A couple of days after my LAR & ileostomy (while still in the hospital) I was visited by a great WOCN (wound & ostomy care nurse). He/she should be able to answer all your questions, set you up with the right appliance, and help you with ordering supplies. My insurance also allowed for 4 WOC...

My colorectal surgeon was recommended to me by the GI doctor who performed my colonoscopy. I researched him a bit online, asked my oncologist and a couple of nurses and overall got great reviews of the guy. When I finally met him, he seemed a bit arrogant but spent plenty of time with me, showed me ...

About telling an interviewer your cancer diagnosis, think that's way TMI. I'd avoid too many specifics but mention something like "I was out on family leave and/or medical leave." And hopefully just leave it at that. The cancer support center I attend here has an actual HR consultant who w...

I second the Calmoseptine ointment as well as the Cottonelle wipes. Couldn't get by without either of them. Also, when you're washing "down there" try to use as mild a cleanser as possible - no heavy dyes and/or perfumes. They will only aggravate already aggravated skin. Or just rinse well...

I'm not a patient of Dr. K either, but I did do 8 rounds of FOLFOX last summer. As others have said, dosages are based upon your height and weight and can always be adjusted downward if need be - for example if the side effects do get too severe. While it certainly was no picnic, I can honestly say ...

I know it's much easier said than done, but try not to automatically jump to the worst conclusion. I currently have two very small lung nodules that were discovered in a PET scan in the fall of 2012, but the radiologist said they were too small to even biopsy. I went ahead with chemo, radiation, and...

I was actually prepared to keep it a while, but my oncologist advised me to have it removed. So 3 months after I finished chemo, I had the port removed the same time they did my ileostomy reversal.

This past summer I was talking with this guy at chemo, and apparently the Cleveland Clinic pulls that crap too - the "facility charge." Must be the new thing and just another cheap way to add extra revenue. He was saying, as much as he'd tried there didn't seem to be a way of getting out o...

Yes, I had exactly the same thing after my resection in Feb 2013. Can't remember how long it lasted but it was several months. Every once in a while I'd just be sitting there and all of a sudden get a sharp pain around the incision site. Even now, a year post surgery, the area still gets a little so...

It's really not easy to do and if you need to ask for help, then just do it. Find out if your medical center offers social workers. I saw a social worker that the Cleveland Clinic provides free of charge for oncology patients, and she's been a great help. I also explained everything to my primary ca...

I've been having the same issue too but no idea why. Same thing with my stoma site - the wound is totally healed and closed up but all of a sudden it's been really sore the last couple of days.

Totally normal and will probably get worse before it gets better.

I bought a jar of this at Walgreens - not cheap at all - $20 for a 4 oz jar. Have been using it for the past 2 days and really don't see any long lasting change. Maybe it's too early to tell? I rub the ointment in (and I cover it with my socks) a few times a day and it does provide some slight - but...

I drank a lot of Gatorade at room temp.

That really sucks. I'm sure you've considered this, but try to get your onc's office to negotiate with the ins. co. They know how to do it, and it's really their responsibility. Most places these days are pretty careful about making sure you're covered before they invest in your case. Also, be awar...