Robotic Surgery

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

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby NHMike » Mon Jul 31, 2017 4:47 am

Basil wrote:Surgery is at three tomorrow. I'm very hungry. Nervous as hell too. But it must be done of course.


Best wishes for a successful 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

User avatar
JJH
Posts: 408
Joined: Mon Apr 24, 2017 7:26 am

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby JJH » Mon Jul 31, 2017 9:51 am

Basil wrote:... I'm having robotic surgery Monday that will remove most of my rectum but the surgeon says there's enough to stitch everything back together...

If the surgeon is able to make a good join with stitches rather than with staples, in my opinon that would be preferable. Personally, I don't like the idea of having staples. That's just my personal opinion.

If you've ever seen one of these stapler contraptions, I think you might understand my preference.

http://www.ethicon.com/healthcare-professionals/products/staplers/contour-curved-cutter
.
http://www.medicalstapler.com/pic/Curved-Cutter-Stapler.png

.
"The darkest hour is just before the dawn" - Thomas Fuller (1650)
●●●

Basil
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:33 pm

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby Basil » Mon Jul 31, 2017 1:26 pm

Thanks for the well-wishes all. Bit too late for any other preparations as I'm in the waiting room now. Will let you know how it goes.
40 y/o male (now 46), kids 11 & 14.
Dx 3/16/17, rectal cancer s3,t3,n1,m0
PROSPCT trial (FOLFOX in lieu of chemorad)
FOLFOX 4/5/17 - 6/26/17
LAR 7/31/17, temp ileo
pathological complete response
Adjuvant chemo cancelled (IDEA Study)
Ileo reversed 9/25/17
NED
1 year scans - clear
2 year scans - clear
3 year scans - clear
4 year scans - clear
5 year scans - clear (considered cured)

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Mon Jul 31, 2017 4:14 pm

I hope your surgery and recovery go well!*hugs*
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

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Maia
Posts: 2443
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 8:00 am

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby Maia » Mon Jul 31, 2017 4:45 pm

Go get it, Basil!! I wish you that everything goes well and you have a smooth recovery.

Soccermom2boys
Posts: 222
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 10:29 pm

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby Soccermom2boys » Mon Jul 31, 2017 7:08 pm

Thinking of you today Basil and hoping for a great outcome with your surgery and a smooth recovery! :D
8/3/15 Went in with a hemorrhoid, came out with a tumor
8/12/15 Biopsy from colonoscopy confirms RC (45 yrs old--zero family history!)
9/21 - 10/29/15 chemorad 28 tx (with Xeloda)
12/17/15 APR with perm colostomy
Pathology report stages me as IIIA (T2N1M0)--1/15 LN detects cancer
2/3/16 chemo port inserted
2/8-6/2/16 8 rounds of Folfox

Basil
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:33 pm

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby Basil » Tue Aug 01, 2017 4:03 am

Made it through! It's nearly 4:00 am and I'm awake and alert for the first time. Bad news is they gave me a temp bag "just to be safer." There is good news as well, but I'm not quite sure what it is. Surgeon was very happy with what he saw when he went in. Said it looked better than the scans.

Pain is there but manageable with hydromorphone. If all goes well I could be discharged in 2-3 days. Thanks for all your well wishes!

Gotta go, a dilaudid nap is calling my name!
40 y/o male (now 46), kids 11 & 14.
Dx 3/16/17, rectal cancer s3,t3,n1,m0
PROSPCT trial (FOLFOX in lieu of chemorad)
FOLFOX 4/5/17 - 6/26/17
LAR 7/31/17, temp ileo
pathological complete response
Adjuvant chemo cancelled (IDEA Study)
Ileo reversed 9/25/17
NED
1 year scans - clear
2 year scans - clear
3 year scans - clear
4 year scans - clear
5 year scans - clear (considered cured)

Zack30215
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2017 4:10 am

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby Zack30215 » Tue Aug 01, 2017 4:23 am

Mornin' Basil! Congratulations on successful surgery! The ilio isn't that bad once u get used to it. In fact, I almost decided to keep mine rather than go back in for another surgery! I was so afraid of the reversal. Only to find out it was not bad at all. Hang in there and many congrats!!

