan for the CRC and mets to the liver yet. I go Wednesday to Moffitt where my regular cancer center has referred me. I wish I could say something witty about getting used to it, which I am sure you eventually do. I have not hit that spot yet myself, although I am trying to not worry it every minute. I am having trouble accepting the Stage IV. Recognizing that my body likes to produce quick acting, aggressive cancers and seems to do it in multiples takes some adjusting as well. If I discover any "magic bullet" thinking, I will let you know - and please do the same. I figure we will need a whole bunch of help to keep the thought process going in the right direction.

Take care of yourself. I hope they get a good treatment plan going for you and you head down the recovery road soon.

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@martid

Hang in there travelgirl! I am still new to my 2nd diagnosis - and mine came 2 years out of treatment from the first one (and I was doing so good - or thought I was). Getting hit so quickly as you did must have your head spinning. I do not even have a treatment plan for the CRC and mets to the liver yet. I go Wednesday to Moffitt where my regular cancer center has referred me. I wish I could say something witty about getting used to it, which I am sure you eventually do. I have not hit that spot yet myself, although I am trying to not worry it every minute. I am having trouble accepting the Stage IV. Recognizing that my body likes to produce quick acting, aggressive cancers and seems to do it in multiples takes some adjusting as well. If I discover any "magic bullet" thinking, I will let you know - and please do the same. I figure we will need a whole bunch of help to keep the thought process going in the right direction.

Take care of yourself. I hope they get a good treatment plan going for you and you head down the recovery road soon.

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I love your attitude!  Keep us posted as to how your appointment at Moffitt goes.  I understand that they are experts in lots of fields of cancer. 

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Neuroendocrine tumors seem to be my specialty. However, I am glad that they are found when they are small. Doctors find the whole thing very interesting. It is difficult having something that is not typical.

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@hopeful33250

Neuroendocrine tumors seem to be my specialty. However, I am glad that they are found when they are small. Doctors find the whole thing very interesting. It is difficult having something that is not typical.

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Having a doctor find it interesting would be - well, not sure. At least you<br />
know that they are really paying attention because it is different. Having<br />
to deal with people inspecting our bodies in this way is a challenge - at<br />
least it is for me.<br />

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@martid

Hang in there travelgirl! I am still new to my 2nd diagnosis - and mine came 2 years out of treatment from the first one (and I was doing so good - or thought I was). Getting hit so quickly as you did must have your head spinning. I do not even have a treatment plan for the CRC and mets to the liver yet. I go Wednesday to Moffitt where my regular cancer center has referred me. I wish I could say something witty about getting used to it, which I am sure you eventually do. I have not hit that spot yet myself, although I am trying to not worry it every minute. I am having trouble accepting the Stage IV. Recognizing that my body likes to produce quick acting, aggressive cancers and seems to do it in multiples takes some adjusting as well. If I discover any "magic bullet" thinking, I will let you know - and please do the same. I figure we will need a whole bunch of help to keep the thought process going in the right direction.

Take care of yourself. I hope they get a good treatment plan going for you and you head down the recovery road soon.

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It is the way that we prop up each other's attitudes that help us keep<br />
going. Cancer patients seem to be pretty good at helping each other in that<br />
way. It is a really rotten truth, but it seems like some pretty awesome<br />
people get cancer!<br />
<br />
I will let everyone know for sure. I expect I will walk out of there with<br />
lots of questions. Yes, I have heard nothing but good about Moffitt. The<br />
new stats are out and they are in the top 20 cancer hospitals in the<br />
country - # 14 or 16 I think. It is about an hour and a half, but that is<br />
do-able.<br />

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@colleenyoung

Welcome to Connect, @travelgirl.
I see you've connected with some people on the thread about non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I have a few more people to introduce you to here on Mayo Clinic Connect. First meet @sue_in_delaware who also is living with colon cancer. And @martid who is also dealing with 2 primary cancers: breast cancer and now liver mets from colon cancer. @hopeful33250 was just recently diagnosed with her third neuroendocrine tumor.

While none of your diagnoses are the same, it's good to know you're not alone. Cancer is complex. There are so many different kinds.

@travelgirl I can't imagine getting the news about 2 different cancers 2 weeks apart. When were you diagnosed?

