Update - Surgery date set

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Crow71
Crow71 Member Posts: 679 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My surgeon performed a laparoscopy, and the results have changed the surgery plan again. After the CT, MRI, PET and colonoscopy, showed such good results, we thought the surgery might not be very extensive. But during the laparoscopy, Dr. Shen found 5 mets in my peritoneal lining. They did not show up on any of the scans, but we are not surprised that they are there, as the surgeon that did my colostomy back in August had seen them. I'm glad Dr. Shen took a look before cutting me open.
The good news is that Dr. Shen liked what he saw in my liver. He believes that he can ablate or remove the mets in my liver instead of resecting the entire left lobe. He'll have to make that call when he goes in.

Surgery is scheduled for April 14th.

The plan is more like it was a few weeks ago. Dr. Shen plans on dealing with the liver, debulking the peritoneal lining, doing HIPEC, resecting the site of the primary rectal tumor, taking down my colostomy - all in one surgery. I may have an ileostomy depending on how much rectum he leaves. The surgery will take anywhere from 8 hours to 4 days to complete. Well, maybe not 4 days, but once you get longer than a regular working day, who's counting? Okay - everyone but me will be counting. I'll be asleep with a big grin on my face.
I like it that Dr. Shen is aggressive. I hope this is not too aggressive.

I hope everyone is doing well. Take care.
Roger
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Comments

  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #2
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    Hi Roger,
    Thanks for the
    Hi Roger,

    Thanks for the update. I will keep you in my thoughts, especially on April 14th. For Kim's sake, I hope the surgery is closer to 8 hours than 4 days! You have a great attitude + sense of humour + those sparks must be doing their job. Take good care!
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #3
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    wish you well
    Roger, we'll all be waiting to hear great news about this! I'll be praying it goes extremely well.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • sfmarie
    sfmarie Member Posts: 602
    #4
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    Roger
    This sounds like a great plan to me. I am glad that they did a laparoscopy, they did not do that on my sister. And I think had they done that, perhaps she would not have had the open/close procedure that seems to have opened pandoras box.
    Dr. Shen sounds like the right person. Keep us all posted. I am rooting for you all the way!
    Marie
  • Crow71
    Crow71 Member Posts: 679 Member
    #5
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    sfmarie said:

    Roger
    This sounds like a great plan to me. I am glad that they did a laparoscopy, they did not do that on my sister. And I think had they done that, perhaps she would not have had the open/close procedure that seems to have opened pandoras box.
    Dr. Shen sounds like the right person. Keep us all posted. I am rooting for you all the way!
    Marie

    Hey Marie - Kim and I have
    Hey Marie - Kim and I have been advocating for doing the laparoscopy for weeks. One of the reasons is what we learned from your sister's story; so thanks for sharing. I'm really sorry that it hasn't worked out for her yet, but I believe that you will find the right path. Keep the faith and the hope. We're rooting for you too.
    Roger
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #6
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    Roger and Kim
    Sounds like you have a good, well thought out plan and are in excellent hands with Dr. Shen. I posted our congratulations on your caring bridge site. Well, the count down has started and I see NED in your future. Congratulations Tina and George
  • Jaylo969
    Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member
    #7
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    Roger
    Starting today, this minute, there will be brilliant sparks flying your way. Just look south and you will see them approaching ;)

    Best wishes Roger.

    -Pat
  • RickMurtagh
    RickMurtagh Member Posts: 587 Member
    #8
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    more surgeries
    more surgeries does not necessarily make better surgeries.
    I pray yours will go well, regardless of the number of hours it takes.
  • greybeard64
    greybeard64 Member Posts: 254
    #9
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    Good vibrations
    Add me to the list of those sending good vibes.
    Hope it all goes well for and you can look forward to the 15th of April from here on out as a wonderful anniversary instead of tax day, :) !!
    Good luck to you
    Grey
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #10
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    greybeard64 said:

    Good vibrations
    Add me to the list of those sending good vibes.
    Hope it all goes well for and you can look forward to the 15th of April from here on out as a wonderful anniversary instead of tax day, :) !!
    Good luck to you
    Grey

    Roger, hoping success in your operations tho
    you'll sleep right thru them. Look at what you'll be missing! Best of results with minimaL pain in a swift recovery.....steve
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #11
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    the best part
    That is the best part - that you get to sleep through surgery! But I still hope you keep to the shorter schedule for everyone's sake.

    It is nice they did the lap so you know what is going on before they go in, and are prepared for it all.

