Mom's Biop/Colonoscopy

Cindy J. · New User Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 8

My mom went in this morning to have her colonoscopy and biopsy. Unfortunately the tumor in her rectum is so large, they couldn't get the scope around it to complete the colonoscopy or biop. Sad

They came back and told her that she definitely has colon cancer and that it is very complex because the tumor is so large. They said she has to come back in 10 days and have a certain type of enema that will show up any other masses in her colon via scan. We are devistated to say the least but I think my mom is doing better than I am honestly. I am away on business and can't be with her but I am still trying to process what all of this means for her. They advised her to find a surgeon at a university that can deal with something this complex. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Any insight and/or information is much appreciated. I just can't give up on her- there has to be something or some type of procedure that can be done to help her! Sad

Good thing is she is still has zero pain and just mild cramping fronm the procedure today. I also need suggestions on the best surgeon to take her to... We live in Virigina but I will fly her wheverever she needs to go for the best treatment options.

Prayers needed Sad

Thanks Everyone -

robyn4441 · New User Joined: 31 Oct 2009 Posts: 1

Hi, I haven't posted on this forum before though I have been meaning to. My mother went for her colonoscopy last wednesday and the exact same thing happened, they couldn't get the scope past the lesion which has been confirmed as cancerous. I don't know if things are different here in Australia but mum has to see a surgeon on Thursday so we will know a bit more then. It is the not knowing what stage she is that is frightening. I really feel for you as I am going through the same emotions. I lost my dad who didn't wake up from his aneurysm surgery 3 months ago and that devastated me, now I have to go through this with mum. My thoughts are with you I will be interested in any replies you receive as it looks like our mothers are going down the same path.
All the very best
Robyn

REB · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:59 am Post subject: Re: Mom's Biop/Colonoscopy

For me, they removed the tumor, along with several inches of the colon, and did a biopsy. I did have to have a temporary colostomy.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor & Temporary Colostomy
11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil), leucovorin & oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
04-09-08 Finished Chemo, 04-28-08 Colostomy Reversal
06-02-09 1 Tumor on outside of colon & 2 in the adipose tissue - same cancer- SUV 5
06-23-09 FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
08-18-09 Tumors have shrunk. SUV 1
10-26-09 Tumors gone.
11-25-09 Finish FOLFIRI - Jan 2011 Finish ERBITUX?
Age Diagnosed 40. Current Age:42

topazil · Senior User Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 108

With mine they found the tumor through a total hysterectomy I had done (no reason, just premenopausal, had my tubes tied since my second child in 1977 and just wanted done with the whole mess).

After the colonoscopy they told me the biopsy showed it was malignant and it had to come out. So they did a colectomy. My tumor was 4.3 cms and had grown outside the colon wall but had not completely blocked the colon. They removed the tumor from the left colon descending to the sigmoid colon (no colostomy or stoma needed) then reattached the colon successfully.

The only problem was the cancerous cells had moved through the lymph nodes and on to the lungs and liver.

Is this the type of enema they are thinking of doing?
Air-contrast barium enema is a type of x-ray that can show tumors.

Before the x-ray is taken, a liquid is introduced into your colon and rectum via your anus. The liquid contains barium, which shows up solid on x-rays.

This test highlights tumors and certain other abnormalities in the colon and rectum.

Other types of contrast enemas are available.

Air-contrast barium enema frequently detects malignant tumors, but it is not as effective in detecting small tumors or those far up in your colon.

Here is what I found on what seems to be the best hospital with the best surgeons in your area:

http://www.virginiahospitalcenter.com/medical/colorectal.aspx

Hope this helps and please keep us updated and you and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers
_________________
Total hysterectomy July 23 2008, mass felt in colon during surgery.
Colonoscopy Aug 2008
Colectomy Sep 2008
Stage IV Colon Cancer metastasized to lungs and liver. (T3,N2,M1,G2)
Started chemotherapy: 09/14/09
Latest chemotherapy session: 11/09/09 - Folfox 6 = Oxaliplatin, 5-FU, Leucovorine with
Avastine.
Started CEA Level when first diagnosed = 10
Highest CEA Level so far 409 on 9/21/09
Most recent CEA Level = 113 on 11/09/09

star · Senior User Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 232 Location: Ohio

HI CINDY,

Sorry to hear the news, Barb my wife went to OSU IN COLUMBUS OHIO,, it is a fantastic hospital and has good cancer surgeons,, I think it was voted 15th bets hospital in USA for cancer, you can check it out on internet,, Do you not have a good cancer hospital there?

