I hope it's nothing...

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VodKanockers
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun May 31, 2015 6:52 pm
Location: MN

I hope it's nothing...

Postby VodKanockers » Sun Nov 27, 2016 9:36 pm

I've been feeling pretty great this year after the bad year with dx and all of the treatment of last year. My most recent colonoscopy, CT and blood results have been nice and boring, and I'm about to go in for my next scan and blood work in Dec. A couple of months ago I had a little blood in my stools, but since it wasn't much, and it went away, I did not worry too much about it.

Now, both yesterday and today I've had enough blood in my stool that it's bringing back memories of the bleeding that initially led to my dx (although not nearly as bad). I'm trying to not worry too much until I can get in touch with my onc tomorrow.

I was just wondering if anyone else experienced this type of symptom post - chemo/surgery and it has not been related to cancer (or has been)? It's hard not to be worrying about it, has another tumor developed, etc. I've been telling myself I have made it past this hell and now to think it's possibly back...it would be so devastating if it is. Thanks for listening as always. This forum and the people on it have been a great comfort many times and I find myself stopping by often even though I've been choosing to believe for the last year that I've made it past this awful disease.
47yr M DX Feb '15 Stage III RC T3N1M0
Mar/Apr '15 - 6 wks chemo/IMRT rad
June '15 - LAR w/ temp ileo 0/14 LN
Jul '15 - port installed
Jul/Oct '15 - 8 rnds FOLFOX
Nov '15 - ileo takedown
Dec '15 - port removed

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: I hope it's nothing...

Postby Lee » Sun Nov 27, 2016 10:01 pm

VodKanockers wrote:
Now, both yesterday and today I've had enough blood in my stool that it's bringing back memories of the bleeding that initially led to my dx (although not nearly as bad). I'm trying to not worry too much until I can get in touch with my onc tomorrow.



Try not to worry (hard to do, I get it), butt chances are it is nothing relating to cancer. DO pass it along to the Dr doing your follow up care. Sometimes things happen that we don't expect. I was 4 month out following my surgery when I swear my now barbie butt was opening up. It was right before the Christmas holidays, it relaxed down there and I was freaking out. Made a call to office, my surgeon called me back, asked a few questions. Since all else was fine, we were going to hold off visit until after the holidays. When I did see her, all was fine. Not sure what happened, butt no problems since.

Hope it's that way for you too.

All the best, thinking of you,

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

VodKanockers
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun May 31, 2015 6:52 pm
Location: MN

Re: I hope it's nothing...

Postby VodKanockers » Mon Nov 28, 2016 12:19 am

Hi Lee,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience - I'm so glad to hear it was nothing in your case. Hopefully it is nothing more than hemorroids or something similar for me.

Since I can't have cancer anymore, I am for the most part able to avoid freaking out. It's kind of like what I felt right up until the GE told me I had cancer. There was nothing wrong with me, until someone told me there was. Then it was time to freak out - the first few weeks after I heard the word cancer were horrible. I'm praying it's nothing...

-M
47yr M DX Feb '15 Stage III RC T3N1M0
Mar/Apr '15 - 6 wks chemo/IMRT rad
June '15 - LAR w/ temp ileo 0/14 LN
Jul '15 - port installed
Jul/Oct '15 - 8 rnds FOLFOX
Nov '15 - ileo takedown
Dec '15 - port removed

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mypinkheaven
Posts: 459
Joined: Fri May 20, 2016 4:29 pm
Facebook Username: Sally Cunningham
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Re: I hope it's nothing...

Postby mypinkheaven » Mon Nov 28, 2016 2:00 pm

VodKanockers wrote: My most recent colonoscopy, CT and blood results have been nice and boring, and I'm about to go in for my next scan and blood work in Dec.


