Long story...
On Oct 1 I had a surveillance colonoscopy where my surgeon also examined the rectal stump (I have a colonostomy). This was my second surveillance colonoscopy and only about 1 year after I had surgery and was considered "cancer-free". I had advocated hard for an aggressive surveillance because I believed my cancer to be fast growing.
Anyway, my surgeon noticed that a pocket of inflammation in the rectal stump he had seen 6 months earlier had grown considerably and he didn't like the look of it. Biopsies came back negative though. He was not convinced. He ordered a PET scan.
PET scan comes back with low level "glowing" that could be inflammation. It was not definitive. My surgeon was not convinced. He told me, I looked at that and it was no abcess. He orders a needle biopsy that get samples center mass.
Today, I saw the results online... positive for adenocarcinoma consistent with my original cancer.
I'm a bit devastated but not surprised. I think I've known since I spoke to my surgeon on Oct 1. These guys know what they are looking at.
I am so thankful that I advocated for an aggressive surveillance. If I hadn't, it would be another 4 months before my surgeon had a chance to discover this.
And I thank God and all the powers in the universe to have such a caring surgeon who did not dismiss his observations even when the data wasn't supporting him.
I meet with my surgeon Dec 29 to get a plan... probably surgery.
I've been mostly absent from this board during this difficult time. The agony of waiting for more tests to be scheduled and then waiting for results. I find it easier to keep my mind on other things and this board is a reminder... it's hard.
But I'd appreciate any well wishes. I'm concerned about the upcoming surgery and the possibility of more chemo. But at least I know for certain.
