Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

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

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

Postby mpbser » Thu Jun 07, 2018 7:58 am

heiders33 wrote:I’m also pretty convinced that it has something to do with the altering of the microbiome, since it’s so connected to our immune system. That’s an interesting connection to GMO’s. I would not be surprised if that was at least part of the story.


Yes, exactly. 1/3 of the body's immune system originates in the colon as that is where at least 1/3 of lymph nodes are connected. I am a lay person, so of course I say this without scientific credentials and without using proper terminology: what I suspect is that the immune system directly connected to the gut reacts to these genetically altered organisms as pathological invaders (pathogens) by mutating. The result if unchecked: cancer.
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 » Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:22 am

Surgeon suggested reversal one month after end of chemo.
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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Shana
Posts: 401
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 9:45 pm
Location: Sonoma, CA

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

Postby Shana » Thu Jun 07, 2018 2:36 pm

NHMike wrote:Surgeon suggested reversal one month after end of chemo.



That's great! Good to know and be ready
DX - 12/16
MSS - KRAS wild
Well-differentiated adenocarcinoma at splenic flexure
Stage IV CC with liver mets
5FU - Failed twice - 1/17 and 3/17
Irinotecan + Cetuximab: 8/17
Irinotecan and Erbitux ran it's course. CEA rising
Primary tumor invaded tail of pancreas and spleen. Liver mets major concern
Y-90 radioembolization on 9/17/18, liver enzyymes have dropped. 10 Radiation treatments to primary tumor completed too. CT scan Nov to assess overall situation...

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

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

Postby NHMike » Thu Jun 07, 2018 2:51 pm

Shana wrote:
NHMike wrote:Surgeon suggested reversal one month after end of chemo.



That's great! Good to know and be ready


Now that I have it, I'm wondering if I should wait a little more. I should probably do some research.

I've had huge blister problems from the walking and tried on a pair of 11.5 4E and they feel better. Not perfect but I can walk more comfortably. I've worn 11 4E for a long time but my shoe company and many others changed the design of running shoes to be more angled, probably saving large amounts of material. So I'm considering going to 11.5 6E to compensate for the toeboxes having significantly less space.
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 Jun 07, 2018 3:02 pm

So that will be pretty soon, right? :D

Claudis
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 » Thu Jun 07, 2018 3:07 pm

Atoq wrote:So that will be pretty soon, right? :D

Claudis


I finish chemo next Tuesday so I'm counting down the days. She said to make an appointment and we'll talk and I'm guessing that things could go pretty fast. I would also guess that she's going to want an MRI. My follow-up with the local Oncologist is early July so it could be mid-July. I understand that the doctors like to have one person in control at a time so there's some informal handoff or signoff to go to the surgeon from the oncologist.

BTW, did you buy diapers or pads, and, if so, did you use them?
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 Jun 07, 2018 3:22 pm

NHMike wrote:
BTW, did you buy diapers or pads, and, if so, did you use them?

I got one at the hospital for the first night but then i did not wear anything. For the time being, I feel like my sfincters do their job, but I am not experiencing extreme urgency or pressure. It was much worse the last period before diagnosis and during radiation. Tonight I slept the whole night. But of course things might change suddenly :o I did a lot of pelvis floor exercises to prepare myself, also because induced menopause and removal of uterus are both risk factors for urine incontinence. :?

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

User avatar
Shana
Posts: 401
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 9:45 pm
Location: Sonoma, CA

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

Postby Shana » Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:39 pm

That's awesome Claudia! Glad you're doing so well.

I bet you'll do great too Mike, your body has been through a lot but you've been on top of it every day and deserve a break after all this. It's been a marathon!
DX - 12/16
MSS - KRAS wild
Well-differentiated adenocarcinoma at splenic flexure
Stage IV CC with liver mets
5FU - Failed twice - 1/17 and 3/17
Irinotecan + Cetuximab: 8/17
Irinotecan and Erbitux ran it's course. CEA rising
Primary tumor invaded tail of pancreas and spleen. Liver mets major concern
Y-90 radioembolization on 9/17/18, liver enzyymes have dropped. 10 Radiation treatments to primary tumor completed too. CT scan Nov to assess overall situation...

heiders33
Posts: 363
Joined: Sat Nov 04, 2017 11:08 am

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

Postby heiders33 » Thu Jun 07, 2018 8:33 pm

Mike, I bought a lot of diapers but I only used a few, mostly in the week after surgery.
40 year-old female
May 2017: Dx rectal cancer T3N2M0
MSS, KRAS G12D
6/17: 28 days chemorad
9/17: LAR/loop ileostomy, CAPOX six rounds
3/18: reversal
9/18: liver met, resection/HAI pump, 11 rounds 5FU, 1 round FUDR
11/19 - local recurrence, brachytherapy, 3 weeks targeted radiation
12/21 - end colostomy

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

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

Postby NHMike » Thu Jun 07, 2018 8:42 pm

heiders33 wrote:Mike, I bought a lot of diapers but I only used a few, mostly in the week after surgery.


