Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

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mpbser
Posts: 953
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:52 am

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby mpbser » Thu Oct 03, 2019 10:06 am

I read your comment about clustering. I highly recommend Super Cleanse. I have used it for nearly 30 years (not continually! on and off as needed) and find it to be the best supplement to keep me "regular." http://www.naturessecret.com/products/super-cleanse/
Wife 4/17 Dx age 45
5/17 LAR
Adenocarcinoma
low grade
1st primary T3 N2b M1a
Stage IVA
8/17 Sub-total colectomy
2nd primary 5.5 cm T1 N0
9 of 96 nodes
CEA: < 2.9
MSS
Lynch no; KRAS wild
Immunohistochemsistry Normal
Fall 2017 FOLFOX shrank the 1 met in liver
1/18 Liver left hepatectomy seg 4
5/18 CT clear
12/18 MRI 1 liver met
3/7/19 Resection & HAI
4/1/19 Folfiri & FUDR
5/13/19 HAI pump catheter dislodge, nearly bled to death
6-7 '19 5FU 4 cycles
NED

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

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Thu Oct 03, 2019 10:19 am

mpbser wrote:I read your comment about clustering. I highly recommend Super Cleanse. I have used it for nearly 30 years (not continually! on and off as needed) and find it to be the best supplement to keep me "regular." http://www.naturessecret.com/products/super-cleanse/


I bookmarked the link. I want to try BioCleanse as well. But I need a stable period of testing time to add or substitute for what I'm doing now.

My PM box filled up and I'm not sure how to fix it.
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

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

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Fri Oct 04, 2019 7:10 am

I spoke to a facilities Admin and discussed my issues and said that I sometimes needed a room to cleanup or make adjustments in from time to time. The building manager offered me access to a few rooms near my new cubicle. One is a room with power equipment but it has an exterior window. Another is an electronics maintenance closet and the other is a network server room (a bunch of pizza box servers). It doesn't happen very often but I sometimes have a larger accident where I need to clean things up and it can take a bit of time. I keep a spare change of clothes and everything needed to clean up but it helps to have some privacy and I try not to gross other people out.

One thing about working in cubicles is that you have lots of people looking in on what others are doing or that come in to talk to you about stuff and they look around on your desk and on your screen and you wish that they wouldn't be so nosy but you have to be congenial as you depend on your coworkers. So I was considering modifying the cubicle so that it was more like a private office. This would be with two by fours and plywood and foam. I still might do this but I need to know if the building people would complain about it.

One of the building admins spoke to our Employee Safety and Wellbeing manager and she came to see me yesterday morning and told me what they can offer. I looked at some ADA Accomadation websites yesterday which gave me some ideas in this area. She said that I could fill out an Disabilities Accommodation form and they would see what they could do. It could be that they find me a private office or, if not, I would just work from home. I can work from home now but I'd rather be at work. She spoke to my manager and my manager came to see me about it. I filled out the form and sent it in last night.

Today's the last day in my office and we move either late this morning or this afternoon. On days like today, I tend to go to the bathroom at the first or second signal. I can manage with more fasting, at least for another year. I'm losing about two pounds a month and still have plenty of room for more. I have spoken to the EHW manager before in passing but we didn't know what each other did. She did know that it was me that was taken to the hospital in an ambulance last year but I don't know if she made the connection. She didn't know that I had cancer either.

You wouldn't think that I had a disability in looking at me as I've been working out regularly since the Reversal and she did notice that. She said that our company was one of the best in making accommodations for employees but I don't know if our building can accommodate my request as we have a lot of employees coming in.

I really need to get going on my book - a section on workplace issues would be great.
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

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

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Sun Oct 06, 2019 10:10 am

Below freezing temperatures this morning and I turned on the heat. My toes and fingers felt it but I can manage with the proper clothes.
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

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

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby MeAndMine » Mon Oct 07, 2019 11:39 am

I hope things are going well with the accommodations to make things easier at work. I understand wanting to go in to the office rather than working from home. I'm sorry it's gotten so cold so fast. Hope you get some warmer days popping in here and there for a little relief.
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

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

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Mon Oct 07, 2019 1:42 pm

MeAndMine wrote:I hope things are going well with the accommodations to make things easier at work. I understand wanting to go in to the office rather than working from home. I'm sorry it's gotten so cold so fast. Hope you get some warmer days popping in here and there for a little relief.


Temperatures are back to more seasonal this week. The dip to freezing isn't normal for this time of year but it happens. Just a reminder to get out the cold weather clothes.
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: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby Basil » Mon Oct 07, 2019 8:22 pm

Good to see you’re still doing well all things considered.
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)

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

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Tue Oct 08, 2019 6:51 am

Someone made the comment (I think GravelGuy) that he uses his abs a lot in going. I find myself doing that more and more as well, sometimes to the point of getting dizzy.

