Surgery is scheduled

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Aqx99
Posts: 403
Joined: Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:28 am
Facebook Username: aqx99
Location: Pfafftown, NC

Surgery is scheduled

Postby Aqx99 » Thu Jun 01, 2017 3:41 pm

I had 3 appointments today in order to get ready for my surgery.

First, was a visit to my colorectal surgeon. He could still feel my tumor, but it has shrunk. He said he could see the scarring from where it had been. We are going ahead with the plan for a robotic LAR with temporary loop ileostomy. He said I should be in the hospital for about 3 days, and is going to write me out of work for a month.

Second, was pre-anesthesia testing at the hospital. All the usual things, no need for detail

Third, was the ostomy nurse. She spent an hour talking to me about ileostomies and showing me the various types of pouches. She even had me practice emptying a pouch. I am now marked for the ileostomy, and also for a colostomy if the need should arise once my surgeon gets in there.

It's hard to believe it is almost here. It seems like just yesterday I was waking up in the recovery room after my colonoscopy and being shown those 4 lovely color photos of my tumor.
Anne, 40
Stage IIIB Rectal Cancer
T3N1bM0
2/21/17 Dx, Age 39
2/21/17 CEA 0.9
3/23/17 - 5/2/17 Chemoradiation, 28 treatments
6/14/17 Robotic LAR w/temp loop ileostomy, ovaries & fallopian tubes removed, 2/21 lymph nodes positive
7/24/17 - 12/18/17 CapeOx, 6 Cycles
7/24/17 Dx w/ovarian cancer
9/6/17 CA 125 11.1
11/27/17 CEA 2.6
12/5/17 CT NED
12/13/17 CEA 2.9
1/11/18 CA 125 8.6
1/23/18 Reversal
3/21/18 CT enlarged thymus
4/6/18 PET NED
7/10/18 CT NED
7/11/18 CEA 2.6
9/18 Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

MissMolly
Posts: 645
Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2015 4:33 pm
Location: Portland, Ore

Re: Surgery is scheduled

Postby MissMolly » Thu Jun 01, 2017 5:06 pm

Aqx99:
Feel free to visit and browse the United Ostomy Association of America (UOAA) web site and support forum for any specific needs that you may have with your loop ileostomy.

A loop ileostomy can be a challenge from both a pouching and skin care/skin integrity standpoint. The members of the UOAA have collective wisdom and learned experiences to share and researched advice on a wide range of ostomy products and accessories. Like this forum, the UOAA forum is a safe harbor to vent and process frustrations as well as to celebrate small wins and successes.

www.ostomy.org

Best wishes for a successful surgery and complication-free recovery,
- Karen -
Dear friend to Bella Piazza, former Colon Club member (NWGirl).
I have a permanent ileostomy and offer advice on living with an ostomy - in loving remembrance of Bella
I am on Palliative Care for broad endocrine failure + Addison's disease + osteonecrosis of both hips/jaw + immunosuppression. I live a simple life due to frail health.

Aqx99
Posts: 403
Joined: Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:28 am
Facebook Username: aqx99
Location: Pfafftown, NC

Re: Surgery is scheduled

Postby Aqx99 » Thu Jun 01, 2017 8:15 pm

Thanks. Actually, a friend from high school's mom is active in UOAA. She has an ileostomy after having her colon removed due to ulcerative colitis. She has been gracious enough to offer to speak to me any time I need advice. It feels good to have so many people on my side in this.
Anne, 40
Stage IIIB Rectal Cancer
T3N1bM0
2/21/17 Dx, Age 39
2/21/17 CEA 0.9
3/23/17 - 5/2/17 Chemoradiation, 28 treatments
6/14/17 Robotic LAR w/temp loop ileostomy, ovaries & fallopian tubes removed, 2/21 lymph nodes positive
7/24/17 - 12/18/17 CapeOx, 6 Cycles
7/24/17 Dx w/ovarian cancer
9/6/17 CA 125 11.1
11/27/17 CEA 2.6
12/5/17 CT NED
12/13/17 CEA 2.9
1/11/18 CA 125 8.6
1/23/18 Reversal
3/21/18 CT enlarged thymus
4/6/18 PET NED
7/10/18 CT NED
7/11/18 CEA 2.6
9/18 Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

User avatar
Jacques
Posts: 678
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:38 am
Location: Occitanie

Re: Surgery is scheduled

Postby Jacques » Thu Jun 01, 2017 11:44 pm

I just wanted to check if you had any more questions about your upcoming surgery/recovery. Earlier you had posted a couple questions, but this time you did not ask any new questions. Does this mean that all of your questions have so far been answered?

C2WAVE2
Posts: 25
Joined: Sun Apr 23, 2017 3:22 pm

Re: Surgery is scheduled

Postby C2WAVE2 » Fri Jun 02, 2017 6:44 am

Aqx99,
Sounds like things are moving along. I wouldn't worry too much about the bag, I had one
put on last week. Yeah there's a leaning curve on how to use it, , but they not so bad once you get used to it.
Good luck with the surgery,, and get up and walk as soon and as much as you can
I was out in 3 days, Hope you can do the same... Feeling better every day...
Chuck
4/24/17. 55yr Male, Dx RC near Retcum/Sigmoid junction
O4/28/17 Ct
O5/04/17 MRI
Prelim. T1 N0 M 0 CEA 3.2
O5/23/17 Surgery, LAR 4.5" incision to remove tumor Temp Ileostomy
6/1/17 Pathology report 6.5 x 4.3 x 1.7 cm tumor, Adenocarcinoma,
Moderately to Poorly Differentiated , 0/27 Lymph, T2N0M0
08/02/17 Ileostomy Reversal

Aqx99
Posts: 403
Joined: Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:28 am
Facebook Username: aqx99
Location: Pfafftown, NC

Re: Surgery is scheduled

Postby Aqx99 » Fri Jun 02, 2017 7:12 am

So far I don't have any new questions. My medical team does a good job explaining things and always takes time to answer my questions. I'll gladly accept all of the tips and tricks everybody has learned through experience, though. I figure that kind of thing is better coming from people that have been there.
Anne, 40
Stage IIIB Rectal Cancer
T3N1bM0
2/21/17 Dx, Age 39
2/21/17 CEA 0.9
3/23/17 - 5/2/17 Chemoradiation, 28 treatments
6/14/17 Robotic LAR w/temp loop ileostomy, ovaries & fallopian tubes removed, 2/21 lymph nodes positive
7/24/17 - 12/18/17 CapeOx, 6 Cycles
7/24/17 Dx w/ovarian cancer
9/6/17 CA 125 11.1
11/27/17 CEA 2.6
12/5/17 CT NED
12/13/17 CEA 2.9
1/11/18 CA 125 8.6
1/23/18 Reversal
3/21/18 CT enlarged thymus
4/6/18 PET NED
7/10/18 CT NED
7/11/18 CEA 2.6
9/18 Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy


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