    What do they have you doing between now and surgery? Are you on a chemo break and resting up?
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #12
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    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    the best part
    That is the best part - that you get to sleep through surgery! But I still hope you keep to the shorter schedule for everyone's sake.

    It is nice they did the lap so you know what is going on before they go in, and are prepared for it all.

    What do they have you doing between now and surgery? Are you on a chemo break and resting up?

    Good Luck!
    You're a brave man Roger, I'm scared of surgeries, but have had em, just don't want em anymore lol...

    I am sending positive vibes and energy to you and you will be in my thoughts during this procedure, I just hope all goes really well!

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • Crow71
    Crow71 Member Posts: 679 Member
    #13
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    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    the best part
    That is the best part - that you get to sleep through surgery! But I still hope you keep to the shorter schedule for everyone's sake.

    It is nice they did the lap so you know what is going on before they go in, and are prepared for it all.

    What do they have you doing between now and surgery? Are you on a chemo break and resting up?

    Hey Kathryn,
    I had my 12th
    Hey Kathryn,
    I had my 12th folfox treatment on Feb 9 and haven't had any more chemo since. My onc described the cancer as "in shock," and does not think the cancer would become active again for several months. OXI's a ****, but it really worked for me. I hope it works the same or better for you. So I'm on a nice chemo break as I prepare for surgery. I'm juicing a lot and trying to eat based on the recommendations from the book, Anti-Cancer. Also walking, stretching, meditating, breathing - and if I can get an hour by myself at the house I'm going to get my chainsaw out and cut up a limb that I've been looking at all winter.

    Hope you are doing well and that Spring is beginning in MN.
    Roger
  • jbaugh
    jbaugh Member Posts: 3
    #14
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    Good luck Rodger
    I'm new to the board, but have truly enjoyed all of the posts and personal experiences. I was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer with mucineous adinocarcinoma in the peritenium. Quite a mouthful and totally a suprise. I went in to my local ER 6/30/09 for IV Demerol because I had a painful kidney stone. While there they did a CT scan and said when my kidney stone had passed I had some other issues that should be checked out. Colonoscopy, CT, and PET scans revealed the above diagnosis. Note: Colonoscopy in 2006 was completely negative. Told me I did not need another one for 10 years.
    I had no symptoms(still don't), and all cancer markers were negative and still are. I've been in chemo since last August and just recently consulted with a surgeon that is experienced in the debulking and HIPEC. I was tired of chemo that at best was holding the tumors at bay and realizing that is was not the cancer that was going to do me in but it was the chemicals. Had 4 Fulfox and 14 Folfiri treatments, did not like any of it!

    Good luck Rodger and I'm right behind you. Know we'll both do good.
    Joe Baugh
    Simpsonville, SC
  • Crow71
    Crow71 Member Posts: 679 Member
    #15
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    jbaugh said:

    Good luck Rodger
    I'm new to the board, but have truly enjoyed all of the posts and personal experiences. I was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer with mucineous adinocarcinoma in the peritenium. Quite a mouthful and totally a suprise. I went in to my local ER 6/30/09 for IV Demerol because I had a painful kidney stone. While there they did a CT scan and said when my kidney stone had passed I had some other issues that should be checked out. Colonoscopy, CT, and PET scans revealed the above diagnosis. Note: Colonoscopy in 2006 was completely negative. Told me I did not need another one for 10 years.
    I had no symptoms(still don't), and all cancer markers were negative and still are. I've been in chemo since last August and just recently consulted with a surgeon that is experienced in the debulking and HIPEC. I was tired of chemo that at best was holding the tumors at bay and realizing that is was not the cancer that was going to do me in but it was the chemicals. Had 4 Fulfox and 14 Folfiri treatments, did not like any of it!

    Good luck Rodger and I'm right behind you. Know we'll both do good.
    Joe Baugh
    Simpsonville, SC

    Thanks Joe. Welcome to the
    Thanks Joe. Welcome to the board. Thanks for sharing your story. I can't believe you had a clean scope in '06 and are now stage IV. That's pretty quick for colorectal. When and where are you having your debulking and HIPEC done? How's your liver? Has the primary already be resected? I hope you don't mind the questions.
    Roger
  • krf
    krf Member Posts: 98
    #16
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    Crow71 said:

    Hey Kathryn,
    I had my 12th
    Hey Kathryn,
    I had my 12th folfox treatment on Feb 9 and haven't had any more chemo since. My onc described the cancer as "in shock," and does not think the cancer would become active again for several months. OXI's a ****, but it really worked for me. I hope it works the same or better for you. So I'm on a nice chemo break as I prepare for surgery. I'm juicing a lot and trying to eat based on the recommendations from the book, Anti-Cancer. Also walking, stretching, meditating, breathing - and if I can get an hour by myself at the house I'm going to get my chainsaw out and cut up a limb that I've been looking at all winter.

