Reversal is Over

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Aqx99
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Location: Pfafftown, NC

Re: Abdominal massage for constipation

Postby Aqx99 » Mon Feb 12, 2018 8:27 am

O Stoma Mia wrote:Is your sheet of massage instructions something like this one?

Abdominal massage for constipation
https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/gi/abdominal-massage-for-constipation.pdf

or this one?

Abdomen self massage for constipation
http://www.youtube.com/embed/N39GIWquhWg/?rel=0&autoplay=1


No. The massage technique my pelvic physical therapist has me doing focuses on activating the ileocecal valve, then getting the "kinks out of the hose" by massaging the hepatic flexure toward the belly button, then the splenic flexure, and finally the sigmoid colon. My anatomy is a bit different because of my LAR, but the principle is the same.
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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O Stoma Mia
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Location: On vacation. Off-line for now.

Re: Abdominal massage for constipation

Postby O Stoma Mia » Tue Feb 13, 2018 11:19 am

Aqx99 wrote:... No. The massage technique my pelvic physical therapist has me doing focuses on activating the ileocecal valve, then getting the "kinks out of the hose" by massaging the hepatic flexure toward the belly button, then the splenic flexure, and finally the sigmoid colon. My anatomy is a bit different because of my LAR, but the principle is the same.

Tell me, did your physical therapist ever ask you which side you typically sleep on at night? Left side, right side? Maybe something to consider ...

The Magic of Sleeping on the Left Side
Better Elimination
The small intestine dumps waste through the ileocecal valve (ICV) on the right side of the body into the beginning of the large intestine. The large intestine travels up the right side of the belly across the tummy, where it dumps waste into the descending colon on the left side.

Sleeping on the left side allows gravity to encourage the food waste to move more easily from the small intestine into the large intestine through the ICV.
As the night wears on and you continue to sleep on your left side, the waste moves more easily into the descending colon. With the help of gravity and a good night’s sleep on the left side, the descending colon is full of waste and ready to easily and completely eliminate in the morning.

Ref: https://lifespa.com/amazing-benefits-of-sleeping-on-your-left-side/

Aqx99
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Location: Pfafftown, NC

Re: Abdominal massage for constipation

Postby Aqx99 » Tue Feb 13, 2018 2:04 pm

O Stoma Mia wrote:
Aqx99 wrote:... No. The massage technique my pelvic physical therapist has me doing focuses on activating the ileocecal valve, then getting the "kinks out of the hose" by massaging the hepatic flexure toward the belly button, then the splenic flexure, and finally the sigmoid colon. My anatomy is a bit different because of my LAR, but the principle is the same.

Tell me, did your physical therapist ever ask you which side you typically sleep on at night? Left side, right side? Maybe something to consider ...

The Magic of Sleeping on the Left Side
Better Elimination
The small intestine dumps waste through the ileocecal valve (ICV) on the right side of the body into the beginning of the large intestine. The large intestine travels up the right side of the belly across the tummy, where it dumps waste into the descending colon on the left side.

Sleeping on the left side allows gravity to encourage the food waste to move more easily from the small intestine into the large intestine through the ICV.
As the night wears on and you continue to sleep on your left side, the waste moves more easily into the descending colon. With the help of gravity and a good night’s sleep on the left side, the descending colon is full of waste and ready to easily and completely eliminate in the morning.

Ref: https://lifespa.com/amazing-benefits-of-sleeping-on-your-left-side/


She has not asked me about my sleep habits, but I do tend to sleep on my left side if I am not on my back.
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

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

Re: Reversal is Over

Postby Aqx99 » Wed Feb 14, 2018 1:25 pm

I am thrilled to report that yesterday I only went to the bathroom 6 times! I have noticed that I am going a larger volume in one sitting now that I use the massage. I hardly have any clustering. I am so excited! When I go back to work on the 22nd, I think I just might be able to handle 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

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susie0915
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Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Reversal is Over

Postby susie0915 » Wed Feb 14, 2018 1:38 pm

That's awesome news.
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

heiders33
Posts: 363
Joined: Sat Nov 04, 2017 11:08 am

Re: Reversal is Over

Postby heiders33 » Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:01 pm

How much time have you taken off work? Has it mainly been to stabilize any bowel issues? I am nervous because my reversal is on March 12, and I have only requested one week off. Should I stay home the second week? I have a key hire to make and need to do some interviews, but am anxious that I won’t be able to make it into the office for those because I’ll be tied to the toilet.

