Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

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NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Wed Sep 19, 2018 11:49 pm

I had two days with going to the bathroom after midnight for about 90 minutes. The good part is that I was completely cleaned out and it made the test of the day easy. The only difference in routine was a Greek Salad both days. So I had one this evening to see if that becomes a natural laxative.

I have been using fewer materials in the way of pads, diapers and wipes. The peri bottle work really well and sometimes I just use toilet paper. There’s less irritation with it for some reason.

Today was Yom Kippur and I debated on doing a full fast given the cardiac stuff but having the watch gave me the confidence to do it and it was fine.

So some small improvements and some discovery.

I think that we should have a running thread given the speedy marathoners here.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Thu Sep 20, 2018 9:13 am

This watch provides something called the Stress Level and it looks like it is computed by looking at your heart rate relative to your activity level. It's amazingly sensitive. You can see the level rise and fall with your emotional state. If you get angry or upset, the level rises and then falls when you are relaxed and calm. I imagine that there are meditation exercises that you can do to control this better.

I have also not used the barrier products for several days as there has been less irritation the past few days. I'm not sure if things are just improving with time or it has something to do with diet changes recently.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

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Atoq
Posts: 412
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:31 am

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby Atoq » Thu Sep 20, 2018 4:15 pm

I have also noticed that the stress function is very reliable, this evening I did some exercise at home and even if the weights are not so heavy (3 kg) it is a good mainteinance traning in addiction to the one at the gym.

I have also started to run to work and alternate it to the biking. Even if it is a short distance (5 km), it is quite up and down and with the backpack is an effort at 8.00 am. But my watch told me that the performance level was poor. I thought they were only giving positive feedback! :lol:

Claudia
1972, 2 kids
Dx rectal cancer 10.2017
T3N2aMX (met left lung 8 mm)
Lynch neg
CEA 1.8
Neoadjuvant chemoradio Xeloda + 25x2 Gy
05.12.17 laparotomic surg. for blockage, colostomy
25.01.18 laparotomic lar, hysterectomy, ileostomy
05.03.18 core needle lung biopsy
07.05.18 CAT scan, lung met 11 mm
04.06.18 ileo reversal
26.06.18 wedge VATS
24.08.18, 31.02.19 CAT scan
12.09.18, 06.02.19 scope, CEA 1.6
19.11.18 scope
20.08.19 CAT, eco
13.09.19 scope, CEA 1.2
18.03.20 CAT, eco, scope, NED
29.11.20 CAT, NED
2023 NED

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Sat Sep 22, 2018 7:09 pm

Atoq wrote:I have also noticed that the stress function is very reliable, this evening I did some exercise at home and even if the weights are not so heavy (3 kg) it is a good mainteinance traning in addiction to the one at the gym.

I have also started to run to work and alternate it to the biking. Even if it is a short distance (5 km), it is quite up and down and with the backpack is an effort at 8.00 am. But my watch told me that the performance level was poor. I thought they were only giving positive feedback! :lol:

Claudia


You're officially one of the extreme workout folks on this board. I only know a few people that bike to work. There are several walkers but they live within two miles. I tried bicycling to work once and my area is not particularly safe for bicyclists even though many do ride here. I have to take it easy with getting back for now as I have a fair amount of work pressure. I am going to take some time off but it still usually means working an hour or two a day in the evening.

A few questions for those that had reversals: how long does it take for the ostomy site to really heal? The skin grew back over the opening but I assume that the darkish looking skin is still underneath and that the layers will eventually shed as new skin eventually forms underneath it. This could potentially take a lot of time. It's sometimes a little itchy or feels like a bit of tugging when I move around and it would be nice when it's back to normal again but I don't expect this for a long time as skin layers take a while to grow.

The other question: when can you do abs work? I am using the machine with 60 pounds but that's a lot less than doing a crunch. I will gradually increase the resistance on the abs machine but would like to be able to do a full complement of abs exercises without working about injury. It may be that I should talk to a consultant on injury recovery and exercise and I have a referral from our fitness center manager (she had abdominal surgery this past spring). I've had several warn me not to rush abs workouts because of the hernia risk.