I am surprised they are not talking about chemo and radation to shrink the tumour then operate, that seems the norm..

Rest assured you and your Mom are in my prayers and if you need any help or advice please let us know .. We are here fo you always,

God Bless ... Best Wishes ..Rob

DulcimerGal · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: Mom's Biop/Colonoscopy

Hey Cindy,

Here is the link for my Doctors ( specialists) in Richmond Virginia, a little more central to the state than the prior link - which is in Northern Virginia.

http://www.crspecialists.com/

I can speak very highly of my team - they are outstanding. Give them a call or get a referral. My surgeon was Doctor O'Donovan - he is top notch and very good at what he does. He saved my sphincter muscle and my cancer was barely 2 cm from it, so whew! He is top right in the picture - with orange headgear. He is totally wonderful with wonderful bedside manner and caring patient manner, will answer all questions without brush off!

Don't know where you are in Virginia - but keep searching for experts. This cancer has been there for a while, so find the best for your Mom.

I said prayers for her yesterday as promised, don't give up - I will keep her on my list.

Cheers
DulcimerGal
_________________
Rectal Cancer diagnosed Valentines Day 2008
Finished 6 weeks of radiation and chemo 4/23/08
Surgery to remove tumor - June 18th 2008
Colostomy Reversal August 20th 2008
Five rounds of Xeloda (chemo) to ZAP anything left!

DulcimerGal · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:24 pm Post subject: Re: Mom's Biop/Colonoscopy

Cindy - just reread your note - the best hospital in the country is probably Sloan Kettering in New York for Cancer - second is MD Anderson in Texas (?)
Just thought I would add that - just in case you want even more referrals.

I went up to Michigan for second opinions when I was diagnosed, to a special cancer center - but in the end went with the team in Richmond as it was close - and they pretty much tell you - at least one year to deal with all the levels of treatments - so I wanted to be close to hope and support network.

You and you Mom will have to work through all those options and considerations, it's different for everyone.

Cheers again
DulcimerGal
_________________
Rectal Cancer diagnosed Valentines Day 2008
Finished 6 weeks of radiation and chemo 4/23/08
Surgery to remove tumor - June 18th 2008
Colostomy Reversal August 20th 2008
Five rounds of Xeloda (chemo) to ZAP anything left!

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 265

not the greatest nws but at least theyre catching it before it really perforated crating major blood loss. thats how my mom discovered she had cancer-She didnt even tell us she was having a problem and she drove herself to the emergency room. she called and told us she was in the hospital haning tests. They couldnt get past hers either ..but they preped her straight for surgery. So at least your moms didnt get that far yet. thoughts and prayers to you and yours

Cindy J. · New User Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 8

I just wanted to thank everyone for your responses... You have no idea how much this means to me and my mom. I read her everyone's responses tonight and she just couldn't believe that complete strangers could care about her and care enought to give us advise and suggestions on next steps. She is not familiar with the internet so she wanted me to tell everyone that althougth she feels her live has been turned upside down these past two weeks and doesn't know what to think other than she believes in God and in prayer and that miracles can happen. My Mom wants everyone to know that she appreciates your prayers and thoughts. She said the first thing that hits her mind when she wakes up is, "i have cancer".. she said it feels like a bad dream and sometimes doesnt know if she wants to wake up so she doesn't have to face the reality of this horibile desease called cancer. She is greatful that she is not in pain and wants to live because she feels she has not lived her life yet and she is not ready to give up.

