Mom's surgery is in two days!

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ocstacy
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Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby ocstacy » Mon Oct 16, 2017 1:12 am

Phew! It's getting close. I had my mom take an Ativan tonight as the Dr. ok'd it since she hasn't been able to sleep for three days straight. I assume it's the nerves and anxiety. It's her first surgery ever in her life. I will be staying the night with her at the hospital the 1st two nights. She will be having a 3D lap. surgery with temp ileostomy.
She was still having some pain and burning and the Nurse suggested "Calmoseptine" and that worked so much better than the Aquaphor. I really wish they would have suggested for my mom to use that for her rectal pain after she was done with Radiation.. she was in tears. Not sure why they didn't suggest it back then. I get so frustrated when you are trying to ask the nurses for advice and they don't tell you until the last min. Any suggestions on what to expect after surgery for my mom? Relief, pain? I plan on having home health for my mom ast my house so we can all care for her. I have noticed that her memory is getting worst especially with medications. She always gets confused on meds and what she has taken or not.. or she will say that she has never seen that med before. Does Chemo cause memory disorder? Anyhow, please pray for mama and my family. We hope the best.. xoxo

Anyhow, tom my mom's preps is as follow:

-clear liquid diet only tom,
-3 pm swallow 4 stool softener
- 5 p.m. mix prep and start drinking every 20 min 8 oz. until gone
- 2 enfamil pre surgery drinks
-3 special pre surgery drinks (recovery drinks)
-Day of surgery- last ensure pre surgery drink to be done at 8 a.m.
-Surgery at 11:30 a.m.
Last edited by ocstacy on Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
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! :shock:
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.

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

Re: Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby Aqx99 » Mon Oct 16, 2017 1:56 am

Even with a laproscopic surgery, there will be pain afterwards. They will get her set up on some good pain meds, though. Make sure to keep ahead of her pain,when she starts to feel it you need to get her the meds. You don't want it getting worse than that first twinge of pain. They will have her up and walking fairly soon after the surgery, that is important. It helps wake the bowels back up. You will probably have to force her to walk at first. I know I didn't want to walk the first couple of days because of the pain.

Yes, chemo can cause memory issues. It's called chemo brain. I've experienced it myself. Sometimes I forget things like what word I need to use while talking. One time I forgot the word for nostril, so I called them nose holes.
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

Mercy110
Posts: 118
Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017 12:13 am

Re: Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby Mercy110 » Mon Oct 16, 2017 2:51 am

Just want to wish your mum a very successful surgery. Wish your family all the best too. I will include your mum and family in my prayers.
My Mum (age 56), NRAS-mutate Q61R (from HK)
2017-05: Surgery with stoma. T4N1M0. Stage3C. Xeloda Only. Increasing CEA. CT: Multiple lung nodules. Stage4.
2017-09: 85% FOLFOX + Avastin, stable CT
2018-03 to 05: Folfox Allergy, Folfiri (with Avastin since Oct)
2019: CEA:178, started Irinotecan+Zaltrip+TS-1, 25 times radio with xeloda
2020: CEA up, Stivarga for 6 months
2021: CEA up, 7L O2 and 24-hour morphine, on pc care
At peace 2021.4.14

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

Re: Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby NHMike » Mon Oct 16, 2017 6:21 am

I'm chatting with a few other people on another board. One had her surgery two weeks ago and two others had their surgeries last Tuesday. All of them said that the pain was considerable. The are dealing with the new drainage stuff, recovering, getting staples removed and planning for mop-up chemo.

She must be very happy to have so much help from you.
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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WriterGirl1969
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Location: Central NY

Re: Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby WriterGirl1969 » Mon Oct 16, 2017 6:56 am

Sorry to hear your mom is going through so much, but glad to hear she has you to be there to support her. Every surgery is different - some people have more pain than others. It depends on a lot of things, like where the surgery is, how well it goes, etc. For me personally, having laparoscopic went well and I was up and walking very soon there after. I would say the pain was similar to having pulled abdominal muscles. My surgery was for descending / sigmoid area vs. rectal. So again, everyone is different. I will definitely pray that your mom's experience goes as well as it can, and that she doesn't have to be in too much pain.

Keep us posted, and lots of smiles, hugs and prayers from me.
--Tracy
DX 3/4/2016 Colon Cancer; age 46 Mom of then 4-yr-old
Stage IIIB: T3N1M0
3/31/16 Surgery
4 to 10/2016: Xeloda Monotherapy
CEA: 10/16 0.56, 1/17 0.54
CT CLEAR: 3/6/17; 4/17/18; 4/16/19
NED 3 years
“If I can help somebody as I walk along, then my living shall not be in vain.”

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O Stoma Mia
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Location: On vacation. Off-line for now.

Calmoseptine and zinc oxide

Postby O Stoma Mia » Mon Oct 16, 2017 7:19 am

ocstacy wrote:... the Nurse suggested "Calmoseptine" and that worked so much better than the Aquaphor. I really wish they would have suggested for my mom to use that for her rectal pain...Not sure why they didn't suggest it back then...

