1. < Colorectal Cancer

Just diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer: What next?

Posted by teemoua13 @teemoua13, Oct 6, 2023

What to I do next?

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

rjjacobsen | @rjjacobsen | Oct 10, 2023
In reply to @myjiggers1 "How are you feeling Tee? Stage3c…. That’s me :). Lots of good advice on here, and..." + (show)
@myjiggers1

How are you feeling Tee? Stage3c…. That’s me :). Lots of good advice on here, and lots of support! Did they talk surgery and chemo and radiation? I know it’s a lot to process… a whirl wind I am afraid. It’s natural to feel moments of anger, depression, self pity. Don’t stay there though when you get those moments. I don’t have a lot of knowledge as far as what to expect or how it will go because I’m a new baby to cancer. I’ve only had two treatments so far worlds apart on how I reacted to both of them. I just want to speak to your frame of mind what RJ said it’s very true. Being a believer myself has been a huge blessing in this time and if you have a church family, it is the best thing you could have right now. I don’t know if you’re a Christian but if you are lean on those prayer warriors lean on your family, if they’re wanting to help you. It’s OK to except help. You do not want to walk this walk alone and you don’t need to. There is always hope. Always! Find something that makes you smile and do it!!!! Often! I sing! I pray for your situation! ❤️ And I am sorry you’re having to go thru it.

PS If you have bad veins… get a port.

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A port is strongly recommended. Some, if not most, of the chemo is too strong to put in a vein in your arm or hand. I'd get one poke every time I went for chemo - the very short burst of insertion pain when accessing is a LOT less painful than sticking you every time they need to.

The surgery to install the port sounds awful, but it was not difficult. Mine was done outpatient.

The downside of a port is that eventually once chemo is done, it needs to be flushed periodically - for me every month. My chemo completed in December 2021 and I'm just getting scheduled to remove the port now. Not certain if they waited until until I was stable or it was missed.

The good part of the flushes is I got the visit my "angels" at the infusion center monthly. I will miss that.

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rjjacobsen | @rjjacobsen | Oct 10, 2023
In reply to @teemoua13 "I don’t know what to eat nutritionally. What is best for the body?" + (show)
@teemoua13

I don’t know what to eat nutritionally. What is best for the body?

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This may be helpful:
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/diet-tips-during-cancer-treatment
There are other resources on the web from cancer experts as well.

Your medical team will also offer advice.

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myjiggers1 | @myjiggers1 | Oct 11, 2023
In reply to @teemoua13 "Thank you. I’ve been very depressed and trying to absorb it. Just got more imaging done..." + (show)
@teemoua13

Thank you. I’ve been very depressed and trying to absorb it. Just got more imaging done and biopsy to confirm next week. I’ve praying every night with my wife and kids. I’m being positive.

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Being positive is really what I have been hearing from everyone that is the key to the best outcome. So proud of you for putting that forward. I know letting my church and everyone in my life know that prayers were needed for that has been really helpful. They have been sending weekly cards and that just gives you a feeling of not being alone in it and that you are loved. I pray your church rides alongside of you in this season of your walk. Use this as a time to draw closer to God. Let him show you the blessings that can come from this awful thing. I know its hard. I can’t tell you how, even knowing how things could go, I have felt so much love. I have felt so overwhelmed with it and haven’t felt that way since giving birth to my now 16yr old. There is no getting around the fact that Cancer sucks. This trial is not easy. It is a battle. One that can be won like David and Goliath. It is ok to cry. I know you’re a man… but it’s still ok lol. Find a place to go that brings you peace. Show your family how much love you have for them. Have no regrets… but fight my friend. You are worth it.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 18, 2023

@teemoua13, I thought I'd check in. How are you doing? Do you have a treatment plan now?

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rjjacobsen | @rjjacobsen | Oct 19, 2023
In reply to @rjjacobsen "A port is strongly recommended. Some, if not most, of the chemo is too strong to..." + (show)
@rjjacobsen

A port is strongly recommended. Some, if not most, of the chemo is too strong to put in a vein in your arm or hand. I'd get one poke every time I went for chemo - the very short burst of insertion pain when accessing is a LOT less painful than sticking you every time they need to.

The surgery to install the port sounds awful, but it was not difficult. Mine was done outpatient.

The downside of a port is that eventually once chemo is done, it needs to be flushed periodically - for me every month. My chemo completed in December 2021 and I'm just getting scheduled to remove the port now. Not certain if they waited until until I was stable or it was missed.

The good part of the flushes is I got the visit my "angels" at the infusion center monthly. I will miss that.

Jump to this post

I can add to this reply that taking the port out is a simple procedure done under local anesthetic like lidocaine. Mine took about 20 minutes at Mayo Red Wing.

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