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 » Thu Aug 30, 2018 10:12 pm

mobrouser wrote:Maybe I missed something but isn't imodium for the opposite of your issues right now?

Now that I'm finished chemo I found that days when I don't eat salad and lots of fruit and veggies result in painfully hard poops the next day. I hope you can find the right dietary balance soon so you don't have hour after hour of bathroom time. I know how frustrating it can be when you have work waiting for you but you can't get to it......

8) mob


Yes, you are correct and I have been thinking more of Miralax. I have three packages of Immodium that are unopened (the other two must have been when I had radiation). I have not been eating a lot of fruits and vegetables - more protein and carbs. But the protein was for healing the wound. So I should add fruit and veggies back in. I do eat some veggies. I have been coming home late from work the past couple of days (like 8:30 or 9:30) so not a lot of dinner options at home.
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 Aug 30, 2018 10:31 pm

Atoq wrote:Hi Mike,
Sorry to read that you are having such a tough time. I also was taking a probiotic with a very small dose of psyllium (pills with both together).

I hope it settles soon

Claudia


I am not completely sure if fiber is good or bad but it appears that cream is a two-edged sword. It seems to promote mucous which is good for making things pass more easily but it results in a lot of flatulence which is painful. So I think that I'm going to drop the cream (usually with Chamomile Tea). I will add back in some fiber. I will have to look into probiotics. My wife likes to feed me yogurt and fruit but sometimes I'm not crazy about the choices of fruit.
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 Aug 30, 2018 10:33 pm

juliej wrote:
NHMike wrote:I'm going to use Vaseline Intensive Care on my rear end to try to promote healing.

You might need something more robust. I recommend Calmoseptine. It really stops the pain and heals the area overnight. It's available at most drug stores or Amazon.

http://www.calmoseptineointment.com/


Added to Amazon cart.
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 Aug 30, 2018 10:43 pm

Eleda wrote:Jesus Mike
Take a step back
U seriously need to give urself a break ,
( I thought I was bad!!!!!)
U need to pat urself on the back for what u have achieved so far, And allow urself some me time to heal.......
I'm totally in awe of Ur achievements but don't do it at the detriment big Ur physical or. Mental health...,.
I think Ur amazballs......
Relax and enjoy :wink: :wink: :wink:
ADELE XXX


The stuff at work was a bit unexpected. I expected more time on the schedule but I'm an old horse and finding a job with comparable pay and healthcare benefits would be challenging at my age. And I still feel the need to prove my worth. And I still have all of these projects that I want to do and I want to buy a new home geared for seniors with multiple full bathrooms and no stairs to make many things more comfortable. I had planned to look into a new house before I was diagnosed.

There have been some slight improvements. I was able to sit for about two hours today at my desk (usually need to go two to three times an hour) and an hour talking to someone in his office.

I don't really do relaxation well - you can spot the Type A personalities here and maybe the personality is more prone to cancer. I just like to count the cost on projects. The work project is most important. The reversal project is personally important to me to help me and others. And the high-yield investing article is something that several fellow traders have asked me for. One of my accounts generates interest and dividends greater than my salary so I could support us if I lost my job. And, there are others that I chat with that have asked how to generate good income while minimizing risk and I wanted to write up a piece on how I do 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

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

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

Postby NHMike » Fri Aug 31, 2018 10:42 am

Nuisance of a morning making a ton of bathroom trips for six hours. They are far enough apart so I think that I can go into the office now. Very good days and very bad days.

I can imagine that Zinc Oxide provides far longer protection than the Vaseline. The Vaseline provides a skin shield but it only lasts an hour or two against the acids of waste.
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 » Fri Aug 31, 2018 12:39 pm

Caat55 wrote:Hi Mike,
This sounds like hell. I have read back on several older post from other reversals, hard to know what's typical because everyone isn't as graphic or direct in their postings. My skin is still to fragile for reversal, your comments about bleeding make me more certain about waiting. I moved wrong the other day and the skin tore, if I don't drink enough water the concentrated urine is enough to make that area sore, bleed as well. I know the the radiation oncologist, surgeon or oncologist never even hinted on how rough this part of the trip is. Take care. I kind of get running at top speed, hoping the momentum of life will carry you though.
Susan


Hello Susan,

I consider you and Claudia Type A folks, and there are others of course.

