**SEMI Great News - Things Looking Good

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SteveNZ
Posts: 147
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 4:21 pm
Location: New Zealnd

**SEMI Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby SteveNZ » Sun Aug 19, 2018 3:54 pm

Great news to share.
My final biopsy is in and here is the wording.

MICRO
Sections show fragments of colonic mucosa. There is some mild gland architectural distortion and reactive type atypia but there is no dysplasia
or malignancy.

SUMMARY-RECTAL BIOPSY: NO DYSPLASIA OR MALIGNANCY
:D :D

So the radiation did it's work and we shall now 'wait and watch' over the next few months-years. I still have a rather damaged rear end and sadly a bit of pain'..passing a poo' that is likely to stay due to the muscle damage-scar tissue. But it can be a healthy reminder.

I almost feel bad that my tumour was so well destroyed by the radiation and others do not have such an outcome.
Thanks so much for cheering me on... I now 'wait and watch' to see how things go.

***** CHANGE OF PLANS - RATS
I spoke too soon.... I just assumed we will follow the wait and see process as there is no sign of cancer in the rectum.

Surgeon examined full results and just phoned me. He is concerned that even though the tumour has gone the lymph nodes are still enlarged. He recommends that we proceed with operation as any cancer within the lymph nodes shall spread to other organs long before any noticeable, if any, recurrance. :(
Last edited by SteveNZ on Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:35 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Aged 56 - I feel really young...
Colo-Rectal Cancer T2 N1 M0
March 2018 - Diagnosis
April-May 2018 Radiation+Chemo then a TIA (Minor Stroke). - Stopped Chemo.
August 27th-November 2018 - Surgery and long, long recovery
*Decided to live to 100 as I will get a telegram from Her Majesty the Queen when 100yrs old. I so, so want one.
Am a Salvation Army chap so I complete 'knee drill' (prayer) to the Commander in Chief often. For myself personally this helps me through.

rtcasper
Posts: 50
Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2018 12:12 pm
Location: Ohio

Re: Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby rtcasper » Sun Aug 19, 2018 4:10 pm

Great to hear Steve!! That is awesome news. Hopefully the pain you're having will fully pass as time goes on. But absolutely, the best of luck to you. Stay on top of things in the future and I pray you have a long, healthy and happy future. God is good, my friend!
By the glory, by the grace, by the strength of God, I will be made whole.

43-M
Aug 3, 18-colonoscopy, 5cm mass 12cm from AV rectal cancer
Aug 16-MRI
Aug 17-CT,chest and pelvis
CEA-.99-likely not a good marker
Clinical DX-T2/T3n1 -3cm mass, 13.5 from AV-might be colon? - let surgeon make determination
Sept 10-14 radiation
Sept 25-CR lap surgery, temp loop ileostomy
Oct 2-path stage pT1N0M0-no chemo recommended
Jan 8-stoma takedown
Jan-April- C diff
May-Fecal matter transplant
Sept-Clean scan NED

User avatar
mobrouser
Posts: 174
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:44 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby mobrouser » Sun Aug 19, 2018 5:25 pm

You are now one step closer to getting that telegram!!

8) mob
CC Dx 102017 age 58
Lap. right hemi-colectomy Dec 2017
Adenocarcinoma ascending colon – 6cm x 6cm x 2cm, Low Grade, penetrates to peritoneum
T4a N2a M0, Stage IIIC
lymph nodes 6 positive out of 18
FOLFOX start Jan/18 end Aug/8 (felt like a year)
CEA - 01/15/18-2.8; 07/29/18-5.3; 09/19-2.4; 03/20-2.7; 09/20-2.9
CT scan 08/18 - Clear; 10/19 - Clear; * 10/20 - 8mm & 6mm nodules in liver
PET scan 09/18 (thought about bringing the cat :wink: ) - Clear
Colonoscopy Dec 7 2018 - Clear - Next in 3 years?

stu
Posts: 1613
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:46 pm

Re: Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby stu » Mon Aug 20, 2018 10:09 am

