We met with the oncologist a week ago, Nov. 29th, to go over the official pathology report.
Stage 3B colon cancer with a distinct possibility of Stage 4. There is an 11mm spot on Hubby’s liver that the oncologist wants checked out with a PET scan. There were 3 cancerous lymph nodes removed during the surgery and 3 more “lit up” on the CT scan. The tumor that perforated Hubby’s colon was 3.5cm and high grade. There are also several microscopic tumors scattered throughout the colon.
Because the tumor been slowly tearing the intestine wall for a few weeks as it grew, cancer cells have spread throughout Hubby’s body. This increases the odds of cancer spreading to other organs. It is an aggressive cancer so the treatment will be aggressive as well. The PET scan is scheduled for Dec. 16 and follow up appointment with oncologist on Dec. 20 to set up chemotherapy schedule.
Hubby just turned 48 in early November. The American Cancer Society guidelines recommend a colonoscopy starting age 50 unless there is a family history of colon problems. Apparently there were and we just didn’t know it. Hubby’s family is not big on discussing medical history with anyone, even immediate family.
Hubby almost didn’t live to see his next birthday. To quote the surgeon “the entire lower body cavity was one big mass of pus”. (sorry for the icky image). He had developed peritonitis and sepsis due to the fecal matter escaping from the small tears in the bowel as the tumor grew.
Please support the American Cancer Society in their effort to eradicate cancer of all kinds. They provide research, patient support, educational information, and much more. Here’s to more birthdays!
Elizabeth
{Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. All opinions about ACS are my own as is the info about my husband’s colon cancer.}
*hugs*
xo to you and your family.
Really Elizabeth? We don’t discuss family medical history? Robert knows our father and most of his siblings died of stomach and liver cancer. It has been no secret. So to say we don’t share is incorrect!
Actually Robert had no clue about the aunts’ health problems much less it was cancer. Yes he knew about your dad but that is it. The family does not discuss medical issues or anything that can be considered personal in any way unless asked point blank. That is the way it has been for the 17 years we have been together.
It appears to me that the lack of communication has been either between you and your husband or his doctor. Since Robert knows all about Dad’s losing battle with cancer, (and so do you because you and I have discussed it) he must have put that down on his medical history with his doctor and the doctor should have insisted he have screenings. No matter what other family history there might be, when your dad dies of cancer, that should be an immediate red flag to any doctor. What my brother needs now is great medical care, and constant, unwavering, family support. We need to work together to keep him optimistic about his health and his odds in this battle. If we take really good care of him and not stress him out, he will beat this thing! He comes from tough Irish stock.
I will be praying for you and yours and covering you in twelve kinds of love as you go through this process. I’m glad that he got in when he did and that they fixed what they did, even though the pus sentence did make me gag. LOL
BIG BIG HUGS, friend.
Conversations are as much about listening as they are about talking perhaps we were talking and you were talking over us and did not hear the often discussed issue of colon and stomach cancer in our family history,regardless any physician worth there salt would ask the right questions when it comes to tw o parents who died very young that deserves a little more than here’s two aspirin call me in
Morning
Robert knew case closed. Josh was only 14 at the time and he knew so really? The aunt had breast cancer one had the colon stomach cancer died one year after dad and yes Robert knew about aunt Emily. Ivan died of lung cancer, you both were at the funeral…again really? I just found out about he great grandmother last week so I was not aware she died before we even came to his country I was 6 I am sorry I did not ask more questions when I was 6. You just want to pick a fight with somebody as usual and you are just mad we don’t want to fight with you.
Elizabeth, if there is anything you need, just let me know. I live part of the time here in Texas (Galveston) and part of the time at my home in Mississippi. I know what it is to go through cancer treatments with a loved one. Don’t hesitate to ask your friends, family, church family, and all of us bloggers for help. Build yourself a good support system of people to help you and it will make life a little bit easier.
Elizabeth, I am praying for all three of you. Remember to hand it over to God and let him guide you. Stay positive and do what is best for Robert…no matter what that is. You will need strength to fight for him….I’m sure that everyone who loves you and Robert will respect the difficult position you are in and will respect your decisions. Surround yourself with loving friends and family. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and to accept help. That can be so difficult for wives and mothers to do. As Lynne told you, I am holding you close in my thoughts and my prayers.
Heard on the news today that MD Anderson has some break through’s against cancer in general!
Hang in there Elizabeth, don’t let the negative get you down. My belief has always been when one is positive you have fought half the battle. Sounds like your husband is lucky to have you on his side. I will pray that you both keep the faith and maintain your strength to get through this together. Ignore the outside battles, and only allow the positive in your life right now. Many blessings during this difficult journey.
Take care, enjoy as much as you can this holiday season. Know that you have praying people thinking of you guys. When tough things happen there is always a lot of family crap that comes up. My mom’s family is huge annd I don’t know half of what happens, yet my mom thinks I know these things. Focus on the positive!
We seem to be on SITS at the same time because I always comment right after you! : ) Again, sorry to hear about all of this. I know no one can really say the right thing without being cliche or condescending sometimes. But you guys are in my prayers.
I am so so sorry that you are having to go through this. You and your family are in my thoughts and I hope everybody comes out of the other side of this clean and healthy.
I just stopped by from SITS to say hi and while scanning your blog saw this post. I’m sending you and your husband virtual hugs. My husband just completed his chemotherapy for colon cancer. He had surgery last June. We have to go back in January for a CTscan to see if he is cancer-free. I will remember the two of you in my prayers.