Here's hoping that the surgeon will give your DH the go ahead and that the meds will help. Was wondering if he is taking a probiotic at all? I started one 2 weeks out and I do think it helps. Hang in there as it's still very early days. What a difference a week can make! Had my third try at eating s...

Hi Lydia,
Great news about no spread to other organs. When do you next see your doctor? You could ask her/him about the indeterminate lymph nodes and what the plan is to address this. Stay strong and positive.
Jan

Hi fellow recent reversees and potential reversees. I'm 6 weeks out from reversal. Yep yep yep what you described was my experience in the first 2 weeks. On my worst day I had 16 BM'S. By week 4 I'd had two days when I was down to 5 a day. By week 6 I'd had a couple of days with only 3. Keeping a di...

Hi Belinda, I had a reversal after ULAR on 23 May so we're about the same time out. I also had the rectal pain and that bearing down sensation. :cry: I'm in Australia so not sure if you have access to Rectinol. It's for hemorrhoid pain. I also used a microwave hot pack alternated with an ice pack. T...

Hi there fellow reversee :) . I had my reversal on 23 May so I'm just over 5 weeks out. I had urgency and frequency for the first couple of weeks but things have really improved since then. I found that sticking with a really bland BRAT diet helped. Baby wipes and calmoseptine cream helped soothe th...

I'm 5 weeks out from reversal after ULAR. My surgeon also was at pains to describe the possibilities. The first 2 days were very uncomfortable with bloating and pelvic pain. I found that walking helped a lot and it was much better after passing wind and the first poop in 3 months. Was discharged on ...

Hi Lydia. I think that the pathology report from the biopsy should identify any vascular invasion. It should also report the depth of invasion into or through the rectal wall. This is the first part of staging. Mine was halfway through the wall with no vascular invasion. Then ultrasound, CT and MRI ...

Hi Lydia, Sorry you are having such a hard time of this. As someone who developed panic attacks after dx I would concur with others' suggestions to ask your GP about medication and/or counseling. These definitely helped me through the last 6 months. I had a ULAR ( ultra low anterior resection) with ...

Thanks for bumping up the thread Michael. I needed to re-read this to regain perspective. Before my reversal I read any post-reversal thread I could find to be prepared. Turns out that Sammy and I had the same surgeon!! I also learnt about baby wipes, spray bottles and calmoseptine (a godsend!). I g...

Hi Teddi, Sorry to hear that you're feeling so frustrated. Yeah, it sucks. I can empathize as I'm only 5 weeks out from reversal after ULAR. At the moment I'm averaging 10 BM's a day on a very bland BRATS diet. Saw my surgeon last Friday for a post-reversal review. He suggested experimenting with lo...

Hi Cherie, Not sure if you are aware that Prof David Morris in Sydney does HIPEC. As you're in NZ & we have reciprocal medical cover (I think that's still the case) it may be more affordable to travel to Oz if that's possible. Maybe worth following up. Wishing you all the best in finding someone...

Hey Maryann, Sounds like you have all your ducks in a row. I live in rural Victoria but am currently in melb recuperating after the ileo reversal. Yikes, looks like I spoke too soon! The day I posted I only had 5 BM's but yesterday back to 13 :( The clustering/fragmentation is still minimal though s...

Hi Maryann, Just read Chris' most recent post. To me, this speaks to the need for a highly skilled and experienced surgeon for the ULAR. My polyp was first found by a rural GI who did a scope with a biopsy. Assured me it was benign and referred me to another GI in the city as the polyp was 'too larg...

Hi Maryann This is my first post although I have been lurking for several months since I first found this board. The information provided by the members has been invaluable. I am a 56 year old Australian female diagnosed with Stage 1 RC 11/14 after having a polyp removed via endoscopic mucosal resec...