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by jsbsf
Tue May 09, 2023 12:20 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Recurrent rectal cancer
Replies: 13
Views: 2686

Re: Recurrent rectal cancer

Originally diagnosed with stage 4, with liver mets, he had “progression” last year. He had been on a w&w plan for about 1 1/2 yr. A suspicious cyst was discovered during a routine physical exam. Then a colonoscopy was ordered later that week. Then a CT and MRI. MRI indicated that the site of the...
by jsbsf
Mon May 08, 2023 1:53 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Cancer Cure news
Replies: 10
Views: 13964

Re: Cancer Cure news

I just came across “oncolytic virus” today, and then happened upon this article published last July. It sounded promising. I searched this forum and it doesn’t sound like a new thing (goes back about a decade). All of the language is beyond my ability to understand. Can someone here shed some light ...
by jsbsf
Thu Jun 30, 2022 8:43 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Question for the brains trust!
Replies: 9
Views: 2207

Re: Question for the brains trust!

I mentioned that our oncologist recommended 3 months of Xeloda. But yesterday the pharmacist called and said it’s 6 months. 1500mg for breakfast and another 1500 for dinner 2 weeks on one week off for 8 cycles. It does seem like quite a bit for “insurance”… We are taking the chemo though, mainly bec...
by jsbsf
Tue Jun 28, 2022 6:46 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Question for the brains trust!
Replies: 9
Views: 2207

Re: Question for the brains trust!

Your history is similar to that of DH, except that his recurrence was local. His recent APR resulted in a positive radial margin, but it was described as a small dark spot. The board met and everyone opted for surveillance, except our oncologist, who spoke to our 2nd opinion oncologist from UCSF, re...
by jsbsf
Tue Jun 28, 2022 5:17 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Need advice: Margins were not clear
Replies: 21
Views: 4437

Re: Need advice: Margins were not clear

The board met and the oncologist called today with his recommendation. Everyone wanted to stand by and monitor since they all feel quite optimistic. He dissented, and opted for “insurance”. I hadn’t heard back from the oncologist for the second opinion which I requested over 3 weeks ago, and wanted ...
by jsbsf
Tue Jun 28, 2022 5:02 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Anti Depressants
Replies: 11
Views: 2382

Re: Anti Depressants

I’m really sorry to hear about the depression. I’m a caretaker and had a hard time holding it together. We had more anxiety than depression. But depression was there as well. DH was prescribed Ativan, and I took some too. It worked very well and quickly. We were able to sleep like babies. We only to...
by jsbsf
Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:39 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Need advice: Margins were not clear
Replies: 21
Views: 4437

Re: Need advice: Margins were not clear

DH’s primary tumor was destroyed with chemo followed up by EBRT. The result was an area of soft tissue that had eventually been determined to have cancer cells. The cancer cells were not like the original tumor in that there was no vascular invasion. In fact the ultrasound couldn’t really pick up a ...
by jsbsf
Mon Jun 06, 2022 11:07 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Need advice: Margins were not clear
Replies: 21
Views: 4437

Re: Need advice: Margins were not clear

I’m still waiting to hear back from the surgeon. I read the notes. It sounds like the surgery was pretty intense. The TME included cutting anterior to the Denonvellier’s fascia, which sounds like anything more would be a prostatectomy. His surgeon operated to the MRF and handed control over to the u...
by jsbsf
Sat Jun 04, 2022 2:17 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Need advice: Margins were not clear
Replies: 21
Views: 4437

Re: Need advice: Margins were not clear

Riki, I have followed your story over the years. Was it suspected that the cancer that remained in the margin is the cause of the metastasis? Were they able to eliminate all the local cancer? I wasn’t sure if the chemo was successful at removing those cells or if you had another surgery to address t...
by jsbsf
Sat Jun 04, 2022 12:46 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Need advice: Margins were not clear
Replies: 21
Views: 4437

Re: Need advice: Margins were not clear

Thanks everyone for the great feedback. Peregrine, it is only CEA. His recent PSA was 1.1 which seems really good. The concern would be the colorectal cancer invading his prostate. The oncologist who originally gave a second opinion back in 2019 is the same oncologist who we will be consulting with....
by jsbsf
Sat Jun 04, 2022 1:18 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Need advice: Margins were not clear
Replies: 21
Views: 4437

Re: Need advice: Margins were not clear

I should also add that DH is in very good spirits after his APR. I can see he is going to adjust very well. We are both very optimistic and confident that the worst part of this journey is behind us.
by jsbsf
Sat Jun 04, 2022 1:16 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Need advice: Margins were not clear
Replies: 21
Views: 4437

Re: Need advice: Margins were not clear

Thank you. Yes this was lower rectal and DH is recovering from an APR surgery, robotic. The surgeon removed the primary tumor that had been treated with radiation almost 2 years ago. It didn’t show on CT scans, and was flat, so didn’t show on physical exams. His CEA has been normal. So it’s been und...
by jsbsf
Fri Jun 03, 2022 6:03 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Need advice: Margins were not clear
Replies: 21
Views: 4437

Re: Need advice: Margins were not clear

Thanks roadrunner. I’m setting up a consultation right now for a second opinion (top cancer hospital) we might even consider switching during enrollment depending on how it goes. Right now we know the bulk was removed and that most likely a tiny amount remains.
by jsbsf
Fri Jun 03, 2022 11:50 am
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: Need advice: Margins were not clear
Replies: 21
Views: 4437

Need advice: Margins were not clear

DH is recovering from his APR. The pathology reports showed that although the bulk of the tumor was removed, cancer cells were found in the margins. The oncologist won’t be back until later this month. Does anyone have an experience with surgery where the margins were not clear? How do you go about ...
by jsbsf
Thu May 19, 2022 8:16 pm
Forum: Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum
Topic: About 4 years ago...
Replies: 13
Views: 3329

Re: About 4 years ago...

I hope he’s recovering well after his recent surgery. It is very challenging emotionally for us. I remember those statistics when we got the news, and refused to not do everything possible to make it through this. It’s been a long three years for us. But he’s still here, feeling good. All the hospit...

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