Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

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Zackattack
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Jul 15, 2019 4:28 pm

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby Zackattack » Tue Aug 20, 2019 10:50 am

Thank you all for all the well wishes and kind thoughts~ See you on the other side of my TME LAR.

Any questions i'll have the time ;-)
Colonoscopy due to occasional blood in stool.
DX: Rectal Cancer, 7-12-19 @ age 36, male
CEA Levels of 3.0, seems to be T1 at first glance (and hopefully forever?).
Moderately differentiated cells. 12 to 15cm from anal verge
7-26-19 --Dr. calls to advise upon rerunning pathology, sm3 depth...
TME surgery scheduled for 8/21/19
Successful surgery and feeling good so far
2 of 15 sampled Lymph nodes were cancer
Stage 3A T1cN1M0
CAPOX for 3 months finished Dec '19
Clear CAT Scan 1/6/20
Clear Colonscopy 6/18/20

MeAndMine
Posts: 149
Joined: Mon Aug 05, 2019 2:40 pm

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby MeAndMine » Wed Aug 21, 2019 6:39 am

Thinking of you today Zack! It’s exciting for you to finally get the surgery and begin your recovery.
F 56 non-smoker
8/5/2019 - Colonoscopy - 4-5 cm rectal mass, 2-3 cm proximal to anal verge and 6mm polyp
8/13/2019 - CT - No mets
8/19/2019 - Rectum: Adenocarcinoma arising from tubulovillous adenoma. Descending colon: tubular adenoma
8/23/2019 First visit with surgeon
8/26/2019 First visit with oncologist
8/26/2019 MRI
CEA 8/19/19=3.9, 8/26/19=7.1
9/6/2019 - T3N2a
9/11/2019 - Radiation begins - 5.5 weeks along with oral capecitabine

User avatar
Zackattack
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Jul 15, 2019 4:28 pm

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby Zackattack » Thu Aug 22, 2019 7:50 pm

I will write a much more concise and specific response when I'm in front of a computer as I'm on my phone right now. We are in the hospital and have gotten the fast track meeting no narcotics and ready tomorrow or the day after to be discharged. Tylenol is just barely enough and I'm slightly uncomfortable but overall I would say much better than I expected.

Doctor said there was clear margins and we should have results of the pathology in 5 to 7 days. thank you all for the support and what provide more details soon. If anyone is at Sloan Kettering, shoot me a message and I'll try and visit
Colonoscopy due to occasional blood in stool.
DX: Rectal Cancer, 7-12-19 @ age 36, male
CEA Levels of 3.0, seems to be T1 at first glance (and hopefully forever?).
Moderately differentiated cells. 12 to 15cm from anal verge
7-26-19 --Dr. calls to advise upon rerunning pathology, sm3 depth...
TME surgery scheduled for 8/21/19
Successful surgery and feeling good so far
2 of 15 sampled Lymph nodes were cancer
Stage 3A T1cN1M0
CAPOX for 3 months finished Dec '19
Clear CAT Scan 1/6/20
Clear Colonscopy 6/18/20

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

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby jep » Thu Aug 22, 2019 7:57 pm

Great news! Sounds like a successful surgery....take it slow and feel better soon!!
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

annieliz
Posts: 56
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2019 5:13 pm

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby annieliz » Thu Aug 22, 2019 8:00 pm

So great to hear from you! Glad your surgery went well.
66 Female
7/15/19 Colonoscopy
7/26/19 DX: Rectal Adenocarcinoma
CEA 8/8/19-1.9, 12/6/19-2.3, 2/28/20-1.7, 11/27 - 1.9, 2/10/21 - 1.5
8/16/19 - 11/23/19 FOLFOX - 8 rounds
10/9 flex sig ~30% shrinkage 11/27/19-a bit more shrinkage
Neulasta 9/29/19, 10/27/19, 11/24/19
25 days Xeloda and radiation 12/17/2019 - 1/22/20
Robotic LAR 4/14/20 - clear margins - 0/15 nodes
Temp ileostomy - Reversal 7/15 - minor LARS
10/19/20 - clear colonoscopy
2/10/21 - clear CT

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

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby NHMike » Thu Aug 22, 2019 8:08 pm

Good to hear that you're up and about.
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

boxhill
Posts: 789
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:40 am

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby boxhill » Thu Aug 22, 2019 8:13 pm

Glad to hear you're doing well. My motto is don't try to be a hero. If you need more pain meds, ask for a couple days worth of oxycodone or whatever to get you over the hump.
F, 64 at DX CRC Stage IV
3/17/18 blockage, r hemi
11 of 25 LN,5 mesentery nodes
5mm liver met
pT3 pN2b pM1
BRAF wild, KRAS G12D
dMMR, MSI-H
5/18 FOLFOX
7/18 and 11/18 CT NED
12/18 MRI 5mm liver mass, 2 LNs in porta hepatis
12/31/18 Keytruda
6/19 Multiphasic CT LNs normal, Liver stable
6/28/19 Pause Key, predisone for joint pain
7/31/19 Restart Key
9/19 CT stable
Pain: all fails but Celebrex
12/23/19 CT stable
5/20 MRI stable/NED
6/20 Stop Key
All MRIs NED

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

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby NHMike » Thu Aug 22, 2019 9:01 pm

If you’re getting a temp ileostomy, make sure you learn how to change the bag before you leave. It can be a shock having to take care of it.

