topic Re: Please help in If cancer returns

Please help

Ma-le — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 10:57:29 GMT

Hello

My name is Catherine. I'm 32 married with 2 little boys aged 4 and 7. I was diagnosed with stage 3b bowel cancer in 2017. I had most of my bowel removed and 3 months of chemotherapy. I have been trying my best to enjoy my life and consider myself lucky that I'm here today.

Last month I found a lump in my neck. The dr said my lymph node may be swallon after having had chicken pox. I was on antibiotics in November as well for a chest infection and then came down with another cold after the chicken pox . I'm going back to my gp tomorrow because the lump is still there possibly a little worse (according to my husband). I'll probably contact my oncologist too but I just needed to say this. I'm freaking out of it's a secondary cancer. I've been tired and my appetite has changed. I hope I'm just being paranoid but I can't help stress over any new symptoms I experience. All my bloods and ct scans have been clear although bone density looks low for my age (perhaps due to the chemotherapy). I just don't know what I will do if it is the worst case. Any words would be appreciated right now 😞

Re: Please help

RJG — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 23:57:04 GMT

Hi @Ma-le,

I realise that it is easier to sing than do, but "Always look on the bright side of life... "

All of the clinical information available points to there not being any major problem. All sorts of things could result in a lump on your neck. The fact that it is a lump should be reassuring that it is a very localised condition and not a systemic problem. Try not to let your nightmares take over your reality.

You have done the right thing in arranging a consult with your GP. Given your medical history, they may refer you to a specialist for a biopsy. But that does not mean that it is anything really sinister (ie, cancer), it is all about getting the right person with the right specialist training to make the right assessment.

In the mean time, be positive and trust that there is no way that anything really nasty could have slipped through the net of care that has been there for you throughout your journey to date.

Let us know what the GP says.

Hugs and best wishes,

Rick

Re: Please help

sch — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 07:12:10 GMT

Hi Catherine,

I was 40 when I was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and I had a total colectomy. At the time my boys were the same age as yours.

About 12 months ago I started having similar pains in my stomach area again. I got quite anxious about it. I went and saw my GP who organised a CT scan.

And guess what they found? Nothing.

I think it's expected to be anxious about it.

Good luck and many hugs!

-sch

Re: Please help

Ma-le — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 10:25:15 GMT

What a relief for you 🙂

Re: Please help

Ma-le — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 10:26:18 GMT

Thanks Rick.
I'm having a blood test tomorrow and an ultrasound.
Fingers crossed

Re: Please help

sch — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 23:54:38 GMT

My point was that after all the treatment that you've previously been through and all the tests you've been had, chances are that you're probably OK.

Here on the online community you have people who have been through similar situations to yourself.

Please let us know the results from your tests.

-sch

Re: Please help

Colin81 — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 01:45:46 GMT

Hi Ma-le,

Many, many of us have the same issue, I still drive my GP crazy with little aches and pains, she is very patient with me as she knows my history as does yours. It's quite natural to harbor these type of fears and they do effect you physically and mentally, they can become quite debilitating. Just remember most of our fears are unfounded, like you lots of issues with antibiotics, other infections etc, always thought they were a precursor to something else.

After all of my treatments I was diagnosed with PTSD and spent a fair bit of time seeing a physiologist. I still have the same fears but I handle it much better now.

p.s. my bone density also took a hit from the chemo, have an infusion once a year, takes about an hour.

Take care

Colin81

Re: Please help

Ma-le — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 10:35:49 GMT

Thanks i hope so. Spoke to another dr today who is relieving my usual oncologist. Made an appointment to see her next week when she returns. He recommended having a ct on my neck. Funny that. The xray ultrasound i had before my ct scan didn't even pick up my bowel cancer. He's recommended the ct scan straight away. I'll see my usual gp on Thursday. See what he says too. If I have to have the ct before hand I'm going to push it. Why don't the ct scan the entire body during routine scans? They only scan my chest and pelvis

Re: Please help

Ma-le — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 10:37:41 GMT

Do you take regular tablets for bone density? I wonder if I should have the infusion as well

Re: Please help

sch — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 10:45:54 GMT

I'm not a doctor, but I imagine that because a CT scan is a relatively high dose of radiation.

If they exposed your body to increased levels of radiation during one test, that might limit other diagnositics or treatment options further down the track.