When was your last colonoscopy? My first thought would be hemorrhoids. 8)
MSS, KRAS Wild NRAS Mutated
9/2012 CRC IIB Lft Colectomy 0 lymph nodes 0 Chemo
10/2013 CT clear
11/15 CEA 2.7 to 4.6
11/15 Spread to uterus. Hysterectomy
2/16 Pelvic radiation 25, brachytherapy 3
4/16 - 6/16 Xeloda
6/16 CT Several lung nodules 5 mm
8/16 CT Nodules still present. Most stable. Some growth
11/16 Transfer to UCSD Moores
12/16 Folfox + Avastin failed
2/17 Folfiri + Erbitux
8/17 5FU+Erbitux No 5FU bolus
7/18 Spread to vagina
6/18 Folfiri + Avastin + Trametinib
6/18 CEA dropping

VodKanockers
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun May 31, 2015 6:52 pm
Location: MN

Re: I hope it's nothing...

Postby VodKanockers » Mon Nov 28, 2016 11:08 pm

mypinkheaven wrote:
VodKanockers wrote: My most recent colonoscopy, CT and blood results have been nice and boring, and I'm about to go in for my next scan and blood work in Dec.


When was your last colonoscopy? My first thought would be hemorrhoids. 8)


I'm coming up on a year in December since my last colonoscopy. Both the GE and onc said 3 years til my next one.

I described my symptoms to a nurse in my onc's office this morning - I go in for a colonoscopy on Thursday. Not sure how to feel about that. I was expecting maybe less intrusive investigation at first but he's going all in, so to speak.

I'd never be so happy to have hemorrhoids! I'm skeptical until I get total confirmation though, my GP told me that's what was causing my original symptoms until the scope where they found the tumor in my rectum.
47yr M DX Feb '15 Stage III RC T3N1M0
Mar/Apr '15 - 6 wks chemo/IMRT rad
June '15 - LAR w/ temp ileo 0/14 LN
Jul '15 - port installed
Jul/Oct '15 - 8 rnds FOLFOX
Nov '15 - ileo takedown
Dec '15 - port removed

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

Re: I hope it's nothing...

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Tue Nov 29, 2016 5:25 pm

I hope your prep and colonoscopy go well.*hugs* I hope it turns out to be hemorrhoids.*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! :)

VodKanockers
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun May 31, 2015 6:52 pm
Location: MN

Re: I hope it's nothing...

Postby VodKanockers » Sat Dec 03, 2016 12:44 am

Thanks Darkness.

The colonoscopy went really well and he didn't see anything of concern although he did take a biopsy at my anastomosis. There was a little redness there, but I think he did it only because he was in there.

However, I didn't get a definitive answer on what caused the bleeding. Part of me is relieved results were good. But, I now worry if the problem could be somewhere else.

I see my onc in 2 weeks, I'll watch for more bleeding until then and make sure to talk with the onc more about it at my appointment.
47yr M DX Feb '15 Stage III RC T3N1M0
Mar/Apr '15 - 6 wks chemo/IMRT rad
June '15 - LAR w/ temp ileo 0/14 LN
Jul '15 - port installed
Jul/Oct '15 - 8 rnds FOLFOX
Nov '15 - ileo takedown
Dec '15 - port removed

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

Re: I hope it's nothing...

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Mon Dec 05, 2016 10:47 pm

I'm glad your colonoscopy went well but sorry you have no answer as to what caused the bleeding.*hugs* I hope you don't have bleeding again. I hope your oncologist appointment goes 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! :)

ldsell01
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2018 8:02 pm

Re: I hope it's nothing...

Postby ldsell01 » Sun Feb 18, 2018 8:33 pm

VodKanockers I am reading your post about blood in the stool. What ever happened? I was diagnosed rectal stage 1 May 2017. LAR July 2017, reversal 9/23/17. Been having blood in stool off and on. I am worried, but surgeon doesn't seem concerned. Since your bleeding occurred a year later I was just wondering how you are and if it resolved.
Lisa
40 year old female; No family history of cancer
5/17 colonoscopy found 2.5 cm mass; Diagnosed with Rectal Cancer; CEA 1.2
7/17 resection w/temp ostomy; 0/19 lymph nodes and 5 cm rectal resection found no cancer
9/17 ostomy reversal
11/17 CEA 0.4
1/18 CEA 0.5
2/18 CEA 0.7
3/18 colonoscopy revealed tubular villous adenoma polyp flush with tissue on sphincter.

VodKanockers
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun May 31, 2015 6:52 pm
Location: MN

Re: I hope it's nothing...

