Recent Stage 4 Colon Cancer diagnosis

Posted by randyw2025 @randyw2025, Sep 13 11:38pm

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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randyw2025 | @randyw2025 | Oct 3 4:45pm

In reply to @jamaler "I have stage 4 colon cancer need help with the process and the treatment" + (show)

@jamaler What do you need?

apinzonc0627 | @apinzonc0627 | Oct 4 5:03am

Tenga fe, y siga lo que su oncologo dice, hay casos con este estado y han salido bien en todo.
Suerte

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isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | Oct 5 3:45am

In reply to @randyw2025 "My wife told me I have been short with people and mean to those around me...." + (show)

@randyw2025 Your post made me very sad. People deal with a cancer diagnosis in so many different ways. It sounds like you are choosing to deliberately isolate yourself and take out your anger and frustration on everyone around you.

I have rare stage 4 appendix cancer (included in colorectal cancer) diagnosed in 2021. After major surgeries and chemo I’ve outlived my 2 year estimated prognosis and am currently NED (no evidence of disease).

Please don’t give up and push everyone away. Your current response sounds awfully lonely and awfully tough on yourself, not just on others 💔

I think looking outwards really does help deal with this horrid disease. It distracted me from my side effects and fears to be interested in other people and what they had to say. Better than living in my own head!!

I really hope you can come to terms with your diagnosis and can reach outwards and stay connected to those around you 😪

Wishing you the best.

jofree | @jofree | Oct 5 3:07pm

jamaler:
I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 1999. I underwent the colectomy and my rectum was removed and a portion of my large intestine was fashioned to my left side. I was stapled up completely at my back side and was left with a colostomy. I was very active then and even more so now. The cancer bever returned and at 75 and 80 years young, my wife and I still ride our bikes about 100 or miles per week over a period of two or three days, weather providing.
I cannot fathom the strides Mayo Clinic has made in this area since my surgery; I can only imagine the new options and treatments and have absolute faith in the Mayo Clinic. Talk to your Doctors and be patient with yourself. If you are partnered with anyone for life, please remember that, unlike you and I, we didn't have a choice regarding our challenges but our partners didn't have a choice either. Be kind and patient with each other. Joseph

florip | @florip | Oct 6 9:30am

I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in March 2024. I had CRS+HIPEC surgery followed up by a leak where they put together the small intestine and colon which triggered a 5 hour surgery to clean up my inside and left me with an ileostomy. I lost 25 lbs out of my 105, and was unable to get out of the bed on my own for several months. But the body and mind work together and after a couple of months, with PT and OT, I was back on my feet. A year later, I do a lot of things I want, I am able to walk 3-4 miles a day, I do stretches, I eat fairly well. After 6 months off chemo, we found 2 tumors in my liver which were removed with ablation. I am now again at the stage where there is no sign of disease but cautious. I have changed what I eat and how I think about this disease. My oncologists (I work with a few) stated that cancer is a lifelong disease that can be managed much as others. I have done 2 rounds of chemo, both 11 or 12 sessions. I went from FOLFOX last year to FOLFIRI this year. What I am trying to say is you are young and went into this healthy (outside the cancer of course). Believe your body can fix this issue, work with a naturopath to help strengthen your immune system and to help have energy (for me it was lifesaving, my side effects from chemo were so reduced vs last year when I did not work with a naturopath). Read if you can and want Life over Cancer by Dr Block and Radical Remission by Kelly Turner, they are mind opening at the possibility to conquer the disease and live a healthy life. My kids (they were 15 at the time of my diagnosis) helped me a lot, they needed me but also helped me with moving around, they picked up chores and cooking and cleaning. Get your kids no matter how old feel they help you, they are scared but it helps them knowing YOU need them. Stand strong and positive, it can be done! My best to you. Flori

premi | @premi | Oct 6 2:09pm

In reply to @dmw "Bowel obstruction at 58 turned into stage 4 colon cancer. Surgery, then chemo. I have just..." + (show)

@dmw
Your approach is the best.Wish members in this group will learn from you to live in the present.All the best to continue to have this mental strength.This is the only thing that helps you and your dear ones

premi | @premi | Oct 6 2:26pm

In reply to @randyw2025 "My wife told me I have been short with people and mean to those around me...." + (show)

@randyw2025
Emotional outburst is understandable but anger only makes us feel more depressed later.Isolation will make you more angry and depressed.Focus on dealing with what next. Learn to discuss the issues openly with family and friends and as time goes by everything falls in place My husband was very patient and supportive only after I confided in him about how I feel.Your wife will also do it if you confide about your fears.
All is well only if we try.All the best

nycmusic | @nycmusic | Oct 6 3:32pm

In reply to @premi "@randyw2025 Emotional outburst is understandable but anger only makes us feel more depressed later.Isolation will make..." + (show)

@ having cancer can help us discover strengths we never knew we had and even some goodness in relationships we hadn’t experienced before.. that keeps a lot us going forward. And, don’t forget to laugh any way, any time you can !

isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | Oct 6 4:43pm

In reply to @florip "I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in March 2024. I had CRS+HIPEC surgery followed..." + (show)

@florip Congratulations! You’ve been through a LOT and sound like you’ve reached a good headspace.

I relate so much to your experience. I started off with debulking surgery for my stage 4 appendix cancer (filleted like a fish!) then 6 months of fortnightly Folfiri and Avastin with the 46 hour take home pump after infusions then HIPEC with CRS (an even bigger wound!).

I’ve been NED since mid 2022. I was so lucky everything went well and I didn’t need a bag.

I haven’t had a recurrence - yet - but my team has prepared me as well as they can to accept my type of cancer will come back and there’s no guarantee we can get on top of it again. So important to treasure every day.

With my oncologists encouragement I’ve done my best from diagnosis through to now to exercise within my limits (I can now hike but can’t run starting from walks down the street and back to round the block etc. The course became longer and reopened my horizons!! I’m almost as good as new - except for my mind. I don’t look back to “before” but the future is a different thing. It is very hard focussing on the here and now and not letting fear and stress creep in. A continuing work in progress to find tools to shut down the negative thoughts when they creep in!

I like you have also made sure to eat very healthily to fill my body naturally with nutrients and to give my immune system the very best chance to fight off disease.

I don’t use alternative medicine but I do use adjuvant holistic therapies including diet, exercise, mindfulness etc. I’m in a sweet spot at the moment other than wrestling 6 monthly Scanxiety!!

jofree | @jofree | 2 days ago

In reply to @florip "I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in March 2024. I had CRS+HIPEC surgery followed..." + (show)

@florip
Great positive attitude: Appreciating all the goodness around you and in your life can boast your positive energy levels and a a healthy outlook toward life, can only charge your mind to be more grateful and do your part in healing yourself. Joseph