Just diagnosed with colon cancer - Colon Cancer Conn...

Colon Cancer Connected

14,331 members1,537 posts

Just diagnosed with colon cancer

Aimee1982 profile image
58 Replies

Hi all, I have just been told I have signs of cancer in my colon picked up in a CT scan for liver lesions. They now suspect the liver to be secondary. I'm heartbroken as I'm only 36 and I have a 7 year old son who I just can't leave cos he's my world. I just don't know what to expect now as I haven't been told what stage etc my cancer is at. Another weird thing is my liver isn't damaged at all and the tumour marker is low for my liver so I don't understand how it can be cancer. Has anyone else been diagnosed with this and how did you feel?

Written by
Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
58 Replies
MartinVB1000 profile image
MartinVB1000

Goo morning Aimee

So sad to hear your news and rare at 36.

Take heart , the doctors will do amazing things for you . 25 years ago the results were terrible , today they have so much more to help you. The chemotherapy ( folfox) is tolerable and deadly to ademocarcenomas . You have our prayers and a son who will give all the determination to rid yourself of this .

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toMartinVB1000

Thankyou for your lovely response. They think the cancer has spread to my liver and possibly my lungs. They are having an MDT meeting on Tuesday and then Wednesday I am in to see what my treatment plan is. I will battle through this, and cancer will not beat me. I am going to start an alkaline diet and do what I can to help myself.

MartinVB1000 profile image
MartinVB1000 in reply toAimee1982

🙏

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68

So sorry to know about your diagnosis at such a young age. I know how devastating it is to you and family. 3 weeks ago, my husband had also been diagnosed with colon cancer stage 4. Our life has been turned down. We are still in shock and are trying to get information about possible treatment for him

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toPoppy68

Sorry to hear your sad news :( it just makes you numb doesn't it! We will fight this tho xx

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply toAimee1982

Hello, how are you doing? Have you started your treatment? My husband is still waiting to see a consultant for a treatment plan. It is nerve wracking but have to remain positive and strong.

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toPoppy68

Hi poppy68. I’ve just had my round 2 of IV chemo then I have 2 weeks of tablets. It’s hard going tho. I ended up in hospital for a week with an infection after my 1st IV chemo. How is your husband getting on now? Xx

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply toAimee1982

Hello Aimee, Sorry to know that you were unwell after 1st chemo. My husband started his first round from this Monday, he has side effects of nausea,rash on his neck and insomnia. We have been praying that chemo will work .hope you get better soon.

Life2short profile image
Life2short in reply toAimee1982

You can try drinking aloes for your colon together with changing your diet like you said. It will help.

Hi Aimee, I'm so sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, colon cancer has been increasing in younger ages. You are not alone in this and I am so glad you reached out for support here.

Luna__ profile image
Luna__

Cure your own cancer website described how CBD and THC fight cancer. I wish you all the best , don't give up hope and keep an open mind about treatment. NaturalNews.com is a good site and also Mercola.

Jimbo1967 profile image
Jimbo1967

Dear Aimee.

Like you, I've been just diagnosed with bowel (and possibly rectal) cancer so I know what you must be going through.

I think the most awful thing is not knowing the full prognosis and outcome, but I assure you that you will receive Gold Star treatment whatever and the best possible care to help get you through it.

Oncology has come on massively in recent years and I wish you the very best for a speedy and full recovery.

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toJimbo1967

Thankyou xx

Tracy110270 profile image
Tracy110270

Hi there, new to this forum and after reading your post I'm hoping your having the treatment you need and things will improve for you xxxx

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toTracy110270

Hi! How are you getting on with your treatment? Xx

Junkie profile image
Junkie in reply toAimee1982

Hello some what was the symptoms u got those days I’m getting stringy and fat stool almost 1 month and blood and mucus were present in it

Zkhalil profile image
Zkhalil

Hi guys I have had many tests done which were all negative. Faecal occult blood , faecal calprotectin and coeliac blood test. Yet I'm still constipated and passing curly stools which are not pencil thin sometimes the stools float. I will always have a bowel movement in the morning. Then i will need to go again. I have been referred to the gastro even though my gp thinks I have IBS.

My symptoms are

Bowel movement every morning around 6am

Then another bowel movement an hour later maybe

Then for the rest of the day I feel the urge to go and no stools come out just watery discharge.

No stomach pains

Don't feel bloated

I am belching a lot

Finally gp told me I had dermatitis around my anus area and gave me some cream to help with burning pain ive been having.

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toZkhalil

Hi there. Sorry to hear you’re going through this. I had no bowel cancer symptoms and I still don’t really. Mine has spread to my liver and that’s how they found the bowel coz I was getting pain in my side so had a scan. I would definitely push for a colonoscopy or a scan from the doctors xx

Zkhalil profile image
Zkhalil in reply toAimee1982

Yes I'm booked to see a gastro soon. My stools float quite a lot and and curly shaped aswell. Hopefully the colonoscopy or a scan can be helpful in ruling out any serious medical conditions

zmr_3 profile image
zmr_3 in reply toZkhalil

Hi Zkhalil i see this is an old post but I have stools similar to how you described. Did you ever get to the bottom of what was causing it? Would appreciate your hearing your experience

iggey profile image
iggey in reply toAimee1982

Hi Aimee, how are you doing now?I appreciate this was a while ago, but what kind of pain were you experiencing on your side? was it the right side?

