Whole rectum removed

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Cmarie03
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2019 6:35 pm

Whole rectum removed

Postby Cmarie03 » Fri May 24, 2019 3:01 pm

So I just spoke with my surgeons PA about my surgery which is scheduled for 8/20. She informed me my whole rectum would be removed which was news to me. I do not remember getting that news. The surgeon said she should be able to hook me back up. I am spiraling about having the whole rectum removed bc I’ve read on here so many people having issues afterwards. Can any of you let me know your experiences with this? I am having a hard time with it. Thank you
Diagnosed stage IIIC rectal cancer 12/20/18 in ER
4 rounds FOLFOX January 2019-February 2019
Xeloda/Radiation March 2019-April 2019
4 more rounds FOLFOX 6/5-7/17
Surgery sched 8/20/19

User avatar
Green Tea
Posts: 451
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:48 am

Re: Whole rectum removed

Postby Green Tea » Fri May 24, 2019 11:46 pm

Cmarie03 wrote:So I just spoke with my surgeons PA about my surgery which is scheduled for 8/20. She informed me my whole rectum would be removed which was news to me. I do not remember getting that news. The surgeon said she should be able to hook me back up. I am spiraling about having the whole rectum removed bc I’ve read on here so many people having issues afterwards. Can any of you let me know your experiences with this? I am having a hard time with it. Thank you

I think it would help if you were to update your signature so that it contains full, accurate, technical terms pinpointing your precise diagnosis and precise treatment plan, including the precise location of your tumor within the rectum, the technical name of the "big surgery" scheduled for August, and clarification of the term "whole rectum". I think you need to avoid using general terms like "big surgery", and instead use the relevant technical medical language. Perhaps your sister-in-law or your brother could help you with this since they have been trained in medicine.

I think it would be especially useful for you to learn to use the technical anatomical terms relevant to your upcoming surgery so that you can understand the full extent of what is being planned for your upcoming surgery, and so that you can counter with a reply using technical terminology when someone like a PA says something very general like "whole rectum".

Here are two annotated diagrams containing technical terms:

Uro-genital system, ...Anal/rectal anatomy

Here is a prior post outlining some of the surgical options for Very Low Rectal (VLR) tumors:
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=62467&p=492427#p492427

Here is a post mentioning a successful surgery for a very low rectal tumor:
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=62441&p=492363#p492363

michelle c
Posts: 1929
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:58 am

Re: Whole rectum removed

Postby michelle c » Sat May 25, 2019 2:44 am

What?? :shock: I would want my surgeon to discuss the surgery with me in person. I would definitely get another opinion.
May 25 2009 Dx with CC (sigmoid colon) 2 days after my 44th b'day
CEA prior to surgery 4.7
Jun 3 2009 LAR - Stage III 3/10 lymph nodes
Jul 6 - Dec 10 2009 - 12 cycles FOLFIRI
Genetic testing - inconclusive for Lynch
Jul 2012 port removed & hernia repair

Pyro
Posts: 305
Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:40 pm
Location: Tucson, AZ

Re: Whole rectum removed

Postby Pyro » Sat May 25, 2019 8:23 am

Cmarie03 wrote:So I just spoke with my surgeons PA about my surgery which is scheduled for 8/20. She informed me my whole rectum would be removed which was news to me. I do not remember getting that news. The surgeon said she should be able to hook me back up. I am spiraling about having the whole rectum removed bc I’ve read on here so many people having issues afterwards. Can any of you let me know your experiences with this? I am having a hard time with it. Thank you


Mine was removed, cancer was too close to the muscle. I’d check the information on hooking you back together, usually impossible if the rectum is removed.
Aug 2015- Stage 4 CC with liver Mets(38/m)
Sep 2015- Avastin/Folfox/Iron
Dec 2015-Not liver surgery candidate
Jan 2016- Erbitux/Folfiri, 2nd opinion at MDA in TX
Feb 2016 -MDA liver surgery
Mar 2016 -30% of left lobe rem, PVE
May 2016 - 70% of liver rem
Jun 2016-Rad
Jan 2017-perm colost @MDA
Jul 2017-Erb/FOLFURI
Nov 2017 -Lung & Liver ablations@MDA
Jan 2018 -Xeloda & Avastin mx
Jul 2018-Avast/FOLFURI
Sep 2018-Rad
Mar 2019 - Keytruda fail
Jun 2019 - FOLFURI
Aug 2019 - No more, quality time!

