colon resection - turned out to be no cancer

I'm in my mid 40's. Two years ago a routine colonoscopy (routine because I have history of pre-cancerous polyps) revealed a rather large polyp which turned out to be severe dysplasia.  It was recommended I have 12" of my colon removed (6" on either side of the polyp). I had to have the traditional surgery because of previous abdominal surgeries (ovarian cysts, C-section, etc).  As it turned out they removed 18" of my colon because the polyp was located slightly higher than the colonoscopy showed.  Lymph nodes were removed as well. After pathology reports came back it was determined that the cancer was only in the polyp and had not entered the colon wall.  I know I am blessed and have been given a 2nd chance but I am suffering depression because I feel I had a very invasive surgery for which I will never be the same and it was all for nothing. Perhaps I acted too quickly and should not have had the surgery.  I will say that I was at a leading hospital in Texas and feel I had superb advice.  But something in me won't let this go.  I agonize over having made this decision and am angry with myself that perhaps I should have just taken my chances and not had the surgery.  How do I cope with this? Did I do the right thing?

[jdwithhcv]

I think you did the right thing.  The polyp was cancerous, and left alone would have developed into a much bigger problem.  

My cancer (stage 3c) had entered the colon wall and progressed into the adjacent organs before it was discovered (in my mid-40s) I had 5 lymh nodes that were also cancerous and I had to have radiation, several different chemos, surgery, more chemo and then more surgery.  I had an ileostomy for many months as a result.  If you want to be depressed, just have an ileostomy (while you're doing chemo so you have all sorts of gastrointestinal side effects from the treatment drugs) and live like that for months with the fear that they will never be able to reverse it!  I would have given a lot to have caught my cancer earlier, it would have spared me a lot of suffering.  

I'm glad to hear you are ok.  You did the best thing you could do.  Try to move forward.
jd

[believes]

thanks - this helps. I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't want to feel this way.  I just feel like maybe I didn't get all the information I could have or should have up front, like maybe I reacted to quickly. I was urged to have the surgery right away and I did.  I feel terrible feeling this way and hearing stories such as yours. Again, I wish I could stop the feelings I have about this. Thanks for writing.

[Miss_Amy_2009]

Hi there. My Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer after a coloscopy that found a large cancerous mass. It was one year ago, today that he had his colon resection to have it removed. Like you, they urged him to get the open surgery as soon as possible and he had it within two weeks of they're recommendation.

I believe that you did the right thing, as the polyp would eventually grow into a tumor and possibly spread to your organs, putting you into another phase of cancer. Continue to be thankful and gain the strength to move forward with the gift of life that you were given to continue living.

One thing that I've learned as my Dad's primary care giver is that in regards to Cancer, there really is no such thing as "reacted too quickly".

There aren't many people that will ever be the same after surgery...no matter what type it is...any invasion/alteration to your body will cause a person to know that it will not be the same again...because there has literally been a change..please learn to accept it...because this is something that you cannot UNdo...and most importantly, realize that what you were successful in UNdo'ing is to be remembered most....You prevented a cancerous mass and the spread of cancer to your organs/bones. In my opinion, a body being changed forever in an attempt to avoid this relentless disease is worth the trade, hands down.

If you would have waited, I'm fairly certain that you would then have a good reason to be depressed. Feel fortunate...not only in comparison to the others that are truly suffering in the later stages, but because you DID the right thing in being proactive in regards to prevention.

Continue to take care of yourself...take pride in your GOOD decision...accept the change and move on to enjoy the extra time given to you. Start celebrating your GIFT of life, TODAY. :)

Amy

[Twp1976]

I agree with the others.  I'm 33, and earlier this year my Rheumatologist in routine bloodwork said "Oh, I see you're anemic".  He thought I knew, and said it casually.  When I told him I never knew that before, he put me on Corvite 150 (Rx iron pills).  My iron went up and the anemia went away.  I stopped the iron pills, and it crashed back down fast.  My doc and I both thought a hematologist and gastro doc should see me.  My endoscopy was clean, but my colonoscopy showed a 4 cm bleeding polyp, that had high-grade dysplasia and was described as "very close to being cancerous".  Since I was very young, I have to go back 3 months for another colonoscopy.  They were able to remove it, but one that size in somebody my age is very rare.  So, like they said, you can NEVER act too soon or be too careful.  I hope this story with the others adds to you feeling satisfied!

[believes]

Thanks for the response - it helps. Did you just have the polyp removed or part of your colon?  My dr told me that leaving that section of my colon risked the possibility of just one cell being left behind and invading healthy tissue.  I would much rather just had the polyp removed and being monitored but his philosphy - and his words to me -were "Get it out" - get the part of the colon out that contained this polyp. He did say that these types were "hard" because they were technically "part" cancer and part "not" cancer - it had just started to turn cancerous.  He said there was only a 5% chance that I had cancer but to him it wasn't worth the risk.  I freaked - when they said cancer I was more than willing to do the surgery. Now I'm wondering if I reacted too quickly. Again - it was his and my GI dr's recommendation.  I'm sorry I feel this way - I know there are millions who would trade places with me. But my feelings are real.  I'm an anxious person anyway and have struggled with anxiety issues for years so I know the power of an anxious mind, especially in situations such as this one.

Thanks for taking the time to post.