Basil
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:33 pm

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby Basil » Tue Aug 01, 2017 7:16 am

There is talk that I won't need and post-surgery chemotherapy. This makes me both happy and a little apprehensive. SOC for stage 3 always includes post-surgery chemo, at least that's what I was told. Is that right? Maybe they are talking about downgrading to stage 2? Guess I shouldn't ruin my head thinking out it; surgeon will be by today sometime.
40 y/o male (now 46), kids 11 & 14.
Dx 3/16/17, rectal cancer s3,t3,n1,m0
PROSPCT trial (FOLFOX in lieu of chemorad)
FOLFOX 4/5/17 - 6/26/17
LAR 7/31/17, temp ileo
pathological complete response
Adjuvant chemo cancelled (IDEA Study)
Ileo reversed 9/25/17
NED
1 year scans - clear
2 year scans - clear
3 year scans - clear
4 year scans - clear
5 year scans - clear (considered cured)

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

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby NHMike » Tue Aug 01, 2017 7:21 am

I think that I read somewhere that the post-op stuff is an area of debate and I guess that what they find when they go in can certainly affect the overall treatment plan.

I think that a chemo break is certainly attractive but I've seen expressions of worry about cancer coming back without the post-surgery 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

Aqx99
Posts: 403
Joined: Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:28 am
Facebook Username: aqx99
Location: Pfafftown, NC

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby Aqx99 » Tue Aug 01, 2017 9:12 am

All I can say is, walk. Walk every chance you get. And once they let you start drinking, drink. Eat every bit of the liquid diet, too. It will get boring, I had the same stuff 3 meals a day for 2 days, but at least it's something.
Anne, 40
Stage IIIB Rectal Cancer
T3N1bM0
2/21/17 Dx, Age 39
2/21/17 CEA 0.9
3/23/17 - 5/2/17 Chemoradiation, 28 treatments
6/14/17 Robotic LAR w/temp loop ileostomy, ovaries & fallopian tubes removed, 2/21 lymph nodes positive
7/24/17 - 12/18/17 CapeOx, 6 Cycles
7/24/17 Dx w/ovarian cancer
9/6/17 CA 125 11.1
11/27/17 CEA 2.6
12/5/17 CT NED
12/13/17 CEA 2.9
1/11/18 CA 125 8.6
1/23/18 Reversal
3/21/18 CT enlarged thymus
4/6/18 PET NED
7/10/18 CT NED
7/11/18 CEA 2.6
9/18 Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

Basil
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:33 pm

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby Basil » Tue Aug 01, 2017 9:36 am

Just walked for the first time less than 12 hours after surgery. It hurt pretty bad but I'm back in bed now.

I've been admitted to a hospital twice and both times was chomping st the bit to get out. They're talking about discharge tomorrow and I'm not sure. I can hardly get out of bed. Stomach muscles are in all sorts of shitty.
40 y/o male (now 46), kids 11 & 14.
Dx 3/16/17, rectal cancer s3,t3,n1,m0
PROSPCT trial (FOLFOX in lieu of chemorad)
FOLFOX 4/5/17 - 6/26/17
LAR 7/31/17, temp ileo
pathological complete response
Adjuvant chemo cancelled (IDEA Study)
Ileo reversed 9/25/17
NED
1 year scans - clear
2 year scans - clear
3 year scans - clear
4 year scans - clear
5 year scans - clear (considered cured)

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

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby NHMike » Tue Aug 01, 2017 10:01 am

I don't think that I've ever been admitted to a hospital before outside of outpatient (two times) but my surgeon estimated 3-5 days for me and I'd likely stay there until I was very sure that I wouldn't have to run back for an emergency. That said, I do regular abs workouts (though not so much lately) and I'm hoping that makes recovery easier.

I'm definitely impressed that you're up and about after 12 hours.

Do you workout regularly?
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

Basil
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:33 pm

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby Basil » Tue Aug 01, 2017 10:59 am

No but I'm very active and do walk/run regularly. Doc explained that abs are contracted over and over again during surgery so there's soreness mixed in with the trauma.

Just had some breakfast- toast, banana and an egg - and feel much better after 48 hours with nothing.
40 y/o male (now 46), kids 11 & 14.
Dx 3/16/17, rectal cancer s3,t3,n1,m0
PROSPCT trial (FOLFOX in lieu of chemorad)
FOLFOX 4/5/17 - 6/26/17
LAR 7/31/17, temp ileo
pathological complete response
Adjuvant chemo cancelled (IDEA Study)
Ileo reversed 9/25/17
NED
1 year scans - clear
2 year scans - clear
3 year scans - clear
4 year scans - clear
5 year scans - clear (considered cured)

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

Re: Robotic Surgery

Postby NHMike » Tue Aug 01, 2017 11:05 am

Basil wrote:No but I'm very active and do walk/run regularly. Doc explained that abs are contracted over and over again during surgery so there's soreness mixed in with the trauma.

Just had some breakfast- toast, banana and an egg - and feel much better after 48 hours with nothing.


I very much appreciate the blog-style of your posts. Gives me an idea of what to expect in a few months.
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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