Phillypatient
Posts: 43
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2018 11:28 am

Re: Whole rectum removed

Postby Phillypatient » Sat May 25, 2019 10:16 am

That happened to me. It’s a way to address low rectal tumor. In my case the connect directly to colon so it’s called a coloanal anastomosis. It sounds like that is your case. It’s a way to “preserve” the natural bowel movements as opposed to a colostomy bag. It’s also generally associated with high levels of LARS ( lower anterior resection syndrome). It can be a huge impediment to your lifestyle which is why some people opt for a colostomy afterwards. Some people also do daily enemas in order to get back their previous lifestyle with some level of success.
My experience is the LARS simply sucks and you should check out the topics discussing this and the potential outcomes/solutions on this discussion forum. There is a tremendous amount of info that most doctors will sadly never tell you.

Good luck and always ask questions. It’s your body and your life and you will be dealing with the consequences, so please advocate as much as possible for yourself!
Male 48, dx 10/16 rectal cancer t3n1m0
Chemorad Dec 16
Xelox Mar 17-Jul 17
Lar Sept 17
Reversal Dec 17

User avatar
Green Tea
Posts: 451
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:48 am

LARS website

Postby Green Tea » Sat May 25, 2019 10:49 am

Phillypatient wrote:... My experience is the LARS simply sucks and you should check out the topics discussing this and the potential outcomes/solutions on this discussion forum. There is a tremendous amount of info that most doctors will sadly never tell you...

Cmarie03- My suggestion, too, would be to start educating yourself about LARS right now if it looks like you will be having a colo-anal anastomosis,or an Ultra-Low Anterior Resection (ULAR), or a J-pouch surgery, etc. These types of surgeries, with a very low re-connection, are likely to trigger some degree of LARS, and the sooner you start educating yourself about the problem the better.

Jeanee Wright wrote:LIVING WITH LARS (Website)

  • Colorectal Cancer Site: on LARS
  • UK Bowel Cancer Site
  • Clinical Report on LARS
  • Podcast Discussing LARS
  • National Association for Continence
  • International Continence Society
  • Bathroom Scout- Worldwide Bathroom Finder App
  • Got to Go Restroom Finder App
  • Charmin’s Sit or Squat Restroom Finder App
  • Suicide and Depression Lifeline
  • Coloplast Managing Resection Toolkit
  • Living With Low Anterior Resection Syndrome
    PDF file download: lars-patient-guide-amended-feb-24-2019-2-2
  • Strategy 1- Diet
  • Strategy 2- Exercise and Exercises
  • Strategy 3- Biofeedback
  • Strategy 4- Sacral Nerve Stimulator
  • Strategy 5- Mindfulness
  • Strategy 6- Medications and Supplements
  • Strategy 7- Lower Colon Irrigation
  • Strategy 8- Bowel Training Program
  • Strategy 9- Skin care- Prevention and Management
  • Strategy 10- Practicality Tips
  • Strategy 11- Returning to Work
  • Strategy 12- Sex and Intimacy with LARS
  • Strategy 13- Alternative Medicine
  • Strategy 14- Professional Support
https://livingwithlars.com/about-us/
Jeanee Wright

Cmarie03
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2019 6:35 pm

Re: Whole rectum removed

Postby Cmarie03 » Sun May 26, 2019 7:10 am

Green Tea wrote:
Cmarie03 wrote:So I just spoke with my surgeons PA about my surgery which is scheduled for 8/20. She informed me my whole rectum would be removed which was news to me. I do not remember getting that news. The surgeon said she should be able to hook me back up. I am spiraling about having the whole rectum removed bc I’ve read on here so many people having issues afterwards. Can any of you let me know your experiences with this? I am having a hard time with it. Thank you

I think it would help if you were to update your signature so that it contains full, accurate, technical terms pinpointing your precise diagnosis and precise treatment plan, including the precise location of your tumor within the rectum, the technical name of the "big surgery" scheduled for August, and clarification of the term "whole rectum". I think you need to avoid using general terms like "big surgery", and instead use the relevant technical medical language. Perhaps your sister-in-law or your brother could help you with this since they have been trained in medicine.