There are bits of training for some other things too.

Don’t be a hero. If you need the time, take it as it might make things easier at home.
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

Rock_Robster
Posts: 1027
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2018 5:27 am
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby Rock_Robster » Thu Aug 22, 2019 9:06 pm

NHMike wrote:Don’t be a hero. If you need the time, take it as it might make things easier at home.

Absolutely right NHMike. And look into the Stealth Belt - I know I push it pretty hard but it literally turned my experience around 180 degrees.

Rob
41M Australia
2018 Dx RC
G2 EMVI LVI, 4 liver mets
pT3N1aM1a Stage IVa MSS NRAS G13R
CEA 14>2>32>16>19>30>140>70
11/18 FOLFOX
3/19 Liver resection
5/19 Pelvic IMRT
7/19 ULAR
8/19 Liver met
8/19 FOLFOX, FOLFOXIRI, FOLFIRI
12/19 Liver resection
NED 2 years
11/21 Liver met, PALN, lung nodules
3/22 PVE, lymphadenectomy, liver SBRT
10/22 PALN SBRT
11/22 Liver mets, peri nodule. Xeloda+Bev
4/23 XELIRI+Bev
9/23 ATRIUM trial
12/23 Modified FOLFIRI+Bev
3/24 VAXINIA (CF33 + hNIS) trial

User avatar
Zackattack
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Jul 15, 2019 4:28 pm

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby Zackattack » Fri Aug 23, 2019 5:09 am

No temp bag or anything. Stapled me inside and it's functional so far. A bit if blood with loose stools but nothing too concerning according to the Dr and nurses.

The surgery was robotic lar and I still have prob slightly less than half my rectum. 7 robot cuts and 2 bigger boys along pelvic line and near belly button as well. Pain is somehow a 3 or so out of 10 so Tylenol or Ibuprofen with gaba is doing enough work to avoid needing narcotics luckily. Honestly I was slightly looking forward to pain meds but am very happy with the fast progress without them. The Dr came by yesterday to check on me and was very happy to see me lucid and happy/healthy. No Staples on the exterior/skin, just surgical glue, bizarre but effective so far.

Walked around day zero with some moderate pain, then yesterday I walked for 2-3 hrs plus Tai chi but it really took a toll and I needed to sit for a while. The nurses encouraged to walk as much as possible so of course I overdid it but feeling well now that I'm 2 days out and slept decent. Excited to hopefully have a bm later and if it's reasonable and if the early morning blood work shows clean or good metabolic stuff i'll likely leave tonight instead of 10am. I'm still very limited as far as speed of walking, probably slower than anyone else of my floor (15) but it's not a race.

People here have been super kind and I'm hopeful that there will be no lymphovascular invasion, but we'll see towards end of next week. If there is we'll deal with it and I'll try spread smiles and a good attitude to other patients. My wife has been super, and I can't wait to go to the next ultrasound with her.

Any questions or concerns please feel free. I'm not trying to be a hero with regards to the pain, just must have had a good surgery and high pain threshold and some luck.

Thank you all for caring and commenting. I'm here for you all too if you need or want to chat
Colonoscopy due to occasional blood in stool.
DX: Rectal Cancer, 7-12-19 @ age 36, male
CEA Levels of 3.0, seems to be T1 at first glance (and hopefully forever?).
Moderately differentiated cells. 12 to 15cm from anal verge
7-26-19 --Dr. calls to advise upon rerunning pathology, sm3 depth...
TME surgery scheduled for 8/21/19
Successful surgery and feeling good so far
2 of 15 sampled Lymph nodes were cancer
Stage 3A T1cN1M0
CAPOX for 3 months finished Dec '19
Clear CAT Scan 1/6/20
Clear Colonscopy 6/18/20

User avatar
Zackattack
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Jul 15, 2019 4:28 pm

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby Zackattack » Fri Aug 23, 2019 5:16 am

Ps-- coughing is OMG owwww, highly recommend to try and not.
Colonoscopy due to occasional blood in stool.
DX: Rectal Cancer, 7-12-19 @ age 36, male
CEA Levels of 3.0, seems to be T1 at first glance (and hopefully forever?).
Moderately differentiated cells. 12 to 15cm from anal verge
7-26-19 --Dr. calls to advise upon rerunning pathology, sm3 depth...
TME surgery scheduled for 8/21/19
Successful surgery and feeling good so far
2 of 15 sampled Lymph nodes were cancer
Stage 3A T1cN1M0
CAPOX for 3 months finished Dec '19
Clear CAT Scan 1/6/20
Clear Colonscopy 6/18/20

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

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby NHMike » Fri Aug 23, 2019 5:23 am

Zackattack wrote:No temp bag or anything. Stapled me inside and it's functional so far. A bit if blood with loose stools but nothing too concerning according to the Dr and nurses.

