Hey Judy, So good to hear from you after all this time, though I'm sorry you're still having a rough time. I'm nearly 2 years out from reversal now and I just had to let you know that there can still be improvement between 1 and 2 years out. I can very much relate to the grief others are experiencin...

Honestly, I don't know what the 'standard' follow up protocol is nowadays for someone who has had a 'standard' LAR/APR but I would venture that for a stage I-III, there would be at least a chest/abdominal/pelvic CT every six months or more for the first 2-3 years. Someone chime in with this info ple...

Hi Colleen I thought it might be helpful if I described my diet. You might like to try it and see if it works for you. I make my own breakfast cereal: rolled oats mixed with cinnamon and orange juice then toasted in the oven. Then mix this with All Bran and chopped dried apples and apricots. I use s...

Hi Colleen Sorry that you're having a hard time. If you read my signature you will see that I too am now without a rectum. Unlike many who have loose stool, mine has always tended towards constipation. I'm nearly 2 years out from reversal. It does get better with time but I have certainly felt frust...

Hi Eric So good to hear that someone else has had a similar experience with Tramadol. Have been on the same dose for 11 years and I certainly find it works well as a background medication. I have stepped up to oxycodone for breakthrough pain with good effect. My pain guy talks about how important it...

Best wishes for your reversal.

A colonoscopy by a local GI found a large sessile polyp in June 2014. Pathology suggested it was benign. Referred to EMR specialist who removed the polyp during colonoscopy number 2. Pathology showed adenocarcinoma. A week later colonoscopy number 3 for EMR guy to tattoo margins prior to referral to...

Just wanted to share my experience as it's relevant to this thread. Despite not having any chemo (Stage 1 so surgery only) I experienced some of the cognitive issues reported as chemo brain, such as poor concentration and difficulty multitasking. This was very unlike me, as I had been a voracious re...

No need to apologise, what you have written could have been me a few months ago. Hang in there. It does get better.
Jan

Hi Judy, Sorry to hear that you're still feeling down. After everything you've been through I was so hoping you would have an easier time of this. Can relate to your experiences and feelings. I nearly drove myself bonkers trying to analyse my diet and tie it to my BM's. I shed many tears and had sev...

Hi Del, As I've noted before, your situation is very similar to mine, except that I had no lymphovascular invasion. My rectal polyp was removed via EMR but was found to be a T2, MRI suggested no lymph node invasion (though only 85% accuracy). I was referred to a colorectal surgeon. As I was a Stage ...

Hi Del Given that the polyp was completely removed I would think that you would not receive radiation. However you may have pre adjuvant chemo. I had a similar experience with a malignant polyp removed via EMR. Went on to have a ULAR with temporary loop ileostomy which was reversed three months afte...

Hi Del from a fellow Aussie.
The equivalent of a board certified surgeon in Australia would be a member of the College of Colorectal Surgeons. You definitely don't want any old general surgeon doing a low or ultra low anterior resection.
Best wishes for your treatment.
Jan

Hey Judy Sending my condolences for the passing of your FIL. Can appreciate your dilemma. Is there any chance that you can contact your surgeon and seek advice? If you find that you can reliably predict how soon after taking the stool softener you will have a clean out then perhaps this is the best ...

Hey Judy That is wonderful news. So happy that for once Murphy is off in a corner sulking and you've had the last laugh. As I write this I'm trying to down my last 2 glasses of glycoprep in preparation for my colonoscopy tomorrow. I'm so hoping it will be clear so I don't have to drink that rubbish ...