Great news on your progress!
40 year-old female
May 2017: Dx rectal cancer T3N2M0
MSS, KRAS G12D
6/17: 28 days chemorad
9/17: LAR/loop ileostomy, CAPOX six rounds
3/18: reversal
9/18: liver met, resection/HAI pump, 11 rounds 5FU, 1 round FUDR
11/19 - local recurrence, brachytherapy, 3 weeks targeted radiation
12/21 - end colostomy

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

Re: Reversal is Over

Postby Atoq » Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:28 pm

Great news! :D

Atoq
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

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

Re: Reversal is Over

Postby Aqx99 » Wed Feb 14, 2018 7:20 pm

heiders33 wrote:How much time have you taken off work? Has it mainly been to stabilize any bowel issues? I am nervous because my reversal is on March 12, and I have only requested one week off. Should I stay home the second week? I have a key hire to make and need to do some interviews, but am anxious that I won’t be able to make it into the office for those because I’ll be tied to the toilet.

Great news on your progress!


My surgeon wanted me to take a month off for surgical recovery as well a bowel recovery. He had to open me up, rather than do my reversal through my stoma, which makes for a harder recovery. You may want to plan more time off, your bowels go crazy when they first get back in the loop.
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

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

Re: Reversal is Over

Postby Aqx99 » Sat Feb 24, 2018 12:17 pm

My return to work went well. I worked two 12 hour shifts, with no issues at all. I stocked the ladies locker room with all the supplies I might need, so I'm ready in the future. I was worried all the walking I have to do for my job would cause my colon to be too active, but that didn't happen.
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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susie0915
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Reversal is Over

Postby susie0915 » Sat Feb 24, 2018 12:51 pm

That's awesome. That is why I didn't go back to work. I am on my feet all the time and was worried if I was with a customer couldn't just run to the bathroom, and sometimes it can come on without notice. I was ready to stop working anyway. But that is so great for you, I know how stressful it can be worrying about it. I do daily enemas now, and has worked out great. It's not an ideal situation but after a year and a half of unpredictability, the 30 minutes it takes is well worth it. I bet it feels good to be back to some sense of normalcy.
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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Atoq
Posts: 412
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:31 am

Re: Reversal is Over

Postby Atoq » Sun Feb 25, 2018 4:20 am

That’s really fantastic! :D

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

Eleda
Posts: 328
Joined: Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:28 am
Facebook Username: adele Morgan
Location: Ireland

Re: Reversal is Over

Postby Eleda » Sun Feb 25, 2018 5:16 am

So great to hear such positive results
Long may it last
ADELE
SWF, 47
Mom to 3 sons 6/8/12
Dec4th 2017 colonoscopy for minor intermittent rectal bleeding during Summer
CEA 4.4
DX T3 L3C M0 2.5/3 cm above AV.
JAN 3RD started 1650mg Zelda 2xday, with 28 radiation
Did tagamet 800mg daily and 75mg IV VIT C WEEKLY UNTIL SURGERY and
Tumor reduce by 80% 1 LN still remaining
TATME May10th, temp illeostomy
10/07/2018 CEA 3
MMR INTACT
Began FOLFOX July 10th
24/08/2018 Allergic reaction so next infusion lucovorin and 5fu
CEA 4
Second attempt with oxi aug 12th

heiders33
Posts: 363
Joined: Sat Nov 04, 2017 11:08 am

Re: Reversal is Over

Postby heiders33 » Sun Feb 25, 2018 9:08 am

Yes, great to hear!
40 year-old female
May 2017: Dx rectal cancer T3N2M0
MSS, KRAS G12D
6/17: 28 days chemorad
9/17: LAR/loop ileostomy, CAPOX six rounds
3/18: reversal
9/18: liver met, resection/HAI pump, 11 rounds 5FU, 1 round FUDR
11/19 - local recurrence, brachytherapy, 3 weeks targeted radiation
12/21 - end colostomy

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

Re: Reversal is Over

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Sun Feb 25, 2018 10:46 am

I'm glad going back to work went 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: Reversal is Over

Postby Caat55 » Wed Feb 28, 2018 7:39 pm

Aqx99 wrote:I had a very informative session with my pelvic physical therapist yesterday. She taught me the massage technique to help me have an emptying bowel movement, instead of clustering. It will take some practice to get it right, but I could tell it helped this morning.

I would love to know more about the exercises. I am a therapist and thinking ahead. Would like to study and practice, exercise these muscles as I go through chemo.
Susan
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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