Great news . Delighted for you.
Stu
supporter to my mum who lives a great life despite a difficult diagnosis
stage4 2009 significant spread to liver
2010 colon /liver resection
chemo following recurrence
73% of liver removed
enjoying life treatment free
2016 lung resection
Oct 2017 nice clear scan . Two lung nodules disappeared
Oct 2018. Another clear scan .

martd
Posts: 128
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:48 pm
Location: Phoenix, Az

Re: Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby martd » Mon Aug 20, 2018 10:32 am

A cup of coffee, a beautiful morning, reading good news. Awesome way to start the day. Congratulations!!
49 y/o male dx 11/2017 crc
Stage 4 with 17 liver Mets, cea 490
RAS, BRAF WT Tp53 LOF
12 rounds folfox , avastin
5/18 cea 2.8 liver resection and pve
7/18 part 2 liver resection, remove right side of liver
Surgical site mrsa infection, wound vac
8/18 cea .9 cCR, rectal tumor is gone
Rectal surgery postponed, watch and wait
10/18 clear scan CEA .7
01/19 clear scan CEA .9
04/19 clear scan CEA .9
07/19 clear scan CEA 1.0

dliu
Posts: 66
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2018 7:16 am

Re: Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby dliu » Mon Aug 20, 2018 1:54 pm

Wonderful news! Keeping my fingers crossed for a healthy future for you!
Caring for my mum, 65
Sigmoid resection, multiple liver mets
09/05/2018 Dx Stage IV, 6/11 LN - KRAS G12V
28/05/2018 First round of FOLFOX + Avastin

CEA down from 6000+ (05/2018) to 843 (08/2018) to 377 (11/2018)
9/10 rounds with Oxaliplatin
8/10 rounds with Bevacizumab

Koreysue
Posts: 258
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:36 pm

Re: Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby Koreysue » Mon Aug 20, 2018 2:12 pm

Awesome news!
Koreysue
Dx: 6/2017 stage 3 CC
Sigmoid, 2 nodes
CEA at dx: 6.1
Sigmoid Colectomy/folfox (last chemo (1/31/18)
CEA 4/2018: 2.4
CEA 7/2018: 3.7
Colonoscopy 8/18 clean
PET scan 8/20/18 NED
CEA 11/2018: 3.8
CEA 2/2019: 3.2
CT NED 6/18/19 / CEA : 3.4
CEA 10/21/19: 3.2
CEA 3/9/20: 3.8
CT NED /CEA 6/17/20: 3.8
CEA 11/4/20 4.6 <——— whyyyy? (will retest in a few weeks)
CT NED 12/1/20 CEA: 3.5
CEA 5/21 4.2
CEA 10/21 3.4
colonoscopy 10/21 10mm polyp
CEA 4/22 3.7
CEA 7/22 3.8
CEA 12/22 4
CEA 1/22 3.2 and NED 5yr scan

User avatar
Atoq
Posts: 412
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:31 am

Re: Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby Atoq » Mon Aug 20, 2018 3:27 pm

So nice to read that good news!
Way to go!

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

SteveNZ
Posts: 147
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 4:21 pm
Location: New Zealnd

Re: Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby SteveNZ » Mon Aug 20, 2018 3:40 pm

rtcasper wrote:Great to hear Steve!! That is awesome news. Hopefully the pain you're having will fully pass as time goes on. But absolutely, the best of luck to you. Stay on top of things in the future and I pray you have a long, healthy and happy future. God is good, my friend!

Thank you.
He is good.
Aged 56 - I feel really young...
Colo-Rectal Cancer T2 N1 M0
March 2018 - Diagnosis
April-May 2018 Radiation+Chemo then a TIA (Minor Stroke). - Stopped Chemo.
August 27th-November 2018 - Surgery and long, long recovery
*Decided to live to 100 as I will get a telegram from Her Majesty the Queen when 100yrs old. I so, so want one.
Am a Salvation Army chap so I complete 'knee drill' (prayer) to the Commander in Chief often. For myself personally this helps me through.

SteveNZ
Posts: 147
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 4:21 pm
Location: New Zealnd

Re: Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby SteveNZ » Mon Aug 20, 2018 3:43 pm

mobrouser wrote:You are now one step closer to getting that telegram!!

