Scared, and waiting for answers...

ignote · New User Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Minnesota

Hi all,

Last week my dad went in for a colonoscopy because he was feeling ill and having bowel problems. They couldn't perform the colonoscopy because they immediately found a large tumor and couldn't navigate around it. Further tests showed that there was another tumor directly behind that one, and the doctors said the tumor wasn't movable, which indicated that it was attached to something outside of the colon. Dad had his PET scan yesterday, and while we don't have results yet, they told him he'd likely have to have about 7 weeks of chemo to shrink the tumors before they can operate to remove them. He will most likely be going to the Mayo Clinic for that.

We're still awaiting a prognosis, but I'm scared and don't want to be unprepared for bad news, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can. This all sounds pretty bad to me, am I wrong? Sad

He is 55, and hasn't had a history with this.

brainman

Hi ignote. Have the actually done a biopsy to see if the tumor is malignant (cancer) or benign (not cancer)? A lot of his prognosis and treatment will depend of the exact cell type and stage of the tumor. Those are the two key pieces of information you need to keep an ear opened for. Obviously, it they are already talking about chemo, they already are thinking that it is a cancer.

Mayo Clinic is a world famous medical center with an excellent reputation in treating cancer patients. I believe your father will receive excellent treatment there.

You and your father are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

ignote · New User Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Minnesota

Yes, his biopsy came back positive for cancer. I keep asking my mom about stage, but there's been no mention of it yet. Either that, or she doesn't want to say until they know for sure. (I have 4 siblings, ages 21-32.) My parents have an appointment with his oncologist on Friday, so we will know then. I just can't get my mind off it... the waiting is horrible.

brainman

Yeah, the staging of his cancer will require the results of the PET scan to decide.

I lived with both of my parents when they had cancer. It is hard to see people who raised you going down hill right in front of you.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

ignote · New User Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Minnesota

Well, the appointment with my Dad's oncologist revealed that he has Stage 3 and possibly stage 4 Rectal Adenocarcinoma. His doctor saw a few spots in his lungs that they want to do a biopsy on. If those come back positive, that puts him in Stage 4. So yeah, not the news we were hoping for. The Doc said she thinks there's about a 25% chance that the spots in his lungs are cancer, and there is very little spread to lymph nodes. So at this point, we're hanging onto the hope that it's "only" stage 3. They're already planning on chemo and radiation for 5 days a week, for 7 weeks.... unless the lung biopsy changes things.

I am going home to see him this weekend. If any of you have experience with this particular form of cancer, and suggestions on how I can help him or be more informed, I'd appreciate it.

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