The rectum is a muscle and that did the evacuation before but I don't have one now. It may be that compressing the intestines with the abs muscles pushes things down from a higher level. When I do deadlifts, I usually take in a lot of air for thirty seconds or else I can feel dizzy afterwards. I asked our former fitness center manager about this and she just told me to take several deep breaths before doing them because the use of the muscles depletes oxygen. It's interesting that this level of exertion to go to the bathroom is comparable to lifting a lot of weight.

Using the muscles is somewhat necessary when I'm fasting a lot as there's no flow or push from above. This morning, it was two hours. Fortunately I had some podcasts to listen to on my iPad Mini and some articles to read.
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

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

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Thu Oct 24, 2019 10:03 am

Was in Dallas for ten days and returned on Tuesday. I caught the respiratory virus that's all over the place at Airports. Symptoms are headache for a day, then all respiratory. My manager has had it for six weeks. It's apparently not the flu. The cough lingers for a long time.

Bathroom stuff was under reasonable control and we got to visit a ton of places even though I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have without the respiratory problems.

I was worried that I gained weight but actually lost a few pounds. I haven't gone to the bathroom for three days but I feel fine - I may have to buy new clothes as the ones I'm wearing right now are hard to keep on.
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

User avatar
susie0915
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby susie0915 » Thu Oct 24, 2019 2:46 pm

I got that virus after traveling to Florida at the end of September. It does last a long time. I am finally feeling back to normal this week. I did go to the doctor and he gave me a Z pack and prednisone. It did help. I was worried I wasn't going to be able to have my 3 year colonoscopy but was able to do the prep and have the procedure before going to the doctor that evening. Hope you are feeling better soon. I traveled with my sister and she had the same virus that lasted 3 weeks. She went through 2 rounds of antibiotics.
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

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

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Thu Oct 24, 2019 2:53 pm

susie0915 wrote:I got that virus after traveling to Florida at the end of September. It does last a long time. I am finally feeling back to normal this week. I did go to the doctor and he gave me a Z pack and prednisone. It did help. I was worried I wasn't going to be able to have my 3 year colonoscopy but was able to do the prep and have the procedure before going to the doctor that evening. Hope you are feeling better soon. I traveled with my sister and she had the same virus that lasted 3 weeks. She went through 2 rounds of antibiotics.


Thanks. My manager mentioned that she got antibiotics as well. So this thing might not be viral.
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

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

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Fri Oct 25, 2019 10:20 am

I have specifically avoided beans for the last month or so and I think that that has contributed to some improvement. It is quite a sacrifice though.
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

Gravelyguy
Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2018 6:03 pm

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby Gravelyguy » Fri Oct 25, 2019 10:41 am

NHMike wrote:I have specifically avoided beans for the last month or so and I think that that has contributed to some improvement. It is quite a sacrifice though.



Funny, I got a little cocky and while at a mexican restaurant last week ordered something with refried beans in it... I will not be doing that again but it sure tasted good!

Dave
6/17 dx mRC t3n1m1 very low rectal tumor 2 liver Mets 1.3 cm and .9 cm

6/17 begin 4 rounds Folfox w/Vectibix
9/17 short course radiation
10/17 rectal and liver resection LAR with coloanal anastomosis (no rectum left)
11/17-3/18 8 rounds Folfox
6/18 still NED!! Takedown
8/28/18 still NED! CEA .8 new low for me
10/18/18 colonoscopy clear
12/12/18 CEA .9 still NED!
6/11/19 CEA 1.0
12/19/19 CEA 1.0 still NED!
6/17/20 CEA 1.1 still NED!
12/15/20 CEA 1.1still NED!
12/16/21 CEA 1.2 still NED!

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

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Fri Oct 25, 2019 11:01 am

Gravelyguy wrote:
NHMike wrote:I have specifically avoided beans for the last month or so and I think that that has contributed to some improvement. It is quite a sacrifice though.



Funny, I got a little cocky and while at a mexican restaurant last week ordered something with refried beans in it... I will not be doing that again but it sure tasted good!

Dave


Burritos, Enchiladas, Refried Beans, Baked Beans, Kidney Bean Soup, Tuscan Soup, Beans and Rice. Too many great dishes to give up.

I guess I could plan beans - basically a weekend where I could deal with it. Or an amount so small that it won't make a difference.
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

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

Re: Rectal cancer (Stage 3A) diagnosed late June 2017

Postby NHMike » Fri Nov 01, 2019 5:24 am

Things are becoming more manageable but I'm not exactly sure why. I am not fasting as many days per week though I usually only eat one meal per day. I'm doing better with keeping up with fiber and slippery elm and consistency and signaling has improved though it's not perfect but improving. The trip to Dallas and getting the virus messed things up for a while and I'm mostly back - a bit of congestion and coughing but the symptoms are slowly fading. Exercise levels are not quite where I'd like them to be but are also slowly improving.
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


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