Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

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rtcasper
Posts: 50
Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2018 12:12 pm
Location: Ohio

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

Postby rtcasper » Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:20 am

I just wanted to add to the idea of stress being a huge contributing factor, if not the root cause, to cancer. When i was first DX,they told me that they estimated my tumor had been forming basically for about 8-10 years. Of course, I thought back to around that time and was in fact going through a ton of personal, financial, emotional and work related stresses. Very dark times indeed. Of course, there's no way to know for sure, but my gut instinct is there is some correlation at least,even if it was just a prolonged weakening of my body's own immune system. Just something to think about.
By the glory, by the grace, by the strength of God, I will be made whole.

43-M
Aug 3, 18-colonoscopy, 5cm mass 12cm from AV rectal cancer
Aug 16-MRI
Aug 17-CT,chest and pelvis
CEA-.99-likely not a good marker
Clinical DX-T2/T3n1 -3cm mass, 13.5 from AV-might be colon? - let surgeon make determination
Sept 10-14 radiation
Sept 25-CR lap surgery, temp loop ileostomy
Oct 2-path stage pT1N0M0-no chemo recommended
Jan 8-stoma takedown
Jan-April- C diff
May-Fecal matter transplant
Sept-Clean scan NED

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rwightman
Posts: 211
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 6:50 pm
Location: Southwest

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

Postby rwightman » Thu Jan 24, 2019 10:10 pm

Miss Molly, you seem pretty knowledgeable about small bowel obstructions. My first one was right after the holidays and they sent me home, but I am still having significant pain. It will be 4 weeks. Doesn't this seem like a long time for recovery. I have been on a Miralax regimen, low fiber diet, (am having bm's and passing gas) but something clearly isn't right and i think it may be inflammed bowels. Any suggestions, or is this at all normal. I have seen my surgeon, my GI and my PCP.
10/9/14 DX Age 50 - MSS
10/23/14 - Colon Resection - Stage II - 0/15 lympth nodes
12/30/14 - Stage IV - 1 liver met 2cc - Liver Resection - No lymph nodes and margins clear
3/10/15 - peri mets
3/15 - Folfox with Avastin - 7 tx
7/15 - HIPEC - 2 peri mets
10/14 - resection of abdominal met
11/12 - 5FU

Pyro
Posts: 305
Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:40 pm
Location: Tucson, AZ

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

Postby Pyro » Fri Jan 25, 2019 12:12 pm

rtcasper wrote:I just wanted to add to the idea of stress being a huge contributing factor, if not the root cause, to cancer. When i was first DX,they told me that they estimated my tumor had been forming basically for about 8-10 years. Of course, I thought back to around that time and was in fact going through a ton of personal, financial, emotional and work related stresses. Very dark times indeed. Of course, there's no way to know for sure, but my gut instinct is there is some correlation at least,even if it was just a prolonged weakening of my body's own immune system. Just something to think about.

I was told the same thing, tumor had probably been around 10 years before discovery.
Aug 2015- Stage 4 CC with liver Mets(38/m)
Sep 2015- Avastin/Folfox/Iron
Dec 2015-Not liver surgery candidate
Jan 2016- Erbitux/Folfiri, 2nd opinion at MDA in TX
Feb 2016 -MDA liver surgery
Mar 2016 -30% of left lobe rem, PVE
May 2016 - 70% of liver rem
Jun 2016-Rad
Jan 2017-perm colost @MDA
Jul 2017-Erb/FOLFURI
Nov 2017 -Lung & Liver ablations@MDA
Jan 2018 -Xeloda & Avastin mx
Jul 2018-Avast/FOLFURI
Sep 2018-Rad
Mar 2019 - Keytruda fail
Jun 2019 - FOLFURI
Aug 2019 - No more, quality time!

Eleda
Posts: 328
Joined: Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:28 am
Facebook Username: adele Morgan
Location: Ireland

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

Postby Eleda » Sun Jan 27, 2019 3:15 pm

Hope all is ok Mike..........
U haven't posted in a while,,,
Missing Ur updates :wink:

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

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

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

Postby NHMike » Wed Jan 30, 2019 3:55 am

The obstruction has been a continuing problem though on the order of once a week. I usually lay on my left side and it would eventually pass. I'd have a lot of watery output and get emptied out. Work has been stressful for quite a while - one of my coworkers is in the hospital with a collapsed lung, the likely result of working through the flu.