    Hope you are doing well and that Spring is beginning in MN.
    Roger

    Consider the chainsaw gone (
    Consider the chainsaw gone ( at least until you heal). Did you forget I am on this board?!
    Avastin+ chemo brain+ chemo reflexes = no chainsaw.
    August. You can sever a limb in August.
    Love,
    yer wife
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #17
    Options
    krf said:

    Consider the chainsaw gone (
    Consider the chainsaw gone ( at least until you heal). Did you forget I am on this board?!
    Avastin+ chemo brain+ chemo reflexes = no chainsaw.
    August. You can sever a limb in August.
    Love,
    yer wife

    Kim,
    Good thing you are on
    Kim,

    Good thing you are on this board; otherwise your first inkling of Roger's plans might be the sound of the chainsaw starting up! What is it with men + chainsaws? My husband seems to love working with chainsaws too!
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #18
    Options
    jbaugh said:

    Good luck Rodger
    I'm new to the board, but have truly enjoyed all of the posts and personal experiences. I was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer with mucineous adinocarcinoma in the peritenium. Quite a mouthful and totally a suprise. I went in to my local ER 6/30/09 for IV Demerol because I had a painful kidney stone. While there they did a CT scan and said when my kidney stone had passed I had some other issues that should be checked out. Colonoscopy, CT, and PET scans revealed the above diagnosis. Note: Colonoscopy in 2006 was completely negative. Told me I did not need another one for 10 years.
    I had no symptoms(still don't), and all cancer markers were negative and still are. I've been in chemo since last August and just recently consulted with a surgeon that is experienced in the debulking and HIPEC. I was tired of chemo that at best was holding the tumors at bay and realizing that is was not the cancer that was going to do me in but it was the chemicals. Had 4 Fulfox and 14 Folfiri treatments, did not like any of it!

    Good luck Rodger and I'm right behind you. Know we'll both do good.
    Joe Baugh
    Simpsonville, SC

    Welcome to the Board, Joe.
    Welcome to the Board, Joe. I hope you find it as useful as I do.
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #19
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    krf said:

    Consider the chainsaw gone (
    Consider the chainsaw gone ( at least until you heal). Did you forget I am on this board?!
    Avastin+ chemo brain+ chemo reflexes = no chainsaw.
    August. You can sever a limb in August.
    Love,
    yer wife

    Oh Kim
    I can so relate, you had me laughing while sitting at my desk with no one around.

    A few years ago we bought a retirement home in northern Michigan. Well, George has all that stuff up there, chain saw, small log splitter and then a small chain saw on a long pole. He pulled that out last summer and I said no way, you can barely walk yet alone hold that thing up in the air to cut dead branches off a pine tree. Well, I hear the lawn tractor fire up and sure enough, he is now sitting on the tractor with that darn chain saw pole in his hand. Like a kid he answered, you said no standing with that thing, I'm sitting and using it.

    Tina
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #20
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    geotina said:

    Oh Kim
    I can so relate, you had me laughing while sitting at my desk with no one around.

    A few years ago we bought a retirement home in northern Michigan. Well, George has all that stuff up there, chain saw, small log splitter and then a small chain saw on a long pole. He pulled that out last summer and I said no way, you can barely walk yet alone hold that thing up in the air to cut dead branches off a pine tree. Well, I hear the lawn tractor fire up and sure enough, he is now sitting on the tractor with that darn chain saw pole in his hand. Like a kid he answered, you said no standing with that thing, I'm sitting and using it.

    Tina

    lol
    thanks Tina for your
    lol
    thanks Tina for your posts. They are always so warm and human and full of truths. :)
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #21
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    AnneCan said:

    Kim,
    Good thing you are on
    Kim,

    Good thing you are on this board; otherwise your first inkling of Roger's plans might be the sound of the chainsaw starting up! What is it with men + chainsaws? My husband seems to love working with chainsaws too!

    Anne
    If you figure it out let me know. Maybe Paul Bunyon Syndrome. They sure do love that stuff don't they. Get them a Carhart jacket and they automatically pick up chain saws. Mine also loves that small log splitter. Picture it, neuropathy and a small log splitter. More work for me though, I have to keep bringing him the logs and then piling them up when he is done. Oh well, guess it is better than them sitting sitting in the recliner. Oh, and don't get me started with snow blowers. We live in a condo so snow removal is done but yep, we got 2 snow blowers, both up north now. Tina

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