Pathology Report Received....

[Txbj1]

I just got back from seeing the GI Doc who did my colonoscopy on the 15th of August. I have cancer in my sigmoid colon as he suspected. I'm kind of numb right now. I got referred to see a Colon and Rectal Surgeon and also an oncologist.

The Pathology report reads as follows:

Submitted as Sigmoid Mass (Biopsy)

Adenocarcinoma, Invasive, Moderately, Differentiated.

I had to look up what that means, can someone confirm that its a grade 2?

I have been going rounds with the office staff and my order for my CT scan. Straight ridiculous! My PCP said they did not receive an order, I called both the GI's office and the PCP a total of 5 times. When I saw my Dr. and told him, he wanted to make sure that I get the order sent to Steinburg instead! The office Med Asst. had the nerve to try and tell me I had to wait for approval from my insurance company. I barked back and told her, I've ALREADY called my insurance company and Steinburg is in the network! Then she relented and said she will get it done by the end of the day. I won't hold my breath. I told her that I will be going to San Diego to see my family next week.

I wouldn't be so frustrated if I hadn't called on Friday the 19th, On Friday the 26th and was constantly told that the Med Asst. would call me on where to go, then have her finally called me on Monday and still didn't get anywhere. If this was happening to them or their loved-ones I am sure they would want to get this CT scan done ASAP also.

Welp, there you have it, Just praying that's the only place where it is. but the pain where my right ovary is pains so bad with I poop, I thought that they were connected somehow because the uterus has been removed? That is probably waiting in the wings for me too........ UGGG

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Txbj1,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected and keeping us up to speed on you. I hate to hear you're having to go through all this. It shouldn't be that difficult to schedule a CT scan. If you already have an Oncologist (GI Doc), I'd be working it there and not go through your PCP. Is Steinberg a cancer center? I see you are going to visit family in SD. Are you here in the states?

I hate you are also feeling some pain. Definitely need to get that CT done. I hope you've experienced some progress since posting this yesterday. We do wish you the best in getting those answers.

I was also on the speedy path to determine what's going on, but I didn't experience all the red tape you are having to deal with. I hope you get answers soon. Please keep us informed. This type of info can be helpful to others as well.

All the best ...

~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.

[Txbj1 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Hi!Yes, I live in the States, I live in Nevada.

Steinburg is an Imaging Center. Very organized and quick. I think I used the wrong Abbreviation (oops) my gastro dr. is who I seen. I finally seen the referral for the CT scan come through my insurance portal from my PCP and the time was close to 5pm! But I rather go to Steinburg. I'm done having my pity party, and and gearing up to start my journey.

I can't cry over spilled milk, Just get more milk!

I will try to update as my journey continues!! Thank you for this site!

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Txbj1]

You are on a journey. The goal is obtain "Survivor" status🧡. Never lose site of that and head right at it. No matter how long it takes.

I always thought of a cancer fight as being like a poker game. Cancer shows up and he's going to play. No one invited him. He chose to play you. You have no choice but to play. Cancer doesn't play fair, he brings his own cards, he brings his own chair. And you have to play. You gotta be 'All In' and do whatever it takes.

You need as many cards on the table as you can get. Faith, attitude, support, hydration, nutrition, treatments, knowing your biomarkers👍(get genetic testing), targeted therapies, clinical trials ... whatever it takes. These days, more and more therapies are personalized and targeted to specific biomarkers. Make sure you are a target for them by knowing your biomarkers. Whatever it takes to put cards on the table that will be beneficial to you.

Get good doctors. Always investigate. 2nd opinions can sometimes be very helpful. I see this all the time.

Best of everything for your journey🤟🙏🧡💪

I'm here for you if you need me ... right here or PM if that's better as well.

[jourdanb991]

I am sorry to hear this! I will keep you in prayers! If you don’t mind me asking what we’re your symptoms please. Take care and God be with you x

[Txbj1 in reply to jourdanb991]

Thank you so much. I was 45 when I had my hysterectomy. Now I’m 55. When I tested positive in 2020 by using the ColoGuard test I didn’t have any symptoms. But by I say, mid 21 I started to see the blood in my stool. Off and on at first then more frequent. Now it’s 98% of the time when I go. Then one day I started to pay attention to my body. And my lower right side where the ovary would be would pain after I go. Sometimes it will leave after a bit and now it just pains. I seen that my doctor place the order in for Steinburg. It’s pending so hopefully when I get back in town I can schedule and get this part behind me. I’m praying for a best surgeon, the best drs the best recovery. Thanks again for yours!

[jourdanb991 in reply to Txbj1]

God be with you and i have you in my prayers! You will over come this xxx

[Txbj1 in reply to jourdanb991]

Thank you!

