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 » Sat Dec 08, 2018 7:25 am

Gravelyguy wrote:I hope the probiotics help, Mike! My wife sells Plexus supplements so she has me using their probiotics with their vitamins and a few other things.

Until a year before my diagnosis, I had never taken any kind of medicine/supplements. She wanted me to try her stuff so I did. I think they really helped me through the chemo and surgeries.

At Mayo they could not believe I wasn’t on any prescription meds. One PA said I was the healthiest stage 4 cancer patient she had seen!

Hopefully the probiotics will settle your digestive issues.

Dave


I had never taken supplements before either. Yesterday was a tough day - only about two hours of sleep as I was up against a work deadline (we were all up against a deadline). That said, this has been the best two weeks since reversal. I only ate one meal most days and sometimes two and that seems to have helped quite a bit. I got a ton of sleep last night and the relatively new tracking watch will allow me to manage stress, sleep and exercise. So that I can compensate for bad days like yesterday. I haven't taken the probiotics yet because yesterday was so hectic.
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 Dec 17, 2018 4:56 pm

In the ER waiting for a CT. I had intense abdominal pain this afternoon and threw up multiple times. I was on the floor of the waiting room ina fetal position as I could not get conform their chairs. I felt surprisingly better afterwards.

They are doing a CT to rule out obstructions, infections and appendicitis. I came down with a stomach bug last week. At least I hope that it’s only that.
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

Jannine
Posts: 204
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 7:46 am
Location: Maryland, USA

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

Postby Jannine » Mon Dec 17, 2018 5:02 pm

Noooo. :( That sucks, Mike. I hope you get some answers soon, and I hope it's nothing serious. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.
DX: sigmoid colon cancer 5/2018. 48 F
laparoscopic sigmoid resection (24 cm removed); no stoma.
7.5cm adenocarcinoma -- mod. diff.
1 noncontiguous tumor deposit removed; 0/31 lymph nodes
T3 pN1c M0
5/18 before surgery, CEA 11.2
6/18 began FOLFOX
7/18: CEA 1.9; added neulasta post infusion
9/18: CEA 2.8
10/18: 25% chemo reduction
11/18: CEA 1.8
7/19 CT scan clear

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

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

Postby NHMike » Mon Dec 17, 2018 6:02 pm

Small bowel obstruction due to scar tissue at around one of the incisions. 2-3 days in the hospital.
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 » Mon Dec 17, 2018 7:10 pm

Sorry Mike,

Hope you get relief quickly.

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!

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

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

Postby Lee » Mon Dec 17, 2018 7:24 pm

So sorry this happened to you. They are the worst. I've had a few and yes, they will land you on the floor in the fetal position. I've been lucky, mine generally only last up to 6 hrs, generally I only throw up once or twice.

Once I though one was coming on, stopped eating, min water intake. About 12 hrs later, could not understand what was going on. Took temperature a few times that day to rule out flu. Shoot I had a Dr appointment in early afternoon, no fever. Finally at 6 or 7 at night, fever kicked in.

Wish I knew what triggers them, still trying to work that one out. Hope you are feeling better soon.

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!

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

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

Postby Caat55 » Mon Dec 17, 2018 7:47 pm

Hi Mike,
Glad to continue to read about your progress. I am walking everyday and started back at yoga, making it through the classes without issue. I had a PET on Friday, can't see results but my GI PA is a friend and she knew I would be anxious so she pulled them and read report to me. Clean. So that's two, Cat and Pet. I see surgeon tomorrow about reversal. Scan indicated a hernia on right side, ummmmm.
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

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

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

Postby NHMike » Mon Dec 17, 2018 7:53 pm

It looks like the obstruction cleared itself. I lay again in my left side, passed a little gas and then felt an urge and the floodwaters opened up. Actually normal, easy poops and then a ton of water. I was sleeping on my back last night. I couldn’t sleep on my side because of the foam wedge.

It may be worthwhile sleeping on the side (both) from time to time to help move things along with gravity.
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

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

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

Postby MissMolly » Mon Dec 17, 2018 7:59 pm

Mike:
Well . . . Some Christmas gift Santa Claud sent to you. HaHa. A small bowel obstruction with a red-colored Christmas bow?

Seriously, I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing a small bowel obstruction. The pain is uniquely its own. Excruciating. And the nausea/vomiting is highly powered.

I am glad that you are getting bowel rest and supportive care in the hospital for a few days.

Thinking of you,
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: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby Lee » Mon Dec 17, 2018 9:59 pm

NHMike wrote:..., passed a little gas and then felt an urge and the floodwaters opened up.. . .


