Colon Cancer and Oncologist Help

Point44

Point44

Joined
Jan 15, 2003
Messages
1,690
Hi everyone,

I just received the news that i've always been dreading. My mom went to have a colonoscopy and found that she had colon cancer. I found out literally an hour ago and i'm still shaking as i'm writing this.

Since i don't know much about these things i'd like to ask for help from fellow forumites about it. I know i can do a search on the internet but since hearing the news my energy was just sapped. I just can't think straight right now and don't know where to look first.

Anyway, from fellow forumites around the world with experience or knowledge on this could you give me information on stuff like surgery, aftercare etc. Also, i was wondering if someone could give any info on specialists around the world. Basically an oncologist. I know medicine is much more advanced in the US and maybe in Australia or UK compared to Malaysia so it would really help my family and comfort them if we knew of a specialist we could go to or fly to anywhere in the world.

Thanks in advance for any help

Iskandar Azaman
 
I'm sorry to hear the news. I can only imagine the shock that you and your family is going through.

I'm also sorry that I can't give you any specifics, statistics, or recommendations. I'm sure some of other the forumites are better versed in the subject than I. But I can relay what I have read, and heard. And that is that colon cancer is one of the more "curable" of the cancers. Early detection is the key.

So please take it to heart that while the news apperas grim, it may not as bad as you are imagining. Give your mother all the support you can, and keep your faith close.

I'm sorry I can't offer more. God bless.
 
Hang in there man, your Mom needs you, you can't afford to fall apart now. Check your email and if there is anything I can do let me know.
 
So sorry to hear this,my thoughts and prayers are with you.Colon cancer is one of the most curable cancers and as noted, early detection is the key.
May '04,my mother was diagnosed,luckily,early enough.She had 9 inches of her bowel removed,no chemo or radiation was needed,although that is not always the case.May '05,she had her 1 year checkup and no recurrence was detected.
I'm not a doctor but if I can be of any assistance,please Email me.

Doug Castor
 
Iskandar,

Medical science is a moving target; My late grandmother broke her hip twice. The first time around, it was nearly six months, before she was able to take a step. The second time (same break) happen 25 years later when she was well into her 80s, and they had her on her feet within hours. Whatever may have been true of cancer a few years ago may no longer be true today.

Hang in there and stay strong. I hope your mother gets well soon.

n2s
 
Iskandar,
I am sure that you will receive many similar replies:
This type of cancer is relatively common, so you will probably not lack for shared experiences with your fellow forumites. My father died of colon cancer a few years ago.

Right now you are probably overwhelmed. Let me narrow a few things down for you. The important thing to know is that the prognosis for colon cancer depends on a few variables. The primary ones are:
Age at diagnosis.

The stage of the cancer--meaning, basically how far it has spread.

These 2 will determine the treatment.
Where in Malaysia do you live? Do you have a large hospital and advanced treatment center there? Specialists? Keep in mind that this may be a long fight, and comfort is important--your Mother may prefer to be at home. Find out exactly what facilities and doctors are available. If you need information about oncologits elsewhere, post, or PM me, and I will try to help you find any information that you need.. Almost everything depends on the 2 variables posted above.

The really important thing is for you to be there for your mother--and that goes for the rest of your family as well--Find strength in each other. And in God. You and your mother will be in my prayers.
 
I am very sorry to hear this, Point44. It's important for you to hang tough and support your mom during her treatment. Remember that the mind can work wonders and a determined positive outlook can keep her in the percentage of colon cancer patients who make full recoveries.
 
Hang in there bud, it may seem like the end of the world but it's not. My friend Dan just went through all this. He was detected with colon cancer a year and a half ago. They took out the affected bowel part, and he had 6 months of chemotherapy. He got a bit ill durring the chemo but came through it okay. His wife just had a party for him to celebrate his one year clean mile stone. He's had checks and scans every couple months since the chemo ended and so far it looks like he's going to be around for a long time yet.

Iskander, your Mom can do the same thing, and now is the time for the family to gather round her. She'll need the emotional support, but colon cancer is the most survivable cancer you can get. Check the doctors out, any good doc should be up on the latest treatments in the medical journals.

Good luck, and God bless.
 
On Christmas eve of 2002 my Mother complained of abdominal pain. She spent all of Christmas Day in bed. The next day she went to the Dr. where they discovered not only the colon cancer, but the fact that her bowel had collapsed as well (it takes a lot for my Mom to miss Christmas). They rushed her to the hospital where she had a section of intestine removed. Later she had a short run of chemo with minimal side effects. They are really much better with chemo now. Lower doses, shorter runs, more targeted. And so far, by the grace of God, no recurrence and her life is totally back on track. I hope your Mother's outcome is the same. BTW my Mother will be 78 on her next birthday.

