New to group

Hi

Just want to welcome you to the forum . Don’t worry a few of us on here do not even use Facebook etc yet here we are ! 
Quite a recent diagnosis for you so a lot to process and in a difficult time with the current health restrictions and not being able to fully access support from friends and family . We are most certainly here to support and listen .

I hope you are healing well from your surgery . Always good to get your primary tumour removed .  I came here when my mum was diagnosed over 11 years ago . She had a spread to her liver initially and a few years later her lung . Chemotherapy was very powerful and opened up other options for her . Whilst she had some intense years of treatment she also has had years off treatment and continues to do well .

The chemotherapy is largely the same used by stage 2/3 patients so lots of information on how to manage side effects etc is available. My mum was 67 and 68 when she had chemo and whilst it took a few cycles to get a feel for how to manage it she did get into a good routine . The staff are very kind and attentive. They give you lots of insight . Check your symptoms and bloods before each cycle and make any adjustments that are required . Do you know yet what chemotherapy you will be having ?

We keep it real here and hopefully some of your fears can be reduced by seeing how other people are coping . But we understand the anxiety that getting diagnosed brings . 

If you click on my user name you can read the course my mum’s journey has taken .

You are welcome to pop onto any thread and ask any questions you have . We have  a more chatty catch up thread to keep us all going . See what everyone has been up to . Anyone is also welcome to pop on there too.

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Court

Thanks for replying to me so promptly with lots of information really appreciate it.  As you say there is so much to take in and digest,  You are so correct when you say with the restrictions it has made this process so much more harder to deal with and take everything in.  I am lucky as have many friends and i work for the NHS with consultant anaesthetists who have been great, but the forum here will be important more as it’s everyone actually going through such a similar diagnosis/process.  It is so reassuring to hear how well your mum is doing.  I know they can do amazing things now with cancer, my mum passed away 10 years ago with stomach cancer she was 74 and before that had breast cancer when she was my age and recovered well from the breast cancer.

I am due to have a CT sometime next week and due to see my oncologist on 1st February to confirm the plan.  He did say that he expects me to have the chemo for up to six months but plans to do another CT scan after 3 months to review me.  I am recovering okay from the surgery but just so nervous about it all.

Will also do as you suggest and click on your name to read your mums story.

take care 

Hi Lousie

Just to say Hi. I also had 9" of my left Colon removed in May '19. The shock of it all was horrendous, even though I am far older than you. However, age is immaterial I think. I was initially diagnosed with Stage 2 after my Op....as all margins & Lymph Nodes were clear, though EMVI was determined.However, my Oncologist decided that Chemo was unnecessary at that time...which of course was pleasing, but in March '20, I had a CT Scan, followed by a Pet Scan....which showed two small Lung Nodules in one Lobe, & was then put onto Chemo Tabs. for 6 mths....followed by a Lung Ablation Op.in October last year. I am due a CT scan in a week...& am obviously a bit nervous...but hey ho...I'm still alive right now. In hindsight, I think perhaps my Oncologist should have given me Chemo. following my Op. (but who knows.)

Go for the Chemo offered you. I found the Tabs. very easy, with no side effects...until the end of the 6mth. cycle, but then, those side effects were doable & manageable.

Best wishes

Marianne

Hi 

So pleased to hear the anaesthetists are taking good care of you . They are well appreciated in this forum . 
They must be busy just now if they are assisting ICU staff with covid . 
We are really fortunate as we have a very large new hospital that is running covid units but also has space to keep the emergency cancer surgery going . They achieved this right through the first wave too! 
But difficult times for the NHS staff .

Hope you have a CT scan date through . It will be good to get your treatment plan firmed up and start working on shrinkage .

Are you still able to work just now ?

Take care ,

Court 

Hi 

Hope your CT scan went ok and you got a bit more info about your treatment plan .

Court 

Hi , I think that the days following diagnosis are truly the most difficult time. Once you have a treatment plan you can focus on that. Take each step, each day at a time. I too had surgery then chemo (take a look at my profile for details), with a temporary ileostomy. None of it was easy but I got through it one day at a time, with support from my family and friends, but also this community, where I found advice and support from those who had been through a similar experience was invaluable. Feel free to essage me with any questions. x