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Recent Stage 4 Colon Cancer diagnosis
I am 41 years old. I was having issues for months, but just chalked it up to getting older... just toughed it out. Eventually, the pain woke me up and that was the day I found out that I had a complete blockage. Oncology surgeon had me under the knife less than 10 hours later. They removed 2/3s of my colon... luckily, I avoided a pouch. Turned out to be a 7 hour surgery.. I have a scar to remind me from the bottom of my chest to my beltline. Now, I feel like a burden to my wife.. my kids are scared for me... Really been struggling to hold their emotions, show up still, and recover from this BS. 2 months ago I was able to go to the gym... now I get nauseous after a few hours of being on my feet. Im 41.. what a shame...
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I am very sorry for your experience with cancer and only 41 years old, I do a lot of research and I found out that colon cancer has increased significantly in the last few years and is affecting younger adults. It’s so life changing and a lot to deal with, it’s a blessing that you got helped so quickly because some people have to wait for help and with cancer you don’t want to wait at all. I think that given time you will get better and hopefully back to where you were before the surgery. I had lung cancer twice and I’m an older adult so healing takes longer but you’re going to do much better because you’re young and strong, it also greatly affects your mind too and you can get help with that too if needed. I have sons in your age range and they have been through some health issues, my youngest has some problems with his prostrate, usually it occurs more often with older men. The world is changing rapidly and so are the people, we need to stay grounded and try to adjust to keep moving forward, you’ve been through a lot physically and mentally and time is what’s needed for healing, try not to do too much too fast, in time you’ll get stronger again and do more things that you enjoy doing, best wishes for a speedy recovery.
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3 ReactionsEres una persona joven, y todo saldra bien, ten fe en Dios si crees en el,yo fui operado a los 62 años etapa uno, todo salio bien, voy para 4 años de esto y tengo una vida normal hago de todo y disfruto la vida y espero que sea asi por muchos años hasta que el señor me llame a su lado, este año me hicieron en Pets Can todo excelente gracias a Dios seguimos,no pierdas la fe, recuerda que ella mueve montañas.
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1 ReactionHang tough! I'm a young 58 on a stage 3 battle.
There is no handbook for this disease.
Rely on this message resource.
It's helpful learning others experiences.
Like you I was diagnosed with rectal cancer at age 41. Same 7 hour surgery. Same scar. But I remain cancer free after 40 years so I have no regrets. Get a colonoscopy every three years. Biggest remaining issue is that I tend to oscillate between constipation and diarrhea. I am very focused on what I eat , when I eat, and how much. When the diarrhea starts it continues until all of the liquid from my large intestine is expelled. For the last year, I have used loperamide to stop the diarrhea (it works) and dulcolax liquid or soft chews to relieve constipation. This gives me some control. Last month I landed in the hospital for three days due to a small bowel obstruction. Same thing happened 28 years ago. It resolved without surgery. So, I now keep track of my bowel movements and if I have not had one after two days, I interpret that as constipation and take a laxative. Have considered exploring the electical device planted in my back side that may help me control diarrhea but I am not there yet. Any suggestions are appreciated