Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

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susie0915
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Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby susie0915 » Thu Sep 07, 2017 6:32 pm

You seem to be handling things very well. I also declined pain meds, Advil was good enough. You will feel better soon. Nutrition is important for your upcoming surgery and treatment. Good luck and I'll be praying for good news when you meet with your surgeon.
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 » Fri Sep 08, 2017 6:01 pm

Rescheduled the MRI and scheduled the Doctors visit and surgery in either the last week of October or second to last week in October.

Last radiation treatment today. They give patients a little "diploma" at the end.

I take the last of the Xeloda tonight.

Also had bloodwork done today and got the results back in the hospital portal. My Lymphocytes, White Blood Count, Red Blood Count, Hemoglobin and Hematocrit were all below standard levels. When I played tennis on Xeloda, I could basically hit for about 30-35 minutes before hitting a wall. Normally I could go for a few hours and would recover with a break fairly quickly from that. Tennis is an activity near the edge so it looks like I'm losing 75% of my stamina at the margins. Doing normal stuff like work or walking or washing the dishes or doing the laundry doesn't phase me but I'm sure that I need more rest overall and have had to cut back on moderate-intensity labor - because 75% is 75%! I've read lots of accounts on how tired people get from the chemo and it certainly makes sense to me now as it kills part of your body's systems for doing work.
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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Location: Michigan

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

Postby susie0915 » Fri Sep 08, 2017 6:35 pm

Congratulations. I'm sure you're glad it's done. I was just looking at my diploma the other day. I guess we deserve it.
I'm sure your blood levels will rebound. The next few weeks will allow you to get stronger and get ready for surgery.
Congratulations again.
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 » Sat Sep 09, 2017 1:17 pm

CEA results came back today at 1.8. So 2.7 before treatment, 1.9 three weeks in and 1.8 at six weeks.
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
Posts: 945
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Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

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

Postby susie0915 » Sat Sep 09, 2017 1:55 pm

Good news.
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

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

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

Postby Lee » Sat Sep 09, 2017 2:56 pm

NHMike wrote:CEA results came back today at 1.8. So 2.7 before treatment, 1.9 three weeks in and 1.8 at six weeks.



Congratulations on finishing radiation. That is a milestone :D . I too did radiation, surgery, chemo. I looked at radiation as 1/3 of way finished with treatment, surgery 2/3, etc.

Just wanted to pass along if you did not know, CEA can bounce around a bit and still be normal. You are showing a downward trend, that is good, butt if it bounces upward some, don't be concerned. Mine has been bouncing around for years.

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!

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

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

Postby NHMike » Sun Sep 10, 2017 1:06 pm

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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Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
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Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby susie0915 » Sun Sep 10, 2017 1:41 pm

Glad you felt good enough to play. Have you been watching the US Open? I love tennis although I never played. My daughter played usta tennis. We traveled a lot for tournaments. She was a pretty good player, earned a college scholarship at a division 2 school in North Carolina. I loved to watch her play. I think she was ranked as high as 35 in the Midwest in 18 and under. I hope she starts playing again. She's 26 now, and is working a lot trying to further her career. Do you play in a league? I like to golf, just trying to get my swing back since I really didn't get to play too much the last two years. 2015 summer of radiation, got tough, and last summer just finishing chemo and trying to normalize my bowels. I've played alot this summer, but I told my husband cancer stole my swing. I've lost distance. But I'm outside playing so that's a good thing.
I hope you get to play a lot more until you have surgery, the exercise will help strengthen you for recovery. Have Fun.
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 » Sun Sep 10, 2017 2:01 pm

susie0915 wrote:Glad you felt good enough to play. Have you been watching the US Open? I love tennis although I never played. My daughter played usta tennis. We traveled a lot for tournaments. She was a pretty good player, earned a college scholarship at a division 2 school in North Carolina. I loved to watch her play. I think she was ranked as high as 35 in the Midwest in 18 and under. I hope she starts playing again. She's 26 now, and is working a lot trying to further her career. Do you play in a league? I like to golf, just trying to get my swing back since I really didn't get to play too much the last two years. 2015 summer of radiation, got tough, and last summer just finishing chemo and trying to normalize my bowels. I've played alot this summer, but I told my husband cancer stole my swing. I've lost distance. But I'm outside playing so that's a good thing.
I hope you get to play a lot more until you have surgery, the exercise will help strengthen you for recovery. Have Fun.


