Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Please feel free to read, share your thoughts, your stories and connect with others!
User avatar
susie0915
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby susie0915 » Sat Sep 15, 2018 1:56 pm

The chemo is hard on the bottom. I had a blockage 4 weeks after resection and had to have surgery to remove scar tissue. My surgeon decided to reverse my ileo while he was in there. I was happy for the reversal but it made it much harder during chemo. Had alot of diarrhea.
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

justin case
Posts: 4269
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:26 am
Location: Katy, Texas

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby justin case » Sat Sep 15, 2018 3:43 pm

susie0915 wrote:The chemo is hard on the bottom. I had a blockage 4 weeks after resection and had to have surgery to remove scar tissue. My surgeon decided to reverse my ileo while he was in there. I was happy for the reversal but it made it much harder during chemo. Had alot of diarrhea.

Same happened to me 3 weeks out,I was so relieved not to have a bag to live with ! I guess we could have waited 6 months, and had the diarrhea to deal with then !
Michael
7/11 diagnosed Stage 2 colon and rectal cancer
chemo/rad
lar/temp ilio
Reversal & port removal
21 round of chemo Folfox 9tx, 5fu 12 tx
Last treatment July 2012

Caat55
Posts: 694
Joined: Sat Dec 23, 2017 6:01 pm

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby Caat55 » Sat Sep 15, 2018 4:13 pm

Eleda wrote:Hi Anne, as Mlike Mike said 2weeks later, nearly back to normal,,, only problem I was left with was ( self DX radiation induced stenosis)
Just before surgery in the theater I asked the nurse to use a small cathater during surgery due to the stenosis, and she said fine!!!!!!!!!,,, but in fact they called in the urologists after I was put to sleep, and they put in a larger one Which infact, worked a treat, and now I only have a sting if I hope my pee too long,,, but no other problems with that.... perfect flow " no pressure like before.....
So something to think about if Ur suffering with that , I also took cranberry capsules ( juice had too much sugar) and magnesium citrate to dilute the acid in the pee and ascorbic acid,
I know Ur thinking about chemo before surgery but I'd imagine it will b rough on Ur bum as I'm in the middle of chemo now and can see from the output in the bag if I had to actually dispell that myself ( I'd b crying in pain ) like being on radiation....m

I have all the products at the ready because I'm following mike's thread so expecting a rough ride after reversal

Hope this helps
ADELE X


Even with the bag the chemo caused issues with my skin. According to what I read and nurse explained, chemo goes after fast growing cells, ie. cancer and skin cells. So the fragile skin damaged by radiation which is trying to heal is attacked again during chemo. By the end of my 5 runs with infusion and xeloda my bum, actually all my skin in area of radiation was sore. The bum was raw and actually bled. It has been 7 weeks and finely almost painfree. I can wear wants briefly, one day, than back to a skirt. I am holding off on reversals for a little while longer to be sure I am completely healed after reading Mike's experience. I am very fair and that maybe a contributor to the problem according to surgeon. Take care.
Susan
Do at 55 y.o. Female
Dx 9/26/17 RC Stage 3
Completed 33 rad. tx, xeolda 12/8/17
MRI and PET 1/18 sign. regression
Surgery 1/31/18 Ileostomy, clean margins, no lymph node involved
Port 3/1/2018
Oxaliplatin and Xeloda start 3/22/18
Last Oxaliplatin 7/5/18, 5 rounds
CT NED 9/2018
PET NED 12/18
Clear Colonoscopy 2/19, 5/20

Eleda
Posts: 328
Joined: Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:28 am
Facebook Username: adele Morgan
Location: Ireland

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby Eleda » Sat Sep 15, 2018 5:22 pm

Sharon I wonder if different radiation machines cause more side effects than others
I remember trying to googled the machine
Mine was made by siemans??? Was LAR
SWF, 47
Mom to 3 sons 6/8/12
Dec4th 2017 colonoscopy for minor intermittent rectal bleeding during Summer
CEA 4.4
DX T3 L3C M0 2.5/3 cm above AV.
JAN 3RD started 1650mg Zelda 2xday, with 28 radiation
Did tagamet 800mg daily and 75mg IV VIT C WEEKLY UNTIL SURGERY and
Tumor reduce by 80% 1 LN still remaining
TATME May10th, temp illeostomy
10/07/2018 CEA 3
MMR INTACT
Began FOLFOX July 10th
24/08/2018 Allergic reaction so next infusion lucovorin and 5fu
CEA 4
Second attempt with oxi aug 12th

