How do you deal with this diagnosis?

@jmoshore, I’m sorry for your test results, I understand how you’re feeling right now with this situation. I know from experience that doctors can sometimes be very difficult to deal with, for them it’s more of the same thing but for you it’s shocking and rightly so, I just want to reassure you that it will gradually become a little more manageable when you have more information and then discuss the steps that they will take to help you get better. It’s never easy for anyone of us to deal with cancer but we are adaptable beings and we do whatever it may take to get our health back. I would also like to add that there’s a big group discussion here for people who are living with the same thing that you have, please ask for assistance in getting connected with them and they will provide you with a link, best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.

That must be very shocking and concerning. I hope you are able to connect to those who can provide you with support and comfort as you navigate through your diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

I had the very same experience, May 31, 2024. The next steps are to find an Ocologist and a Colorectal Surgeon. Take the time to research and network, find the best of each discipline. This is vitally important to beginning your journey and overcoming this illness. It will be challenging but is very doable. Don’t hesitate to build and call on your network of family and friends for support. You can do this.

March 8 2025 I was told I had a cancerous tumor in my colon causing an obstruction. But, we caught it early. Next day I had surgery and the surgeon informed me that it was well contained. I was able to deal with this. I'll do what I need to. Two weeks later I was informed that it is stage 4 colon cancer. I finally fell apart. This was my death sentence. In Ontario Canada we are immediately passed on to an oncologist so there is no need for me to hunt one down. I was freaking out until I met with her. She explained what I had already been through, what was happening, and then we made a plan. 10th treatment this week. A few bumps in the road along the way to this point. I keep saying that I'm not fighting cancer, I'm fighting chemo, because I am one of the lucky ones that is experiencing a lot of side effects.
Once you know exactly what you are up against and have a plan, you will settle some. Cancer is NOT a death sentence anymore. Try to look at the positives and try to be grateful for other parts of your life. We're all here for you.

Thank you 🙏

Take the trip one day at a time My trip involved in theory a surgeon wanting to remove the poly buy tht surgery was moved in time same day but time Nobody told me about the move up time so surgery was canceeled as they said I was late After that that doctor dropped me So went to our teaching hospital first person I saw a surgeon gave me the choice of a 4-6 hour surgeon with no promise I would make it off the table or go die. What great choices thank you but no thanks I contacted Mayos sent records and had an appointment in a few days. First day I saw 5 doctors and on the 2nd day they laid out what the suggestions are It was up to me to go their route or die. I voted for their suggestions which was radiation and drugs 2 years of hell but I am now cancer free as of Jan And to top all this disease issues my husband was killed in an auto accident Still fighting with IRA and life insurance companies That will take your mind off of you issues plus raise your blood pressure But I am alive feel good and have a 5 year time of every 3 months a check up I was in the dumpster about how could I get almost anal spinter cancer but I did and was not a happy person Cancer does not care who you are or what you do but if treated early it can be beat So go out there and give that nasty a disease a death sentance

No cancer is not a death sentence! For me it was the chemo! Had Stage IV colon cancer 25 years ago! They got what they could and said I needed chemo! I did one week! Had an infectious reaction to the chemo. Two weeks later I was taken to ER where I went on a four stage body shutdown! The doctor gave me two hours to live!
Was in a coma for two weeks! But i made it!
I never went back for chemo! Instead I devised a plan thanks to a book I read called "TROUT WATERS"! The author had gone through a similar circumstance with chemo and colon cancer. He took a year off and fly fished! His cancer never returned!
Luckily my job took me from the Mexican boarder to the Canadian boarder!
I was traveling in a 36' motor home through the Rockies.
So my plan was to take my fly rod and fish when I could! NEVER GOT OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAY! JUST FISHED WHERE I COULD!
I was on a river all or part of 200 days of that year! (INTERESTING, I HAVE NEVER HAD A BETTER SALES YEAR SINCE THEN)
The cancer has never returned!
My point is you can cure yourself by setting a goal and then find something you have always wanted to do and do it with your whole body and mind!
Good Luck and my Best for you to recover!
Sundance aka RB

I understand how you are feeling. Please do not panic. Five weeks ago I had a Colectomy performed at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. I was diagnosed with an extremely rare (1 case per 1 million people) Appendiceal carcinoma. I am 70 and never was admitted to a hospital prior to that. I had 4+ hours of robotics surgery on a Friday morning and was back home Sunday afternoon. My advice to you would be to go to top medical center (Memorial Sloan Kettering, Mayo Clinic etc) to get expert care. MSK was excellent. Their doctors operate as team with patient cases be discussed with team of doctors, oncologists and others. I am now under the care of a Medical Oncologist. Do not feel bad about being scared. I am not afraid to admit that I was terrified. But now I have a medical team working for me. All the best to you.

I am with you.
I was good, then boom!
Stage 3 rectal cancer.
Treatment is chemo, radiation then surgery.
I'm on the follow chemo regimen. Completed 5 cycles of 8, currently delayed a week due to blood count.
There is no handbook for this my friend.
There is great support through sharing on a at form such as this.
Healing vibes your way✌️

Before you opt for the chemo, radiation, surgery sequence of treatments, make sure you explore the Prospect Protocol with your Oncologist and Surgeon, for the treatment of rectal cancer. It omits radiation from the treatment sequence, with many advantages. My radiation oncologists actually supported this treatment option.