5 year TAE for T3 follow up - NED!
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 6:31 pm
Happy 2016!
It has been a while since I checked in on the board and wanted to share how I'd doing 5 years since my treatment ended. In short, all is good.
I had chemo and radiation prior to surgery, transanal excision surgery, and post surgery chemo for my T3 rectal cancer.
Quality of life is pretty close to what I reported back in 2012:
The following improved a lot due to exercise, eating better, and meditation. Not in any ruthless fitness nut way, just simple changes. Stuff we should all do anyway, cancer or not.
For more of the back story, you can check these threads out.
I remain indebted to the people on this forum whom helped me thru this tough issue and I hope tho information can help others.
I wish you all the best - health, success, and happiness.
It has been a while since I checked in on the board and wanted to share how I'd doing 5 years since my treatment ended. In short, all is good.
I had chemo and radiation prior to surgery, transanal excision surgery, and post surgery chemo for my T3 rectal cancer.
Quality of life is pretty close to what I reported back in 2012:
- I have no side effects from the surgery; some due to chemo and the radiation.
- I have no eating or bowel issues other than I seem more sensitive to fruit juices - i.e. next day frequent bathroom visits - manageable. I think due to the chemo. Otherwise same as prior to having colon cancer.
- Skin irritations at the radiation site - only an issue when using sandpaper toilet paper at cheap work and public place rest rooms!
The following improved a lot due to exercise, eating better, and meditation. Not in any ruthless fitness nut way, just simple changes. Stuff we should all do anyway, cancer or not.
- Still fighting some fatigue and chemo brain (forgettfulness).
- Post cancer depression -- I really believe mental health needs to be part of the cancer treatment journey. Sound mind and sound body - treat the whole person. Therapist thinks PTSD from going thru treatment. That has merit, but also think I had some depression issues for a long time prior. A case for baselining mental health as we do with physical health.
- Some sexual dysfunction... radiation and chemo impact plus an issue with age, weight gain and lax exercise. Continues to improve with diet and exercise and dealing with stress/depression.
- Neuropathy in feet - happens occasionally when running - feet feel like they fell asleep and I have sandbags attached to my legs. Goes away, eventually.
For more of the back story, you can check these threads out.
- Year 2 checkin: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34910
- Post chemo and back to work: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=20059
- Mid Chemo brain fun: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=16481#p128784
- Immediately after the surgery in 2010, and my rationale for the chemo/surgery choice I made (read all threads): viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13877
I remain indebted to the people on this forum whom helped me thru this tough issue and I hope tho information can help others.
I wish you all the best - health, success, and happiness.