I think that it's good to be well-prepared, even if some of the preparations aren't needed.
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 » Sat Jun 09, 2018 9:28 am

mpbser wrote:From what I have heard, there seems to be an upsurge in young, otherwise healthy people in the US who are being diagnosed with colon cancer. I was listening to a podcast about this and apparently there are a number of studies underway to look into the cause. None of the studies appear to be examining GMOs which are now known to alter the DNA of the human microbiome. My lay person's belief is that GMOs are playing a role, if not are the culprit for this new phenomenon.


Not strictly GMOs but:

During a median follow-up of 7.3 years, 394 patients experienced a DFS event. The hazard ratio for DFS was 1.56 (95% CI = 1.09 to 2.24) for patients consuming three or more servings per day of refined grains compared with patients consuming less than one serving per day (Ptrend = .005). The hazard ratio for DFS was 0.89 (95% CI = 0.66 to 1.20) for patients consuming three or more servings per day of whole grains compared with patients consuming less than one serving per day (Ptrend = .54). The hazard ratio for DFS of substituting one serving per day of refined grain with one serving per day of whole grain was 0.87 (95% CI = 0.79 to 0.96, P = .007).


https://academic.oup.com/jncics/article ... 17/5025854

I need to read up on hazard ratios.
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 » Sat Jun 09, 2018 1:58 pm

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/ ... er-linked/

Colon cancer survivors whose diet is heavy in complex sugars and carbohydrate-rich foods are far more likely to have a recurrence of the disease than are patients who eat a better balance of foods, indicates a new study by researchers at Harvard-affiliated Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
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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O Stoma Mia
Posts: 1709
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:29 am
Location: On vacation. Off-line for now.

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

Postby O Stoma Mia » Sun Jun 10, 2018 1:30 am

NHMike wrote:
BTW, did you buy diapers or pads, and, if so, did you use them?

I bought a big box of adult diapers from the hospital pharmacy just before I was discharged. I used one of those diapers and found it to be so incredibly inconvenient that I put the box in the garage and left it there just in case I might need the rest of the diapers sometime later on. Evenually, after about three years or so, I just tossed the whole box out in the trash. What a waste!

In contrast. I have always used pads for the past five years, even though now there is hardly ever a time when I have need for them. I use them as a kind of insurance againt an unexpected and untimely accident.

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

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

Postby NHMike » Sun Jun 10, 2018 8:04 am

O Stoma Mia wrote:
NHMike wrote:
BTW, did you buy diapers or pads, and, if so, did you use them?

I bought a big box of adult diapers from the hospital pharmacy just before I was discharged. I used one of those diapers and found it to be so incredibly inconvenient that I put the box in the garage and left it there just in case I might need the rest of the diapers sometime later on. Evenually, after about three years or so, I just tossed the whole box out in the trash. What a waste!

In contrast. I have always used pads for the past five years, even though now there is hardly ever a time when I have need for them. I use them as a kind of insurance againt an unexpected and untimely accident.


I've heard from several that needed them and that have had difficulty in the workplace in the past. Now I'm seeing the other side where people don't need them. So, as with a lot of other things, it varies widely.

Thanks for your experiences.
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 » Sun Jun 10, 2018 8:13 am

I changed the bag yesterday and it was on for ten days. I prefer to change it more often but it is a nuisance to change (I need to find the time and need my wife to help). So it looks like these bags work quite well, as long as I don't try to run.

I'm impressed with the ladies here that get in 17,000 steps per day. I've been trying to do that for the office contest and I've done it for six days straight but it requires some planning to get it all in. It also requires clothes, shoes, and foot care. One thing that I've noticed is that sleep is deeper with a lot of walking (it's there with running too). My light sleep to deep sleep ratio has been below 1 for a long time but now my deep sleep is greater than my light sleep, sometimes by a ratio of 2 to 1. That's really good because I still get up twice a night to empty the bag.

The hands and feet are back moderately but I only have 3.5 more days of Xeloda and then the eight cycles are over.
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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