They might not have suggested it back then because Calmoseptine contains 20% zinc oxide, which is contraindicated while radiation is going on. Zinc oxide amplifies the effect of radiation and can cause severe radiation burns. It can only be used safely outside the context of radiation.

[quote]Zinc oxide induced radiation burns -- "...Although a general consensus among radiotherapy centres is lacking, the advice given to patients has a few commonalities:
• During or after radiation treatment, avoid the use of metallic-based topical products (zinc oxide creams)... because they may increase the surface dose to skin
• Wear loose-fitting clothing over the irradiated area to prevent friction injuries
• Maintain a clean and dry irradiated area
• Avoid extreme temperatures
• Avoid the use of starch-based products because they increase the risk of infection

Reference: Prophylaxis and management of acute radiation-induced skin reactions: a systematic review of the literature[/quotooooo
Last edited by O Stoma Mia on Thu Apr 25, 2019 12:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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susie0915
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Re: Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby susie0915 » Mon Oct 16, 2017 7:32 am

Good Luck to you and your mom. You have been such a great caregiver and support for her. Hopefully, she does well. I don't remember too
much severe pain after surgery, and learning to empty my bag was pretty easy as well. Yes, the aquaphor is the first thing recommended. My doctors did give me lidocaine when the pain got worse the last couple weeks. I'll be praying for you and your mom tomorrow during her prep, and then the next day for her surgery. Take care of yourself as well, caregivers can forget that they are important too and need to eat, sleep, and have some relaxation time. Prayers and hugs.
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

SweetC80
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2017 1:28 pm

Re: Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby SweetC80 » Mon Oct 16, 2017 8:13 am

My mom's big surgery was her first ever and she was understandably super nervous. She did great and recovered way better than anybody expected. Good Luck and please keep us posted!!
My Mom
12/16 Stage IIIb Rectal Ca CEA 1.2
1/17-2/17 Chemoradiation CEA 4.4
5/17 Entire Colon, Rectum & Anus removed Perm Ileostomy Bag
7/17 FOLFOX
9/17 Stage IVb 9cm Liver Met & 7mm Lung Nodule CEA 197
9/17 FOLFIRI CEA 160
10/17 Confirmed KRAS Pos CEA 210
11/17 Met growths Liver 10cm & Lung 8mm CEA 425
12/17 FOLFOX again Met growths Liver 13cm & Lung 1cm CEA 405
12/17 Xifaxan due to Hepatic Encephalopathy
12/17 New 2cm liver Met
1/18 CEA 992
2/8/18 Passed Peacefully

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ocstacy
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Re: Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby ocstacy » Mon Oct 16, 2017 11:11 pm

Thank you all!! It's been an emotional journey with lots of ups and downs. I can tell you this is the closest I've been with my mom in over many many years. She really really depends on me for everything and TRUSTS me with all medical needs and decision. She was so worried yesterday I told her to take an Ativan (dr. prescribed) before bed and it really helped her sleep thank goodness. I just want to spend a lot of time with her and take her on a trip sometime soon. Wondering if she could travel taking Xeloda out of the country? She has always mentioned that she wants to go to Japan again to see her relatives. Who knows, maybe we can take a family trip to Alaska on an Alaskan cruise, something that my 83 year old father has always wanted to do. Well, my throat is starting to ache (ya know the kind of hurt cause you are so worried and scared feeling aka lump in throat)
I remember feeling this way when my husband I had our separation and I haven't felt this way since.

I found an interesting read about why your throat hurts when you hold in your cry. Interesting.. https://www.quora.com/What-causes-the-p ... ght-crying
" Emotions such as sorrow, fear, or anger are translated as stress to the autonomic nervous system, because the only causes of these emotions in our primitive mammalian ancestors were stressful situations. All mammals (and most other vertebrates) have developed a "Fight or Flight" response to danger, which gives the individual the speed to run, or the strength to fight, when attacked by another animal. To accomplish this, the stress of being attacked triggers the autonomic nervous system to increase the flow of oxygen and sugar to the muscles, so that they can be used more actively.

The increase in oxygen is accomplished at several levels: blood flow to the muscles is increased by making the heart beat harder and faster, and by decreasing blood flow to the internal organs; absorption of oxygen into the blood is increased by making the lungs breath faster; and air intake into the lungs is increased by opening the throat and mouth. The side effects of this are panting, heart pounding, and nausea. In the case of crying, which is the autonomic response to sorrow or grief, most of these effects are easily recognized.

An important part of opening the throat to allow the lungs to get more air involves expanding the glottis - the muscle which controls the opening from the back of the throat (pharynx) into the voice box (larynx) - so that more air can pass through it. So part of the autonomic response of crying is to use throat muscles to open the glottis as wide as possible. This doesn't pose a problem until you want to swallow; swallowing involves closing the glottis, so that food doesn't get into your larynx. So if you try to swallow while you are crying, the muscles for swallowing are fighting against the muscles for crying, and this tug-of-war over the glottis is perceived as a lump behind your larynx which makes it difficult to swallow.

