Hey everyone. New here. Got the call today, Stage 3C rectal cancer. Feels like the floor dropped out from under me. Plan is apparently neoadjuvant chemo/radiation, then surgery, then more chemo. Starts in 3 weeks. Honestly just numb and terrified. Don’t even know what questions to ask yet. How did you cope initially?

  • Elsiabeth JonesEnglish
    1·
    8 months ago

    John, I’m so sorry you’re starting this journey. I had Stage 3 rectal initially too (chemo/rads first, then surgery). That diagnosis day is seared into memory. Allow yourself to feel whatever you feel. Numb is normal. Scared is normal. There’s no right way to react. Be kind to yourself.

    • Elsiabeth JonesEnglish
      1·
      8 months ago

      Thanks Elizabeth. Hearing you had a similar starting plan helps normalize it a tiny bit. “Be kind to yourself” - easier said than done right now, but I appreciate it.