I talk to people about health problems, sometimes really bad problems, and I don't like to sugar coat unless I know that it would freak the person out because I really want to know what it will be like so I can plan for it. But with a lot of the cancer stuff, you're never really prepared for how hard many things are until you're in the middle of it.

My skin is on fire today and there's a line of blood in the pads that I'm using. So I could use that ZInc Oxide stuff today. I may look for it in local drug stores while waiting for Amazon to ship it to me. And yes, I have a water reminder on my desktop and phone. I've only had 20 ounces so far - I need at least another 44 ounces. And I'm definitely losing water going to the bathroom. A lot of stuff just dealing with the cancer stuff leaves less for life.

If you like to write, you might write a booklet or book about the radiation stuff. I'd be happy to contribute.
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 » Fri Aug 31, 2018 1:08 pm

NHMike:
There is a product that I always keep on hand to heal parastomal skin erosion that you might consider for the perianal skin erosion and irritation that you are experiencing.

The product: “Marathon Liquid Skin Protectant.” It is available without a prescription from any medical supply company (EdgePark, Byram, Sterling Healthcare as examples) as well as a Amazon. Marathon Liquid Skin Protectant is an adaptic wound care product specifically formulated to heal excoriated and irritated skin due to exposure to urine and feces. It is amazing stuff.

It comes as a liquid in a 1 oz. vial. There are 5 vials in a package. It retails for $65 and is worth every penny.

You can also apply Cavilon Liquid Skin Prep to the perianal area. You may have used Cavilon to protect skin adjacent to your stoma. Cavilon is a wound care product made by 3M. It has Skin protecting as well as skin healing properties. I prefer Cavilon spray to the individual wipes.

I hope you find some easing of your discomforts,
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.

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

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

Postby Atoq » Fri Aug 31, 2018 1:52 pm

I have also a tube of Cavillon cream at it is very good.

I might have some A type traits like that I like to run and compete with myself, but I definetly don’t like to compete with colleagues at work. But of course A and B are extremes and then there is a gradient in between :D

I cannot work too much, I need to walk the dogs, be with my kids, read a book, play the piano, see friends...also where I live it is normal to work from 8.00 to 15.00 and have Saturday and Sunday free. 5 weeks vacation a year.

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 » Fri Aug 31, 2018 3:57 pm

MissMolly wrote:NHMike:
There is a product that I always keep on hand to heal parastomal skin erosion that you might consider for the perianal skin erosion and irritation that you are experiencing.

The product: “Marathon Liquid Skin Protectant.” It is available without a prescription from any medical supply company (EdgePark, Byram, Sterling Healthcare as examples) as well as a Amazon. Marathon Liquid Skin Protectant is an adaptic wound care product specifically formulated to heal excoriated and irritated skin due to exposure to urine and feces. It is amazing stuff.

It comes as a liquid in a 1 oz. vial. There are 5 vials in a package. It retails for $65 and is worth every penny.

You can also apply Cavilon Liquid Skin Prep to the perianal area. You may have used Cavilon to protect skin adjacent to your stoma. Cavilon is a wound care product made by 3M. It has Skin protecting as well as skin healing properties. I prefer Cavilon spray to the individual wipes.

I hope you find some easing of your discomforts,
Karen


I have a package of 60 Wipes that I ordered from McKesson because of recommendations here. Insurance pays for the wipes but not the spray but I wanted to build an emergency kit and the wipes would be easier to package than the spray. I also have wipes from Convatec I think but they have alcohol and sting when it touches a wound. I always had to use gloves with the Convatec wipes because they were incredibly sticky and it would take a few days for the stickiness to wear off, even with washing.

And I wondered if the Cavilon wipes did the same thing. I suppose I could open one up and find out.

I have three spray bottles as well and those were great with the ileostomy.