Also were you burping a lot by any chance? wishing you all the best

Lora97 profile image
Lora97 in reply toZkhalil

Did the constipation finally go away? Im having severe constipation with bloody stool and im afraid what if its colon cancer .im going to the clinic again next week for my bp meds

Jwarren profile image
Jwarren

Hi Aimee - hope you are well? It’s a scary time but they can fix this pretty well now - I had radiation /chemo iliostomy for 15months then more chemo. Reversal nearly a year ago and been clear ever since - I took lots supplements to help me stay healthy and keep working. It’s a hard journey but well worth it. Things change - you change but it’s not all bad - good luck

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toJwarren

Hi JWarren, thanks for your positive response. That’s good news for you 💪 I have been told I’m incurable as my liver is full of secondary rumours and they won’t do surgery and my chemo treatment is purely for comfort etc. I’m not having it tho, I’m trying alternative treatments alongside my chemo. So fingers crossed 🤞

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply toAimee1982

Hello Aimee, please don’t give up hope. What you said is very similar to my husband. The consultant said that both sides of his liver are tumors and it’s not operable but chemo might shrink them and might be operable then

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply toAimee1982

Hi Aimee what alternative therapy are you using? I heard some people with colon cancer use cannabis oil to manage pain and other cancer symptoms, we are considering to give it a try if it is effective. What do you think?

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toPoppy68

Hi Poppy68

Yes I’m using cannabis oil alongside my chemotherapy. I find it’s great, for helping me to sleep and it totally relaxes my body. If you can get hold of some, I would certainly recommend it. I won’t know until my scan in September if it’s reduced my tumours but I’ve only heard good things from others using it.xx

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68

Thank you for the quick response. It sounds great.Hope it reduces tumor . We will try it. We saw it at Amazon . Where is the best place to get it?

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toPoppy68

Where do you live? You can buy CBD oil in health food shops like Holland and Barrett in the UK xx

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply toAimee1982

Yes we also live in the Uk. Thank you

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toPoppy68

No problem. How’s your hubby getting on? Has he been ok on his chemo? Xx

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply toAimee1982

Hello , Husband started 1st chemo from 2July, had some side effects, nearly went to A&E because of temperature of 37.5c,but in the end choosing not to go, we waited for the next day, luckily, temperature returned to normal .he will start 2nd round from coming Monday,how are you getting on ?

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toPoppy68

I’m on day 7 now of round 2. I don’t feel too bad but I’m just so tired and weak. It just totally zaps you! I’ve heard each round is harder. We just need to stay strong! We will power through this 💪 where about in the UK are you? X

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply toAimee1982

Hi, good to know that you are one round ahead so we can share some experience. Paul didn’t like steroid which gives him insomnia, he is thinking not to take the full proscription of it next round. We live in Liverpool,where are you?

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toPoppy68

Yes defo, I can give you tips for the next round. I think my pins and needles lasted a little longer this round too. I am from Liverpool too. In Allerton. Are you under the Royal? Xx

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply toAimee1982

Hi that’s nice surprise to know you are also from the same area. Such a small world!😀Paul is a patient of Clatterbridge.

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply toPoppy68

Paul’s chemo drugs are folfiri and 5fu. He has KRAS mutation so he can’t have Erbitux. What’s yours?

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toPoppy68

Ah ok, my oncologist is based at Clattterbridge however he comes to the royal for clinic and they do a clatterbridge clinic for chemo which is better for me thankfully. I have Oxaliplatin on IV and the tablets are capecitabine. A lot of others on forums seem to be on folfiri and 5fu tho. Xx

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply toAimee1982

Sounds like the chemo drugs are different, I am a bit surprised as I thought the chemo treatments are standard. Maybe at some point we can arrange for a coffee somewhere and have a chat if both are fit.

MagnoliaStellata profile image
MagnoliaStellata in reply toAimee1982

Hi Aimee

I had Oxaliplatin on IV and capecitabine. The course finished in March.

I had a lot of side effects from both drugs, and the Oxyplatin had to be reduced.

I think it was partly because I had chemo for breast cancer 14 years ago (unrelated to the bowel cancer) and it had weakened my system, and partly because it is a tough regimen.

My bowel cancer was stage 4, because it had punched a way through my colon wall, then stomach wall, then diaphragm and was clinging to my lung. A third of my lung and some ribs were removed and I had an ileostomy which was reversed a few months ago.

So far there is no evidence of further spread.

I think that the regimen you are having, and I had, is maybe given if there is colon cancer with lung involvement.

Ever since the original surgery in April of last year, I have taken a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. I checked first with the surgeon and Oncologist and they were fine about it. I believe it helped to prop up my system. Magnesium frequently dropped below unacceptable levels.

Anyway, you might find this list of side effects useful chemocare.com/chemotherapy/...

