Hi
I'm a little lost at the moment. My 19 year old son all of a sudden said he's not been feeling well (he doesn't live with me, I see him off and on, not my choice but he is 19!) and he has had tests and his quantativ faecal immunochemical is 400, but his faecal calprotectin is 16.3. He's skinny, tired (he's 19 and always slept a lot!), has shakey hands, however I am of course extremely worried. I am well aware it could be other things and he is very young to have colon cancer. I'm very worried and I'm after some honest advice / experience with anyone who has been in this situation. I know it is extremely rare in someone his age, but there has been a increase recently (according to the internet, I know that's the last place to get information!). I am unaware of his mum's family history, since he turned 18 we don't really talk, and have never had a close relationship(long story!) but there is no history of cancer in my family.
He has a follow up appt on Monday with the docs, I presume they will refer him for a colonoscopy. To be honest, I'm not quite sure why I have posted, but would appreciate anyone who could give me some words of wisdom / experience or insight - I'm not looking for anyone to tell me he is going to be fine, because it's blatantly obvious something is not right.
I'm just after words from anyone who has been in the same situation, good or bad and honest.
Many thanks
Hi,
Welcome to the online community, I hope you find is both informative and supportive.
New to the community is a bit like our welcome mat though many of our friends look towards some of the more specific groups.
I am Steve one of the community champions and my experience of cancer is via my wife who has Leiomyosarcoma.
I can however relate as a parent too since our son was taken ill with something of a mysterious illness, not helped in his case by his decision that he would not stay still for a blood test. Eventually after some time and following CT and MRI they found a benign brain tumour and after surgery and proton beam therapy he is pretty much back to normal.
Anyway I find being able to share on here quite helpful. Mostly people would find me via the Family and friends forum or Carers only forum and there are lots of helpful information to in Your feelings when someone has cancer as being able to recognize these emotions and accept them as normal and valid helps me find them less overwhelming.
You might also like to look at the Bowel (colon and rectal) cancer forum and Parents of children with cancer forum as there might be other views that might help.
<<hugs>>
Steve
