This Waiting is Killing me! - Cancer: Colon Message Board

sammypt · 08-23-2005, 09:25 AM

Hi all, I go for surgery on Friday some time mid morning. They are going to take out the whole portion of my sigmoid colon and a small part of the descending colon as well. I find that this waiting is killing me, even though this process has been relatively short for me from beginning to end
8/1/05, ER from blood 8/5/05 colonoscopy, 8/9/05 dx cancer, 8/11/05 surgical consult, 8/17 second opinion, and 8/26 surgery.

I'm still working and that seems to help, but what did you all do to keep your mind from wandering off down its own little path to doom and gloom. For me this waiting is the worst!! any suggestions?

caffiened · 08-23-2005, 10:02 AM

I'm trying to keep real busy (my hubby's surgery is scheduled for 9/6). It doesn't really help for 2am when I'm trying to sleep though. He's trying real hard to not think about it at all. Outwardly, he's doing pretty well.
We found out 5/19.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. (and I'd love to hear about anything that helps - before, during, or after!)

Josie115 · 08-23-2005, 05:13 PM

when I got my biopsy results dx cancer and surgery was scheduled..my reg doc received the copy of the results,called me at home and asked if there was anything she could do. I told her I was anxious about the surgery and the waiting (6 wks)..she prescribed valium. It was a life saver. you can take 1/2 of one or whatever...xanax works well also. waiting is the worst part always...don't be afraid to ask for help...

GarynFlorida · 08-23-2005, 06:41 PM

I read Lance Armstrong's story twice and I started reading history books on World War II. It kinds of put you in your place when you realize what those soldiers were going through.

So I recommend reading something inspirational. I'd stay away from the internet colon cancer research....it's too easy to trick your mind into the doom and gloom when you read stuff. Everybody is different in their response to how they handle this.

Drugs can work if your really anxious.....also you can call toll free hotlines from help groups (some of the national societys have them) to just talk.

Just my two cents....hang in there!!!! We're all here for you.

Gary

CancerDad · 08-23-2005, 07:34 PM

Sammy,
See I would recommend the opposite of Gary... I found the more I knew, the better off I was. It all seemed so surreal in the beginning. And it's only been a month for you. I agree that an anti-anxiety would help... it did for me. Also, try to concentrate on what you will do once you beat this. Since I had rectal cancer, I had months of radiation and chemo to shrink the tumor prior to the initial surgery. I tried to think about what I would do for myself when this is over. Spend some time looking at a cruise ship brochure. Look into a vacation. Plan it out in your mind. And then when you are in the hospital recuperating, or waiting more FOR the surgery, you can go to that place in your mind where you are doing what you planned... feeling the sun on your face, etc. It's a GREAT distraction, and something that can be quick, or you can drag out your thoughts about it.

Hang in there! You can do this!

Fondly,
CancerDad