Update: I did some crunches (30) and I did feel something but it wasn't pain. It's possible that it's the skin that has grown over the stoma opening. I did crunches on a regular basis while I had the bag with no problems.

For those who don't know, the skin grows from below and above the hole and eventually covers what was there before (the hole and surrounding skin). The surrounding skin looked awful (dark color as if the skin was dead or bruised). So it looks like an oval with some scrunching on the ends. I know that the covering skin is just on top of the old stuff and that stuff should either get removed from the body or will slough off as outer layers of skin slough off and are replaced.

I do feel better that I can do crunches though I'm not going to go hog wild (before the cancer stuff and with the bag I'd do 200 of them in a session). So for the exercisers out there with an ostomy, how long did you wait before doing abs work and was there pain or funny-feeling stuff related to the ostomy? I used to use a crunch machine in my 40s and go up to 250 pounds and I did 60 pounds last week (starting at 30). I think that it will take some time working up to about 200 pounds - maybe a year as I'm going to be cautious. I DO NOT WANT to have to deal with a hernia. I know that I could just take more time but I've always found that having strong abs prevents a lot of injuries in other areas of the body and I miss that strength.

The other thing about doing crunches, planks, etc. is that they can be done without equipment which is handy so that I can do these exercises at any time or place where I have a clean floor or mat.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

User avatar
Atoq
Posts: 412
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:31 am

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby Atoq » Sun Sep 23, 2018 3:46 am

Here it is very common to bike to work and in winter we put tires with spikes. It is so nice to bike past the traffic jam and if I get soaked I can even shower at work.

I started with plank after 5 weeks from reversal surgery and did a few crunches just to test, but did not feel pain. Now I am back to normal training load after 3 months.

The ostomy site closed also after 6 weeks. I try to put a E vitamin cream daily on all my old cuts, not because I really mind having them, but mostly as special care to my poor body. :lol:

Claudia
1972, 2 kids
Dx rectal cancer 10.2017
T3N2aMX (met left lung 8 mm)
Lynch neg
CEA 1.8
Neoadjuvant chemoradio Xeloda + 25x2 Gy
05.12.17 laparotomic surg. for blockage, colostomy
25.01.18 laparotomic lar, hysterectomy, ileostomy
05.03.18 core needle lung biopsy
07.05.18 CAT scan, lung met 11 mm
04.06.18 ileo reversal
26.06.18 wedge VATS
24.08.18, 31.02.19 CAT scan
12.09.18, 06.02.19 scope, CEA 1.6
19.11.18 scope
20.08.19 CAT, eco
13.09.19 scope, CEA 1.2
18.03.20 CAT, eco, scope, NED
29.11.20 CAT, NED
2023 NED

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Sun Sep 23, 2018 7:27 am

Atoq wrote:Here it is very common to bike to work and in winter we put tires with spikes. It is so nice to bike past the traffic jam and if I get soaked I can even shower at work.

I started with plank after 5 weeks from reversal surgery and did a few crunches just to test, but did not feel pain. Now I am back to normal training load after 3 months.

The ostomy site closed also after 6 weeks. I try to put a E vitamin cream daily on all my old cuts, not because I really mind having them, but mostly as special care to my poor body. :lol:

Claudia


I don't know anyone that bicycles in the winter here. Folks do things like Peleton, use trainers at home or use machines for spinning classes at the gym.

I'm eight weeks out from surgery so I guess I can start out now and see how it goes. You're a lot younger than I am so I'll assume that you have faster recovery. I think that I'll try some regular planks today and then some side-planks in a week if things are okay. I suspect that the left side will be easy and the right side won't be as strong.

We're all pretty beat up after the marathon of cancer treatment.

thanks...
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

Gloriamazz
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Facebook Username: gloriamazz@ yahoo.com
Location: Ohio
Contact:

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby Gloriamazz » Sun Sep 23, 2018 10:01 am

Hi. Mike,



I love salads and thought with the colostomy could never have one again. Do you eat all varitied of lettuce?