As an aside, the autonomic nervous system has two parts: sympathetic and parasympathetic. These function together much like the gas and brake pedals in a car. The sympathetic nervous system activate the heightened response to stress, and the parasympathetic nervous system reduces stress activity and promotes more recouperative activities. One of the chief purposes of the parasympathetic nervous system is to coordinate and run digestion, which includes swallowing. So the lump in your throat is caused by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves of the throat being activated at the same time"

Anyhow it will be my father and I driving her to the hospital.. my hubby will meet us at noon, then asshole brother who put my parent's home in his name (i just found out a year ago) and my auntie. It is my mom's wishes for my brother and I to be amicable during her cancer treatment, but he chooses not to and won't even allow me to visit my own mother at her home that is now his. He threatened to call the police on me if I came over there, it's been super awful. He even put security cameras around the home and in the home, he is really nuts. His wife filed for divorce and married another man and I do not blame her. I wish he would put aside his differences for my mother but he is very immature. Sorry I had to vent, but he doesn't even help her with anything. He takes my parents social security and pays the mortgage and they are a broke joke. I have tried to report him to APS but they won't do anything. Sorry I am venting. Have a great night people. love hugs and please pray for my mama.. she is the kindest but most stubborn lady on the planet. XO Thank you for listening.
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
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! :shock:
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.

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

Re: Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby Aqx99 » Mon Oct 16, 2017 11:24 pm

Feel free to vent anytime. That is what we are here for. Just keep your focus on your mom and her care, that is the best you can do in a situation like this. I know how it feels to have family trouble during treatment. The issues with my husband have certainly been a drain on me. I'm just glad I asked for help and have been seeing the oncology counselor at my cancer center. She has helped me a lot. As always, feel free to message me, or connect with me on facebook.
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

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ocstacy
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Re: Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby ocstacy » Tue Oct 17, 2017 1:14 am

Feel free to vent anytime. That is what we are here for. Just keep your focus on your mom and her care, that is the best you can do in a situation like this.


Thank you Anne! I too, have been seeing a Kaiser Therapist every 3 weeks and it helps. It's funny because my father and brother have no empathy for others. They get weird when people start getting emotional. Like it's "BAD". I think it's okay to cry... sometimes you just have to and I honestly barely cry. One night my daughter was so worried about me cause she saw me crying. That was the first time she actually saw me crying. My family therapist mentioned to me that it's okay "Not to be strong" at times. You can't be strong all the time. I get it, when people say weird things to make you feel better, sometimes it just makes you feel more crappy. Yes, tonight I let the bumpy lumpy feeling in my throat let go, and I just cried :cry: I'm worried about my mom, she is a tiny lady. Today I bought her a new outfit to make her feel better. I got her a pretty scarf with pink design and flowers, some nice elastic black stylish pants and a writing pad. She said she loved it all. Well, I'm packing for the hospital.. hope that the ride to the hospital is easy as my pops is a horrible back street driver. prayers. thanks for the support
xoxo
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
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! :shock:
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.

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ocstacy
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Re: Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby ocstacy » Tue Oct 17, 2017 8:40 pm

Good Luck to you and your mom. You have been such a great caregiver and support for her. Hopefully, she does well. I don't remember too
much severe pain after surgery, and learning to empty my bag was pretty easy as well.


Thank you so much! She just got out of surgery, the operation lasted 4 hours! Surgeon came to the waiting room, and said that everything went great. He said that the chemo/radiation really shrunk the tumor and was able to surgically remove it. I asked him if it was a CPR or NED and he said he doesn't know yet. I am so happy that we found this amazing surgeon! My mom will be in recovery for one more hour then I can see her and spend the night with her. Anyhow, thank you for your continued support. xoxoxoxoxoxo
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
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! :shock:
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.

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

Re: Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby Aqx99 » Tue Oct 17, 2017 9:52 pm

ocstacy wrote:Thank you so much! She just got out of surgery, the operation lasted 4 hours! Surgeon came to the waiting room, and said that everything went great. He said that the chemo/radiation really shrunk the tumor and was able to surgically remove it. I asked him if it was a CPR or NED and he said he doesn't know yet. I am so happy that we found this amazing surgeon! My mom will be in recovery for one more hour then I can see her and spend the night with her. Anyhow, thank you for your continued support. xoxoxoxoxoxo


So glad to hear this!
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

AbbyDoo
Posts: 134
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 2:25 am
Location: So.Ca.

Re: Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby AbbyDoo » Wed Oct 18, 2017 1:39 am

Good news very happy to hear surgery went well.
Dont forget to take care of yourself, your an ausome daughter doing a wonderful job for your mom. She should be very proud of you
Wishing mom a speedy recovery
53 yrs old
4/30/15 colonoscopy Mass found
5/21/15 staged 3 C rectal cancer
7/3/15 finished xeloda and radiation 28 rounds
9/30/15 LAR
10/29/15 picc line installed
11/2/15 start chemo 5 fu Oxaliplatin
3/7/16 Finish Chemo
4/29/16 Ileostomy Reversal.
7/13/16 colonoscopy clear.
CRC survivors know there Sh%t

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susie0915
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Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Mom's surgery is in two days!

Postby susie0915 » Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:26 am

So happy everything went well. You have been such a great support. Praying for NED and your mom's recovery goes well.
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


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