Stage 3 colon cancer: What's your experience?

Colon cancer stage 3 , had a tumor removed along with 5 lymph nodes
Hello, I was diagnosed with colon cancer May 2023, I had Cecal Mass with Obstruction. I was fortunate enough to get the tumor removed with 5 lymph nodes that were cancerous. I’m feeling a lot better healed fine. Now I’m facing Chemotherapy and the mediport and I’m terrified. Does anyone know of any similar alternatives to chemo? Something as effective and not so harsh? I really don’t know what to expect but I don’t want it coming back either.. Lost..

Welcome, @meortega1015, I moved your post to this discussion
- Stage 3 colon cancer: What's your experience?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stage-3-colon-cancer-diagnosed-yesterday/
Click the link to read previous posts and connect easily with other members who have stage 3 like @paul28 @maya8238 @lisag03 @not2ruthless @bea1972 @pcallier @drjohna @rioa21 and many others.

I know you're concerned about chemotherapy. You might also be interested in this discussion:
- Chemo: What Tips & Tricks Helped you Through?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chemo-tips-tricks/
When do you start chemo?

Thanks to Colleen for referencing me, Paul @paul28.
I was stage 3 for a short while before becoming stage 4.

At the time of my sigmoid colon resection, I was stage 3.
But at that same time they were looking at a suspicious lung nodule at my left bottom lobe.
Unable to biopsy because of soft tissue, 7 weeks later, I had a lung wedge resection. The nodule was removed with margins and was found to be cancerous.
So at that point, I was stage 4.

I got along very well with both surgeries and after some time following the lung surgery, I was referred to Oncology.

I knew what that was but my thoughts kept going back to what each of my surgeons had said.
I was told by each one after each surgery that they felt good about having removed all the cancer. The margins were tested and all looked good.

So why was I being referred to Oncology?
Because it's what they do!
For as much as they felt reasonably positive about my not having cancer at the moment, no guarantees can be assumed for the future. And I understand that.

So I chose to forego chemo, radiation and what ever else was being discussed.
I elected to have blood tests and CT Scans every 4 months.
And now 14 months later, I am still doing great in all respects.

I would not recommend that others say no to chemo as I have. Everyone's case is individual and your health circumstances are pertinent to you only.
It is helpful if you can get a doctor of the opinion that your decision is not totally without merit.

What has happened that is totally unrelated to anything, I have recently been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. I have no symptoms and are taking medications with no side effects thus far.
My TSH is nearly undetectable and my Free T4 is back to normal after one month.
Am I now Subclinical Hyperthyroidism?
I have no idea.
I understand cancer, colon and lungs. Thyroid ...not so much.

Do your research, ask questions and make sure that you get answers that you understand.
Always know that a second opinion is available.

Best wishes for health and happiness to all !! Paul

I had posted this on another discussion (Colon then liver??), so I copied it here for you and others.

First, I'm sorry for your diagnosis. I'll try to post some things from my experience that might be helpful or at least give you an idea of what you're facing.

I had(?) colon cancer and they were going to take half of the colon, but decided to take the whole thing due to damage elsewhere, Connected the small intestine to the rectum. While they thought they got it all, I did adjunct chemotherapy for 8 months. Yes, I got the chemo port installed.

Getting the port installed was done outpatient at Mayo-Rochester, but your procedure may be different. While yours may be different, my chemo regimen was to go to the hospital as an outpatient – do blood work, if OK, get an IV of 5% dextrose started, get 10 ML of steroid injected, as it works through you get the anal "ring of fire", then you get the first of the chemo drugs infused over a 2 hour period – mine was oxaliplatin and leucovorin concurrently, when that's done, I got a take home infusion device with fluorouracil (5-FU) for a 22 hour infusion and when done return to the hospital where they take it off. The FOLFOX6 protocol to be specific.

Ideally, you repeat this every 2 weeks – if you can handle it – for 12 weeks. Nurses told me nobody completes this in 6 months – I needed 8 due to complications. Of each 2 week cycle, the first week I got less useful (tired and weak), with the peak at 4-5 days, then I gradually got better over the next week. Each cycle, I never fully recovered so as the time went on I got weaker and weaker, and thus had to postpone a cycle. While being treated with chemo, you will experience tingling and numbness – in particular you mouth/lips, but may also have it in extremities. I had it in my feet and to a less degree in the fingers. This can take considerable time after end of chemo for that to subside. It's been nearly 2 years post-chemo and while better, a couple of my toes still tingle.

Also they did CAT scans which found a lot of irregularities – nodules in the thyroid, numerous kidney cysts, several liver cysts and spots on the lungs. After repeated scans over time, these were all thought to be non-cancerous because they are stable – size growth is an indicator, but we still do regular scans. Typically, post-cancer scans are done quarterly for the 1st year.

If the cancer returns, you may have to do another 12-week round of chemo. Ick.

I have one remaining spot that is of concern – it had been decreasing in size, but last scan 3 months ago showed it growing again. It's too small to biopsy, too small to treat… so far. We will see when I get more scans in a month and determine a course of action.

Hope this helps. I hope they can excise that liver tumor via arthroscope.

All the best to you!

Finished six months of chemo in Feb.2023 after six inches of sigmoid colon was removed. Cancer free.
Currently faced with chemo side effects. Numb fingers and toes ,no pain .taste not great. Been six months,it's not getting any better.

Yes, chemo does nasty things to your body - from my experience the nerve issues take the longest to improve - after nearly 2 years post-chemo mine are better, but not yet gone.

Hang in there, for most patients it does improve with time.

TY for your reply. Nunb feet & fingers

@pcallier, you may also appreciate these related discussions:
– Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: What helps get rid of it?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chemotherapy-induced-neuropathy/
– Need hope: Neuropathy from chemo https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/needshope/

I forgot to mention that oncologists often prescribe gabapentin for treating neurological symptoms such as pain, numbness. I didn't do that because mine didn't have severe pain and am meds that it potentially could interact with it.

I feel like I'm where you were when you posted this in July. How are you doing? How is the chemo treatments? I'm so confused and unsure about doing chemo.