Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

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cathy123
Posts: 665
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2014 3:36 pm

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby cathy123 » Sun Oct 25, 2015 8:51 am

I took 3 Jan - one before dinner and 2 later when it was really bad. I was afraid of going the other direction but yesterday I still had some bms so I guess I can take more next time I will be out. Thanks!
Cathy

Diagnosed 10/14 low rectal cancer age 43
Clinical T2NXMX
Radiation/xeloda 12/14-1/15
LAR with temp Ileo 3/15
pT2N0M0, lymphatic invasion 0/37 nodes
4 xelox, 1 xeloda only
Reversal 9/15
Mom to 9&11 year olds

Mister Wu
Posts: 64
Joined: Sat Sep 27, 2014 6:08 pm

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby Mister Wu » Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:54 am

Bump
7/14 Mrs. Wu dx rectal cancer T3N0M0
completed CRT 10/29/14
Filter placed in vena cava for clot 1/18/15
Resection and temp ileostomy 1/22/15
2/4/15 path report T2N0M0
6/22/15 flex sig. Reversal 7/24/15 obstructed bowel 9/3/15
4/9/18. NED

VodKanockers
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun May 31, 2015 6:52 pm
Location: MN

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby VodKanockers » Sat Nov 21, 2015 10:44 pm

Do any of you recall how long it took for your systems to turn back on afterwards? I went in for my ileostomy reversal on Thursday at 11:00am. As of 9:30pm tonight (Saturday), I still haven't made any progress on passing gas or having a BM. They tell me it's not uncommon to take this long, but was curious to hear from some of you who have gone through it.
47yr M DX Feb '15 Stage III RC T3N1M0
Mar/Apr '15 - 6 wks chemo/IMRT rad
June '15 - LAR w/ temp ileo 0/14 LN
Jul '15 - port installed
Jul/Oct '15 - 8 rnds FOLFOX
Nov '15 - ileo takedown
Dec '15 - port removed

cathy123
Posts: 665
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2014 3:36 pm

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby cathy123 » Sun Nov 22, 2015 4:40 am

Mine was about 36 hours after surgery - and it came back with a vengeance. But I was told that was early. The nurse told me walking and chewing gum help. Good luck - hope it happens soon.
Cathy

Diagnosed 10/14 low rectal cancer age 43
Clinical T2NXMX
Radiation/xeloda 12/14-1/15
LAR with temp Ileo 3/15
pT2N0M0, lymphatic invasion 0/37 nodes
4 xelox, 1 xeloda only
Reversal 9/15
Mom to 9&11 year olds

Mister Wu
Posts: 64
Joined: Sat Sep 27, 2014 6:08 pm

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby Mister Wu » Sun Nov 22, 2015 6:41 am

Señora had her reversal on a Thursday.

Her innards started working on Monday.
7/14 Mrs. Wu dx rectal cancer T3N0M0
completed CRT 10/29/14
Filter placed in vena cava for clot 1/18/15
Resection and temp ileostomy 1/22/15
2/4/15 path report T2N0M0
6/22/15 flex sig. Reversal 7/24/15 obstructed bowel 9/3/15
4/9/18. NED

VodKanockers
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun May 31, 2015 6:52 pm
Location: MN

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby VodKanockers » Sun Nov 22, 2015 5:08 pm

Thanks Cathy and Mister Wu.

Finally at 2:00pm today I had my first bm as well as some gas. Not much, but enough hopefully to get things going and relieve a little of the pressure. So just over 3 days for me to get started, which couldn't happen fast enough after some very miserable hours early this morning.
47yr M DX Feb '15 Stage III RC T3N1M0
Mar/Apr '15 - 6 wks chemo/IMRT rad
June '15 - LAR w/ temp ileo 0/14 LN
Jul '15 - port installed
Jul/Oct '15 - 8 rnds FOLFOX
Nov '15 - ileo takedown
Dec '15 - port removed

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

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby justin case » Sun Nov 22, 2015 8:07 pm

I had a reversal with all the problems. Then, there was the new normal :roll: Now close to 4 years from reversal, I'm getting close to real normal, and gaining too much weight :roll: I poop a lot, after I eat, although a Great Dane would be proud 8)
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

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

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby justin case » Mon Nov 30, 2015 7:12 pm

Bump
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

Mister Wu
Posts: 64
Joined: Sat Sep 27, 2014 6:08 pm

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby Mister Wu » Sat Dec 12, 2015 5:56 pm