I played a lot when I was younger including a little college - that was back in the dark ages. I like to play at least once a week these days but not possible with the cancer problems. I just play with a couple of other guys. There have been problems with leagues and some of my friends that used to play leagues switched to playing tournaments. Tennis has a lot of organizational problems and it has suffered from the lack of top US players in the ATP. The WTA, obviously, did great at the USO. I have watched some of the USO but I've been trying to catch up on home and car maintenance tasks.

I worked out for about 90 minutes yesterday - doing medium-intensity stuff where the heart rate was 110 to 130. Last night I was very tired to the point of having trouble staying awake. I went to do a bunch of chores this morning (taking out the trash, cleaning out a dryer vent (it's 12 feet above ground), taking the carpets out of the car trunk to clean them, setting up a vacuum cleaner, and I was pretty tired just doing this stuff. I guess that the 90 minutes of working out yesterday tired me out for this morning. I did sleep really well though.

I want to get back my fitness (strength, stamina, flexibility). The strength and stamina will come back as my RBC and H&H improve and that will probably be gradual - but I'll be able to measure it (I track what I do, how long, how fast, etc.). One thing that can help on technique is taking videos of yourself. You can objectively see what you're doing wrong. If you're really brave and don't mind criticism, you can post it on a forum and ask for advice and critiques. The forum guys are typically brutally honest.
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 » Sun Sep 10, 2017 2:22 pm

I think you're doing really well with physical activity, considering you just finished radiation on Friday. You will get stronger everyday. Yeah, maybe I should video my golf swing and get ready for the comments. Lol.
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

cruzer2012
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2017 2:53 pm

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

Postby cruzer2012 » Sun Sep 10, 2017 3:33 pm

Yea I know the feeling. Was diagnosed in July with Stage2. Hope all goes well with you. New to this site and still figuring out how to make a post myself? Trying to connect with like loop ileostomy people to find out about what they eat?

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

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

Postby NHMike » Mon Sep 11, 2017 1:13 pm

cruzer2012 wrote:Yea I know the feeling. Was diagnosed in July with Stage2. Hope all goes well with you. New to this site and still figuring out how to make a post myself? Trying to connect with like loop ileostomy people to find out about what they eat?


It's the New Topic button from the forum index. Near the upper right part of the window.
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 11, 2017 1:13 pm

Vitamin D levels came back. 20. Normal is 30 - 170. That's with me taking 500 mg/day and taking walks in the sun. I need to really crank it 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

benben
Posts: 324
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:18 pm
Location: Washington State

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

Postby benben » Mon Sep 11, 2017 5:29 pm

NHMike wrote:Vitamin D levels came back. 20. Normal is 30 - 170. That's with me taking 500 mg/day and taking walks in the sun. I need to really crank it up.


I do 2000 mg per day. Keeps my levels in check on VIT D. Up to 4000 is recommended in some cases.
So if I were you I'd certainly go at least 2000 with it.

As for the fatigue. Yeah the RBC really factor in there.
I Start to drop around treatment 3 on RBC, and by treatment 5 my platelets were trashed from Oxi and the Zarxio shots to boost WBC reduce the RBC some.
I dropped Oxaliplatin on round 7 and had treatment 8 with no OXI and my counts have gone back close to normal, just a smidge low on RBC, but platelets are normal again.
I noticed two things - considerably more energy and hair growth. My hair seemed to be growing at snails pace for past few months. Then no OXI and bam, starts growing back fast.
I'm hoping next session all my counts will be back to normal range. Crossing fingers.