I tried eating potatoes to firm output a few days ago and that was a bad idea as it firmed output in the small intestine. I would feel pressure every two minutes for quite a long time until things eventually pushed through. I am in that situation right now and can't find a comfortable position and can't seem to sleep. I sent a note to my surgeon asking if there's something that she can do. This is one of those things where I feel like I could die from this. Part of the problem is that the condition results in a deterioration of your overall health.

The waves of pain are interesting. I guess that this is how the intestines normally work - they wake up every two minutes to push food along. There can be some gurgling too.

It would be nice if there were a surgical answer. I know that removing the scar tissue could have it come back but right now I'd prefer an ileostomy to what I'm going through right now.

We're not going to make our dates and my manager has indicated that and is getting pushback from another group on it as it's their part that wasn't ready. I'm glad that she's arguing the issue. I am not productive at work - I can do little things right now. My coworker is doing little bits of work from the hospital. They are going to try to inflate his lung with an antibiotic. If that doesn't work, then it has to be repaired with surgery.
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

cbsmith
Posts: 87
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:45 am
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

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

Postby cbsmith » Wed Jan 30, 2019 5:52 am

Mike, if you have short term disability available to you now might be the time to take some time off to rest your body and let it heal. It would give you some time off if you needed surgery, etc to fix the obstruction too. Just something to think about. If you pay into it or your company does it is there for you to use, no matter how busy the company is at the time you need to take it.
06/14-DX with FAP as 36yo Male
07/14-total colectomy, rectum removal, permanent ileostomy
08/14-DX Stage IIIC, KRAS mutant, MSS
09/14-04/15 - 12 rounds of FOLFOX
07/15-CT showed para-aortic lymph node, onc thght inflammation
10/15-DX Stage IV, CT lymph node tripled in size, 1 small lung met
11/15-FOLFIRI + Avastin
06/16-lymph node is stable, now have a 2nd lung met
01/16-lymph node is stable, lung mets grown 2mm. Still on FOLFIRI + Avastin
11/17 - no chemo since. Lung growth minimal, lymph node is stable

mpbser
Posts: 953
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:52 am

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

Postby mpbser » Wed Jan 30, 2019 6:53 am

Sorry to hear that things haven't resolved, mike.

I second what cbsmith says. Stress est no bueno!

Keep us posted!
Wife 4/17 Dx age 45
5/17 LAR
Adenocarcinoma
low grade
1st primary T3 N2b M1a
Stage IVA
8/17 Sub-total colectomy
2nd primary 5.5 cm T1 N0
9 of 96 nodes
CEA: < 2.9
MSS
Lynch no; KRAS wild
Immunohistochemsistry Normal
Fall 2017 FOLFOX shrank the 1 met in liver
1/18 Liver left hepatectomy seg 4
5/18 CT clear
12/18 MRI 1 liver met
3/7/19 Resection & HAI
4/1/19 Folfiri & FUDR
5/13/19 HAI pump catheter dislodge, nearly bled to death
6-7 '19 5FU 4 cycles
NED

Gravelyguy
Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2018 6:03 pm

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

Postby Gravelyguy » Wed Jan 30, 2019 9:49 am

Sorry you are having such a rough go of it Mike. I know it is tough to be gone from work, but the short term disability route, if it is an option, might be a good thing to look into. I am sure your company wants you at your best for the long haul not just part of you for the short term.

Praying for you and hang in there,

Dave
6/17 dx mRC t3n1m1 very low rectal tumor 2 liver Mets 1.3 cm and .9 cm

6/17 begin 4 rounds Folfox w/Vectibix
9/17 short course radiation
10/17 rectal and liver resection LAR with coloanal anastomosis (no rectum left)
11/17-3/18 8 rounds Folfox
6/18 still NED!! Takedown
8/28/18 still NED! CEA .8 new low for me
10/18/18 colonoscopy clear
12/12/18 CEA .9 still NED!
6/11/19 CEA 1.0
12/19/19 CEA 1.0 still NED!
6/17/20 CEA 1.1 still NED!
12/15/20 CEA 1.1still NED!
12/16/21 CEA 1.2 still NED!

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

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

Postby NHMike » Wed Jan 30, 2019 10:20 am

I sent a note to my surgeon with my status and asked her if anything can be done. The weather has created problems in our area generally.

I'm going to write a note to my manager.
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

Gravelyguy
Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2018 6:03 pm

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

Postby Gravelyguy » Wed Jan 30, 2019 10:44 am

NHMike wrote:The weather has created problems in our area generally.

I'm going to write a note to my manager.


The weather is fun here too. -37 with a reall feel of -52. We hit a real feel of -66 last night. So a day with no school. That doesn’t happen around here much.