Good luck

Aimee1982 profile image
Aimee1982 in reply toPoppy68

With regards to the steroid, the docs at A&E when I had to go think that may have been causing my stomach cramps. I only took it once a day this round just in case xx

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply toAimee1982

Doctors said the side effects are accumulative, so we have to see what happens

in reply toPoppy68

Poppy68, have you heard anything from Aimee1982, since the posts from 5 months ago?

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply to

Hello tessko , a few days ago I got a message from Aimee 1982’s ex colleague saying that she had sadly passed away a couple weeks ago .

in reply toPoppy68

Oh, thank you, so much for responding. I'm so very sad to hear this. She was so young and I know she hated to "leave" her son. I sort of suspected something was up when she "disappeared" after a couple of posts, one of which did not sound too good. I appreciate your taking the time to respond. Also, I think that was kind of her ex-colleague to let you know.

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply to

Yes I was also very shocked and saddened by the news. She was young and determined to give a fight for her son....Life is unpredictable, enjoy every day when we can.

in reply toPoppy68

So Sad to know she didn't make it..

Pammywammysid profile image
Pammywammysid

I'm so sorry to read this , but these days the treatments are amazing , stay strong darling , thinking of you xxxxxxx

Gill_H profile image
Gill_H

Hi Aimee and Poppy68. Bit late on joining this post. I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in August 2016. Like Aimee I had severe pains in my right hand side from just below ribs up to my shoulder. Had chest x-ray followed by ultrasound which showed up liver lesions. Was referred straight to hospital for further investigation. Immediately suspected colon cancer and had a CT scan which was inconclusive followed by colonoscopy which found a tumour in my sigmoid colon. I was told this was inoperable and incurable but should be manageable with chemo. So I have fortnightly palliative chemo. I started on FOLFIRI (irinotecan plus 5fu - the 5fu is delivered by infusion pump over 2 days). This worked well for 18 months but then I developed a bone met on my scalp which was confirmed as one of the colons devil spawn and had a 5 day course of radiotherapy on that. Then I was changed to 2nd line treatment which was FOLFOX (5fu and Oxaliplatin by iv again with the pump for the 5fu). Which is where I am now. Having my 3 monthly scan today so should find out if it's working! How are you doing now?

Gill xx

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply toGill_H

Hi Gill so sorry to know what you have been through since your diagnosis. From your description, you sound like an amazing fight! what is the result for your latest scan? Hope all is well. My husband’s tumors have shrunk and he has been scheduled to have a operation in January. Have you had any surgery since diagnosis?

Poppy68 profile image
Poppy68 in reply toPoppy68

Amazing fighter

statistic profile image
statistic

My heart goes out to you darling keep on fighting and enjoying your family

Prayers for you Aimee. Don’t give up, stay strong and determined to fight this horrible disease. God bless xxx

CosyIndigo profile image
CosyIndigo

Hi lovely. I had colonoscopy on Monday and they discovered something they are 99% sure is cancer. I’m now awaiting a ct scan to see how far it’s gone on Sunday- I’ll get results in around another week. Of course I don’t know yet but could be in a similar situation. I can’t answer your question but just want you to know you’re not alone. I have to boys 11 and 13 and no idea how I will tell them. 😞

MartinVB1000 profile image
MartinVB1000 in reply toCosyIndigo

I had a colonoscopy 3 years ago and they were 100% sure it was cancer. They took biopsy and had a ct scan that tells them the stage. Mine was stage 3 with indications of invasion to nodes.

The science is so much improved. I had the bit of colon cut off and the colon rejoined . This included cutting away near by tissue with the nodes in . Yes I had stage 3 N2 M0.

That means it was cancer and had progressed to the outer wall of the colon. It had spread to 5 nodes too.

After 6 weeks I started folfox with oxaliplatin. I had three months of the chemotherapy.

In April it will be 3 years since the operation. Clear so far . 🙏

You are absolutely right to confront this ASAP and get the medical experts in action. 30 years ago , my chances would have been 25%. Today they are 70%. Take the expert advice , it works and our prayers too. God bless M

Derron256 profile image
Derron256 in reply toMartinVB1000

Where u getting any discomfort in your left rib area?

1xyz profile image
1xyz

Dear angel aimee1982 my prayers for your heavenly peace

Arodriguez1013 profile image
Arodriguez1013

I hope yur doing well. Plz give ur life to God Jesus will give u rest n Hope.. Also eat plant base food. It helps God bless yu

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Colon Cancer Diagnosed

Hey all, I'm writing to you as I was just diagnosed with colon cancer this past Saturday. I am...
1990Pfj profile image

Colon cancer

Hi there. My name is Adam and I suffer from health anxiety. For the past weeks in have suffered...
Sulljda profile image

colon cancer/scalp cancer link?

I read via google that colon cancer sometimes spreads to the scalp. Has anyone heard of or can...
W0ND3R1NG profile image

Colon Cancer surgery

Hi everyone, my name is Vickie. I was told I have colon cancer on 9/5/2018 after the doctor got the...

33 year old female diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer

Hello, I’m a single mother of 3 from Chicago Illinois. I’ve been pretty healthy all my life.. no...

Moderation team

GCCA-Survivor profile image
GCCA-SurvivorAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.