The Colon Club

BrownBagger wrote:I think men, for whatever reason, are less tolerant of the bag than women. Perhaps enduring a menstrual cycle for all those years gives women enough experience with accessories to where fooling around with the prep and changing/draining the bag to where it's not as big a deal. Or maybe you're just more patient. Personally, I couldn't get rid of the damn thing soon enough.

I have to laugh at this as I am tolerating the bag alot more easier than tolerating the a menstrual cycle before all the cancer stuff! I honestly haven't had a menstrual cycle since I have started chemo--and I am loving it!!! I of course will probably be cursed once chemo is over. My biggest wish when they did my colon resection was for them to do the hysterectomy that they said they may have to do depending on how it all looked--needless to say allthey did was remove I believe my left ovary and F tube. I explained that my uterus doesn't work so it needs to go anyway. Fertility issues preventing me from having children unless I were to take fertility drugs---not the best plan when my husband is an identical twin and have identical twin nieces and my cousin has fraternal twin sons. So I do believe that if we could do it on our own our chances would be preety good at having our own multiples as the fertility doc that I had seen a few years ago di mention that I produce more than enough eggs--enough that he called in his physician residents to take a look at---nothing like being put on display!

Ok so I know that was a bit off the topic--but Becca I do hope for the Best for you and Eric during his surgery on Monday. Extra prayers and positive vibes will be sent your way!

Take care!

Thanks everyone!!! Eric is in really good spirits. We got in the car to come to work this morning (we've worked together for over 8 years) and he said he can't wait for his surgery. We did talk to our surgeon and will have an ostomy nurse. Also, my aunt has been a nurse for 30+ years and worked most of it in Endoscopy so we have her as a good reference!

Tracy - your fertility clinic story is too funny. Eric did do sperm bank just in case. It is crazy how things happen. We had just decided, after years of careful consideration, to adopt and had chosen an agency right before we found out the dx. Who knows, maybe we will do both

Jim - surgery is in Raleigh, NC. The surgeon is Dr. Sankar Adusumilli and he specializes in laparoscopic surgery. I think he is the only one who will do it in our area. He is wonderful! Like you said, the research that has been coming out has been showing no difference in long term outcomes as long as you have experienced surgeon. Hopefully it will soon become the norm since it is so much easier on the body as far as healing, etc... There is an article from April 2010 in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery that has a lot of great info and research in support of it.

Thanks again everyone! I will keep you all posted. We are going to enjoy some good food today and tomorrow with friends and family and then my hubby has the wonderful prep day on Sunday. His sister and I are doing the liquid diet with him (at least til he falls asleep)

That's good news on the lapro. My surgeon said he could do it either way but that it would take a lot longer laproscopically. I said, "Whatever you're most comfortable with, Doc." Like most RC survivors, I have a 5-inch scar below my naval and a ostomy wound scar just to the right of it. I worry about herniating both. If I do, I'll wish I'd chosen the laproscopic option.

My tumor pretty much disappeared after neoadjuvant. I had a laproscopic LAR (7.5 hrs!) -pain is minimal and recovery quick. For me the ostomy took quite a bit of getting used to - mentally and physically. You end up developing a whole new daily routine of dressing, sleeping, showering, emptying, cleaning, etc. When you change out the appliance make sure you have all the stuff you need close at hand.

I'll be thinking of you and Eric tomorrow and hoping everything goes smoothly.
Please call me if I can do anything for you!
Cindy

beccab1 wrote:I'm from a little town about an hour outside of Pittsburgh, my husband too.

Well then in that case, I'll type really slowly.... (come on, let the Cleveland guy have something!)

But since I work in dahntahn Picksburgh, within about a couple hundred yards of Mellon Arena, I say....yinz guys do goot tuhmarra n'at. We'll be saying prayers and waiting to hear how well everything went.


Chris

Becca,
I am thinking of you and your husband as you prepare for tomorrow. I'll keep both of you in my prayers.

Aloha,
Kathleen

Becca,

Best wishes to you and your husband today. You are both in my prayers.

Heather

Just wanted to know that we are all thinking of both of you. The wait during surgery is much harder on those in the waiting room and I hope the surgery goes smoothly and quickly to shorten your worry.

Good luck and we're all looking forward to hearing good news.

Break a leg, Husband! Keep the faith, Wife!

sendin' PosiVibes your way today

In Harmony
CRguy

Thank you all so much!!! They took him back about 30 min. ago. His mom and two sisters are here with me and my bother drove down too (all from PA where we are from) so I think we may play some cards or something I'm feeling more relaxed than I thought I would and I just know everything is going to be okay!

Chris - I used to work in the Steel Building when I lived there and I parked at Mellon. Those were some cold walks to work in the winter. One of the reasons I moved to NC!

Thanks again everybody - I will keep you updated!

Becca

That's right--everything is going to be OK.

All good news!!! The tumor was a little lower than hoped but after a 6hr 45min procedure - everything is out with clear margins and no sign of any spread. Ultrasound of liver was good! Surgeon was very happy and said it couldn't have went better. I even have photos - kind of crazy! Ileostomy will be termporary. Eric has been sleeping a lot. When he is awake he is his typical silly self and had us all laughing. We are all Feeling very relieved and very tired! Hopefully I can fall asleep - guess i can't complain about his snoring tonight!

Thanks again everyone! Your support means a lot!


Becca

Yeah!!

Good luck at to getting some sleep in what feels like grand central station.