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Just diagnosed with cancer. Ostomy soon. Could moderator move my story over to this forum from UC?

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Ostomies
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Posted 7/3/2009 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
It is called CANCER. How did it happen so fast? by UCsince'76. I do not know how to move it.

I am going to need all of you.

I have been reading this forum for a few years getting myself psychologically ready for a bag but I never thought I would be dealing with cancer and chemo at the same time. This is because the GI's all told me as long as I had colonoscopies every 1-2 years, if cancer ever was found, it would be small, my colon would be removed and I would be OK.

But this thing is big. They gave me a picture. It is going to be staged Thursday of next week. I am having to wait so long so others can enjoy the weekend, holiday and vacations while I sit here and wonder how far my cancer has spread and if I am going to die.

Posted 7/3/2009 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Someone please reply.
Posted 7/4/2009 12:54 AM (GMT 0)

I am so sorry to here that you have cancer and that your drs waited until this happened. I can't give you info on having a bag because I don't have one; I had a subtotal and have 2 in. left, I didn't need a bag. 

I do know that you will get a ton of support here as well as a wealth of information.  This site is like having another family and we are all here to help each other through the tough times and also to celebrate the good times.

I know Thursday seems like forever but try to use this time to get your house in order, make food to put in the freezer, get groceries all stocked up, but things for the hospital; do anything and everything to get through each day - go out with friends, go to the movies, go to the beach, park, have a picnic.

If you have any questions I will be more than happy to answer if I can.

I will keep you in my prayers,

Judy

Posted 7/4/2009 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Judy had excellent suggestions. I am a colon/rectal cancer survivor. I have to agree with all of Judy's suggestions, get your home in order, but spend some "me" time, doing what you enjoy - whatever that may be. Possibly, long hot soaks in the tub, eating your very favorite foods (because you may or may not be able to eat them soon after surgery), shopping, going to the movies, soaking up sunshine, fresh air, etc.

WebMD has a website and forums. There is one there for colon cancer. You may find support on that website as well.

Post-op wise, make sure you walk as soon as the nurses tell you it's time to get moving. You will recover quicker and feel better if you walk a lot. And I mean a lot. Not initially, just move from your hospital bed to a chair, then venture out into the hallway. Walk down the hallway to an ending point (picture on the wall, a specific room #'s door, etc.). Then each day or later in the day, lengthen this amount. Also, remember to do the breathing exercises each hour (when I had both my surgeries they had me breathe into a hand held device to keep my lungs open and clear, you did repetitions of 10 per hour if I recall).

I didn't cooperate with sitting upright, walking, doing the breathing exercises after my first surgery. Consequently my recovery was painful, long and tedious. For my colostomy reversal surgery, I cooperated so well that the nurses stopped reminding me to walk and do the exercises. As a result I came home 2 days earlier than they expected and I also had less pain. Just something I had to learn the hard way.

Years ago nurses had you lie prone in a hospital bed, for days on end. My mom had her gall bladder out in 1975 and she was in the hospital for 10 days. Flat on her back for at least 8 of them! Surgical recoveries are nothing like this anymore! And thank goodness too.

I wish you my best and I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis.
Posted 7/4/2009 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
UC.
You can do this! Definitely!!!!!
You'll have to reach down deep, to your strong spot, and pull it UP to the surface. You'll have to be strong to fight.
Having the colectomy will be the EASY part. It's really not so bad. It's totally given me my life back! I feel so good.

The chemo will be the hard part (I haven't been through that) but your body will need rest.

Let us know as soon as you know.

I'll keep you in my prayers.
Posted 7/4/2009 6:22 AM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry that you have been struck by this terrible disease. May you have a successful surgery and fast recovery.
Posted 7/4/2009 7:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there, I can't actually move your story over from the UC forum other than by cutting and pasting. It's probably best if you do that yourself though so it appears under your name :)

Feel free to ask about life with an ostomy. Most of us have been there, done that and have the bag to prove it. We may not all have had cancer but we can relate to what life with a bag is like :)

Good luck.
Posted 7/4/2009 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Wow. I am so sorry to hear about the cancer. I used to tell everyone the same thing your docs said, that they would be able to find it. I can't believe it progressed so quickly. It really gets to me how pharmacies and doctor offices are closed on weekends and holidays- it just goes to show that we have to deal with this stuff 24/7 while others (our doctors, friends and family- even the most understanding) get breaks and can "visit" the problem as they wish.

I'm sure you have already been through a lot with having UC for so long. To make it this far you had to be a strong person. This is just another bump in the road that you will overcome. I hope they find that it has not spread at all or not very far.

Hang in there. Good luck. Let us know when the doc gets back in and what they say.
Posted 7/5/2009 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Oh im so sorry to hear what a time you are having!
Hopefully this surgery will wipe it all out and you will be cancer free, but you will def be UC free.
And im sure you are scared of surgery and a bag, but i promise its not bad at all! In fact some of my friends are jealous of me, lol.

I will be thinkign of you!
Posted 7/7/2009 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Just because I am not answering each post does not mean I am not storing your advice in my mind. I do not know that much yet.
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