Jack
 
I am no cancer expert. However Colon Cancer I understand If caught in early stages is very treatable and recoverable. Do not assume that your mother is terminally ill. This type of cancer is very common and can be beaten.

Prayers for your mom and keep us posted.

Ren
 
In 1997 my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. It was high up in the colon so they cut out about a foot of the colon and reattached it. After the operation they said the cancer had spread through the wall of the colon which is very bad. They told me she was finished. This was at Sloan Kettering hosp. in N.Y.C. Anyway my mother is still alive today and lives with my sister and her family. Although she has other serious health problems she is cancer free. By the way she never took chemo as the surgeon said it wouldn't help. My sister and I take a colonoscopy test about every 3 yrs. or so because it is in the genes. As long as it hasn't spread to other organs or Lymph glands there is a good chance of recovery. I'm sure there are some top cancer doctors where you live. From what I know of the disease it all depends on what stage the person is in. Nowadays it is a very curable form of cancer.Good luck to you and your mom.
 
Ren the devils trailboss said:
....Do not assume that your mother is terminally ill. This type of cancer is very common and can be beaten.
Ren
Click to expand...

My agency partner was diagnosed with colon cancer and given 5 years to live, maximum, after they removed a portion of it.

That was 20 years ago.

A positive attitude is one of the most powerful components of the treatment process. And the support and love of family and friends.
 
Point44: MY heart and prayers are with you and your Mom. Hang in there!!! Your Mom needs you right now!!
 
Colon cancer is very treatable and survivable if it is caught early enough. Since she caught it quick, her odds are darn good.
 
As with other posts here, I also know several people who were treated successfully for cancer, and lived (or are still living) for decades after treatment!

Sending you and your mom best wishes from Canada, Iskandar. :)
 
Thanks for all the support and info guys. This is why i love this forum so much.

I'm now a lot calmer. Turns out we have good surgeons here. The one treating my mom is quite the expert having an average of 2 colon cancer surgeries every week. He is a specialist. Colorectal surgeon or something like that.

Right now things still look alright. It does't look like advance stages. So she has arranged for surgery on Monday. Hopefully everything turns out well. She might not even have to do any chemo. However, if the doctor has given the option our family decided that she should take it just to be on the safe side.

She's okay most part of the day but goes through breakdowns and cries certain times of the day. We're lucky that our family is very supportive and she's a very popular and well loved person. So yesterday when my dad broke the news to friends and family, most came to give support. A friend whose wife had breast cancer came and told about her experiences. Our doctor neighbour whose sister had colon cancer told stories about how the sister went through it. I think this must have calmed my mom down a bit. This morning lots of family members came by and had breakfast. I think that must have cheered her up a bit. What she is most worried about is my sister and me. But i told her she doesn't need to worry about me and my sister since we're doing okay now.

Anyway, things look okay but we're never sure until she has the surgery and they send it for biopsy. So i will update on that later.


Thanks again everyone. Love ya guys..and gals.
 
Iskander,

You and your mum will be in my thoughts.

"When bowel cancer is caught early the chances of being cured are high, as much as 80 per cent.

British surgeons pioneering a technique known as total mesorectal excision claim to have one of the lowest recurrence rates in the world, with the cancer returning in only five per cent of cases. Read their claims and copies of their published evidence at Pelican Cancer Foundation.

As well as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be recommended."

Further information:

NHS: Cancer Screening Programmes
Website: www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/colorectal/

Beating Bowel Cancer
Tel: 020 8892 5256
Website: www.bowelcancer.org

British Colostomy Association
Tel: 0800 328425
Website: www.bcass.org.uk

Colon Cancer Concern
Tel: 0870 850 6050
Website: www.coloncancer.org.uk

Digestive Disorders Foundation
Tel: 020 7486 0341 (note: the foundation is unable to deal with medical enquiries)
Website: www.digestivedisorders.org.uk

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/cancer/typescancer_bowel.shtml

maximus otter
 
Point44,

It sounds like your Mother has a good support team of family and friends. That is good thing. Cancer can be beat, a positive attitude does wonders. You can help her with that. My thought are with you all. Continue to march.

Rob
Former cancer patient - current cancer survivor
 
Iskandar,
I have been home for just over a week. I had my colon removed last monday. I was in the hospital a week(mon-sat), now I will be at home for 4-6 weeks. They gave me some excellent pain killers, but I have been doing ok with tylenol(except at night, then I am trying to sleep)
They found precancerous polyps in my colon last year during my colonoscopy and told me with my history they recommend removing the whole thing. Its gone now. It can be handled, I hope for your mother, and you that they can get it all, and then be done with it.
Let us now haw everything works out, my prayers go out to you and yours!!

The thing that has helped me has been my family. Knowing they are there to help is a good feeling. My Church has also been praying for me, that helps alot also. Every little pray and well wish helps.



Blades
 
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