Bump
7/14 Mrs. Wu dx rectal cancer T3N0M0
completed CRT 10/29/14
Filter placed in vena cava for clot 1/18/15
Resection and temp ileostomy 1/22/15
2/4/15 path report T2N0M0
6/22/15 flex sig. Reversal 7/24/15 obstructed bowel 9/3/15
4/9/18. NED

TracieLynn
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2015 2:00 pm

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby TracieLynn » Sun Dec 13, 2015 8:26 pm

Going in my for my reversal 12/28/15; watching this thread and grateful for the advice!
43 yr old Wife to DH Stage IIIB w/one Tumor Deposit
1/17 lymph nodes
Low RC Dx 2.26.15 CEA 19.5
Xeloda and Radiation 3.24-5.1
May 2015 break for recover CEA 5.5
LAR June 2015 w/temp ileostomy CEA 3.3
Xelox Aug 2015 and switch To Northwestern
09/2015 blackout, blood clot, seven stitches, on blood thinners
CT scheduled for 12/8/15
Feb 2016 Met to liver. CEA at 3.1
Liver resection @NW 3/23/16
VATS for Lung 5/6/16
More spots popping up lungs
Folfiri+Avastin Started Sept 2016-current (April 2017)

CatHair
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:09 pm

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby CatHair » Mon Dec 14, 2015 9:11 pm

Adding my two cents' worth here. Today marks two weeks out from reversal after three months with ileostomy following LAR. Forgot to ask the surgeon at today's follow-up visit (to remove the reversal sutures) just how few centimeters of rectum he left, but the interloper was about 3mm above the verge so there basically ain't no rectum, just a straight connection. After getting home on the the morning of day 4 following surgery, clustering has been the norm though not a daily occurrence. The first few days I was on and off the john pretty much the entire day. Since then, some days the entire morning has been devoted to the crapper, some days the mornings have been free and easy but the clustering returns in the evening, some days have just been rough all day long. Today I had no action until noon, then ominous rumblings and copious, pungent gaseous emissions while waiting for the surgeon...then nothing for another two hours. Go figure.

The dog gets at least one walk a day in any case. One day last week I was feeling both confident and housebound, so I went out in the car to run errands -- found that the distraction successfully took my focus off my squirming butthole. A few days ago I had to be out in the car and elsewhere for about 2 hours, so I took an Imodium about an hour before leaving and had no urgency incidents at all. Yay!

Poops are still long and pasty but in general have increased in diameter from pinky finger to thumb, as far as I can tell from peering into the terlet bowl. Bought a Squatty Potty and it has been a real help, as have our bidet seat and Calmoseptine (despite the initial sting). The main issue has been the burning urge in the heinous anus. Control has been at 99%, but the near-constant burning tickle wears me out. Sitting on a heating pad helps.

I've been gradually returning to my pre-Dx diet, though holding off on the really rough stuff like seeds and tougher greens. No apparent problems with that, so far. With this evening's yogurt I am trying the Metamucil bulk-building approach for the next 3-4 days. Let's see what happens. My preferred status is much-diminished clustering and reduced "ring burn."

Overall, my energy and attitude are good and I'm looking great (get cancer, lose 25 excess pounds quickly!) despite the stresses of surgeries and recovery. Got my cooking mojo back a couple of days ago, which is a huge step. Really been missing the ability to do even low-level abdominal exercise -- can't even do a full forward fold because of the lumps, bumps and tenderness at the reversal site -- so am walking as long at a time as my innards permit, doing light dumbbell work, and practicing as much yoga and yoga-like substances as my belly permits.

Hope this helps other Club members. Thanks to all for the opportunity this forum provides.
F 55 at Dx
Dx rectal cancer 7/22/2015
LAR with temp ileostomy 8/31/2015: T1N0M0
Ileostomy reversal 11/30/2015
NED 7/15/2016
Work full time, physically active
Wife, mom of two sons now 25 and 21 plus cats and dogs, daughter, sister
Wicked Brazilian samba-reggae drummer
So far, so good

JDMNYC
Posts: 133
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2015 5:12 pm
Location: Morris County, New Jersey

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby JDMNYC » Tue Dec 15, 2015 9:01 pm

CatHair wrote:Adding my two cents' worth here. Today marks two weeks out from reversal after three months with ileostomy following LAR . . .