-sch

Re: Please help

Colin81 — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 05:44:58 GMT

Hi Ma-Le,

No, I only have the infusion. Despite all of the cancers I have had I only take 1 drug (Valaciclovir, 1 tab a day as a preventative measure) a drug for fighting bacterial infections, I had chronic Neutropenia several times and for several years (from the chemotherapy), which basically means that your immune system is not working, now that I am back to 'normal' believe it or not it is the only tablet I take regarding all of my cancers and cancer treatment.

The bone density was something not even on my radar when Doc requested a test (apparently routine for BMT) so I just added it to the list of tests I have done and medical issues. Talk to your Doc he/she will advise you for what is right for you.

Re: Please help

Colin81 — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 06:01:47 GMT

Hi sch,

I can't recall how many CT scans or x-rays I have had but its been lot. I do recall one of my oncologists referring to something like 'whole of life dosage' of radiation but at the time they needed the scans so we did them and I have had plenty since plus x-rays and a lot of other stuff I can't remember. Even had total body radiation prior to the BMT. I have never had a full body CT most of mine was pretty much neck to pelvis (which is close) and I think you are correct in saying too much is not a good thing but if its the only way they can 'see' into you they need it.

Re: Please help

sch — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 07:49:59 GMT

Hi Coline81,

If it's justified and required (for example, if a doctor or surgeon suspects there is something there that they are looking for), you might be right and maybe they could go ahead and do just that. But Ma-le's question was specifically around routine scans.

I've had a quite a few family members with bowel cancer and I'm not aware of any of them having full body CT scans.

https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/radiation/protection-information/ct-body-scans

There are significant risks that outweigh the benefits associated with the whole body scanning of otherwise healthy people. After considering the available information, the Authority and the Radiation Advisory Council (an expert body established to advise the Authority) are of the view that the procedure is inappropriate for general diagnosis of healthy individuals. The Authority is taking strong steps to ensure that people who choose to go ahead with a whole body scan are made fully aware of the risks involved.

-sch

Re: Please help

Colin81 — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 00:23:16 GMT

Hi sch,

That's a great website, very informative but don't get me wrong I would never advocate having routine scans especially if you are a healthy person, they can be dangerous, I hope that exposure to radiation by Dr's wanting scans is justified and used minimally which I believe to be true in the hopefully the majority of cases.

In my case I was very ill for many years with some very significant complications, I knew the risks but took them (signed off by me) in the hope that I would receive a better outcome, so far I have but I am well aware of the consequences and in fact unfortunately still 'waiting' for them, those thoughts never leave me.

I would never of had so many and so many different tests unless my DR's (and I) thought they would help, I don't want to do any more tests or take any medications but what I want and what is required don't seem to lineup. I actually find my (now seldom) visits to hospitals very difficult to deal with (the smells, noises, the sick people) the whole process left me traumatised (the foundation of my PTSD) I don't regret it, it was what it was without all of that 'stuff' I would have passed away quite a few years ago (and more than once if such a thing was possible).

I always thought that I was a 'well informed' patient I usually researched all of the drugs, procedures and even the types of machines they used. I always (when able to) quizzed them (medical & nursing) staff as to what and why they were giving it to me, one episode involved insulin, which I did not take ( I am not diabetic) .

After each hospital visit I visited my GP and discussed as many aspects that I could remember to ensure that I knew as best as possible what was recommended.

Colin81

Re: Please help

RJG — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 06:30:06 GMT

Hi all,

As far as exposure to high intensity electromagnetic radiation is concerned, less is more.

I believe that there are only a few types of cancer that metastasise in limbs. Consequently, a full body scan would only be recommended for those candidate types.

However, for my gastro-oesophageal cancer, I did ask for the initial scan to include my head because a brother of mine had developed lesions on his brain while dealing (unsuccessfully) with his oesophageal cancer.

Hugs to all,

Rick

Re: Please help

sch — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 12:18:47 GMT

Hi Ma-le,

I hope you are doing OK.

Did you end up having the CT scan?

I hope it all went well.

-sch

Re: Please help

Ma-le — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 20:16:54 GMT

The ultrasound sound shows it's not suspicious. A fatty hilum under 4mm. My bloods shows abnormalities in my liver so having an ultrasound on Wednesday to be safe. I'll see my oncologist on Thursday to go over everything. Feeling relieved

Thanks everyone for their support

Re: Please help

RJG — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 05:26:03 GMT

Great to hear. As is often the case, not as serious as you thought it might be. But best to get things checked sooner than later to avoid the worry over "nothing", or catch it early if it is "something".
No worries - we are here for each other no matter how big or small the need.
Hugs,
Rick

Re: Please help

Ma-le — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 05:51:46 GMT

Thanks Rick