Stoma Reversal

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crikklekay
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:47 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Stoma Reversal

Postby crikklekay » Tue Oct 09, 2018 9:18 am

So we're finally here at this next major stage in my DH's recovery. He has been waiting for this moment, his time with an ostomy has been very hard and he can't wait to be reconnected. We're the first surgery slot of the day tomorrow and while our surgeon has told us of the dozens of possible outcomes I'm not really sure what to expect after? I'll definitely take all the good luck and well wishes I can get, I'm almost vibrating with anxiety over John being in the OR again, but I'm mainly looking for others' experiences and what we should expect after surgery? I know we'll be in the hospital until his system shows its healing and can handle food, but after that what should we expect at home?
Caring for DH John
Stage IIIC, Lymph nodes: 6/22
Chemo: FOLFOX (6)
12/17 ER and emergency surgery
02/18 Hospital w/MSSA infected port, PICC line inserted, chest CT scan showed septic emboli & blood clots
03/18 Hospital w/CDIFF
08/18 CT Scan Clear, NEMD
2018/2019/2021 Colonoscopy Clear
2019/2020/2021/2022 CT Scan Clear
2021 PET scan & MRI show one spot on liver
08/21 Liver surgery to remove spot, confirmed mCRC. Now Stage IV
09/21 Start Folfiri + Avastin
03/22 CEA Rise, continuing chemo

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

Re: Stoma Reversal

Postby rtcasper » Tue Oct 09, 2018 9:06 pm

I also look forward to the day when I can be reversed, this thing is a pain. Sorry,I don't have any advice on what to expect, but I'm wishing you well. Please keep us up to date on how your husband is doing!
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

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

Re: Stoma Reversal

Postby heiders33 » Wed Oct 10, 2018 5:21 am

If you would like, you can read through my thread of my experience here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=59411&hilit=Reversal&start=30

There are also many other experiences chronicled on this board if you search “reversal” or “takedown.” Everyone is different so I can’t predict what your DH’s experience will be. I am now many months out and I still experience frequency and anal irritation, but I use creams and occasionally an Immodium (not every day) to manage things. I haven’t had any accidents since those first few weeks after surgery, and I eat whatever I like. I would just say be careful what he eats in those first few weeks and introduce new foods one at a time. Also, adult diapers helped me feel secure. Best of luck!
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

Ehut
Posts: 233
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:24 pm
Location: Algonquin, IL

Re: Stoma Reversal

Postby Ehut » Wed Oct 10, 2018 9:03 am

Probably the biggest factor in the recovery is how much rectum is remaining, and the more the better. Your signature says it was in the sigmoid, so hopefully the rectum is mostly intact. Mine was at the rectosigmoid junction, and about half of my rectum was removed. The first week was very difficult, mostly because of razor blade type pain when going to the bathroom (about 5-6 times/day). Definitely use Calmoseptine or something similar proactively, as once the backside becomes irritated, it will only get worse. I found psyllium husk fiber (Metamucil) to be VERY helpful, as it helped to make the movements more normal and comfortable. The number of trips to the bathroom decreased gradually over about a year, and 6 years out I'm at 1-2 times/day with no issues to speak of.
Dx 12/11 rectal stage IV w/ 6 mets to liver, age 35
4 cycles FOLFOX 12/11 to 2/12
short course radiation 2/12
rectal/liver resection 3/12, temp ileostomy
8 cycles FOLFOX/FOLFIRI 4/12 to 8/12
ileostomy reversal 10/12
port out 10/13
1/17: Added daughter to family!
12/19: Added son to family!
NED for 11+ years and counting!

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

Re: Stoma Reversal

Postby NHMike » Wed Oct 10, 2018 11:01 am

I have had a rather rough time after the reversal but I had rectal cancer. If most of the rectum remains, then there should be fewer problems with control.

One of the things that I ran into the hospital is that waste was loose and this is due to the large intestine resting and not used to absorbing water from food so it's important to drink a lot of water (I eventually wound up in an ambulance to the ER for dehydration). There are a lot of products out there that can make things easier - they should have some of them in the hospital - just be sure to ask if they have something that can help with individual issues.

I hope that he has things fairly easy - please keep us informed as to how he's doing.
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

crikklekay
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:47 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: Stoma Reversal

Postby crikklekay » Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:54 pm

Thanks for the tips guys! Surgery yesterday was long and complicated, 6 hours, but he did well and now we’re in the process of making him feel better. The surgeon mentioned he is at high risk for a hernia along his original site as she could see the wall was weakening there during surgery. So I get to research hernia prevention later!

Today has been rough, his shoulder pains him when he moves which has made walking difficult. Morphine helps but the more we walk the more it hurts so we’ve been doing short trips with breaks. I’m fortunate to work for a good company who is letting me have this time off to help him, considering I blew past my allowable time half back in February.

Hopefully his pain will be less tomorrow so we can march around the halls more!
Caring for DH John
Stage IIIC, Lymph nodes: 6/22
Chemo: FOLFOX (6)
12/17 ER and emergency surgery
02/18 Hospital w/MSSA infected port, PICC line inserted, chest CT scan showed septic emboli & blood clots
03/18 Hospital w/CDIFF
08/18 CT Scan Clear, NEMD
2018/2019/2021 Colonoscopy Clear
2019/2020/2021/2022 CT Scan Clear
2021 PET scan & MRI show one spot on liver
08/21 Liver surgery to remove spot, confirmed mCRC. Now Stage IV
09/21 Start Folfiri + Avastin
03/22 CEA Rise, continuing chemo


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