Been diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer
@rosekiss (30414)
Eugene, Oregon
October 8, 2024 12:09pm CST
Hi everyone:
It has been quite awhile since I have been here,as I have forgotten that I have an account in here. So many things have happened in my life recently, that I never expected to happen.
I moved to a new area back in January of 2023. It is a complex of motels that have been converted to studio apartments. It isn’t the same as living in a house but doable nonetheless.
Recently, I have had health problems that I needed to see a doctor for. I had a ct scan and it showed that I had diverticulitis, and a mass in my colon. I ended up getting a colonoscopy in June of this year, and the doctor saw the mass but couldn’t remove it as it was huge he said.
I saw a specialist after that, and he said thatt I needed to have the mass removed. I had laparoscopic surgery August 15, which took 4 and a half hours to complete. He ended up removing 2 feet of my colon, and a little of my stomach as it had a mass as well.
He did get it all, but now he wants me to have chemo but my family and I have decided not to because of my age and the side effects I would have to deal with it. Right now, I am doing great, as I am feeling better everyday and so thankful for that. I am low risk anyway, as I was told that I have a good chance of it not coming back. I am willing to take the risk. I just want to live my life without side effects of chemo.
If it comes back then I will deal with it, but hopefully it won’t. I am so thankful I have my appetite back and feeling great, I couldn’t keep things down and ended back in the hospital for 9 days. My bed never felt so good when I got back home. Ihops you all have a great day and happy mylotting.
12 people like this
12 responses
@marguicha (222891)
• Chile
8 Oct
I had side effects after chemo a few years ago but I still think it was the best thing I could have done. I´m in complete remission now and although my legs and hands are not what they were I´m here, alive and kicking (or almost
)
)3 people like this
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct
I would probably consider it if I were much younger but me being 76 and even thinking about taking it really scares me. My family is concerned too. For right now I am not going to take it but who knows, maybe later on I will if I need to, but I don’t feel I need to at this point since the surgeon got it all. Thank you for responding and have a great day.
3 people like this
@marguicha (222891)
• Chile
8 Oct
@rosekiss Each situation is different. My oncologist decided in my case to start with chemo. I did not have surgery. My brother in law had your same kind of cancer. He had surgery and chemo. After a while, the tests showed that there were nodules in his lungs and one in the liver. He is now undergoing radiotherapy. I don´t think that I would have done so much. But who knows.
2 people like this
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct
@marguicha There was also 27 lymph nodes removed, all biopsies and only one was cancerous. Pretty good I think and that is why I am at a low risk. I am willing to chance it for now at least.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (180540)
• United States
8 Oct
Prayers for you continued good health and I don't blame you for not wanting chemo. I wouldn't do it either honestly. Were you having symptoms with the colon and stomach cancer?
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37314)
•
8 Oct
It sounds like you have gone over the options and picked what you think will work best for you. I can understand not wanting chemo, it's hard on a body. It does seem to help a lot of people, but I know the treatments are hard to get through. I hope you continue to heal and improve, Karen.
1 person likes this
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Oct
@MarieCoyle I agree as I don’t want to make the wrong decision . My family just doesn’t think it is wise to go through with it . I am glad that they feel this way as I didn’t want to do it either. God is in control and he will take care of me, that I am sure of. I am feeling great and I hope it stays that way. Thank you for responding and take care.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37314)
•
9 Oct
@rosekiss
I probably don’t have the right words to say in this instance, however I do understand why you made the decision that you made. I am glad to hear that you are feeling so well.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37314)
•
9 Oct
@rosekiss
I think you have to go with the decision that seems best for you. As long as that's what you want, I can truly understand it.
1 person likes this
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Oct
I wasn’t sure what I was going to do at first until I talked to my family. I had in my mind not to take chemo, and once I talked to them, they felt the same way. It is nice to have the support system for sure as they look out for me all the time. I am so glad for them.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (69476)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Oct
I hope you continue to do well.
1 person likes this
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
8 Oct
Thank you, so do I. I had a lot of nausea right after but not so much now. I am eating more now than right after as that is why I ended up in the hospital as I couldn’t keep anything down. My bowls were blocked so that was the issue but now, I move my bowls everyday, and I hope it continues, as I don’t want to go back to the hospital. So far so good.
@Deepizzaguy (102681)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
8 Oct
I wish you a recovery from your illness. I am doing the best I can to recover from edema on my right lower leg.
1 person likes this
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
14 Oct
The surgeon did get it all, but what concerns him is what he didn’t start becoming cancerous. My family and I think it is best I don’t have the chemo as the side effects are awful. They do offer a pill, and it also has side effects, one being a heart attack, and that I won’t do. The risk of it coming back is high enough that I want to take the risk, and besides at my age it would be worse, and I don’t know how many years I have left anyway. I am doing fine right now and I hope it stays that way.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (4899)
• Calcutta, India
13 Oct
With colon cancer, are you having normal bowel movement?
1 person likes this
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Oct
Yes I am, which was a concern at first. I want sure I would out that it would heal properly. Thank goodness it did. After being in the hospital for 9 days, I am glad everything works and I am not having problems keeping things down, which is why I was in the hospital for 9 days.. thank you for responding, and have a great day.
1 person likes this
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Oct
@Dreamerby No, not at all. They have always worked except for when I ended up back in the hospital because I couldn’t keep food down. Come to find out at that time, my bowls were blocked with what they call an ileous. I had never heard of that so I looked it up and it does exist. Anyway, food would come out where it wasn’t supposed to and I had to have an NG tube insured in my nose down to my stomach. Talk about painful, very and I couldn’t eat or drink the whole time it was there. I was glad when it got removed so I could eat again. I have been home for over a month, and I hope I don’t ever have to go back.
Thank you for responding and have a great day.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (4899)
• Calcutta, India
13 Oct
@rosekiss Oh so you don't have to take laxatives?
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (2210)
• India
10 Oct
Glad to hear you have low risks for getting it back. But have periodic checkups as well as have an active lifestyle in whatever way possible and healthy food. That should help in some ways. You can also check on naturopathy or alternative medicines to keep things at bay if needed and based on your preferences. Go for chemo if i is absolutely required as the pain and side effects could be troublesome for some. Appetite returning is a great sign of recovery . I can understand the feeling of being at home after a long time at the hospital. Glad to hear about you and well you have a great time ahead!
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Oct
I am so glad too, that things aew looking up and u have a good appetite again. At first, when I got home, I was afraid to eat to much as I just didn’t have the appetite, and I was afraid that I wouldn’t ve able rokeep whatever I ate down. I am glad that isn’t the case anymore. Thank you for responding and have a great day.
1 person likes this