The surgery was robotic lar and I still have prob slightly less than half my rectum. 7 robot cuts and 2 bigger boys along pelvic line and near belly button as well. Pain is somehow a 3 or so out of 10 so Tylenol or Ibuprofen with gaba is doing enough work to avoid needing narcotics luckily. Honestly I was slightly looking forward to pain meds but am very happy with the fast progress without them. The Dr came by yesterday to check on me and was very happy to see me lucid and happy/healthy. No Staples on the exterior/skin, just surgical glue, bizarre but effective so far.

Walked around day zero with some moderate pain, then yesterday I walked for 2-3 hrs plus Tai chi but it really took a toll and I needed to sit for a while. The nurses encouraged to walk as much as possible so of course I overdid it but feeling well now that I'm 2 days out and slept decent. Excited to hopefully have a bm later and if it's reasonable and if the early morning blood work shows clean or good metabolic stuff i'll likely leave tonight instead of 10am. I'm still very limited as far as speed of walking, probably slower than anyone else of my floor (15) but it's not a race.

People here have been super kind and I'm hopeful that there will be no lymphovascular invasion, but we'll see towards end of next week. If there is we'll deal with it and I'll try spread smiles and a good attitude to other patients. My wife has been super, and I can't wait to go to the next ultrasound with her.

Any questions or concerns please feel free. I'm not trying to be a hero with regards to the pain, just must have had a good surgery and high pain threshold and some luck.

Thank you all for caring and commenting. I'm here for you all too if you need or want to chat


It sounds like you're in really good shape. I couldn't get out of bed the first day and walked a total of 80 steps the second day. So you're doing really well.
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

boxhill
Posts: 789
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:40 am

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby boxhill » Fri Aug 23, 2019 7:14 am

Yay, Zach! Keeping fingers crossed for excellent pathology! :D
F, 64 at DX CRC Stage IV
3/17/18 blockage, r hemi
11 of 25 LN,5 mesentery nodes
5mm liver met
pT3 pN2b pM1
BRAF wild, KRAS G12D
dMMR, MSI-H
5/18 FOLFOX
7/18 and 11/18 CT NED
12/18 MRI 5mm liver mass, 2 LNs in porta hepatis
12/31/18 Keytruda
6/19 Multiphasic CT LNs normal, Liver stable
6/28/19 Pause Key, predisone for joint pain
7/31/19 Restart Key
9/19 CT stable
Pain: all fails but Celebrex
12/23/19 CT stable
5/20 MRI stable/NED
6/20 Stop Key
All MRIs NED

KathyLynn
Posts: 68
Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2017 3:40 pm
Location: Rock Hall, MD

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby KathyLynn » Fri Aug 23, 2019 3:23 pm

Sounds like you’re doing excellent! I remember after surgery, I felt like I could breathe again. The worrying is crazy before surgery.

KathyLynn
8/2017. RC
11/27/2017. Robotic LAR. No chemo/rad
12/2017 Moderatley differentiated, 3.0 cm in greatest dimension
Macroscopic tumor perf: not identified. All margins of resection and proximal neg for tumor.
Lymphovascular and perineural invasion: not identified.
1/13/2018. T2N0M0 with isolated tumor cell (ITC)
7/2018. CEA 2.0. 10/18: 2.0. 1/19: 2.3 11/19. 2.1
11/19 CT NED
06/21 CT NED CEA 1.3

Jannine
Posts: 204
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 7:46 am
Location: Maryland, USA

Re: Quick intro -- diagnosed Friday

Postby Jannine » Sat Aug 24, 2019 10:42 am

Congrats, Zack! Glad you're not dealing with a lot of pain. I used my IV pain meds lightly for maybe 12 hours after surgery for CC, then didn't even need tylenol after that. I had 5 staples in my biggest laparoscopic incision, plus 3 others sealed with glue. I hope your pathology looks great!
DX: sigmoid colon cancer 5/2018. 48 F
laparoscopic sigmoid resection (24 cm removed); no stoma.
7.5cm adenocarcinoma -- mod. diff.
1 noncontiguous tumor deposit removed; 0/31 lymph nodes
T3 pN1c M0
5/18 before surgery, CEA 11.2
6/18 began FOLFOX
7/18: CEA 1.9; added neulasta post infusion
9/18: CEA 2.8
10/18: 25% chemo reduction
11/18: CEA 1.8
7/19 CT scan clear


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