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?

  • John SmithOPEnglish
    2·
    8 months ago

    Thanks Michael. “One breath at a time” feels about right. Hard to imagine getting through this. Hearing you’re 2 years out gives a tiny bit of hope. Did the shock wear off, or just… change?

    • michaeljohnsonEnglish
      1·
      8 months ago

      It changes. The raw shock fades into waves of anxiety, determination, fear, hope… it’s a rollercoaster. But you learn to ride it. Focus on the very next step: prepping for that first treatment. You’ll get through it.