Hi all!
We went to our follow up visit today with the Colorectal surgeon and went over the MRI results and surgery plans. We were so anxious prior to this appointment not knowing the unknown
We prayed the whole drive there. She cried, I cried, and I prayed out very loud to be strong for my mom. The Dr. came to us with positive news in the beginning. He mentioned that the MRI looked good and he can save her sphincter muscle as the tumor stayed away from it and there was enough clearance to operate. He said that the outlook looked good, and there COULD be a cure but nothing is 100% of course.
My mom would have to continue Chemo (Xeloda) after surgery for 6 months which she is not very happy about and also the temp ileostomy which she was also VERY unhappy about.
Surgeon also mentioned that 99% of his patients end up with NOT a permanent colostomy and that the reversal is usually successful with time. The surgery is set for 10/17/17 which is coming up so soon. I'm even a l little anxious for my mom but I will be there for her and plan on spending the night at the hospital with her since we live far away. I will also stay the night at a friend's home while she is at the hospital. The nurse talked to us about the care, and how to use it, etc. The surgery will take about 4 hours. My mom has never had surgery her entire life so this will be a first. She is super nervous as it's approaching very soon. She cried on and off the whole way home. I gave her support, and told her how lucky she was to have found this wonderful surgeon! I really do trust him with all of my heart. The only negative thing that he had mentioned is that, 80% of the time, Cancer can come back...if not monitored following end of treatment
I, of course, did NOT like hearing that, but it is what it is. I even recorded our conversation and replayed it in the car and he did say that. Boo, I hate the truth.
I will take it as an honor and will spend as much time as possible with my mama and hope she gets a No Evidence of Disease or Complete Response! <3 She is very lucky, because I live right next door to her!
(like My Greek Wedding movie
) We literally see each other like 3-4 times a week
For the most part, we BUTT heads
Looks like I will be camping out with mom at the hospital. Hopefully they have some good food!
Here are some questions about Temp Ileostomy:
1. How long did it take for you to get used to it?
2. How the healing process after surgery?
3. Did you have a reversal or perm colostomy after?
4. Did or can you travel? I really want to travel with my mama, maybe with the ileostomy it will be more comfortable not being it in the bathroom all the time?
I wanted to share with you our Colorectal Surgeon who I found on Yelp.com. Dr. Sang Lee from USC Keck Medical
http://www.surgery.usc.edu/colorectal/d ... ancer.htmlI have complete 100% faith and trust in him. He is one of the best Colorectal surgeons in the country!
Thank you for your time reading this
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!!
Rectal CA Stage 3 low-grade adenocarcinoma- 6 cm
Neoadjuvant start 7/10/17 ended 08/16/17
3D Lap. surgery @ Keck USC, Dr. Sang Lee 10/17/17 temp ileostomy
11/1 hospitalized abscess/hernia - home 11/06/17 antibiotics
NO LYMPHS INVOLVED! NEAR PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE! YAY!
Took her last chemo med 05/10/18! Ileo reversal 07/24/18
1st BM after reversal 07/25/18 Anal Fissure 8/15/18
Me:1st Colonoscopy age 38. 08/17 Benign polp.