I do wonder how you apply this stuff as you can't see what you're doing. I could ask my wife to apply the spray but I'd like to be able to do it myself as well. Assuming this stuff is sticky, is it a problem with clothes?
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 » Fri Aug 31, 2018 4:01 pm

These arrived and I tried one out and it's great. Though it probably works better with warm water instead of cold water but it's just a small bit of shock. The decrease in friction compared to toilet paper and even wipes is remarkable. So I'm going to order another three-pack of these to leave a few in the office and in each bathroom. These are just a three-pack of small, plastic bottles with a spray at the top.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B9 ... UTF8&psc=1
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 » Fri Aug 31, 2018 4:04 pm

Atoq wrote:I have also a tube of Cavillon cream at it is very good.

I might have some A type traits like that I like to run and compete with myself, but I definetly don’t like to compete with colleagues at work. But of course A and B are extremes and then there is a gradient in between :D

I cannot work too much, I need to walk the dogs, be with my kids, read a book, play the piano, see friends...also where I live it is normal to work from 8.00 to 15.00 and have Saturday and Sunday free. 5 weeks vacation a year.

Claudia


I added two tubes to my Amazon cart.

I see you as getting a lot done, planning, scheduling, preparing, etc. It might not be strictly competitive though.
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 » Fri Aug 31, 2018 6:43 pm

Seriously I think the best thing I have done so far is the toilet seat bidet, sound like it will be super useful in the future.

I have started to exercise in earnest again. I take my dog on the uphill hike or get on the treadmill. Working on core stuff as balance is off.

I push myself pretty hard sometimes and then just put around others. I think the more you do the better you are at fitting other stuff in. That's definitely me. I am also getting much better at boundaries, knowing my limits and seeing no. Cancer teaches you not to be to proud to ask for help.

I am still struggling with typing, writing a bunch of assessments on the kids I treat, evaluate and I find I do a lot of corrections.

Keep moving forward,
Susan
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
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 » Sat Sep 01, 2018 10:28 am

I must admire all you that have still continued to work nearly full time,, I'm self employed but don't need to b in the shop so I'm lucky to have the best of both worlds,,,
Yes it's stressful at times, but mainly living as full as I can with my kids and still keeping my toe in but at my own descression,,,,
I always thought the American way was great and our health system and social system was shite, but seeing u people struggle with heath care and income, I see we don't have it so bad,,,if u have cancer in Ireland u will get the exact same care as a private patient ( well nearly) but prety close,,, and a payment while u are out of work, and small co pays to private health care,,, I now conciderably myself lucky, even tho we still look to the good old US OF A for the medical lead especially since most of out top doctors have trained there at some stage
I saw my surgeon yesterday and think I'll put off my reversal till after X MAS ( Too much to deal with with the kids etc)

Apparently I'll have more evacuation problems than contenance problems like u are having Mike, but no one knows until their own plumbing becomes reconnect
I seem to b one of the lucky ones and had very little problems with both radiation ( unlike. U Susan )
And appart from the reaction none with chemo really either ( I've actually gained weight lol)
Believe me I don't need to lol :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

Everyones journey is so different but it's good to know what's comming down the line to b prepared
Yes Susan sitz bath still n my house ready for reuse

Thanks to u both and many others for Ur consistent and candid reports and updates
Hope u feel better soon Mike

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 » Mon Sep 03, 2018 9:16 am

Caat55 wrote:Seriously I think the best thing I have done so far is the toilet seat bidet, sound like it will be super useful in the future.

I have started to exercise in earnest again. I take my dog on the uphill hike or get on the treadmill. Working on core stuff as balance is off.

I push myself pretty hard sometimes and then just put around others. I think the more you do the better you are at fitting other stuff in. That's definitely me. I am also getting much better at boundaries, knowing my limits and seeing no. Cancer teaches you not to be to proud to ask for help.

I am still struggling with typing, writing a bunch of assessments on the kids I treat, evaluate and I find I do a lot of corrections.

