rectal cancer..

[Ram9]

so almost a year ago I posted that i will be having a colonoscopy and later i posted that i was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer.

Since that day lots of things happened! I had to do fertility preservation which was not very successful probably due to all the stress i was having.. then i started chemo , had 6 sessions of IV Folfirinox, which is pretty tough! I was so tired and lost most of my hair! Afterwards i had radiotherapy, 25 sessions with oral chemo.. which apparently triggered a premenopausal symptoms..

We waited 8 weeks then i had the long waited LAR surgery, it was tough i stayed almost 2 weeks at the hospital also now i have a little stoma.. anyway fast forward the pathology report showed that the lymphnodes were still positive, so more chemo.. now im on folfox protocol, it should be milder but im still so exhausted, probably my body is so weak now, i al easily getting tired.. i hope with this chemo it will be ok soon! And i will be able to have my stoma reversed!

i would be happy if anyone who is on the same boat could share their stories with me! Im kind of stressed all the time about the outcomes!

😊😊😊

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Ram9,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected. I am proud of you. You are a fighter. You are not alone. I went in for a routine physical with an abdominal tenderness going on ... CT scan, 2 days later I was in front of a surgeon, next morning my first colonoscopy, 2 days after that I had partial colectomy surgery and an 8 day hospital stay. I had stage 4 metastatic colon cancer. 2 years of Folfox and Folfuri chemo and some radiation ... it really got bad. Tumor was growing into some nerves. A lot of pain and narcotics. Finally got a break with a clinical trial with an immunotherapy drug Opdivo.

Remember ... you are not alone. I totally understand the fatigue. Chemo attacks a lot of other cells besides the cancerous ones. I found that focusing on doing things you think cancer is trying to stop you from doing is very therapeutic. When I was in a lot pain, I'd go for a walk. At least I owned the walk. I was doing something rather than letting it just happen to me and dictate what I was going to do, or not do. I think it helped me with the anxiety and mental health. A little something every day will be helpful. At times, I had to give up a lot of things due to cancer treatments and side effects. But I always had a plan to take that ground back.

I am doing well today. I still have to get an annual colonoscopy, annual CT scan and an endoscopy every 3 years. All that just so we can catch it early if it does return. It is what it is , but catching things early is key.

Ram9 ... You stay strong. Fight your way through that fatigue. View the goal ... to come out of this in a positive way. Strong. Regaining territory you had to give up during your fight.

I do wish you the very best in your fight. Here is to the chemo making you "OK" and to the reversal of the stoma. I'll be thinking about you. Stay strong. Please keep us updated. We are rooting for YOU!!! 🤟🤟🧡🧡

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[nieldy]

I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through, If you don’t mind me asking what was your prior symptoms? Did you lose weight? felt pain?

I really wish for your speedy recovery. May God bless and heal you

[GreatWhiteShar]

Hello Ram9! How have things been going for you since your last post?