When you have the runs consant going, how do you handle it? I had a bag break. There has to be an easier way.
June, scope
2.6 adenocarcinoma
8/8/18 APR
Stoma
March 19 CT 2 lung N.
April 29, 2019 Pelvis TMR 1.8 x 1.8 cm

7/22 - 7/29/ 2019 5 radi
no chemo 10 mo.
6-10-19 Folfox, Oxill
2nd Irinotecan , Folferi, FU5
12/14/2020, off folferi lung nods new
break going on pill drug Jan 2021
1/19/22, appt 2nd opinion wait to start Vectivix
2 mos no CHEMO
MMR
MSI/stable/HER2
1/2/2021 - round 1 Vectibix
Oligometastatic (NSCLC)

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Sun Sep 23, 2018 6:05 pm

Gloriamazz wrote:Hi. Mike,
I love salads and thought with the colostomy could never have one again. Do you eat all varitied of lettuce?

When you have the runs consant going, how do you handle it? I had a bag break. There has to be an easier way.


I don't have a colostomy though I think that I could eat salads when I had the ileostomy. Perhaps someone with a colostomy could answer your question.

When I have a lot of bowel movements in a short period of time or when it's loose or watery, I need to use a barrier. Sometimes I use Cavilon Spray and sometimes I use Lantiseptic. I also have Cavilon Creme and Calmoseptine. This is to protect the skin to reduce the pain. There's not much I can do about the amount of time on the bathroom outside of using something like Imodium or eating more potatoes.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Mon Sep 24, 2018 8:39 pm

We're in Long Island (NY) for a bit and it took a bit of planning and courage to take a trip. I take an Imodium around 8:00 AM and don't eat anything until noon and then eat a little at a time and then a larger dinner and then let it all out around 9-11 PM. That worked Sunday and hopefully today. I carry my Peri Bottles, a travel pack of wipes and two pads but I haven't needed them. So far, so good. I added some jumping jacks to my morning routine and did some downward dog. I didn't do jumping jacks when I had the ileostomy.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Tue Sep 25, 2018 7:44 am

I hadn’t gone to the bathroom as of last night so I took two slippery elm capsules and nothing this morning. So I went for a short run and that did it. I prefer a clean out before going out for the day or at least something.

I also did some testing with the watch. The music function works fine (the watch is also a music player) and I checked out the heart recovery times and they were good. I ran moderately faster this time and got the heart rate higher and it took longer for the rate to get back to resting. These speeds are still quite slow and I’m going to take it easy for a while to build up gradually.

My abs on the right were sore this morning so maybe I did too much yesterday. I’ll take a break on those for a day or two to see if it’s just normal soreness after working a muscle group. The hotel has a nice weight set so I’ll work other muscle groups and get in another short run in tonight.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Tue Oct 02, 2018 7:54 pm

Just back from spending ten days in New York. We stayed on Long Island and went into Manhatten for a day trip on the commuter rail. We went on a trip on the north fork (North Shore) and a trip on the south fork (South Shore), all the way to the tip of Montauk on the eastern point. We spent a day in the Hamptons to see how the 0.2% lived.

The challenge of the trip for me was to be able to do things (visit places) while getting better control. Doing a day trip of taking the train into Manhatten and then walking 12 miles there was a considerable challenge. Driving for three hours to various parts of Long Island and seeing the sites was a challenge. The experiments that I tried were with Imodium and Slippery Elm. I took one Imodium the first four days and it got the job done but I was constipated after the fourth pill and stopped taking it but then spent a lot of time in the bathroom. I think that Imodium is cumulative for me. It works for two days and then accumulates and makes it harder and harder while controlling output. I eventually figured out that one pill would take care of me during the day and then eating a greek salad and taking slippery elm would get me cleaned out efficiently by the morning. There were days when I didn't need the Imodium.

I also used the Lantiseptic Cream and this stuff is good if there's built-up irritation. It is messier to apply than Cavilon spray but has the soothing effect. I haven't tried the Calmoseptine nor Cavilon cream yet. Everyone else had quite a good time and we got to see a lot of things and do a lot of things. I come back to a ton of work (it piled up while I was gone) and I have a meeting in the morning and I'll use Imodium for the meeting.