I've been gradually returning to my pre-Dx diet, though holding off on the really rough stuff like seeds and tougher greens. No apparent problems with that, so far. With this evening's yogurt I am trying the Metamucil bulk-building approach for the next 3-4 days. Let's see what happens. My preferred status is much-diminished clustering and reduced "ring burn."

Overall, my energy and attitude are good and I'm looking great (get cancer, lose 25 excess pounds quickly!) despite the stresses of surgeries and recovery. Got my cooking mojo back a couple of days ago, which is a huge step. Really been missing the ability to do even low-level abdominal exercise -- can't even do a full forward fold because of the lumps, bumps and tenderness at the reversal site -- so am walking as long at a time as my innards permit, doing light dumbbell work, and practicing as much yoga and yoga-like substances as my belly permits.

Hope this helps other Club members. Thanks to all for the opportunity this forum provides.


CatHair - headed in for my reversal on Thursday. I've been anxious to lose this bag, but even more anxious about some of the post-reversal horror stories I've read. This is very encouraging, and, although I know my mileage may vary, comes at a good time. Thanks for posting.
- Dx Stage IIIc rectal cancer: January 2015 (CEA 20)
- Chemo (Folfox): January - April 2015
- Chemo-Radiation (Xeloda): May - June 2015
- Surgery (LAR/temporary ileostomy): September 2015; 4/20 lymph nodes – no adjuvant chemo
- Reversal: December 2015
- Stage IV: August 2016 - Lung Mets
- Chemo (Xeloda) Started October 2016.
- CEA down; lung mets shrinking.

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

CatHair
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:09 pm

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby CatHair » Wed Dec 16, 2015 10:15 am

JDMNYC, I had the same deep apprehensions before my takedown. It truly has been nowhere near as awful as I had imagined. Hope all goes well and smoothly for you tomorrow. Oh, here's a helpful hint: bring prune juice with you to the hospital. It won't be on the low-residue diet menu, but you may need it! My chaplain scored some for me from the 19th floor...
F 55 at Dx
Dx rectal cancer 7/22/2015
LAR with temp ileostomy 8/31/2015: T1N0M0
Ileostomy reversal 11/30/2015
NED 7/15/2016
Work full time, physically active
Wife, mom of two sons now 25 and 21 plus cats and dogs, daughter, sister
Wicked Brazilian samba-reggae drummer
So far, so good

JDMNYC
Posts: 133
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2015 5:12 pm
Location: Morris County, New Jersey

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby JDMNYC » Wed Dec 16, 2015 2:21 pm

CatHair wrote:JDMNYC, I had the same deep apprehensions before my takedown. It truly has been nowhere near as awful as I had imagined. Hope all goes well and smoothly for you tomorrow. Oh, here's a helpful hint: bring prune juice with you to the hospital. It won't be on the low-residue diet menu, but you may need it! My chaplain scored some for me from the 19th floor...


Good to know; thanks. 19th Floor at MSK?
- Dx Stage IIIc rectal cancer: January 2015 (CEA 20)
- Chemo (Folfox): January - April 2015
- Chemo-Radiation (Xeloda): May - June 2015
- Surgery (LAR/temporary ileostomy): September 2015; 4/20 lymph nodes – no adjuvant chemo
- Reversal: December 2015
- Stage IV: August 2016 - Lung Mets
- Chemo (Xeloda) Started October 2016.
- CEA down; lung mets shrinking.

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

CatHair
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:09 pm

Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's

Postby CatHair » Wed Dec 16, 2015 6:54 pm

Not MSK. I was at St. Luke's in the Texas Medical Center. 15th floor is general surgery patient rooms, as far as I could tell, but there were several other patients of my surgeon's so maybe it was mostly abdominal work. Lots of patients walking around gingerly. 19th floor is orthopedics...they need prune juice? Go figure.

Oh, one more tip: Pack a heating pad or hot water bottle. I wished I had one for my backed-up belly. Asked about one at the nurses' station but they said they'd have to requisition one, it would be a big clinical heating pad, it would cost extra on my insurance...jeez. Good luck and smooth sailing!
F 55 at Dx
Dx rectal cancer 7/22/2015
LAR with temp ileostomy 8/31/2015: T1N0M0
Ileostomy reversal 11/30/2015
NED 7/15/2016
Work full time, physically active
Wife, mom of two sons now 25 and 21 plus cats and dogs, daughter, sister
Wicked Brazilian samba-reggae drummer
So far, so good


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