I know you were doing Xeloda, while I was doing Folfox - but all the same dropping the OXI you will probably start to feel more normal about 2-3 weeks after stopping it.
You probably will still be reduced energy and strength. I've noticed my strength is vastly reduced. I used to be able to do 50 push ups without stopping. I'm lucky to do the full 10 right now.
But anyhow, you'll get closer to normal quickly and hopefully you're close to full on normal by Surgery day.

Keep it up fellow warrior, you've done well in spite of everything you've gone through thus far.
----------------------
3/29/17 diagnosed CRC - 44 y/o Male
4/17/17 ULAR - Straight anastomosis - no ostomy.
Path: low grade T3n1m0 - moderate diff.
KRAS - NO, MLH1/PMS2/MSH6/MSH2 - Normal.
5/3 med port install
5/22 folfox - first treatment.
3rd treat, delayed - low ANC - reduced to 90% OXI
zarxio all treats
Treat 7 - 75% OXI
Treats 8-12 - NO OXI, Luke & 5FU
10/20/17 CT- NED
3/18 Scope - Clean
11/8 PORT OUT!
7/22 CT - NED (5 years!)

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

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

Postby NHMike » Mon Sep 11, 2017 6:16 pm

benben wrote:
NHMike wrote:Vitamin D levels came back. 20. Normal is 30 - 170. That's with me taking 500 mg/day and taking walks in the sun. I need to really crank it up.


I do 2000 mg per day. Keeps my levels in check on VIT D. Up to 4000 is recommended in some cases.
So if I were you I'd certainly go at least 2000 with it.

As for the fatigue. Yeah the RBC really factor in there.
I Start to drop around treatment 3 on RBC, and by treatment 5 my platelets were trashed from Oxi and the Zarxio shots to boost WBC reduce the RBC some.
I dropped Oxaliplatin on round 7 and had treatment 8 with no OXI and my counts have gone back close to normal, just a smidge low on RBC, but platelets are normal again.
I noticed two things - considerably more energy and hair growth. My hair seemed to be growing at snails pace for past few months. Then no OXI and bam, starts growing back fast.
I'm hoping next session all my counts will be back to normal range. Crossing fingers.

I know you were doing Xeloda, while I was doing Folfox - but all the same dropping the OXI you will probably start to feel more normal about 2-3 weeks after stopping it.
You probably will still be reduced energy and strength. I've noticed my strength is vastly reduced. I used to be able to do 50 push ups without stopping. I'm lucky to do the full 10 right now.
But anyhow, you'll get closer to normal quickly and hopefully you're close to full on normal by Surgery day.

Keep it up fellow warrior, you've done well in spite of everything you've gone through thus far.


My estimate of loss was 75% based on tennis and your objective measurement of 80% loss based on pushups is very close to mine.

I met with the doctor today and he thought that I meant that I had 25% loss so I indicated that I had 75% loss and I think that this is probably a normal figure but it's hard to imagine it if you hadn't actually felt it yourself. I said that it felt like the flu without any respiratory symptoms. Today was a full day of work and I didn't get a chance to go to the gym or just walk. I suspect that I wouldn't have gotten far in the gym anyways. I still have some work to do tonight and hope to get in a normal day tomorrow - not sure that's going to happen. I didn't get tired at work today but I could easily envision doing so.

On the other matter - I asked about the possibility of the cancer spreading during the period between chemorad and surgery and his answer was that they believe that the chemo and radiation so completely kill the tumor that it's not possible for it to spread in the rest period. I guess I'd like to see a study in this area.

One last thing: a bunch of people that I told [about the cancer] got colonoscopies and/or got their spouses to do the same. One of the people that did the colonoscopy told me today that they found something and it's being sent off to the lab. Hopefully it's not C - but the person will have other issues to deal with even if it isn't. It's the local or celebrity effect. If you know someone personally or you know a celebrity to get something, then you're more likely to get it checked as well.
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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