This is very serious... please... does anyone know anything about colorectal cancer?

Question

Is there a doctor out there who could give me some information about colorectal cancer, or anyone who may have had it already? My 35 year old daughter was recently diagnosed with this, and the entire family is stunned. None of us can believe it. She begins her treatment on the 19th... chemo will be a constant infusion except on weekends, and the radiation will be 5 days a week. This will go on for 5 weeks in order to shrink the tumor, and then they will do surgery and remove it. She was told that her lymph nodes in her abdomen are enlarged too, so she will receive radiation to that area as well. She already can't have kids, and has no children, so compromising her fertility is not an issue. We just are scared silly at this point, and I am searching for answers or for someone who has been through it to "shine a light" for me. Any help at all would be appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

I know that you must be terrified at this point, but this is almost identical to what my friend went through at nearly the same age. It was frightening and difficult, but with surgery, chemo and radiation, she is now healthy, happy and cancer-free eight years later. She was very good about following doctor's orders and maintaining good nutrition (as much as possible), but attributes a great deal of her success to prayer and maintaining as positive an attitude as she possibly could. She truly believes that maintaining a positive outlook and eliminating as much stress as possible (don't sweat the small stuff, and, placed in it's proper perspective, most of it is small stuff) improves your body's ability to battle disease. She has made some life-style changes (eats very little beef, more chicken, drinks green tea daily, has regular medical check-ups) and is a very active, busy, healthy and happy person who makes the world a better place just by being in it.
Good luck. My thoughts and prayers will be with all of you.

Answer 2

That's a tough situation. Thirty five is really young for colon cancer. My younger brother died from adenocarcinoma of the colon because his disease went undiagnosed until the cancer had spread throughout his body.

I suggest you join the ACOR colon cancer listserv. This is a group run by the Association for Cancer Online Resources. These groups (they have over a hundred groups for various specific cancers) are moderated and free of spam and nut jobs. The colon cancer group currently has 810 members who either have colon cancer or are caregivers. You will be able to contact others going through the same treatments and more important access the Archives to read up on any aspect of colon cancer that might interest you.

http://listserv.acor.org/archives/colon.html

If you just want to read up on colon cancer fist, then start with:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/colorectalcancer.html

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic413.htm

good luck to your daughter

Answer 3

While it is indeed "very serious", as long as the tumor is confined to the colon or rectum and some surrounding lymph nodes, your daughter is probably lucky (I know that sounds odd!), confined colo-rectal cancers are some of the easiest to treat, and have among the highest long-term survival probabilities. "Cancer" is a horrible word, but the truth is that many forms of cancer are now just another manageable disease.

I urge you and your daughter to learn as many facts as you can (try The American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org ), and to avoid falling prey to any alleged "miracle cures" (which are all offered by someone trying to sell a book!).

While it's foolish for me to say "don't be scared"..... don't be scared! It will be okay. It won't be any fun for a while, but it will almost certainly all work out.

Best wishes...

Answer 4

I'm about the same age as your daugther and feel really sad that she has to go through cancer at a relatively young age.

Here is a section of articles contributed by various authors on colorectal cancer
http://www.healthandwellnesscentral.com/Category/Colon-Rectal-Cancer/82

My advice is to do plenty of research and know what her treatment options are. Be strong!

Answer 5

Google or yahoo are good search engines for information
also med line is a resource for health questions and referrals

Answer 6

not inevitably it ought to intend you're able to alter your weight loss plan & drink extra fluids. while you're bleeding internally the blood could be dark. while you're bleeding by way of hemorrhoids the blood is bright crimson. Constipation is important ingredient in maximum situations of hemorrhoids. next time constipation happens get a stool softener.

Answer 7

I know that nutritional therapy is very important at this time.

I have a friend who's daughter was healed by the Lord from colon cancer.

Pray.