Surgery is over

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

Re: Surgery is over

Postby Aqx99 » Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:28 pm

I saw the ostomy nurse today, two of them in fact. I started to leak right as I headed in to the appointment, so I was glad it was scheduled. They got me cleaned up and set me up with a better system than I was given at the hospital. They worked slowly and explained every step as they went. My mom and husband were both there, and all three of us feel much better about being able to change the bag the next time.

I have already decided that I am not going to take hormone replacement. I am at a very high risk for breast cancer and don't want to add to it.
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 over

Postby MissMolly » Thu Jun 22, 2017 5:43 pm

Aqx99 wrote:I saw the ostomy nurse today, two of them in fact

I have already decided that I am not going to take hormone replacement. I am at a very high risk for breast cancer and don't want to add to it.


I wanted to offer a few nuggets of thought regarding endocrine support for menopause . . .

I have complete pituitary failure and have traveled many years and many miles in a post-menopausal state. I am also estrogen reactive and have adverse reactions to exogenous estrogen supplementation.

The ovaries are not the only body tissue that produces estrogens. Yellow fat/adipose tissue produces estrogens. Breast tissue also produces estrogens. Even with the loss of your ovaries, you will be producing some estrogen.

The question will be if you are unfortunate to suffer with debilitating menopausal symptoms in the months ahead.

If you encounter symptoms that are genuinely miserable and significantly impact your quality of life, there are options besides systemic hormone replacement therapy. Options would include:
1. Localized hormone replacement. Example: Vaginal estrogen or Premarin cream or suppositories. Uptake is limited to the vaginal tissues and external uvula.
2. Low dose birth control pills where you further reduce the estrogen exposure by taking less than the full dose pack.

My endocrinologist personalized dosing of the low dose birth control pack, having me take 1/2 pill for each subscribed day of the 28 day pack. It was like a sprinkle of estrogen for 21 days with 7 days off for each 28 day cycle. I found it very tolerable despite my estrogen sensitivity. It provided enough estrogen support to keep hot flashes and vaginal dryness at bay.

Bottom Line: if you begin to experience disabling menopause symptoms, work with your gynecologist or an endocrinologist on a customized low dose estrogen program or localized estrogen supplementation (ex. vaginal cream). There is a wide spectrum of hormone support. Hormone replacement need not be full 100% replacement or high strength dosing. You can be creative.

We are each unique beings. Standard hormone replacement can be excessive for some women (me included). There are endless permutations of estrogen dosing. A sprinkle of estrogen was all that I needed to keep me sane and comfortable. I stayed on the sprinkle of estrogen approach for one year and then was able to discontinue completely. It was not a long term need.

Sending you well wishes and positive karma.
- 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.

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Surgery is over

Postby Lee » Thu Jun 22, 2017 5:55 pm

Aqx99 wrote:I have already decided that I am not going to take hormone replacement. I am at a very high risk for breast cancer and don't want to add to it.


Me too. My biggest problem is hot flashes. Butt not enough to make me want to go on hormone therapy. My PCP said if I can get by without them, don't go on them. I feel I can.

Karen I might consider your advice regarding the pill. Twice in my life I have been on the pill for a short period of time. Both times they made me go CRAZY after a few months, butt I'm aware they have decreased the doses and 1/2 pill might be a solutions for hot flashes. Thank you for your pearls of wisdom

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

Joannerogers
Posts: 260
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2015 4:50 pm

Re: Surgery is over

Postby Joannerogers » Fri Jun 23, 2017 3:36 pm

I'm glad surgery went well!
53yo married 27 years, 2 children, 24 and 25
Diagnosed april 23,2015 rectosigmoid
Starting CEA 1845
Port placement and liver bx April 27
Folfox started april 29
Avastin added on May 6
Stage IV crc with mets to 50% of liver

10/13/15 dc'd transfusion #12...toxic
Pet/ct scan on 11/3/15
20% liver resected all margins clear 11/30/15
8/18/15 cea 21.
9/15/15 cea 13.9
10/13/15 cea 14.4
1/22/2016 cea 2.5
LAR 02/15/16 all clear

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

Re: Surgery is over

Postby Aqx99 » Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:49 am

I had my post-surgical visit at my surgeon's office today. Everything is looking good. I'm just glad I finally got the drain out! Still no word on the pathology report for my ovaries. I guess I stumped them.
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

ashima2016
Posts: 36
Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 10:56 am

Re: Surgery is over

Postby ashima2016 » Fri Jun 30, 2017 11:43 am

Aqx99 wrote: Everything is looking good.


Enjoy July 4th holiday!


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