I just wanted to introduce myself to the boards. I am 45 yrs old and was diagnosed three weeks ago with rectal cancer. I ended up in the emergency room after I had a bowel movement that was maroon color. My only other symptoms were some diarrhea and a little bit of rectal bleeding, which I thought was my hemorroid. They did a colonoscopy and discovered a mass 10 cm, up in the rectum and the biopsy came back cancer. My surgeon performed a rectal ultrasound and the tumor had already penetrated the rectal wall and into 1 lymph node; Stage 3.
I am currently 2 1/2 weeks into chemo/radiation. I have my little 24 hour pump of 5 FU going in my port and am receiving radiation treatments 5 days a week. I am scheduled to have my chemo disconnected on May 22nd and receive my last radiation treatment on May 23rd. My tenative surgery date is June 9th to have the tumor removed and have a resection. My surgeon said in order to protect my rectum and allow it to heal, I will have a temporary colostomy for a few weeks. Oh joy! About 4 weeks after surgery, I will start another round of chemo. My oncologist is suggesting Folfox in conjuction with Avastan, 2 days a week, every other week, for 6 months. So far so good with my current treatment. My radiation oncologist said I may start feeling the effects of the radiation, like tiredness, urinary tract or vaginal infections, sore rectum, diarrhea and abdominal pain, because of the area they are radiating. I am starting to experience some diarrhea and am a little tired, but other than that, I feel great. I went back to work last week, am exercising, eating right and doing everything I am supposed to do.
I just wanted to know if there was anyone here who has rectal cancer and could share their treatment, side effects, etc....or give me any advice. When you hear the word cancer, you feel so overwhelmed, scared and so alone. As I have begun this journey, I am finding out that I am not alone. I am so humbled by the outpouring of love and support that I have received over the past few weeks and I thank God for my family and friends. I am also thankful for websites like this where I can go, get information and connect with others who are going through the same things. It is so comforting.
Thank you!