1. < Colorectal Cancer
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Just diagnosed with rectal cancer.

Posted by clayc84 @clayc84, Mar 28 8:57am

Good morning all. I’m writing as I’m sure hundreds of thousands have before me. Was having some issues over last year and decided to finally get a colonoscopy done. What came back was not good and needless to say I’m scared &&@“less. I’m trying to find some positivity but it’s very hard at the moment. All the immediate thoughts that flood your mind are overwhelming. Never in a thousand years did I think I’d ever be diagnosed with any type of cancer. A large polyp was found and biopsied and they’re saying it in fact does look like rextal cancer. Had the catscan done and a few lymph nodes are affected and there is a new spot on the lower lung. Talking with my new oncologist nurse she said she’s had patients in same situation that have had the area removed from lung if it indeed has spread to there. My bloodwork came back good which is odd to me. I don’t really have any other symptoms as far as anemia vomiting jaundice etc. is this normal or is it a positive in a sense? I know I’m rambling and just looking for support. I go for MRI and petscan hopefully next week to get a more definitive answer as to where I’m at. Just lost at the moment and looking for inspiration I suppose idk. Just need another place to vent and open up. Anyone on this journey I wish the best for and hopefully we can all find a way to beat this! Thank you for reading if you have. I appreciate you.

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girafe | @girafe | May 21 12:19pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "@clayc84, this does sound like things are moving forward and hopeful. I'm sure it was explained..." + (show)
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@clayc84, this does sound like things are moving forward and hopeful. I'm sure it was explained that chemotherapy is sometimes given before surgery to help shrink the tumor. This is done to improve the outcome of surgery, allowing the surgery to get clear margins. Clear margins are healthy tissue around the tumor, so that cancer cells are not left behind.

As you prepare for chemo and then surgery, you may appreciate these related discussions:
- Folfox chemo: What side effects to expect?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/folfox-chemo-regimen-side-effects/

- Rectal Cancer Surgery: Anyone have LAR (low anterior resection)?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/rectal-cancer-surgery/

When do you start chemo?

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@colleenyoung
Thank you so much for sharing.
Congratulations!!!

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jaspithill1946 | @jaspithill1946 | Jun 17 9:46pm
In reply to @clayc84 "@jaspithill1946 I’ve heard treatment has come a long way. Did you have any severe side effects?..." + (show)
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@jaspithill1946 I’ve heard treatment has come a long way. Did you have any severe side effects? I know I’ll have a few im sure and everyone reacts differently. Said hair loss and vomiting aren’t highly likely but we’ll see

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@clayc84
Peripheral neuropathy, will likely be with me for the duration.

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pyrrha33 | @pyrrha33 | Jun 21 8:32pm
In reply to @clayc84 "So have an update. Needless to say the last almost 2 weeks have been so up..." + (show)
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So have an update. Needless to say the last almost 2 weeks have been so up and down mentally. Had all tests done MRI-CT-PT . It seems the tumor is contained and hasn’t spread thank God. That was my biggest worry with the discovery of a new nodule on my lung that wasn’t there in 2023 when I had calcium score done. They said it is attached to wall but hasn’t gone through the wall itself. Met with surgeon on Monday and she said we may try to attack with chemo/radiation before surgery to shrink it down. I’m guessing this may be standard procedure not sure. I meet with oncologist tomorrow for final say. They staged it as maybe 2a or 3 I’m guessing maybe because of size? Either way they are telling me that it seems we have caught it early on as it has not spread and is high in the rectum. I know there’s still a long road ahead but there seem to be some positives. Surgeons words were treat with intent to cure which I’m guessing they try and tell everyone. I feel as I’m in good hands and trust the Dr’s I have spoken with so far. Abrahamson Cancer Center in Philadelphia seems to be highly recognized and great reviews. I wish all of us with this terrible monster the best of luck let’s kick this things ass!

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@clayc84. I feel like my doctors sugar coated everything before hand so im gonna tell you exactly what im going through. Im a 46yr old female and In Feb A mass was found during a routine colonoscopy. April 15th I had a Lower Anterior Resection. They removed the top portion of my rectum and my sigmoid colon and stretched my colon and attached it back to my rectum. It was all performed robotically. They also removed 14 lymph nodes. After biopsy it came back as cancer they staged it as T2 cause it made it into the muscle wall but not outside. It also was not in any lymph nodes. The healing from surgery was 6 weeks. I was in severe pain on my right side. I had to have help getting out of bed. I could only lay on my back. My side constantly burned like it was on fire and the pain didnt really subside until week 6 after surger. Oh and get some pull ups cause there will be no hurrying to the bathroom. They decided to blast me with radiation and chemo simultaneously for 5 1/2 weeks to kill off anything microscopic. I started June 2. Mon thru friday I go at 10 am for radiation and i take 3 capecitabine(chemo pill) in the morning and 3 at night. The first 9 days of treatment symptoms were manageable. The last 10 days have been a nightmare. I have internal and external hemorrhoids, diarrhea, severe muscle spasms, sores on my vagina. Everytime I use the restroom it feels like im wiping with glass shards. The muscle spasms can't be controlled. It feels like you are constantly pushing to the point where you are hurting yourself. Sometimes I feel like im pushing my insides out. Im constantly uncomfortable. Ive started wearing pull ups cause I can just be walking through the house and start pushing(you can't control it) and pee or poop myself. I can't sit. I lay all day. Even standing up right puts pressure down there. The chemo pills haven't been terrible. They leave me with a underlying nausea all day, dry mouth, and fatigue. All very manageable. The radiation is what is killing me. No amount of muscle relaxers, pain meds, steroid suppositories, or anything else they have given me has really helped. Ive had 19 days of treatments and they want me to do 15 more and i think I have reached my threshold of what I can handle. I can continue the chemo but not the radiation. They say everyone has different reactions to treatments so maybe your wont be severe. I wish you luck and i will be praying for you.

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ap47 | @ap47 | 6 days ago

I have survived Stage III rectal cancer after a full year of treatment in 2008-2009. The radiation, chemo and surgery were tough, but I thought that if I can live at least another 15 years it would be worth it. I have been blessed with a happy and productive life in that time.

Wishing you the best.

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