I think it would be especially useful for you to learn to use the technical anatomical terms relevant to your upcoming surgery so that you can understand the full extent of what is being planned for your upcoming surgery, and so that you can counter with a reply using technical terminology when someone like a PA says something very general like "whole rectum".

Here are two annotated diagrams containing technical terms:

Uro-genital system, ...Anal/rectal anatomy

Here is a prior post outlining some of the surgical options for Very Low Rectal (VLR) tumors:
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=62467&p=492427#p492427

Here is a post mentioning a successful surgery for a very low rectal tumor:
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=62441&p=492363#p492363



GreenTea, you are right, more info in my signature would help greatly with responses. I have a ton of questions for my surgeon but my last appt she was suddenly out so I had to meet with her PA. Will definitely be reading all of the links you provided, thank you
Diagnosed stage IIIC rectal cancer 12/20/18 in ER
4 rounds FOLFOX January 2019-February 2019
Xeloda/Radiation March 2019-April 2019
4 more rounds FOLFOX 6/5-7/17
Surgery sched 8/20/19

Phillypatient
Posts: 43
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2018 11:28 am

Re: Whole rectum removed

Postby Phillypatient » Sun May 26, 2019 7:58 am

Also, I don’t know your treatment teams philosophy, but are they, and more importantly you, open to “watch and wait?” Of course, this depends on whether you have had a complete response to treatment or not. Many of the top centers are incorporating this treatment plan based on the severity of the surgery most rectal cancer patients undergo.

Again, ask questions and demand answers. Surgeons and doctors, in general, can be an arrogant bunch.
Male 48, dx 10/16 rectal cancer t3n1m0
Chemorad Dec 16
Xelox Mar 17-Jul 17
Lar Sept 17
Reversal Dec 17

jep
Posts: 260
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2017 7:45 pm
Location: New England, USA

Re: Whole rectum removed

Postby jep » Tue Jun 25, 2019 8:46 pm

Cmarie03:
How are things going? Have you gotten any more info? My husband is having a similar surgery in August....The plan is for him to have a permanent ostomy bag....have you been able to speak with your surgeon?
jep
Stage IV CC 5/16/17
Loc: recto-sig
Type: Adenocarcinoma
Size: 7.4 cm
Grade: G3
TNM: T3N2M1
LNs: 8/20
BL CEA: .9
LVI: present
Perineural invasion: present
LAR margins: clear (w/in microns)
Folfox (8/17-1/18)
Scope 6/18 - CLEAR! - 2 polyps
PET 10/17/18: 3 pos LNs
Irino + Vecti (11/18)
CEA: 1.7 (2/19)
Xel + rad (5/19)
Surgery: 8/21/19 (aborted)
P1 Trial 10/19 - 12/19
Bypass 12/6/19
Folfox + vecti 1/2/19 - 4/3/20
Kid Fail 5/1/20
Folfiri + Avastin 5/20 - 6/20
bypass 6/29/20
Stivarga 7/18/20 -
Home 9/10/20

Rikimaroo
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2016 8:48 pm
Location: Florida

Re: Whole rectum removed

Postby Rikimaroo » Wed Jun 26, 2019 4:03 pm

typically from my understanding if you have rectal cancer they remove the entire rectum. Mine was 9 from anal verge. I rectum has been removed. Colo Anal Anastomosis is what there going to do for you. Pooping can suck once they reverse your ileostomy bag. They will give you a bag so the colo anal connection is healed. Don't be afraid the bag is no big deal once you get the hang of it. Took me about 2 weeks. Your doing the right thing, get the surgery, its probably a TME ( total mesorectal excision) removal of your rectum. Also pooping gets better after reversal like about 6- 8 months out.

