MRI came back. Disc pushing on nerve, nothing suspicious.

Relieved in a sense but probably looking at another surgery before I can go back to work.

The way I got through the staging process mentally was to think what is there is already there. They need to find it to get rid of it. I know all about the anxiety. I’m sure everyone here does. You need to find out what’s wrong in order to fix it. Maybe you’ll get good news and some peace of mind. G...

Did you have a colonoscopy? If not, get one.

It actually tastes pretty good. It seems most people are on the other end of the spectrum, but for us that tend to get constipated this shake may help. I know everyone is different, but give it a shot. I tend to eat as though nothing ever happened to me so I can get plugged up pretty easily if I’m n...

I’ve been experimenting with smoothies for my first meal of the day. My latest concoction is: 1 banana Handful of blueberries 5-6 strawberries 5-7 prunes 1 cup spinach 1 cup coconut water 1/2 cup Greek vanilla yogurt Usually I’ll have a coffee alone before I ingest anything else. I’m constantly tryi...

I’m not sure if this is what you’re asking, but I’m currently taking Xeloda alone for adjuvant chemo.

I’ve had terrible hip / low back pain. I’m about 2 1/2 months post LAR, no ileo. I had about 6 weeks of radiation around Christmas time. I do have a history of back problems. A L5-S1 disc herniation and my most recent MRI noted degenerative disc disease at L4-L5. I’ve tried everything. Most pills do...

No such luck. Stretching seems to have made it worse.

I can feel something pushing on the nerve. Have an MRI coming up as soon as I get the call. I’ve been basically immobile for over a month now.

I don’t know anything about immunotherapy and hopefully I never need to. You’re right about the cost of drugs. My province covers chemotherapy if it’s administered at the hospital, but not if you take it home. Surely there are plenty of examples like that. I agree with you that the best treatments s...

Ain’t that the truth. It’s not all puppy dogs and ice cream up here either. In my province, if you’re gone for more 7 months of any 12 month period, you’re cut off. Due to the nature of my job, I was, so when I was diagnosed and sent home, I was not covered. I did have insurance through my employer,...

The other thread does have a lot of info. I think the biggest factor is where the tumour is. Mine was basically rectosigmoid, so quite high up. I didn’t have many of the symptoms that a lot of people do have. Think preventative. Wash instead of wiping. Keep things off your skin that could burn. List...

As a Canadian I can’t complain about the level of care I’ve had here. Serious illnesses are prioritized. I’ve waited 11 months for a CT scan for something not urgent, I’ve also been squeezed in immediately numerous times over the past 6 months for many procedures. All without giant bills or premiums.

I’ve had horrible back pain that started a few weeks after surgery. More like pain in my left hip and calf. Tingling all up and down the leg too. I can’t walk very far without needing to stop. I lie on ice packs whenever I am home. Whenever I drive anywhere I turn on the heated seats. I went to the ...

I think the radiation is the biggest factor. My equipment seems to be working fine post surgery, and I was pretty concerned about that beforehand. All I have noticed is that, and forgive me if this is TMI, but my output at that special moment is very little. I haven’t been tested as I had no plans f...

Anybody get severe back / hip pain after radiation? My 25th and last treatment was mid January. I had a LAR at the end of March. Now I have sciatica for sure. Terrible pain in my left hip/buttock area that radiates to my calf and makes my toes numb. This flared up about a month ago. I went to the Em...