8) mob

Haha yes - Will probably be a King by then.
Aged 56 - I feel really young...
Colo-Rectal Cancer T2 N1 M0
March 2018 - Diagnosis
April-May 2018 Radiation+Chemo then a TIA (Minor Stroke). - Stopped Chemo.
August 27th-November 2018 - Surgery and long, long recovery
*Decided to live to 100 as I will get a telegram from Her Majesty the Queen when 100yrs old. I so, so want one.
Am a Salvation Army chap so I complete 'knee drill' (prayer) to the Commander in Chief often. For myself personally this helps me through.

SteveNZ
Posts: 147
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 4:21 pm
Location: New Zealnd

Re: **SEMI Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby SteveNZ » Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:34 pm

CHANGE OF PLANS - RATS
I spoke too soon.... I just assumed we will follow the wait and see process as there is no sign of cancer in the rectum.

Surgeon examined full results and just phoned me. He is concerned that even though the tumour has gone the lymph nodes are still enlarged. He recommends that we proceed with operation as any cancer within the lymph nodes shall spread to other organs long before any noticeable, if any, recurrance. :( :D :(
I trust the guy and he is part of the 'medical team of specialists' who meet each week to discuss patients.

His wording was '..you are still young with your life ahead of you and it is not worth the gamble in your case to wait and see..'.


PS - Here in New Zealand there is no personal benefit (ie more income) to the surgeon in making this decision.
PPS- We use Oxford dictionaries here in NZ hence the tumour not tumor. English english not American english.. I keep telling my lovely wife from the USA that we speak proper English not that rebellious colony's version...... Haha Good bless the United States of America!
Aged 56 - I feel really young...
Colo-Rectal Cancer T2 N1 M0
March 2018 - Diagnosis
April-May 2018 Radiation+Chemo then a TIA (Minor Stroke). - Stopped Chemo.
August 27th-November 2018 - Surgery and long, long recovery
*Decided to live to 100 as I will get a telegram from Her Majesty the Queen when 100yrs old. I so, so want one.
Am a Salvation Army chap so I complete 'knee drill' (prayer) to the Commander in Chief often. For myself personally this helps me through.

boxhill
Posts: 789
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:40 am

Re: **SEMI Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby boxhill » Tue Aug 21, 2018 4:32 am

Great news! Your surgeon's advice sounds good...but what, exactly, will the operation consist of? Just removing lymph nodes?
F, 64 at DX CRC Stage IV
3/17/18 blockage, r hemi
11 of 25 LN,5 mesentery nodes
5mm liver met
pT3 pN2b pM1
BRAF wild, KRAS G12D
dMMR, MSI-H
5/18 FOLFOX
7/18 and 11/18 CT NED
12/18 MRI 5mm liver mass, 2 LNs in porta hepatis
12/31/18 Keytruda
6/19 Multiphasic CT LNs normal, Liver stable
6/28/19 Pause Key, predisone for joint pain
7/31/19 Restart Key
9/19 CT stable
Pain: all fails but Celebrex
12/23/19 CT stable
5/20 MRI stable/NED
6/20 Stop Key
All MRIs NED

User avatar
susie0915
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: **SEMI Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby susie0915 » Tue Aug 21, 2018 8:37 am

SteveNZ wrote:Great news to share.
My final biopsy is in and here is the wording.

MICRO
Sections show fragments of colonic mucosa. There is some mild gland architectural distortion and reactive type atypia but there is no dysplasia
or malignancy.

SUMMARY-RECTAL BIOPSY: NO DYSPLASIA OR MALIGNANCY
:D :D

So the radiation did it's work and we shall now 'wait and watch' over the next few months-years. I still have a rather damaged rear end and sadly a bit of pain'..passing a poo' that is likely to stay due to the muscle damage-scar tissue. But it can be a healthy reminder.

I almost feel bad that my tumour was so well destroyed by the radiation and others do not have such an outcome.
Thanks so much for cheering me on... I now 'wait and watch' to see how things go.

***** CHANGE OF PLANS - RATS
I spoke too soon.... I just assumed we will follow the wait and see process as there is no sign of cancer in the rectum.

