dad had got colon cancer - please someone talk to me

[LoveBeingAMummy]

on firday he was told he has colon cancer after being in hospital with stomach pain which was thought to be appendicitous (sp), he had had cameras up and down a few months again but that was all fine. Now he's been told this. Last night he tells me that the chest x-ray has found some nodus (sp) in his chest. They are having ameeting today to decide what action to take. I've no experience of dealing with cancer in the family please someone tell me if this is really bad.

So sorry you and your family are going through this. my dad had colon cancer and secondaries in is liver. There is so much that can be done. In my dad's case, he had an operation to remove the primary tumour followed by chemo. Unfortunately for him he also had to have much of his liver removed. Sadly he passed away in July after nearly five years of treatment which gave us all a very precious few years with him where he was relatively well.
Cancer is such a tough journey to embark on, and I remeber very vividly those first few weeks after diagnosis, but it's amazing how you do adjust, and even cope. It is just one step at a time, learning as you go.
Please remember that many of us have stories to tell of cancer, but every single case is different, and not all outcomes are the same.
You will be amazed by the courage you have within you, and i wish you and your Dad all the luck in the world that his prognosis is good.

Its really hard to know what will happen for your dad - obviously nodes in his chest aren't a good thing, but it all depends on how big the tumour in his colon is, whether there are cancer cells anywhere else, and how well he is otherwise.

His doctors will be working out a course of treatment for him - it might be chemo first and then surgery and then more chemo or all sorts of combinations of treatments.

Wishing you all strength in the coming months

so sorry lbam as drivin said every patient is different as is their diagnosis and outcome. Speak to your dads oncologist if you want information.
Best wishes to your dad he has a tough journey ahead.

My fil had colon cancer nearly 20 years ago and still with us at 78. He had very radical surgery and has used colostomy equipment ever since.

We put his survival down to his insistence that he wasn't scared of having a bag before the drs even suggested it (that sounds crazy, that alone can't beat cancer - needed some luck, surgeon's skills, drugs etc etc of course).

Best wishes to your father and rest of your family, I hope the prognosis is good for him.

Do you think it's 'nodules', did it sound like that? that just means little lumps.
They might be benign (not serious) or malignant (serious) but try and take it a step at a time.

It sounds like the Drs are in early stages of trying to diagnose what exactly is going on with your Dad.

I wish him and you well. x

My dad had colon cancer 20 years ago and is still with us, fit and well aged 61. He was lucky in that they caught it before it spread and he was even able to have a colostomy reversal so doesn't need to wear a bag. It was a terrible time and you have all my sympathies going through this now, but I just wanted you to know that there can be a happy ending.

the hard thing with colon cancer is that it's often there for up to 10 years before there are any signs. really your dad's prognosis depends entirely on how soon they've caught it. all the best for you in this difficult time.

my mum had colon cancer and I found it quite reassuring and useful to attend consultant meetings with her and my stepdad, and make notes.

the macmillan nurse was also great.

she's not with me now, but she died not of the colon cancer but a complication of surgery to move the stoma (the hole where the colostomy bag goes).

I hope the lung investigation gives you some good news this afternoon.

I know that no cancer is good, but I was told that this was one of the 'better' ones, it that it can be successfully sorted if caught early enough.

x

Thank you all so much. Think I've only just realised today what it means and that I could be so close to losing him. Even i can see how stupid it is when I read that, how could it have taken till today to hit me? I'm in a lucky position of being 32 and never having had to realy deal with family deaths, 3 of gransparents died when I was very young and the other is still going, wobbly, but strong!

I really didn't expect so many replies. thank you

don't worry, lovebeingamummy, it's a big thing to take in and you just keep getting more info so it takes a long time to process! the other thing is you really don't know how close you are - could be quick, could be years. However long it is you've had some warning and can make the most of your dad while you've got him.

I'm so worried about my mum, trying to be there but there's nothing i can do or say is there.

no, not really - just being there and lots of cuddles. and don't forget to take care of yourself too.

OK. Firstly don't start looking things up on the internet. There really is a lot of rubbish out there.

Secondly, keep calm, Remember Lynne Faulds Wood? OK this you can look up: www.bowelcancer.tv/cgi-bin/page.pl it is all about bowel cancer.

Go with your dad to see the specialist. Write down what you want to ask and take your time. As them to spell everyting out in laymans terms and if you don't understand, ask them to say it again.

Ask what the treatment/s is/are. What are the pros and cons of each. Who will be doing it and where?

What can you do now to help dad through this? Diet, exercise... what shouldn't he do?

What should you be looking out for in the meantime (pains, temperature, whatever).

My friend's dad had the same and after he was better he went on some weird diet from a nutritionist to keep the bowels and colon healthy. Yes, it sounded weird but made sense to him (no tomatoes, grain, etc).

Think of the future. I know you will be terrified and I am sure dad will be puting on a brave face but you will get through this.

Yes, cancer is a complete bastard. It really is a hard road, but you need to be positive and keep a clear head.

Be strong and I will be sending out positive vibes for a good prognosis.

FIl has same experience as drivingmecrazy. Colon and then liver, spread to his chest. But he had about 4 or 5 yrs of life after the initial diagnosis.

So sorry about your news

If caught early the prognosis is good.

Thanks georgiemum and everyone for your support it really does help x

Let us know how it goes.

Hi. Your post touched a chord.

My mum went in to hospital a month ago and had emergency surgery to remove 20cm of her colon which was blocked with a cancerous tumour. (ie bowel cancer)

We were shocked to the core.

It has spread to 2 lymph nodes, and the plan is for her to have chemo when she has fully recovered from surgery and a few complications. She finally came home yesterday.

So, I can totally empathise. In terms of prognosis and so on, that varies so much, but as far as I know, chemo has come on leaps and bounds.

Keep on posting. Will be looking out for you and thinking about you and your dad.

Stay strong.xx

Hello LBAM, Sorry to hear your news. I'm being treated for colorectal cancer. The cancerbackup website has some good information.

I had an operation on my liver in the summer to remove two small secondaries, and I was sitting next to somebody in chemotherapy yesterday who had had a small number of small secondaries removed from her lungs. She was expecting to recover from the cancer as I am. We may not, but it won't kill us in the short term.

Don't google. It will throw up all kinds of answers which are not relevant to your dad's case. His oncologist can explain what is likely to happen to him.

Just really frusterated at the moment, he was meant to see his doctor on monday, was told he wouldn't be seeing him very late in the day but that stuff was in his lungs, then told on tuesday very late int he day he wouldn't be seeing him then either, he'd better find out what's happening today. remember he's been in for 11 days now and still has no prognonis (sp) or any idea about treatment, just has a doctor coming and saying ittle thingds off the record that are making him feel worse as its always bad news iyswim. Is this normal???

OK thankfully he is now home

Doctor has spoekn to him and we all feel a bit better just knwing whats going to ahppen helps so much.

Going to redo the colonoscipy(sp) seems it was missed and take asample and then chemo, but will defo ahve an op. Its right at the top.

thanks everyone.