My VATS was a bit harder than what the others have described. The epidural didn't cover all of my pain, and then it fell out prematurely. So I required a lot of pain meds and stayed in the hospital four nights. I also developed a UTI and a wound infection. But these are minor complications, and I wa...

Maia, thank you for this. Very helpful and important information.

I am in a similar situation (a few small mets that are operable) and have conflicting advice from two cancer centers. My onc wants me to do 4-6 months of FOLFIRI before considering surgery. Another onc sees no point in doing FOLFIRI and recommends surgery asap followed by maintenance chemo (xeloda +...

I am very sorry to hear this! Gwen was so supportive and caring. My condolences to her friends and family.

Thank you for sharing your video with us. I will never forget it, and I know you friends and family will cherish it.

Welcome. I'm another one who had rectal cancer while pregnant, but wasn't diagnosed until my baby was six weeks old. I had no idea you could have surgery and chemo while pregnant. I felt great throughout my entire pregnancy, exercised and worked full time. It wasn't until after that the constipation...

I am so sorry you have to deal with this. I was diagnosed shortly after my daughter was born, and she is fine. I am stage 4 with one met to the lung. My tumors have been removed and I am now doing mop-up chemo, hoping and praying I will stay NED for a very long time. I agree with what everyone has s...

I am very sorry for your diagnosis. I know you must be completely overwhelmed, scared, and angry. I am in the final stages of treatment for rectal cancer, and it has been a long difficult road but I am getting through it. The worst part is the beginning, when you don't understand what anything means...

Thank you so much for your blog entry, and for those very important lessons. You are such a caring and generous person.

I am so sorry for what you are going through. You are much stronger than I am.

Bev, Thank you for your willingness to share your experience. Please don't hold back! The more information the better, for me. My tumor was in sector 5, about 15% was removed. I have mid-line incision from between my breasts to just below my belly button. I have no drains, never did. The openings ar...

I had a successful liver resection on January 3rd. I currently have three holes in my incision, two of which are about 4cm deep, and have copious amounts of drainage. Until a few days ago I had to change my dressing every hour and was constantly leaking onto my clothes and sheets. It has slowed some...

My resection was a big success. He only had to take about 15%, instead of the 70% he had anticipated. Recovery is another story. I have been unable to manage my pain well, and now I have a big gaping hold at the bottom of my incision. It is so painful right now I can't sleep and may have to go to th...

Best of luck to you! I had my liver resection on Jan 3rd and doing fine. I was nervous, too, and asked for some Ativan while I was being prepped for surgery. I will be looking forward to hearing about your experience!

Congratulations!!!