Scared and anxious

Hi Li1

I was Dx with T3N0M0. (In November this year) With VI except my VI is intra-mural (IVMI)  …. It’s NOT an easy time  but I definitely consider it a curable Dx 

Did your histology report talk about lack of tumour budding, presence  of TILs, or Crohn-like cells  etc all  good indicators for better outcomes 

I was offered Capec tabs and couldn’t get on with them so now doing I/V LV/5FU 30weeks ( waaay better side effects wise and I’m finding easier than tabs) which in my mind is a’lesser’ regime than the FOLFOX which has OxI added in instead of capecet so your specialist  is offering your hubby belt and braces option which is great and only (!!!) 12 weeks   Grab it … the time will fly by and you won’t regret throwing everything at it !! 
best wishes  

Thanks for responding so quickly! Think you just want someone to tell you it will all be ok. It won’t come back but I know that no one can do that! It’s just so hard. I’m hoping time will be a healer as they say.  He was Dx last month  We only saw oncologist last week, it’s been a whirlwind to say the least. We have 2 kids, 12 and 15. It’s terrifying!  

Well given your hubbies likely age chemo a no brainer I’d say …..

If you check my profile you will see I was Dx with breast cancer in 2013 ( careless twice hey —- this time is not related )   My children were 15 and 16 then so I can relate a little. ….  I did a 12week chemo course then  and it went by quickly 

Sounds like everything is moving quickly for you ( although I bet it doesn’t feel like it ;) ) which is very good   Try to get chemo started within 8 weeks of resection  

my H and I have had a few horrible nights over the years stressing over the what ifs … tears and fear it’s awful I know …..but it does subside and you will move through it and get on with your family life 
xx 

Hi Li1 and a warm welcome to the board from me. 47 lymph nodes wow and all clear - that’s good. Youve had a couple of great replies from Parky2170 and I would agree that 12 weeks chemo is a good option. When I started my treatment a friend told me to accept everything I was offered then I would never have any regrets and wonder ‘what if…..’

Chemo isn’t the nicest of things but it is doable and there are lots of pills and potions to combat any side effects. The ox side of it is oxaliplatin which can have a few side effects so you might like to have a look at the link below

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/221768/chemo-care-top-tips--

Is he curable? No one can guarantee that 100% but the tumour is gone, there is no spread to other organs and there’s no lymph nodes affected which is all good. This chemo will be a final blast of ‘weed killer’ to give him the very best chance so I would grab it with both hands.

Yes the worry is always there but lessens with each clear scan and as each year passes you feel more and more hopeful. I was told that most reoccurrences happen within the first 2 years and once you get to 3 years then things are looking pretty good. I was T3 when diagnosed in 2016 and had 2/17 lymph nodes affected so had follow up chemo - I’ve just celebrated my 5 year clear scan as have my 2 friends who I went through my treatment with.

As you say, you’ve had a whirlwind of a month and I’m not surprised you’re feeling a bit shell shocked. Hopefully hubby is recovering well from his op and things will calm down a bit. It may be a bit early for this but a lot of people have found this paper really helpful in understanding your emotions after treatment. If it doesn’t feel relevant yet or it’s too early then keep it for later and refer back to it as and when

https://www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Hope the chemo goes well and please keep posting if there’s anything we can help with 

Take care

Karen x

Hi, Li1, there are lots of us with this, T3N0 V1M0, I was offered, and took adjuvant chemo, though mine was different . I am awaiting scan results but if clear that will be 2 years after treatment finished, or nearly 3 after the operation. So it is definitely treatable. Not sure if they ever say curable until you get to the 5 year mark. But please believe there is hope. Ask any questions if you wish.

Ask what the difference the chemo will make on survivability, but my suggestion would be to give chemo a go. You can stop, even after one cycle, but you will always know you gave it your best shot, and will never think 'if only'. My chemo was over 30 weeks, which actually took 34, but from about 2/3 through I just said, one more week, and then there were no more weeks!

All the best.

Kareno62 Gemmary

go girls Re your recent results and milestones  You are both fast becoming my poster girls and I hope and trust  I ( and we all !!) get similar results over the next 2-5 years. Fingers crossed for your latest scan gemmary !! 
I did round 5 chemo yesterday and LFTs still holding. Woo hoo !! 

Thanks everyone for your help and supportive comments and advice. It’s a lot to take in and is really scary but we have to remain positive and take the positive facts that we know just now. It hasn’t spread, the lymph nodes were clear. Oncologist said it’s an early stage and it’s out  so we are taking that as a positive as well x