I'm getting better at this stuff and maybe my body is getting better trained. So there was some progress. I wouldn't have made this progress at home because I have the comfort and convenience of all of the stuff at home. Getting out of your environment and a bit stressed can help growth.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Wed Oct 10, 2018 11:10 am

I was on the phone for two hours trying to deal with an ambulance bill. United Healthcare paid part of the bill that they thought was the rate and told me that the ambulance company might send a bill for an additional amount and to call them if they did. So they did, and I called, and United Healthcare contacted a negotiation company to get the amount reduced and the negotiation company did their thing and sent it back to United Healthcare for review. So I called the negotiation company and they referred me back to United Healthcare. UNH said that they would pay whatever was owed - either the whole residual amount or a negotiated amount - they wouldn't tell me what that was.

I asked UNH about being past due and they told me to call the ambulance company and explain what happened and to request a 45-day courtesy hold. UNH gave me a call reference number to give to the ambulance company. If they weren't willing to do that, then UNH recommended doing a payment plan and paying the minimum. I don't like to owe anyone so I would have just paid the full amount and would then get reimbursed from the ambulance company after UNH paid them. I understand using a negotiation company but it would be much nicer if their process were transparent - that is I didn't have to spend three hours getting this stuff to work.

I will call United Healthcare and the ambulance company back in 25 days to get the progress on this stuff. I've managed to stay current with all of my healthcare bills through this which isn't necessarily all that easy as bills come flying in from a lot of places.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Wed Oct 10, 2018 2:14 pm

I've been pretty busy this last week catching up on work that wasn't done while on vacation. I've also increased time in the gym and have been increasing the weights on the barbell exercises. Doing barbell exercises feels great. Some time after doing them as you can feel the additional strength and don't feel the accumulated loss of muscle experienced over time of not doing the exercises. The main office gym has a nice setup with a Smith Machine (barbell cage), a 15 pound Olympic bar that has angles for hands, a 25 pound Olympic straight bar and a 35 pound Olympic straight bar that's mounted on half-a-cage so that you don't have to bend down to pick it up. You can just put the plates on it pick it up around chest level.

I've been gradually increasing running with 2.5 miles of intervals on Monday. These really wore me out and last night I slept for six hours straight (I usually have to go to the bathroom several to a ton of times at night). My heartrate is lower during the day after about three weeks of running - running does some amazing things for the body.

I'm still having bathroom problems but they are gradually declining. Today's the first day at work with no diapers or pads. I finally had the confidence to do this after nine weeks, partially because almost everything was emptied out this morning before going to work. I also did a fast from Monday night until Tuesday night and had a moderately large dinner so there wasn't much in the pipeline.

I'm still using Imodium to control things when needed and taking the Slippery Elm to keep things moving but I hope to reduce the need for this stuff over time.

The watch is providing a lot of data and insight into stress, heart health, sleep, etc. and I'm trying to make improvements to all of those areas but it's difficult. Increasing the intensity of exercise is something that definitely works. Some of the other things are somewhat difficult to fix.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

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

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby Caat55 » Wed Oct 10, 2018 9:44 pm

Thanks for the update, supplying a timeline. I am trying to decide on my reconnect time. Do I waste the holidays with my family by spending time in bathroom or wait till they go back home? I am inclined to wait, do it in January and hopefully get a handle on things enough to do things again in the spring. Realistic who knows, seems every body is different.
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
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Facebook Username: adele Morgan
Location: Ireland

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby Eleda » Thu Oct 11, 2018 6:17 am

I'm in same predicament Susan, but I think I'll wait till after, don't want to be housebound with Xmas and small kids on holiday and no aupair,,,, My surgeon did when I asked give me an inclination as to the problems I'm due to encounter, which will be more evecuation problems as apposed to incontinence,,, because he said he tried to make the reconnect perfect size but obviously u need to veer one way or the other so he went on the smaller, which I hope will be effective
Mike I seem to be having a long ought road since chemo
And thanks for Ur continuous updates,,, hope I'll be sorted soon
ADELE X
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


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