Complete pathological response

[Elove642]

My husband was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer. There was one lymph node that looked suspicious so he was started with neoadjuvant chemo(8 folfox, every two weeks), and the 30 radiation sessions which started three days after his last chemo. They waited about 5 weeks and went straight to surgery, removing his rectum and making a j pouch and giving him a temp ileostomy. Pathology report came back as a complete pathological response.

All of this is fantastic, but we do have some concerns and hoped someone had some similar situations.
It has been almost 4 weeks since surgery and I’m the last week and a half, he has been in terrible pain at the top of his tailbone. He also had spasms that feel like he needs to sit on the toilet. When he does, oily globules come out, as well as mucous. He also has had a bit of trouble urination but we think we have remedied that with better hydration.
Is it normal to have so much stuff come out with an ostomy? Is the tail bone pain normal, and could some of this be residual radiation pain/issues?

Hopefully, some of you can shed some light, his surgeons office act like this is all normal. We see them again tomorrow, but wanted to hear from you guys first.

[AussieAssCancer]

Congrats to hubby - sounds like a similar protocol to me and with an identical result.

In terms of the tail bone pain - I can’t offer any assistance. I have a dullness in my tailbone from time to time but it wasn’t after surgery and is usually if I’ve been sitting for a long time.

As for the ‘spasms’ and passing globules and mucous, this is totally normal! I know because I had the same thing and presented to the ER/ED and had to wait around for hours until they could find a colorectal surgeon who would answer their phone and confirmed it was completely expected.

The reason is that the ileostomy your husband has is most likely a ‘loop’ one, in which they pull a fold of the small intestine out (like the end of a sausage folded over) and the cut the external surface so it opens up and looks like a bit of a volcano mouth from the side.

While most of the waste is captured in the pouch, some of it does pass through to the other side of the intestine, and so makes it’s way to your husbands new poo chute.

The other issue is that your intestines are constantly moving and creating a mucous-like substance to move things along. While there is usually a period of ‘downtime’ after surgery, and even though the large intestine isn’t being called on to do its job, it doesn’t know that, and so keeps on keeping on.

I raised it with my own surgeon at a follow-up and he said it was also a sign that the bowel is healing so all round, good news.

I would definitely chase down the tailbone pain however if it continues.

Wishing hubby continued good health.

AAC

[DarknessEmbraced]

Wonderful news regarding your husband!*hugs* He could mention the tailbone pain to his doctor. I hope he feels better soon!*hugs*

[CF_69]

The tailbone pain could be a result of the radiation.

I had very bad back pain after surgery but it turned out to be herniated discs.