Passing even a bit of gas during a blockage, is music to my ears. For me, that means the blockages has mostly resolved/cleared itself. Generally the next day, my stomach feels like it's been through a meat grinder, BUTT I'm passing gas, and most importantly, passing BM!!

Welcome to you new body!!

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!

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

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

Postby mpbser » Tue Dec 18, 2018 6:41 am

Ouch! (Isn't that an understatement?) My husband had that after his colectomy. It was awful to watch because I knew he was in excruciating pain. Please keep us posted.

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery!
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

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

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

Postby NHMike » Tue Dec 18, 2018 7:45 am

It looks like the rate of SBO following ileostomy reversal is 7%
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
susie0915
Posts: 945
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 » Tue Dec 18, 2018 9:35 am

So glad it has resolved itself. I had a small bowel obstruction 4 weeks after my resection. The pain was horrible. I was in the hospital for 3 1/2 weeks. I walked around with an ng tube for a week and then ended up having surgery to remove scar tissue and at the same time my surgeon reversed my ileostomy, so I only had it for 5 weeks. After surgery I contracted c diff which was fun with no rectum or bag. Obstructions are my biggest fear, I think that was the worst time during my year of treatment. I have a tiny hernia and my surgeon doesn't want to do surgery unless absolutely necessary because I have had 3 abdominal surgeries and each one risks developing more scar tissue. It's been over 3 years since my obstruction so hopefully I will not experience it again, but it is definitely a pain that is different from others. So glad you passed gas and had a good bowel movement and will most likely be home for Christmas.
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 » Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:23 pm

I'm back at home.

I was itching to get out as waiting around in the hospital is not my idea of a good use of time and hospital resources. I ate toast and oatmeal for lunch and haven't had any problems so far and it should have been long enough for it to make its way to the junction of the small and large intestines. Hopefully things passed over but I think that it can be another 24 hours before it passes the body. There's also not enough material in the system to determine whether or not there's another blockage.

But I've been drinking water, passing gas and water regularly so that's a good sign at this time. I'm a bit wary of eating because the pain level was so high with the blockage.

It seems like this is rare for those that get it. That is it doesn't happen over and over and over again. Any suggestions on things that help to prevent it from happening again? The doctor seemed to think that there really isn't anything that can be done about this other than resting the system so that things shift into a better position

I was just thinking that I've been in the hospital more the past two years than the rest of my life.
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

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

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

Postby MissMolly » Wed Dec 19, 2018 12:04 am

Mike:
Glad to hear that the worst of the SBO is behind you and that you are back at home. Home is where true healing begins.

I have had a few open surgeries . . . And a few SBOs . . . One requiring surgical lysis of adhesions and several that decompressed with an NG tube and bowel rest.

My own opinion is that fate and chance play a large role in the incidence of SBOs. From my surgeon: Most SBOs occur within the first 12-16 months following abdominal surgery. The incidence reduces markedly after 12-16 months as scar tissue/adhesions mature and soften.

Following an acute SBO, as you have had, be cognizant that the segment of intestine above the “kink” or narrowing will remain inflamed and dilated and swollen for a few weeks (10 days-2 weeks). There can also be associated infra-abdominal inflammation (called stranding) due to the release of inflammatory markers and endocrine effects to mediate the stress response. Focus on hydration. Eat small portion sizes, graze. Soft, easy to digest foods (creamed soups, chicken pot pie, steamed carrot medallions).

Hot showers can relax abdominal and back tightened muscles and ease intestinal distress. Relax with a buckwheat microwave warm pack.

Here, too, is an importune time to use a titrated dose of an osmotic laxative (Miralax, Milk of Magnesia) or magnesium supplement (500 mg capsule or powder of magnesium citrate).
The key is to somewhat liquify the consistency of digested food material so that it can pass through swollen or restricted areas with greater ease as you heal from the after effects of the SBO.

People can develop acute constipation with retained food proximal to the area of SBO and this can mimic symptoms of the original SBO - this due to irregular motility, stop and start contractability of the traumatized small intestine coupled with swelling/effusion of the intestinal lumen. All to say . . . Your small intestine has been traumatized and will be in a state of flux and healing for 7-10 days. Keep to soft/easy to digest foods and small portion sizes, focus on hydration more than solid food intake, consider use of an osmotic laxative, move about and walk as you are comfortable to encourage the intestines to move and hum along in synch.

Welcome to the Adhesion’s Club. The first “attack” is always frightening simply because it’s onset is abrupt, intense, and unexpected. The pain is truly enough to bring you to your knees.

Fingers crossed, you may never experience another SBO. But if you do, you’ll have this experience to draw upon to recognize symptoms and to guide you through to the other side.
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.


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