Colon Cancer

[scotty]

Less than a month ago I was diagnosed with colon cancer. They say this is a survivable cancer. My dilemma is the doctors want to remove my rectum. So I would have to live with a colostomy bag for the rest of my life. I have one doctor that says I should start chemo and radiation treatments and try to reduce the size of it and then have the surgery to try save the rectum. My family doctor, my Oncologist, and my surgeon all tell me have the surgery right away. The reason to remove it is because of the location of the tumor. They say that because of the location reconstructive surgery is not possible. It is located right above the sphincter.


I am 44 years young, my band still plays and I feel young and healthy.


Does anybody know anything about this stuff or know anybody that has gone through this? Any suggestions are welcomed.
Scott

[442w30]

Man,

I wish you the best. I have no advice for you other than colon cancer got my uncle. It moves really fast.

Of course you need to do something immediately I'd think. I'd also lean toward having surgery that has fewer long term side effects - if it would be likely you'd survive.

Third/fifth opinion..quick?

[Argos]

Sorry to hear that man. My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer in December. He underwent emergency surgery and they removed something (I don't remember exactly what it was). He's been having chemo treatments for the last few months and has a few months left. Truth be told, he hates it and feels like shit all the time because of the radiation therapy.

I'm no expert, but if you still aren't sure about getting the surgery (and I wouldn't be too keen on that, either) I'd try and get a few more opinions--if you have the time for that.

Sorry I can't be of more help. Hang in there dude.

[Cleveland Metal]

Dude, I'm sorry to hear that. Not much that words here can mean, but we're always here to listen.

I'd get more opinions too bro... Even if you have to travel somewhere that there are the main dudes in that field. Find out, and see who are the big players. This is way too serious to fuck around with.

My Buddy takes his dad to Boston every month or two for a doctor that specializes in his blood cancer type. Others said he'd be dead a bit ago and weren't doing much for him. This guy is the main dude in the field and has had some success with it...

You're in my most positive thoughts man...

[guitarsjb]

Keeping you in my thoughts bro!!
Like Cleve said, hunt down a specialist, get a 2nd opinion. Then do what you think is best for you. A colostomy bag sucks..but if it means you live, it's not so bad. Good luck, and best wishes

[Model 88]

Sorry about the news , you are in my thoughts . I have had radiation treatments and IMO they are not that bad . I have been through two sets of treatments . First time around it just wore me down a little as the week went on. The second time through did not bother me much at all. Having the treatments in the lower part of you body you should not really feel that many side effects , at least in my experience. It will be the chemo that messes you up.

I would also suggest getting a few more opinions . And depending on what stage the cancer is in I would do fairly quick. Not to scare you but if I remeber right colon cancer usually metastasis to the liver and lungs.

[Newc]

My Mother had Colon Cancer in late 2003, but it had not had a chance to spread or "get settled in" when it was found. They removed 8" of her intestines and got it all.

Being directly on the opening itself would definitely present a different problem.

God Bless ya, Scott, I'm praying for you.

[Jason1212]

My grandfather had colon cancer. When I was 33 I had a colonoscopy done and I had polyps. I was lucky and they were not cancerous. I have been putting it off but I will be scheduling another check up here soon. It sounds like you are doing your homework so keep at it. Let us know what you find out and your decision. Stay strong I'll send a prayer out for you.

[AlexL]

Even if you have to travel somewhere that there are the main dudes in that field. Find out, and see who are the big players. This is way too serious to fuck around with.

This is good advice.

But remember, 44 is young, and you have a lot of good years ahead of you. If they have to be spent with a colostomy bag, so be it.

I'll send some prayers your way. Best of luck.


- Eric

[Norton]

My farher's mother(I don't called her grandma cause I didn't like her) had colon cancer last year.She was diagnosed very very lately and she was 75 years old.They removed her rectum and she lived the rest of her time,very bad.She hated the colostomy bag.She died.




Since you're not old,and have many many years to live,I think you should not go with the surgery first.The important thing is not to live as long as you can.It's to live as good as you can.And I don't think life with the colostmoy bag can be any good.



I wish you the best man!I hope you can get out of this.I see a lot of people with cancer,nowadays.It's horrible that it's become this common.


We're all here,supporting you.

[Deneb]

Well, my initial response was going to be, if I had to live with a bag, I wouldn't want to. See, I've got issues in my colon, about 3 years ago, (I'm 24, going to be 25) they thought I may have colon cancer. Turned out to be other things, which is great for me.

Then I had like this epiphany as I was reading through here. It's life man, and I'd rather live it. If that means living with a bag, then so be it, I'd live with it.

Now, my opinions? Colon Cancer moves pretty fast. Get a few more opinions, but don't delay treatment. If you're getting the chemo and radiation, then start quick, and see if it reduces quick. Remember though, you don't want to be too weak from that, to undergo the surgery.

I really think you should get another opinion, and then go from there...quickly.

[GodOfRhythm]

Act fast and decisively. Personally, I would not like living with a bag, but I would like to LIVE, even if it is with a bag.

As it is, it seems chemo/radio is more of a completentary treatment, used either before or after the surgery, or both, to further reduce the risk of the cancer returning.

Also who knows what kind of reconstructive surgery techniques might come around in the next 5 years? New technology is being implemented virtually every day.

------------

I did some quick research and came up with:

Seems like the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is one of the best places (though obviously quite far from Texas, being in NY).

http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/311.cfm

http://nymag.com/health/besthospitals/24095/index1.html

Then there’s MSK’s colorectal surgical team, headed by Dr. W. Douglas Wong, often said to be the premier rectal surgeon in New York. A giant in the field and the president-elect of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Wong has been a leading developer of surgical techniques, as well as the pioneer of presurgery ultrasound analysis of rectal tumors. Currently, he’s the only doctor in Manhattan experimenting with an artificial bowel prosthesis that may eliminate the need for a colostomy bag.

They're already working on a prosthesis it seems.

[Firebird V]

Hey man. I don't have anything to add that in advice but I just wanted to say be strong and that you are in my thoughts. God bless.

[SouthernXer]

Scotty, head up to Houston to MD Anderson if you haven't already. They are the best in the world when it comes to this type of illness.

+1 on what Firebird V said. God Bless and hang tough!

[CharvelRocker]

While I don't have any advice, you are in my thoughts and prayers. You can beat it man!