Keep moving forward,
Susan


The water bottles have helped considerably but I don't really want to do any work on our house anymore. The place is a mess and it's hard to get contractors to show up for some jobs and me having to duck in and out of the bathroom all the time is a pain. I really want to buy another place and then just sell the current place. It's a matter of being able to do a purchase, move and sale in my current state and it's hard for me to judge my capabilities there. There's just too much going on and I really have to prioritize and the water bottles are a good enough solution for now; and they work when I'm in the office or otherwise away from home.

I'm going to experiment with the Cavilon Spray today to see whether it's sticky or not. If it isn't, then I'll ask my wife to spray it on to see how well it works and that may be a solution for now. At least until I get the cream to try out. I may look at the Marathon product too and the Zinc Oxide product. Little improvements can add up to a lot of comfort.

The perineum situation makes it tough to workout. All I did yesterday was curling 20 pounds 12 times at Planet Fitness. I went in to use the bathroom but saw the light barbells on a rack and decided to give it a try. My discharge instructions were no more than 5 pounds for four weeks and then 10 pounds limit for the next two weeks. I'm starting week 6 so it's a little early but my gym bag and backpack weigh 30 pounds and I carry that to and from the office. I also do what I call "farmer's walk" where you carry a lot of stuff with one hand or two. The weight is in the form of grocery bags and I'll carry 30-35 pounds in my left hand and 5-8 in my right hand. The wound was on the right side so I can carry far more on the left side than the right. In general, getting in and out of bed or off the floor or a chair is getting easier and painless. I do need to do more though.
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 03, 2018 11:53 am

Eleda wrote:I must admire all you that have still continued to work nearly full time,, I'm self employed but don't need to b in the shop so I'm lucky to have the best of both worlds,,,
Yes it's stressful at times, but mainly living as full as I can with my kids and still keeping my toe in but at my own descression,,,,
I always thought the American way was great and our health system and social system was shite, but seeing u people struggle with heath care and income, I see we don't have it so bad,,,if u have cancer in Ireland u will get the exact same care as a private patient ( well nearly) but prety close,,, and a payment while u are out of work, and small co pays to private health care,,, I now conciderably myself lucky, even tho we still look to the good old US OF A for the medical lead especially since most of out top doctors have trained there at some stage
I saw my surgeon yesterday and think I'll put off my reversal till after X MAS ( Too much to deal with with the kids etc)

Apparently I'll have more evacuation problems than contenance problems like u are having Mike, but no one knows until their own plumbing becomes reconnect
I seem to b one of the lucky ones and had very little problems with both radiation ( unlike. U Susan )
And appart from the reaction none with chemo really either ( I've actually gained weight lol)
Believe me I don't need to lol :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

Everyones journey is so different but it's good to know what's comming down the line to b prepared
Yes Susan sitz bath still n my house ready for reuse

Thanks to u both and many others for Ur consistent and candid reports and updates
Hope u feel better soon Mike

ADELE X


Health care and income vary widely from state to state and company/organization to company/organization.

I have not deliberately tried to convey the idea that I struggle with healthcare, health insurance or income as I consider myself quite fortunate in these areas. It seems that I can use any hospital or provider that I want to in Vermont, New Hampshire or Massachusetts where I went and looked at the hospitals available to me in these states but I wouldn't be surprised if I could use any hospital in the country. My maximum out-of-pocket is $2,000 which apparently is pretty good - and this is the worst healthcare plan that my company offers.

If I felt incapacitated to the level where I couldn't work for a few days, then I would take sick days. The limitation on sick days is five at a time. I don't know whether or not there is an annual limit. If I needed to take more time off, then I would go on short-term disability. This gives me everything (pay, insurance, etc.) for up to ninety days. If I'm still sick, then I would go on long-term disability. I would get 50% of my pay and no subsidy for insurance benefits. That's my selection though. I could also choose 66% of pay but would have to pay for my own health insurance. It would probably run about $18,000/year for us.

My income year-to-date is in excess of 250% of the value of our primary residence. That may be a lot for some and not much for others.

I think that it's important to manage your finances carefully and maybe I gave the impression that we struggle with finances but that was not my intention.
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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