32 years old - stage 2/T3 and chemotherapy before surgery

Hi 

Welcome to the forum . To me you are very young and I am sorry you have to face this ! However you are heading to curative surgery and that’s great !

I think some recent research has emerged as I have noticed all of a sudden a few people have change regime to more chemo prior to surgery . That’s the benefit of good research and the willingness to change to get the best outcome . But you are not alone I have noticed in recent months it has changed ! 
It is also common to only remember some of what was said ! It still amazes me that my mum absorbed some parts of the conversation and I others . After each appointment we were able to piece together what was actually said !

If you feel you need to clarify anything you can contact your specialist nurse or your consultant’s secretary by email ! It’s important you are fully on board with the detail !

I will tag in Star74 she is full of youthfulness! 
Our helpline staff would be happy to chat through any aspect on 0808 808 0000.

Its good you have joined in the discussion and sought support !

Take care ,

Court 

Hi  and a very warm and (not so) youthful welcome from me!  Thanks court!

Sorry you find yourself here but you will find much support, advice and positivity so you are in the right place. 

You are young to be diagnosed however I'm surprised how many young people are being diagnosed, it was a complete shock to me and because of my age, my symptoms were put down to piles causing a delay in diagnosis.  However, I also believe that having this disease at a young age is a benefit as my Onc was able to give me the 'big guns' treatment regime and i managed to stay fit and healthy through the process.

I also went straight to chemo (although I also have spread to my liver) which I think is a great way to go as it starts working immediately and will hopefully shrink everything and kill off any cells lurking. Do you know what chemo you are having and when it starts?

I had the genetic testing done, I have no genetic gene -just plain old bad luck!  However, it is recommended that my children have bowel screening when they are adults.

Any questions you have just ask, please don't Google however tempting it is, it is so out of date and we are all individual. 

Best wishes, 

Michelle xx

Hello LVLDS                                             

You most definitely are young to me too and I am so sorry you are going through this.

I've fairly new to this myself and just finishing my first round of chemo (after surgery to remove a Stage2 T3 tumour on my right hepatic flexure) however I've also read about pre-op chemo before surgery to improve the outcome but don't know when and why that option is taken. It's good you are getting genetic testing, because you are young to be going through this, but again I can understand that it's another worry to add to everything else.

I doubt if any of the above is helpful but I'd definitely second court's suggestion of calling one of the cancer nurse specialists attached to the colorectal team at your hospital. In Edinburgh at least they can access your file, check things out for you, answer questions and were lovely every time I called.  

You're in a tough place but posting on the forum is a great way to connect and not feel so alone with it all. So I'm very glad you found us. 

Hi LVLDS, 

I am 36 years old and have rectal cancer, was diagnosed this year.  I have had chemoradiotherapy and i am due to have surgery next week.

When I was first told I had cancer my first thought was I wanted it removing, I just assumed I would be having surgery first but was told the best course of action would be to wait an have the chemoradiotherapy to start with.

I would also take on Courts advice and give your specialist nurse a call if you have any worries or questions. My nurse has been really supportive.

I will be having the genetics testing, I have three children who are 10, 8 and 1. I am really worried about having the tests done but think I should as its best to know. 

Here if you need to chat 

Take Care xxx

Hi LVLDS

I've found myself in a similar position. I've just turned 32, but found out about 6 months ago I had a tumour on my appendix that had caused my appendix to burst, so that and part of my bowel was removed, followed by chemo for 8 rounds. 

I've been put in touch with the genetics department for the same reason to investigate whether it is likely to have been caused by an underlying issue with my genes.

It is all very daunting, but amazing what modern science can detect and hope to prevent or keep us aware of. I just keep telling them to throw what ever tests they like at me, because the more we are aware of, the more we have the chance of picking up on something in a time scale that it can be treated more successfully.

Take care. 

Xx