Surgeon examined full results and just phoned me. He is concerned that even though the tumour has gone the lymph nodes are still enlarged. He recommends that we proceed with operation as any cancer within the lymph nodes shall spread to other organs long before any noticeable, if any, recurrance. :(


I too had a good response to chemo/radiation. My surgeon did a sigmoidoscopy and said all that was left was scar tissue. Pet Scan showed no cancer. I wasn't given the option of watch and wait, but he did say I may not need chemo after surgery depending on pathology. When pathology came back, it did show minimal residual cancer cells but clean margins and 0/24 lymph nodes. My oncologist recommended chemo as she said even tho chance of recurrence is low, she could not guarantee no cancer cells got into the blood stream. I was pretty disappointed, so I understand your disappointment as well, but it is better to take care of now rather than wonder "what if" if there is a recurrence.
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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O Stoma Mia
Posts: 1709
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:29 am
Location: On vacation. Off-line for now.

Re: **SEMI Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby O Stoma Mia » Wed Aug 22, 2018 2:14 am

boxhill wrote:Great news! Your surgeon's advice sounds good...but what, exactly, will the operation consist of? Just removing lymph nodes?

SteveNZ -- I think it would probably be a good idea to set up a meeting to discuss the exact nature of your operation with your assigned surgeon. No doubt you would want to make sure that the surgery will be the best type of surgery for your situation.

Currently, the gold standards in the West for rectal surgery are the procedures called Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) and Sphincter Saving Operation (SSO). You can read about them here:

  • Total Mesorectal Excision (TME)
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_mesorectal_excision

    This procedure removes the primary tumor and nearby lymph nodes without the scalpel ever touching any malignant tissue. This is the most secure way to remove rectal tumors and local lymph nodes.

    In the West, thorough knowledge of, and extensive experience with this procedure is required for all board-certified colorectal surgeons. This is why it is often recommended here to check the certification status of your surgeon before agreeing to any rectal surgery.
    .
  • Sphincter Saving Operation (SSO)
    This is a skill required of all board certified colorectal surgeons. It is the ability to perform the surgery as a "Sphincter Saving Operation" or "Sphincter Sparing Operation" (SSO). You can read about SSOs here:

    "Sphincter saving surgery is the standard procedure for treatment of low rectal cancer"
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23715349

    When a surgery is performed with SSO as an objective, it increases the likelihood that the patient will have good quality of life (QOL) after the surgery. This is very important

Note that the objective of the surgery should be two-fold: (1) to safely remove all detectable cancer, and (2) to avoid any unnecessary collateral damage to adjacent organs, muscles, tissues, etc., i.e., to maximize the patient's future QOL.

Here are some other references that underscore the importance of having a very highly qualified, highly experienced colorectal surgeon assigned to do your surgery.

Anal pressures impaired by stapler insertion during colorectal anastomosis
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02235189

Transanal and Transrectal Operations for Excisional Surgery of the Low and Mid Rectum (with video)
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260196280_Transanal_and_Transrectal_Operations_for_Excisional_Surgery_of_the_Low_and_Mid_Rectum_with_video

Surgical Pitfalls - Low Anterior Resection
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781416029519500347

SteveNZ
Posts: 147
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 4:21 pm
Location: New Zealnd

Re: **SEMI Great News - Things Looking Good

Postby SteveNZ » Wed Aug 22, 2018 3:54 pm

boxhill wrote:Great news! Your surgeon's advice sounds good...but what, exactly, will the operation consist of? Just removing lymph nodes?

It depends on what he finds?
I get to sit down with him on Friday to discuss exactly what is to be done.
Aged 56 - I feel really young...
Colo-Rectal Cancer T2 N1 M0
March 2018 - Diagnosis
April-May 2018 Radiation+Chemo then a TIA (Minor Stroke). - Stopped Chemo.
August 27th-November 2018 - Surgery and long, long recovery
*Decided to live to 100 as I will get a telegram from Her Majesty the Queen when 100yrs old. I so, so want one.
Am a Salvation Army chap so I complete 'knee drill' (prayer) to the Commander in Chief often. For myself personally this helps me through.


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