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I was diagnosed on 12/19 with cecum cancer and on 1/4 with follicular lymphoma .. I had surgery at Mayo in Jacksonville on 1/11 for cecum cancer which came back as a stage 1 and the lymphoma is a Stage 3 wait and watch approach. Currently I am not receiving any treatments. I pray everyday I never need them.

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@martid

Hang in there travelgirl! I am still new to my 2nd diagnosis - and mine came 2 years out of treatment from the first one (and I was doing so good - or thought I was). Getting hit so quickly as you did must have your head spinning. I do not even have a treatment plan for the CRC and mets to the liver yet. I go Wednesday to Moffitt where my regular cancer center has referred me. I wish I could say something witty about getting used to it, which I am sure you eventually do. I have not hit that spot yet myself, although I am trying to not worry it every minute. I am having trouble accepting the Stage IV. Recognizing that my body likes to produce quick acting, aggressive cancers and seems to do it in multiples takes some adjusting as well. If I discover any "magic bullet" thinking, I will let you know - and please do the same. I figure we will need a whole bunch of help to keep the thought process going in the right direction.

Take care of yourself. I hope they get a good treatment plan going for you and you head down the recovery road soon.

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Sorry @martid I swore I answered you.. Still getting used to this program.. As usual I'm talking to myself over here.
My head is still spinning 4 months later. I have hyperventilated for the first time in my life.. My stress now has stress. and Every Ache and Pain in my body just got magnified by 1000's percent. I go to bed every night wondering if this is the night I wake up in a drenching sweat? .I actually wakeup in the middle of the night to check myself to see if I am sweating. No it has not been fun..

I have always been an Overachiever but this is not in the area I had wished to overachieve. I have only had one fear in life, and that has been Dr's and Hospitals. Plus I never really been sick with anything in life. If I was given a choice, I would rather be on Hijacked plane than have to deal with cancer. I honestly think it would be less stressful.

It's the not knowing of what is next? That's is one part I do not like. Plus I have trust issues letting Doctors have full access to ravish my body in a fashion I don't particularly like. Oh' we would like to stick this needle in your back while your awake on table under a CT Machine so we can extract a little tissue. It's no big deal. I am like "your kidding right? Will it be a big deal if I move and you hit my Aorta? I need to be slightly sedated please"...

Yea all that keeps going through my mind is what 4 Doctors keep referring to me as "Rare But Not Unusual".. And I think well at least, I'm not one of kind? It could be worse.

I think we need to Keep Moving I bought a Fit Bit so I can monitor my every move. It puts pressure on me to move, otherwise I would rather sit on the couch and stare out into outer space. Cause I still think I am dreaming all this up..

I wish you the best, hang in there. Moffitt treats a lot of people where I live. Met many who they were able to cure or treat their cancers very well.

Mayo is 4 hours from me. Since I love to travel I decided I need a hospital that made feel like I was going on a Medical Tourism Vacation. About the only way I can deal with my 2 for 1 Special, Double Trouble, Twice Cursed Diagnosis..

Let us know how your treatments are going? Take Care..

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@martid

Hang in there travelgirl! I am still new to my 2nd diagnosis - and mine came 2 years out of treatment from the first one (and I was doing so good - or thought I was). Getting hit so quickly as you did must have your head spinning. I do not even have a treatment plan for the CRC and mets to the liver yet. I go Wednesday to Moffitt where my regular cancer center has referred me. I wish I could say something witty about getting used to it, which I am sure you eventually do. I have not hit that spot yet myself, although I am trying to not worry it every minute. I am having trouble accepting the Stage IV. Recognizing that my body likes to produce quick acting, aggressive cancers and seems to do it in multiples takes some adjusting as well. If I discover any "magic bullet" thinking, I will let you know - and please do the same. I figure we will need a whole bunch of help to keep the thought process going in the right direction.

Take care of yourself. I hope they get a good treatment plan going for you and you head down the recovery road soon.

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We sound a lot alike; many of the same fears and issues. I had to (sort of)<br />
laugh. I had almost the exact same thoughts when they explained about the<br />
liver biopsy.<br />
<br />
Hope your week goes well - keep moving.<br />

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Yes, even if I see a new ophthalmologist, cardiologist, etc. they all want to talk about how unique the neuroendocrine tumors are. I feel like saying that after three they are not so unique to me, but it is important to keep a good attitude with the medical folks so I say nothing. It is good to have a place to post all of these thoughts, isn't it?

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