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Hi Strunz4u, welcome to Support Groups! Thank you so much for being here with us and for sharing. Wow, so if I'm understanding you correctly, you are completely clean and clear of cancer? If so, that's so so so amazing!

Thank you for the kind words. I am having trouble adjusting to the things going on in my head however. Ever since my sister in law died from ovarian cancer a few years ago I haven't been dealing with the whole mortality thing very well.

There's so much more but I get emotional just typing it out. I don't know if the online thing is going to work for me. I'm not very proficient in typing, let's say. And just thinking about these things makes it even more difficult. But as you probably know, there aren't many live support groups for colon cancer patients/survivors. I feel kind of weird being here amongst people that have real physical issues and this is just in my head. My problem seems trivial after reading some stories of very brave people dealing with very real issues.

Please know that your thoughts and feelings are just as important as anyone else's here. There's more than enough room for all of us to share our innermost thoughts and feelings. And, everyone always wants to show their love and support regardless of what's going on in their life. Please know that we are here for you and please share whatever it is you feel comfortable sharing with us.

you never mentioned what "stage" of cancer you had..
and it does sound a bit strange. though miracles do happen :-). you just maybe one of those who have been blessed with a second chance.
(in my opinion)if that nagging feeling doesn't pass..
or if you feel that your doctor didn't really answer your questions..to where you completely understand what is really going on w/your health/condition...you can always get a second opinion from another doctor. make sure you get a copy of ALL of your medical records (dr.'s office visits...and hospital records). re-copy them all. keep one set for yourself...and give the other set to your new doctor to add to your file.
sending you prayers...
and wishing you the very best ~~~

Thank you very much. I do feel blessed to have this second chance.

They told me it was stage 1. The surgeon was taking a section of colon when they discovered diverticulitis had fused part of the colon to my bladder. So they removed the colon completely. They also removed approx 30 lymph nodes. After pathology, they said I was clean and "100% cured".

I guess the point here is that neither the oncologist, surgeon, or gastroenterologist have any idea what is going on with me after all this happened. I asked for dietary advice and they say "no restrictions". What a joke. I asked for any support groups or counseling and they don't have a clue. I asked the oncologist if there is a psychiatrist or psychologist he could recommend and he couldn't even recommend one. I said, "Really? You don't know of anyone who I could talk to?" He just said nope!

So I've been going around and round in my head basically since June of last year. I just started seeing a psychologist but he's not really skilled in any type of cancer counseling. He's helping me to just enjoy life again in general.

Sorry for the rant. :)

I understand your apprehension with your quick cure. I was diagnosed with colon cancer in April 2011. I just had a CT scan in December where the radiologist mentioned several issues: enlarged spleen, fatty liver, spot on my lung, something in my descending colon (maybe scar tissue). I asked my surgeon that removed part of my colon to take & look & he said he didn't see anything to be alarmed about. He also said that you can't see scar tissue on a CT scan so I guess the radiologist was new?
So I don't know whether to be relieved or afraid. I am not scheduled for another CT scan for three months. I have to hope I don't have any renegade cancer cells that will have a heyday with my body in the meantime.
It sounds like you would definitely feel better if you received a second medical opinion. The counseling sounds good. I went through years of counseling when I went through my divorce. It really helps to just talk to someone.

My sister had stage 4 colon cancer in 2009. Her oncologist gave her information on colon cancer. Stage one means that your polyp or mass did not penetrate the colon wall. They took the samples of lymph glands to see if it had metastasized (spread). Because the pathology showed that the cancer was removed completely and did not involve the lymphatic system, you were staged 1 and labeled cured. Congratulations. It is good new but your medical team should have taken the time to make sure you knew what had just happened. And as for food restrictions, my friend had 12 inches of her descending colon removed and her doctor also told her no restrictions. She has found, through trial and error. that nuts are very hard on her, also, dairy products and lettuce. Foods that are known to be gassy (broccoli, cabbage, beans) tend to cause more gas than before colonectomy. I hope this has been helpful. Many blessings to you.

So your sister recovered? I also had stage 4. Five of eleven lymph nodes were affected. My oncologist said my tumor had probably been growing for at least a year. It finally completely blocked my colon. I thought I had the flu. I was sick for a week before I went to the doctor & found out it was cancer.

Thank you for the diet advice. I have found that I don't crave milk products like I used to. I love nuts so that would be a bummer to try & avoid them.

I heard of someone who had their entire colon removed. Have you ever heard of that? How does someone survive without a colon?

My sister did not survive, unfortunately. She was diagnosed in May 09 with stage 4 that involved 39 of the 50 lymph gland removed. The oncologist said that cancer could have been growing for the last 10 years. She had digestive issue for years prior and was diagnosed with a spastic colon. None of her Doctors ordered a colonoscopy because she was too young. They rarely order colonoscopies for people under 40 without family history. She passed away in Aug. 09 at age 40. And as far as family history, our mother died from breast cancer when she was 45 and there is a genetic link but our local doctors didn't get the memo, I guess. I wish she would have gotten away from our local hospital and to a place that could have helped her instead of stealing her precious time. I blame the medical team that she had. They failed her so completely. There are so many new advances in oncology but most local hospitals don't practice them because of liability.
I have heard of people living without a colon. They have a an external bag that holds there waste.
I hope that you continue to heal from your cancer and may God bless you and carry you through your treatment.

So your sister only lived 3 months. I am so sorry. My sister actually had cervical cancer in 1998. She was fine for 5 years & them it came back with a vengence. I can't even remember exactly what month it came back but I know that she was sent home from the hospital to die at home in either March or April & then she died right before Memorial Day. I remember having Easter at her house & the kids hunting Easter eggs. At the time, she had 4 grandkids. Soon there will be 7. Three she never got the chance to meet. I miss her so much.

Thank you so much for responding and for the words of encouragement. I can't believe it's been 9 months since my ordeal started. I'm sure the next few months will go by quickly. Anxious for that next CT scan.