Annie50
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 3:44 pm

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby Annie50 » Fri Oct 12, 2018 7:55 am

Hi

I've just finished my 5 weeks radio chemo. Was everyone totally back to normal and original symptoms gone .. did you know whether it had worked ! ? Answers very much appreciated.
Annie xx

User avatar
susie0915
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby susie0915 » Fri Oct 12, 2018 8:03 am

My surgeon did a sigmoidoscopy about a month after finishing chemo/radiation. He said all that was left was scar tissue and I may not need chemo after surgery depending on the pathology report. I also had a pet scan that showed no sign of cancer especially in the distal rectal area. After surgery, the pathology did show clean margins, no lymph nodes 0/24 but minimal residual cancer cells. So I did do 6 rounds of chemo at the recommendation of my oncologist. My original tumor was approx 2cm. and 4-5 cm from the anal verge.
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

Caat55
Posts: 694
Joined: Sat Dec 23, 2017 6:01 pm

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby Caat55 » Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:49 am

The radiation treatment continues to work in and on your body for four to six weeks after last treatment. My skin damage, discomfort was intense and continued to be. I had a complete response to treatment, after surgery though I did five rounds of chemo to catch any strays that might have migrated to different organs, parts of body.
Susan
Do at 55 y.o. Female
Dx 9/26/17 RC Stage 3
Completed 33 rad. tx, xeolda 12/8/17
MRI and PET 1/18 sign. regression
Surgery 1/31/18 Ileostomy, clean margins, no lymph node involved
Port 3/1/2018
Oxaliplatin and Xeloda start 3/22/18
Last Oxaliplatin 7/5/18, 5 rounds
CT NED 9/2018
PET NED 12/18
Clear Colonoscopy 2/19, 5/20

Annie50
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 3:44 pm

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby Annie50 » Fri Oct 12, 2018 5:21 pm

Would you do watch and wait ? If complete response ? Did all your original symptoms go and bowels return to normal ? Or not ? Thanks you guys xxx annie

Caat55
Posts: 694
Joined: Sat Dec 23, 2017 6:01 pm

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby Caat55 » Tue Oct 16, 2018 10:49 pm

Annie50 wrote:Would you do watch and wait ? If complete response ? Did all your original symptoms go and bowels return to normal ? Or not ? Thanks you guys xxx annie

My bowels were fine after radiation, then came the ileostomy. My doctor's advised against waiting, why take any chances. In Europe they do it differently though from what I read here.
S
Do at 55 y.o. Female
Dx 9/26/17 RC Stage 3
Completed 33 rad. tx, xeolda 12/8/17
MRI and PET 1/18 sign. regression
Surgery 1/31/18 Ileostomy, clean margins, no lymph node involved
Port 3/1/2018
Oxaliplatin and Xeloda start 3/22/18
Last Oxaliplatin 7/5/18, 5 rounds
CT NED 9/2018
PET NED 12/18
Clear Colonoscopy 2/19, 5/20

Eleda
Posts: 328
Joined: Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:28 am
Facebook Username: adele Morgan
Location: Ireland

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby Eleda » Wed Oct 17, 2018 4:57 am

I went back to pretty normal also straight away after radiation
As for female parts( slightly effected,)" vaginal and utheral stenosis" NOT BAD NOW THO!!!!!