Good Luck!!
RC T3N1M0 12/16
MSS - NRAS Mutation
Chemo Rad, CCR - W&W 5/2017
Recurrence 11/2017
CT Scan 11/2017 Liver Met 5.5cm Stable, Stage IV
LAR/Liver Resect 4/2018
Reversal 10/18
CEA highest 500, lowest .8 throughout process, waiting for latest
Recurrence left vesical/pelvic sidewall - 10/7/2019 resect perm bag,
CEA rise Feb/May 3.7, 8.8, 30, Recurrence in Pelvic
CEA 40 right now, but was 57, so folfiri to beat it back down.
Lots of chemo for the past 4 years.

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

Re: Whole rectum removed

Postby NHMike » Wed Jun 26, 2019 10:16 pm

LARS can be quite tough. I'm almost a year out and I've had a clustering day on the bathroom and this one has run eighteen hours so far. The alternative is a colostomy bag.

There's a lot to learn about LARS and there are places on the web that describe it in clinical terms but I think that you learn about it better by chatting with those who have it.

You can go through my long thread where I talk about it in detail, sometimes too much.
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

Basil
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:33 pm

Re: Whole rectum removed

Postby Basil » Fri Jun 28, 2019 8:28 pm

My tumor was 7 cm from the AV and I lost 90% of my rectum. I did not have radiation. I’m closing in on two years NED (learned today that I am still Ned after ct and butt probing) and my bowel function is great. It’s probably 90% of what it once was but much better than when I was diagnosed.
40 y/o male (now 46), kids 11 & 14.
Dx 3/16/17, rectal cancer s3,t3,n1,m0
PROSPCT trial (FOLFOX in lieu of chemorad)
FOLFOX 4/5/17 - 6/26/17
LAR 7/31/17, temp ileo
pathological complete response
Adjuvant chemo cancelled (IDEA Study)
Ileo reversed 9/25/17
NED
1 year scans - clear
2 year scans - clear
3 year scans - clear
4 year scans - clear
5 year scans - clear (considered cured)

User avatar
Jacques
Posts: 678
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:38 am
Location: Occitanie

LARS website

Postby Jacques » Fri Oct 11, 2019 8:58 am

BUMP

Phillypatient wrote:... My experience is the LARS simply sucks and you should check out the topics discussing this and the potential outcomes/solutions on this discussion forum. There is a tremendous amount of info that most doctors will sadly never tell you...

Cmarie03- My suggestion, too, would be to start educating yourself about LARS right now if it looks like you will be having a colo-anal anastomosis,or an Ultra-Low Anterior Resection (ULAR), or a J-pouch surgery, etc. These types of surgeries, with a very low re-connection, are likely to trigger some degree of LARS, and the sooner you start educating yourself about the problem the better.

Jeanee Wright wrote:LIVING WITH LARS (Website)

  • Colorectal Cancer Site: on LARS
  • UK Bowel Cancer Site
  • Clinical Report on LARS
  • Podcast Discussing LARS
  • National Association for Continence
  • International Continence Society
  • Bathroom Scout- Worldwide Bathroom Finder App
  • Got to Go Restroom Finder App
  • Charmin’s Sit or Squat Restroom Finder App
  • Suicide and Depression Lifeline
  • Coloplast Managing Resection Toolkit
  • Living With Low Anterior Resection Syndrome
    PDF file download: lars-patient-guide-amended-feb-24-2019-2-2
  • Strategy 1- Diet
  • Strategy 2- Exercise and Exercises
  • Strategy 3- Biofeedback
  • Strategy 4- Sacral Nerve Stimulator
  • Strategy 5- Mindfulness
  • Strategy 6- Medications and Supplements
  • Strategy 7- Lower Colon Irrigation
  • Strategy 8- Bowel Training Program
  • Strategy 9- Skin care- Prevention and Management
  • Strategy 10- Practicality Tips
  • Strategy 11- Returning to Work
  • Strategy 12- Sex and Intimacy with LARS
  • Strategy 13- Alternative Medicine
  • Strategy 14- Professional Support
https://livingwithlars.com/about-us/
Jeanee Wright


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