Surgery done -next steps

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impactzone
impactzone Member Posts: 551 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Thank you to those who responded eariler to my pleas for prayers. I had my sigmoid removed, margins are clean. They preliminary diagnoised as Dukes C or D (Stage 4) 21 nodes removed with cancer in 1 node. The tumor was contained but they do have at least 1 liver met. I had a PET scan done yesterday, the day I was discharged. I am now trying to stay calm about the hurdles those show.
My surgeon said that if it is only one met (unlikely), they will do chemo then look at how the tumor responds, then do surgery. If more are found, then its a up to the oncolgists.

I am home and had a restless night, some bad dreams. I am surrounded by the generosity of people and that cause me to cry often. As a 47 year old coach and father of 2 I never did that before.

How soon after surgery can you begin chemo?
What is that like?

Blessed are all of you

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  • LLLady
    LLLady Member Posts: 67
    #2
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    Hello impactzone
    My husband who was just diagnosed 4 weeks ago at 41 has just had surgery 2 weeks ago to remove his sigmoid and he will start chemo in 2 more weeks
    So 4 weeks after surgery is when they want him to start.
    I can't really help you with how it feels. But there are many wonderful people here to help you.
    HUGS!
  • cherriann
    cherriann Member Posts: 155 Member
    #3
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    thank god for loved ones! my chemo will start sept 11 surgery was june 30th but i had apr surgery( complete removal of everything below sigmoid, pemanant colostomy).i think it depends on how fast your body heals. i will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. stay strong!! cherri
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #4
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    Hi Impact! Glad that part's over with. They removed a lot of nodes, so 1 "live" node and only 1 liver met, is good news. I know, doesn't feel like it. But the plan to do the chemo and then go after the liver bugger is a good one. Singe it, then remove it! Have you gotten the results of the PET scan yet?

    I didn't start chemo until two months after surgery (mine was open-abdomem). When they'll start you will depend on the type of surgery you had and how aggressive they want to be.

    The chemo is not fun. I just had my first infusion last week and felt kinda crummy for four days, but then bounced back. It can be a cummulative thing, though, with symptoms worsening with each infusion.

    Ask any quetions you have and we'll try to answer them.
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    #5
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    Hi,

    I am glad that you are out of surgery and recovering. I am a fellow sigmoid stage 3 survivor with 3 out of 31 nodes positive. My surgery was Oct. of 03 and I completed my 12 rounds of Folfox (chemo) in July of that same year. I was anxious to start chemo and began two weeks post surgery because I had recovered so well. My advice is to wait the three weeks because there can be some complications if you start too early. In my case, I ended up back in the hospital for an additional week due to a blockage. Try and take one day at a time and gain as much information as you can. Knowledge is powerful and being an active participant in treatment decisions is helpful You will do great and in a year or so, it will be you giving support to others.

    Please keep us posted and come her often for information and support.

    Hugs,

    Kay
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #6
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    Hello Impact -

    I am glad you are out of surgery. I had a similar situation to yours - diagnosed late May 2005, surgery early June (sigmoid colectomy). My chemo - Xeloda/oxaliplatin/Avastin started after 6 weeks (with Avastin delayed one week the first cycle). You need to heal from the surgery and Avastin (if you get it, but it's likely with liver met) can theoretically cause bleeding issues, so they want to make sure you are completely healed from surgery before starting.)

    Please note that "only 1 met to the liver" is possible. PET will reveal more.

    I'll be thinking of you and if you would like to know more about my chemo experience, please email me on this site. (I had 6 treatments ending last Dec 12 - have been NED - no evidence of disease - since late August 2005.)

    Take care,
    Betsy
  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #7
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    My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go thgrough this difficult time.

    God Bless, Eleonora
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #8
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    Hi Impact,

    I'm glad your out of the hospital and recouping. I know it sounds bad but keep fighting. There are lots here with success stories. HUGS and getting emotional is part of this whole journey too. We all understand and are here for you with answers. Let your body heal before starting the chemo. Chemo will kick your butt so you want to try to be somewhat recovered before starting.

    Lisa F
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #9
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    I love to read 'clean margins'. Each little victory is STILL a victory against the beast, and needs to be celebrated!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • nudgie
    nudgie Member Posts: 1,478 Member
    #10
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    I had a Stage II tumor removed on 10 July 06 and started chemo on 18 August 06. So about 4-5 weeks.

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