My surgery was 4 1/2 yrs ago and I was in the same boat as NWGIRL. I had a rectal tumor, my tumor was big, and four lymph nodes were already confirmed positive for cancer prior to my surgery. Because my surgeon want to do a look around, I did not have an option for laprascopic either. 4 1/2 yrs ago,...

Very interesting. While I could not access the site you included, it was interesting reading what you wrote. Thank you for the info.

Lee

We always go to Florida in Sept/Oct and have always bought insurance with these trips because of hurricane season (once we actually had to use it because of a hurricane hitting shore). And yes, hubby once joked about getting the insurance in case we had to cancel a trip because of me (and a possible...

No, that is a new one to me. I would suggest checking with your Dr or nurse just so they know.

Best of luck,

Lee

I have a belt due to a hernia. I was measured by an ostomy nurse and my insurance paid for it. I highly recommend these belts.

Lee

This was many yrs ago, but I was advised to avoid vitamin/supplement, simply because they could interfer with my chemo. I was advised to drink Ensure daily, which I did. If I did take anything, I ALWAYS cleared it with my Dr first.

Lee

I believe knowledge is power, but I will admit when I was first diagnosed, I put A LOT of faith in my Dr.s. I FELT very overwelmed, and truly felt I could not take anymore. Thus in the beginning, I relied totally on what my Dr.s told me. It was only after awhile that I began to research on my own. I...

Me personally, I like my red wine.

Lee

I hope you won't mind a contrary view. I do not think informing patients of symptoms in advance of treatment is a good idea, because we humans are very, very suggestible. When you tell me all the ways a chemo medication may make me sick, your telling me that is likely to make me sick in those ways....

Chemo regiment was FOLFOX for 6 months. Infusion every other week, 48 hrs on the pump, usually starting on Tuesday (sometimes Wednesday), finish up on Thursday (or Friday). Biggest side effect was neuropathy, numbness in my hands and feet. Lost most of my hearing in my ears during the last infusion ...

It was my understanding, no alcohol 24 hrs before a procedure and no alcohol 24 hrs following a procedure. I'm not a beer drinker, but I believe it falls in the alcohol family.

Lee

Very informative site, it's comforting to know that how I was treated 4 yrs ago is still the normal today. I've had no problems/reoccurences, etc and I attribute a large part of this to my surgeon and Onc. I'm thankful to my surgeon for being up to date on the latest/newest procedures. And I'm thank...

I am so sorry to hear about your sister. I'm sorry I'm not sure what a "serrated tumor" is, but I have heard of that word before, so hopefully someone will be along and can answer that question. I did want to pass along, take it one step at a time, I know harder said then done. But try not...

Brady,

That is the BEST NEWS!!! I am so happy to read this post. Here's to your continued success.

PammySue, I will be praying that your results are also just as positive.

Lee

I believe in the power of prayers. I believe I am alive today in a large part because of the power of prayer. It is VERY POWERFUL thing !

Lee