Cancer diagnosis what next

spud82

Hey all

My dad has just been diagnosed with cancer - Stage 1 in the bowel It's very treatable but I am so scared my friend died of cancer last month and I can't help fearing the worst. I haven't been able to sleep or eat since Any advice as to how to stay calm would be great

Im just scared

Tokyo

Hi spud82,

I don't think your reaction is unreasonable to be honest - for years the very mention of the 'C' word struck fear into most people as being automatically incurable and degenerative, and a lot of that still lingers to the present day. As much as I'd advise you or anybody else to try and focus on the positives, I'd be pretty taken aback too if I had to deal with a diagnosis in my family tomorrow.

However, as cliched as it sounds, treatments have come on leaps and bounds in the last 20 years. And as you've already said, it was caught at Stage 1, which is about as early as you can catch it, and the prognosis is excellent. I appreciate that the diagnosis is recent, but give yourself enough time to absorb everything, then focus on the good points outlined above - at the moment there really isn't any reason to expect anything other than a positive outcome. If your dad feels like discussing it, talk to him about it, or have a word with his doctor if that's possible. And although you don't feel like it - do eat, and try to rest, even if you think you won't sleep. Otherwise it's all going to catch up with you. And for what it's worth, I'm sure that everybody reading this is wishing him a speedy recovery.

spud82

mike_ie wrote: »

Hi spud82,

I don't think your reaction is unreasonable to be honest - for years the very mention of the 'C' word struck fear into most people as being automatically incurable and degenerative, and a lot of that still lingers to the present day. As much as I'd advise you or anybody else to try and focus on the positives, I'd be pretty taken aback too if I had to deal with a diagnosis in my family tomorrow.

However, as cliched as it sounds, treatments have come on leaps and bounds in the last 20 years. And as you've already said, it was caught at Stage 1, which is about as early as you can catch it, and the prognosis is excellent. I appreciate that the diagnosis is recent, but give yourself enough time to absorb everything, then focus on the good points outlined above - at the moment there really isn't any reason to expect anything other than a positive outcome. If your dad false like discussing it, talk to him about it, or have a word with his doctor if that's possible. And although you don't feel like it - do eat, and try to rest, even if you think you won't sleep. Otherwise it's all going to catch up with you. And for what it's worth, I'm sure that everybody reading this is wishing him a speedy recovery.

Thanks buddy. He is having op soon to remove it and the doctor doesn't think he'll need chemo. I am just really upset over it and scared too. I haven't been able to sleep all week or eat. I know In my heart he will be fine but my stupid brain is over working!

Buona Fortuna

Spud

Thinking of you and your Dad.

Hang in there mate.

bee06

My dad had the same diagnosis about three months ago so I know what you're going through. He had the operation and it went really well. The cancer hadn't spread and he didn't need chemo. Three months later and he's back to normal for the most part. We are so grateful that it was caught so early. It was super scary as soon as I heard cancer and tumor but the doctors were really positive so I hung onto that and you should to the same.

Rubberchikken

It's ok to be scared.
But the prognosus is looking good in that it's treatable and he mightn't need chemo. That's good news so hold on to that.

Thinking of your dad. Best of luck

iusedtoknow

It's perfectly natural to be scared, but remember...doctors rarely if ever lie. When they say stage 1 and treatable...they mean it. I grew up around doctors (my father is one) and am married to one. This sort of news is something most doctors would LOVE to give someone with cancer.

While he'll rebound from this, depending on the scale of the surgery, he may need a bit of time to recover and may need to change his lifestyle a little bit - but that is in the future. At the moment, all that matters that you and the family rally around him AND around each other. There is little you can personally do except be around for him. This is a battle that only the doctors can fight - but you on the other hand can be there for him.

Good Luck!

crosstownk

My Dad at 73 had bowel cancer 4 years ago. He's now completely OK. I think I was more scared than he was. Scared is normal and expected for both patient and relatives.

A very good friend of mine at 57 is currently in hospital with the same thing. The docs reckon he'll be out before Christmas.

Both had an early diagnosis like your Dad.

Think positive.

LegacyUser

I know it is hard to hear that a parent or someone you know has cancer.
I would look up www.cancer.ie the website for the Irish Cancer society as it has a lot of information that both you and your parents may find useful.
They also have a freephone number of 1800 200 700 open Mon - Thur 900 till 700 and Friday 9.00 to 5.00.
There are also a number of local support services in Ireland and the cancer society can give you the details in regards to the area you live in.

I hope this helps you and your parents and remember to think positive.

skooterblue2

A few thing... all great advice from the above posters.

Irish Cancer society are always a great help.

Keep things positive. If this is only seen as speed bump by him. Him talking about projects he is going to do afterwards is a really great sign.

Being caught early and acting early is a really good sign too.