confused

~Hi Andi,

Its shocking to hear that you are only 27 and have had a colorectal diagnosis. Can I ask if its genetic? You mentioned that you had no symptoms but it was picked up by a colonoscopy?

How are you doing now? I had BC in 2006 and finished treatment in 2007. I too found it all confusing at times. I found it a great help to talk to others who had been (or were) in the same boat. In person and on web forums. It also helped me learn more about cancer in general.

Have you called the Cancer Society to see if they have someone you could talk to? Or found any specific colorectal forums? If you are in Dublin, there is also the ARC centre on Eccles Street, across the road from the Mater carpark.

Hope you are doing ok,
Regards,

Flo.

Hi Andi, I just want to let you know that I understand your feeling of shock and confusion. I experienced the same feelings when I was diagnosed with breast cancer four and a half years ago. I was slightly older than you at 34 but still too young, I thought, to get cancer. It struck me as a bolt out of the blue too. I agree with Flo, that finding good support is the key. It takes a while to come to terms with a diagnosis and each stage of the treatment brings its own challenges. I have a blog for breast cancer survivors, which also has a lot of information related to cancer in general, you might find it helpful:
http://beyondbreastcancer.wordpress.com/2009/02/01/hello-world/
The main thing to remember is that you are not alone and that there is support out there. Good luck!

hay guys,
just a quick note to say thank you so much for the replys. in answer to your question flo, it is not genetic, doctors haven't a clue what could have caused it. am doing grand now :) healing slowly and watching loads of afternood tv. learning guitar too. i have gone on to ARC web site but haven't done more than that yet, its all so new.
i will deffently check out that link you sent me ennocon, really though thanks for the heads up.
i really hope you guys are doing well,
keep in touch
andi

Hi Andi,

I'm in Drogheda and we have the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre here. It is great - like a little bubble of peace and calm when everything around you seems to be going crazy at times. They do free Yoga, Relaxation and TaiChi sessions that you can just drop in to. And they do Counselling, Reflexology, Massage, Wig Fitting and a whole heap of other things that I don't know about. ARC do the same type of thing I know. I have never attended classes in ARC but I do drop in occasionally after an appointment in the Mater. Sometimes I go in to talk to one of the staff but sometimes I just need a cup of tea and a few minutes after an appointment to clear my head. They also longer 4 or 8 wk courses in Art Therapy, Writing, etc. and they have had Young Cancer groups which might be good for you.

I would recommend you have a look and try it out. Its there for you and its free (not much like that in the world these days!). I know it can be intimidating going in somewhere like that on your own the first time. If you wanted, I would meet you in Dublin one day and bring you in.

I know you need to take things easy for a while because you are healing after your surgery and treatment but I think its important to get out there too and give yourself things to do and things to look forward to. It is very easy to get stuck in the house on the sofa or in the bed (I know, I have done it!) and it is very hard to get yourself motivated to get out again. I am almost two yhears out from the end of my treatment and its only now that I feel I am 'getting going' again. It was probably partly depression, which I believe is very common with a cancer diagnosis. This cancer stuff can hit us from all sorts of angles, eh?

I met a woman recently who had enrolled in a parttime course due to start a month after her treatment ended. It was something she'd always wanted to try and she said she'd wanted something to focus on during treatment, something to work towards. She said it was tough and tiring at times but really helped get her back to some sort of 'normal'. I remember wishing I'd had the foresight to do something like that. I don't mean to suggest that you are a lazy lump like I was (sorry, I am not very tactful!!). I just wanted to let you know it is something to look out for. :-)

Take care.
Regards,

Flo.