[Alloagirl]

I am so sorry to hear that not only have you a cancer diagnosis, but it has been such a difficult time getting the tests you need. It is as bad here in the UK, the only thing we do not have to do, is worry about insurance. When you had your hysterectomy did they not take the ovaries. I expect you are younger than me as everything went which I was glad of. The CT scan for me was done really quickly but it was an abdomen scan and did not take much time. I hope your journey to beat this cancer starts soon and good luck and best wishes. Do you have something like our Macmillan web site. It is a forum for cancer sufferers and you can chat about your worries etc. Macmillan nurses are NHS so it is a medical web.

[Txbj1 in reply to Alloagirl]

I am glad I found this site. It’s been encouraging

[leinssi]

I’m so sorry to hear this, I’ll keep you in my prayers, You’ll get through this.

Sending hugs!

[poetrygirl49]

Hello. It is so, so stressful that you have had to chase everything. I've been there, though I am in Northern Ireland, so we don't have to deal with health insurance.

I too have cancer and it's in the same place as yours. I am at stage three, and facing an op next week. Please know that as things begin to slot into place, and people begin to do their jobs properly, our frustration level eases.

I know how worrying and nightmarish it is. Been there. God bless.

Julie

[Txbj1 in reply to poetrygirl49]

Hi will you keep you prayer. I don’t know my stage yet. Do you know if you have to do chemo or not? We gotta keep our heads up! Peace and blessing to you

[Slicedtomatoes61 in reply to Txbj1]

I had colorectal cancer - a tumor and 27 hot lymph nodes. The stage was towards the latter 3 stage. I did not find out the stage for a month. So glad I got a colonoscopy when I did. I had chemo before and after surgery along with radiation. The pre surgery treatments shrank the tumor to 10% of what it was and zapped all but one lymph node. The treatments depend on many factors including size and stage of tumor, lymph nodes involved, and possibly the location of the tumor. I have survived 9 years. Cancer is scary, but it is not a death sentence. People survive stage 4 cancers. The struggle is not easy, but just know that there are a lot of us who went through or are still going through the same or similar trials. Ask lots of questions, and if you don’t know what to ask, look up info on the internet. My oncologist and surgeon did not give me a lot of info and I didn’t know what questions to ask. I didn’t find out some info until I looked up questions I had on the internet several years later. Take care of yourself. You are number one right now, so don’t take on the problems of others. Rest, eat as much as you can because cancer causes anemia due to the problem of our bodies not being able to process and absorb nutrients. Pray, laugh, cry and be hopeful. Keep in contact with cancer patients and survivors as much as you can. People, prayer, and determination helped me the most. Disregard negative or condescending remarks. You will be in my prayers.

[Txbj1 in reply to Slicedtomatoes61]

thank you so much for this post. I got my note book and I have started writing and I am starting to study. Getting my questions ready for the surgeon. Got books on eating better and learning what cancer likes do I won’t feed it what it wants. When I gave the news to my family I flat out and told them. Don’t cry for me because I can cry for myself. Prayers, absolutely. You are so right. I don’t need the ones that expect me to cuddle them in their sadness regarding my diagnosis. I can’t carry anyone but myself. I’m am girding myself up for this now. My CT scan is on the 24Th then I will know the stage and move forward. Peace, prayers and blessings to you.

[Slicedtomatoes61 in reply to Txbj1]

good for you! It sounds like you are going in the right direction and being your own advocate. A lot of people don’t realize how important nutrition is for cancer patients, but it makes a difference. I am not judging them, I will pray for your cat scan to be good news! You take care of yourself, Txbj1!

[poetrygirl49]

Thank you for your prayers. Much appreciated, and needed.

My surgeon doesn't know until I'm on the operating table, whether or not I will need chemo, post ileostomy.

Take care.

[provenceshale in reply to poetrygirl49]

may ask what your symptoms were? when did they start and how long did they last before you were diagnosed? How were you diagnosed? colonoscopy?

[Txbj1]

Ok. How long did it take to get to surgery point from diagnosis? My Gastro was telling me as long as possible 🫤. But I will know more once I get the ct scan done. Keep your chin up.

[Slicedtomatoes61]

hey again, Txbj1, don’t know if you have been given a date for surgery, but if not, I would talk to a surgeon. To wait as long as possible doesn’t sound right. Hope I’m not crossing a boundary with my “advice.”

[Txbj1 in reply to Slicedtomatoes61]

hey. I wrote it wrong. Typing too fast. I meant as soon as possible. My bad. I met with 2 surgeons last week just to get a 2nd opinion. As soon as my CT is done next Sat. Then we can move forward. They can schedule me between 2 and 3 weeks. Did my CEA test on Friday and I peaked at the number. It’s at 4.5 so I am sure I will get scheduled to talk to the surgeon about that too. Hope all is well! 😊

[provenceshale]

what were your symptoms prior to the cancer diagnosis?