Dave
6/17 dx mRC t3n1m1 very low rectal tumor 2 liver Mets 1.3 cm and .9 cm

6/17 begin 4 rounds Folfox w/Vectibix
9/17 short course radiation
10/17 rectal and liver resection LAR with coloanal anastomosis (no rectum left)
11/17-3/18 8 rounds Folfox
6/18 still NED!! Takedown
8/28/18 still NED! CEA .8 new low for me
10/18/18 colonoscopy clear
12/12/18 CEA .9 still NED!
6/11/19 CEA 1.0
12/19/19 CEA 1.0 still NED!
6/17/20 CEA 1.1 still NED!
12/15/20 CEA 1.1still NED!
12/16/21 CEA 1.2 still NED!

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

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

Postby NHMike » Wed Jan 30, 2019 10:48 am

I'm trying to reach a GI person at a local clinic. This is the same office for the GI guy that did the colonoscopy and set me up with the oncologist and radiation therapy doctors. He's left to go to another hospital so I'm trying to get someone in the office to see me on short notice or tell me to go the ER. I don't feel like I need to go to the ER but the body can deteriorate rapidly. It helped that I got some sleep last night. I need to lie down for a lot of hours to get a decent amount of sleep as the waves can keep me up.
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 Jan 30, 2019 11:50 am

The GI doctor really wouldn't be able to help so the GI's office is going to talk to a general surgeon to see what they recommend. I would prefer my own surgeon but I haven't heard back from her.
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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susie0915
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Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

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

Postby susie0915 » Wed Jan 30, 2019 12:19 pm

Mike, I had surgery to remove scar tissue 4 weeks after my resection for a blockage. I went into the hospital had an ng tube inserted and waited a week to see if it would resolve itself. My surgeon decided to remove the scar tissue and reverse my ileostomy at the same time. That was 3 1/2 years ago and I have been okay since, although I am careful and blockage is always in the back of my mind. Maybe you need to have scar tissue removed. I also have a small hernia that my surgeon is watching that does not bother me. He does not want to repair unless necessary I'm sure because each procedure increases the chance of scar tissue. I hope you can get things resolved. Have you tried miralax or stool softener to help things along.
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

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

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

Postby NHMike » Wed Jan 30, 2019 1:27 pm

susie0915 wrote:Mike, I had surgery to remove scar tissue 4 weeks after my resection for a blockage. I went into the hospital had an ng tube inserted and waited a week to see if it would resolve itself. My surgeon decided to remove the scar tissue and reverse my ileostomy at the same time. That was 3 1/2 years ago and I have been okay since, although I am careful and blockage is always in the back of my mind. Maybe you need to have scar tissue removed. I also have a small hernia that my surgeon is watching that does not bother me. He does not want to repair unless necessary I'm sure because each procedure increases the chance of scar tissue. I hope you can get things resolved. Have you tried miralax or stool softener to help things along.


That's hopeful - that surgery could fix it for good.

I have a little pain with just water going through my system.

When I go, it's usually mostly liquid as there is water behind the stool.
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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Maggie Nell
Posts: 1150
Joined: Wed May 27, 2015 1:57 am
Location: Central Highlands, Victoria, Oz

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

Postby Maggie Nell » Wed Jan 30, 2019 2:19 pm

NHMike wrote:
The waves of pain are interesting. I guess that this is how the intestines normally work - they wake up every two minutes to push food along. There can be some gurgling too.

It would be nice if there were a surgical answer. I know that removing the scar tissue could have it come back but right now I'd prefer an ileostomy to what I'm going through right now.



What you can do to help with the motions of the peristalsis is to lightly massage your abdomen, in a clockwise motion. Start from your appendix and gently (let your
discomfort level be your guide) rotate the flat of your hand in a large circle - visualize going up the ascending colon, then across your transverse colon, down descending colon and back to appendix. Do that as many times as you feel needful, gradually pressing down more firmly with the flat of your hand - you're helping to push along any
bloating and faecal material. I have qualifications in tactile therapies and Compassionate Touch massage and whenever I get the sense of there being a
kink-in-the-hose and I'm seeing the bright flashing lights of an ambulance in my immediate future, I give my tummy a rub. I now give myself an abdominal massage before and after eating as part of my self-care.
DX April 2015, @ 54
35mm poorly diff. tumour, incidental finding following emergency R. hemicolectomy
for ileo-colic intussusception.
Lymph nodes: 0/22
T3 N0 MX
Stage II CRC, no adjuvant chemo required.


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