Watch and wait wouldn't be for me ( my nerves wouldn't take it) my oncologist told me yesterday I've only one Chemo left,( new protocol 6 session) 1 lymph left in pathology after radiation, and I'm panicking already about haveing no treatment,, :|

As for reversal,,, I'm nearly 6 months post op and in no hurry to reverse this side of X mas
My surgeon Says there's is no contraindications to waiting, so January it is for me ( I'm not Ireland)
Can't deal with that and 3 kids pre X mas

ADELE
SWF, 47
Mom to 3 sons 6/8/12
Dec4th 2017 colonoscopy for minor intermittent rectal bleeding during Summer
CEA 4.4
DX T3 L3C M0 2.5/3 cm above AV.
JAN 3RD started 1650mg Zelda 2xday, with 28 radiation
Did tagamet 800mg daily and 75mg IV VIT C WEEKLY UNTIL SURGERY and
Tumor reduce by 80% 1 LN still remaining
TATME May10th, temp illeostomy
10/07/2018 CEA 3
MMR INTACT
Began FOLFOX July 10th
24/08/2018 Allergic reaction so next infusion lucovorin and 5fu
CEA 4
Second attempt with oxi aug 12th

Annie50
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 3:44 pm

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby Annie50 » Thu Oct 18, 2018 9:42 am

Hi there thanks for responding ., Were your bowels misbehaving with symptoms before at diagnosis ? Sounds like you are on track and my scan is in November and don't relish op before Xmas with 3 kids too? I don't know what response I've had yet I just feel very well and nornsl after radio ?! Xxx

Annie50
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 3:44 pm

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby Annie50 » Thu Oct 18, 2018 9:44 am

Caat55 wrote:
Annie50 wrote:Would you do watch and wait ? If complete response ? Did all your original symptoms go and bowels return to normal ? Or not ? Thanks you guys xxx annie

My bowels were fine after radiation, then came the ileostomy. My doctor's advised against waiting, why take any chances. In Europe they do it differently though from what I read here.
S


I suppose it's because it is a chance of permanent stoma as mine is low in rect so that terrifies me ! How have you heard it is different in Europe ? Xxxx annie

Eleda
Posts: 328
Joined: Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:28 am
Facebook Username: adele Morgan
Location: Ireland

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby Eleda » Thu Oct 18, 2018 11:13 am

I'm living in EUROPE,, and mine was2/3 cm from anal verge,I am now waiting for takedown after X mas so it is possible with a good surgon,,,, just finished 6 rounds of folfox
SWF, 47
Mom to 3 sons 6/8/12
Dec4th 2017 colonoscopy for minor intermittent rectal bleeding during Summer
CEA 4.4
DX T3 L3C M0 2.5/3 cm above AV.
JAN 3RD started 1650mg Zelda 2xday, with 28 radiation
Did tagamet 800mg daily and 75mg IV VIT C WEEKLY UNTIL SURGERY and
Tumor reduce by 80% 1 LN still remaining
TATME May10th, temp illeostomy
10/07/2018 CEA 3
MMR INTACT
Began FOLFOX July 10th
24/08/2018 Allergic reaction so next infusion lucovorin and 5fu
CEA 4
Second attempt with oxi aug 12th

Annie50
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2018 3:44 pm

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby Annie50 » Thu Oct 18, 2018 12:06 pm

Gosh that's interesting.. where was the surgeon based and was he a particular low rectal specialist ? Do you have an actual stoma at the moment before your takedown ? Xxxx

Eleda
Posts: 328
Joined: Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:28 am
Facebook Username: adele Morgan
Location: Ireland

Re: Surviving radiation for rectal cancer

Postby Eleda » Thu Oct 18, 2018 3:53 pm

Yes Ann,
a specialised colorectal surgon in Ireland
Yes I have an illeostomy ATM,, working quite well , without a bother but will be glad to have the plumbing back up and running :D :)
SWF, 47
Mom to 3 sons 6/8/12
Dec4th 2017 colonoscopy for minor intermittent rectal bleeding during Summer
CEA 4.4
DX T3 L3C M0 2.5/3 cm above AV.
JAN 3RD started 1650mg Zelda 2xday, with 28 radiation
Did tagamet 800mg daily and 75mg IV VIT C WEEKLY UNTIL SURGERY and
Tumor reduce by 80% 1 LN still remaining
TATME May10th, temp illeostomy
10/07/2018 CEA 3
MMR INTACT
Began FOLFOX July 10th
24/08/2018 Allergic reaction so next infusion lucovorin and 5fu
CEA 4
Second attempt with oxi aug 12th


Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 71 guests