To be clear, the original poster seems to have had his cancer stuff wrapped up in 2015 and was looking to increase fiber in a caloric-efficient way implying that his digestive system was back to normal. There's a hint that weight-loss is a goal as well which is in the context of the suggestions tha...

I had my annual colonoscopy last week and, for the first time, the write-up included a recommendation to take a fiber supplement. Apparently a healthy colon requires 30 grams of fiber daily for women, and 40 grams for men. I did some research and realized my consumption was less than 20 grams per da...

Had my annual colonoscopy last week and everything looked good, so two years NED at this point. My follow up appointments now go from quarterly to every six months.

I know everyone has to make their own decision but "Watch and Wait" is certainly working out well for me.

Mike, if you are still concerned the tumor is blocking you up....my colonoscopy prep includes 24 hours of a clear liquid diet followed by drinking a gallon of MiraLax solution at a rate of one 8 oz glass every ten minutes. Essentially this turns the entire contents of your colon to a watery liquid, ...

My oncologist didn't count the five weeks of xeloda during radiation, so my chemo treatment plan was for the full six months!!! I know I was tempted to call it quits about four months into chemo because it seemed like the side effects were cumulative and things got worse after each cycle but, in ret...

It's all about the dose!!!

A higher dose kicked my butt, a lower dose was tolerable.

I was offered treatment of 8 three week cycles of Xelox or 12 two week cycles of Folfox, and I chose the Xelox. I believe the Oxaliplatin dose for Xelox is 50% bigger than the dose for Folfox because it has to last three weeks instead of the two weeks for Folfox. I ended up having only the first six...

If you had radiation treatment you'll likely have blood counts on the low end of normal for the rest of your life. There's a lot of bone in the pelvic area and radiation zaps the marrow.

I had a follow up appointment last week and learned some new things. Apparently the w&w approach is thought to be more appropriate for those patients with very low tumors whose surgery would require removal of the sphincter with all its complications and subsequent effects on QOL. Also w&w m...

I quit smoking the week before radiation began, and chewed nicorette gum all thru treatment. :mrgreen: I too walked for an hour or so most days, but this became more difficult towards the end of treatment when the burn blisters on my butt became too sore. You may want to be prepared for this eventua...

Dear weissoccermon (or Jaynee :) ) I have found your posts to be sensible, factual, wise, thought provoking, and just downright common sense! You are one of the ladies I very much admire on this board. I think your contributions to this forum are beyond value. I congratulate you on your dedication t...

mozart13, my tastebuds were impacted during chemo such that anything with any taste tasted awful. As a result I was reduced to eating very bland foods; bread, fries, pasta, TV dinners, etc, etc. Also I was too fatigued and so sorry for myself that I didn't exercise. As a result I gained 20 lbs durin...

See this thread on Watch and Wait:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53498

When I was first diagnosed with rectal cancer I was so embarrassed that only my wife knew my secret. Two years later the number of people who have seen my bare ass is approaching triple digits. Also as my tumor was very low, and magically disappeared during radiation, and I am being treated at a tea...

I've recently been reluctant to post in this thread because I feel like I won the lottery compared to the pain and suffering other brave souls on this board are going thru. I hope it doesn't seem like I'm bragging about my good fortune, but I do feel I have a responsibility to recount my experiences...