Postby VodKanockers » Mon Feb 19, 2018 12:32 am

ldsell01 wrote:VodKanockers I am reading your post about blood in the stool. What ever happened? I was diagnosed rectal stage 1 May 2017. LAR July 2017, reversal 9/23/17. Been having blood in stool off and on. I am worried, but surgeon doesn't seem concerned. Since your bleeding occurred a year later I was just wondering how you are and if it resolved.


Hi ld,

I’ve actually been thinking about getting some more advice here lately since I still experience bleeding from time to time. I did go in to see my surgeon last August to discuss with him, and he scoped me during the visit. His explanation on the bleeding was that it was most likely due to radiation proctitis. He didn’t seem too concerned but wanted to see me again for a follow up after 6 months. I am going to set the appointment up next week.

It doesn’t happen that often, maybe a dozen times over the last few months, but it still concerns me when I see the blood, especially when I see a small pool of blood sitting on top of the stool. Something that makes me feel a little less anxious - I just got the latest results from a blood draw last week and CEA was about where it usually is (.9). Although my hematocrit level has been steadily dropping, I need to check with my onc on that (probably a topic for another post).

So, I’ll try to check back in after I meet my surgeon again and report back what I learn from him.

-VK
47yr M DX Feb '15 Stage III RC T3N1M0
Mar/Apr '15 - 6 wks chemo/IMRT rad
June '15 - LAR w/ temp ileo 0/14 LN
Jul '15 - port installed
Jul/Oct '15 - 8 rnds FOLFOX
Nov '15 - ileo takedown
Dec '15 - port removed

VodKanockers
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun May 31, 2015 6:52 pm
Location: MN

Re: I hope it's nothing...

Postby VodKanockers » Sun Apr 08, 2018 7:52 pm

Hi ldsell,

Sorry for the delay in responding, I got really busy at work and at home so it's taken a while to login and respond.

I did meet with my surgeon a couple of weeks back to have a scope and discuss the blood in my stool. In addition, while I was there he also examined the anastomosis site. He told me everything looked really good from what he could see. He also reported that my anastomosis had loosened up substantially since his prior examinations and wasn't nearly as tight as it was. Apparently the scar tissue had begun to break down a bit if I understood him correctly.

Related to the bleeding, he said it is quite common for someone like me who has gone through the stuff I have gone through to experience bleeding. He is still convinced the bleeding is due to radiation proctitis and internal hemorrhoids. He did see evidence of hemorrhoids during the exam, but I had not had any bleeding in the days leading up to it, and actually not since my appointment either. He said the radiation proctitis was looking good, about a 9/10. He'll do a follow up exam in a year, which actually makes me glad, as I would prefer to keep being monitored by him as well as my onc.

So, all in all I am relieved with the surgeon's exam and his explanation of the bleeding.

Not sure if this helps, but hopefully.

-VK
47yr M DX Feb '15 Stage III RC T3N1M0
Mar/Apr '15 - 6 wks chemo/IMRT rad
June '15 - LAR w/ temp ileo 0/14 LN
Jul '15 - port installed
Jul/Oct '15 - 8 rnds FOLFOX
Nov '15 - ileo takedown
Dec '15 - port removed

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

Re: I hope it's nothing...

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:43 am

I'm glad the surgeon gave you an explanation for the bleeding and that you're doing 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! :)

Caat55
Posts: 694
Joined: Sat Dec 23, 2017 6:01 pm

Re: I hope it's nothing...

Postby Caat55 » Thu Mar 14, 2019 11:46 pm

VK,
I was just diagnosed yesterday with radiation proctitus. I am scheduled for a reversal in a month. I am very conce4ned that this is going to be a problem. How have things worked out for you?
S
Do at 55 y.o. Female
Dx 9/26/17 RC Stage 3
Completed 33 rad. tx, xeolda 12/8/17
MRI and PET 1/18 sign. regression
Surgery 1/31/18 Ileostomy, clean margins, no lymph node involved
Port 3/1/2018
Oxaliplatin and Xeloda start 3/22/18
Last Oxaliplatin 7/5/18, 5 rounds
CT NED 9/2018
PET NED 12/18
Clear Colonoscopy 2/19, 5/20


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