Thank you for the hospital recommendations. We live on the "south western" side of Virginia on the Tennessee/Kentuck boarder. I will do research on the options provided and will keep everyone updated on everything that we find out. To respond to Topazil's response - My mom is set up to have a scan of her pelvic area on the 11th and the barrium enema on the 17th. I an not sure why they haven't recommended us to a surgeon yet and I am out of town on business so i haven't been able to speak to anyone first hand yet but I get home Friday so I plan to get additional information Monday. I will keep everyone posted and god bless! Thank you all so much - you have given me and my mom hope that others have been so quick give her a death sentence.

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 265

Hi cindy-tell your mom..(HI MOM) -I told this to my mom, that in a weird kind of way they are fortunate tohave been diagnosed and are being treated -how many of us could be walking around with a serios problem and dont know because we havent had testings or scans yet??? think about that-just because they were diagnosed with cancer-whos to say any one of us caregivers couldnt actually die before they do?? no one knows when there time is up. it may not even be from a health issue-just a freak accident..right? so why not do what you have to do and live your life to the fullest everyday. The main thing here is that they know and cant relax and get the "cancer thought" out of their heads-but neither can we as the caregiver. We dont know' but yet may be in the same predictament.what we al need to do is cherish life and our loved ones our families are the most meaning full part of our lives and by sticking out the pain the suffering the not so great news the really-good news' working on patience with each othe(thats a biggie) were all human we all stress out we all argue and vent on those we love- but like I said to mom-when your feeling good we can feel go0d as a family. when your depressed need to cry need to vent were here to listen and altho your the one with the diagnosis-it becomes a family diagnosis and we like you need to be upset cry and vent too. (this should not on anyones part be hidden-be honest with each other)This venting of thoughts and feelings helps us cope better as a team.
it effects the whole family-and MOM..not your fault EVER! NO you didnt disrupt our lives ...its the disease. we hate it, we cry because of it ,we are angry because of it so lets fight it together, and become stronger as a family-and all join in for the fight agaist this evil little creature!! thoughts and prayers to you and yours.

REB · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:16 am Post subject: Re: Mom's Biop/Colonoscopy

Good post, sheila Very Happy

If it wasn't for modern medicine, I would have died from cancer 2 years ago. Every day I have is an extra day I wouldn't have if not for modern medicine. I feel fortunate for each day. And if I should die tomorrow, at least I got to enjoy this extra time.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor & Temporary Colostomy
11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil), leucovorin & oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
04-09-08 Finished Chemo, 04-28-08 Colostomy Reversal
06-02-09 1 Tumor on outside of colon & 2 in the adipose tissue - same cancer- SUV 5
06-23-09 FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
08-18-09 Tumors have shrunk. SUV 1
10-26-09 Tumors gone.
11-25-09 Finish FOLFIRI - Jan 2011 Finish ERBITUX?
Age Diagnosed 40. Current Age:42

topazil · Senior User Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 108

I agree, great post Sheila, thank you for it.
_________________
Total hysterectomy July 23 2008, mass felt in colon during surgery.
Colonoscopy Aug 2008
Colectomy Sep 2008
Stage IV Colon Cancer metastasized to lungs and liver. (T3,N2,M1,G2)
Started chemotherapy: 09/14/09
Latest chemotherapy session: 11/09/09 - Folfox 6 = Oxaliplatin, 5-FU, Leucovorine with
Avastine.
Started CEA Level when first diagnosed = 10
Highest CEA Level so far 409 on 9/21/09
Most recent CEA Level = 113 on 11/09/09

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 265

thank you ! -I do come up with a thinking serious mode every so often and surprise myself when it actually made sense Razz

Cindy J. · New User Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 8

Agree - Very inspirational and it made me take a step back to think. Smile

Having lost my dad to Pancreatic cancer in 2001, we of course are terrified of this horrible disease that has consumed our lives since we experienced it with my dad and it is easy to get stuck in the "dread" of not knowing what is next. We should take each day as it comes and truly cherish it. Thank you for the kind words and I will definitely share with Mom tonight and tell her you all said hello.

Thoughts and prayers are with everyone!

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