Has anyone gone through colon cancer?

[donco6]

My colonoscopy found a cancerous mass, 4 cm, in sigmoid region. No obvious penetration into abdomen. Looking at surgery in a week or so. Obviously nervous about it. I'm getting great support from my partner and friends, but . . . well, they're not going through it, so it's hard for them to help. Anyway, was wondering if anyone else had gone through it - how can I prepare? What can I expect? Any advice would be appreciated.

[shrike]

1. Contact the American Cancer Society chapter in your area

Also, if you're near a university hospital you might check and see if they have a cancer resource center. Many do.

A friend of ours underwent treatment for Stage III colon cancer, and is doing fine now. It was a bit harrowing, i.e., the chemo, but it sounds like yours was caught much earlier. It's almost amazing the things surgeons can do now. He was given a temporary colostomy bag, and the colon was put back together later.

Having had breast cancer surgery I have no first hand knowledge of what you'll go through, but I suggest that you A) get plenty of rest post-surgery. B) Don't try to go back to work and resume normal activities too early -- I did, big mistake. C) Make sure you're well-hydrated. I ended up hospitalized with low potassium levels a month after surgery; that sometimes happens when you lose a lot of fluids.

Ask a lot of question, too; don't be shy, it's your body. Also, if you're feeling REALLY crappy after surgery, call somebody, your primary doc, your surgeon, don't feel like you're complaining. They discovered my low potassium levels by accident, after I went to the ER because of an infected incision.

[donco6]

2. Thanks - great info.

This is really helpful and makes me feel better. I appreciate it.

[shrike]

3. let us know what happens n/t

[donco6]

4. Got my appt Friday

I find out just how bad it really is. I admit, I'm kinda scared shitless (lol, yeah ok, colon cancer, shitless).

I want to beat it - I just need to know what I'm up against. I've been through this before. I know what chemo is. I know what radiation is. I can do that . . . I think. But I feel so so so small.

[shrike]

5. The last time I was hospitalized, a nurse gave me really good advice

I was really blue, imagining all kinds of things. And she said, "Nine times out of ten, the worst case scenario never happens. And even if it does, worrying about it ahead of time isn't going to help." Just be good to yourself, don't let imagination run away with you before the appt.

[donco6]

6. Good advice.

She's right.

[Hawkeye-X]

7. Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers are great place

My dad went through Dr. Bernstein at RMCC to help him with his lymphoma, and he has been (knocking wood) in remission for two years now.

Hawkeye-X

[DollyM]

8. So how are you doing 15 months later?

My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at the same time as you. She is still on chemotherapy and really getting tired of it, but I guess they are afraid the cancer will come back if she stops. I am curious to see if you are still going through chemo and what you have experienced since this time.