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Surgery is done, now i have questions

BSNC
BSNC CSN Member Posts: 14
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I had a sigmoid colectomy on 3/17. Stage IIIc as many lympth nodes were involved. 43 years old, relatively healthy until this came along! I have some questions; 1 for guys. Did any of you experience testicular pain? I have this constant dull pain in my testicles and it's annoying more than anything else. Surgeon has never had the question before and said I should talk to a urologist. 2nd Q; how long did it take to get the bowels moving without a lot of pain? I'm able to "go" but the pain is pretty good. Finally, I'm probably up for 6-12 months of "intermittent" chemo. Can anyone shed any light on this for me? Many thanks from Brian in NC.
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Comments

  • nanuk
    nanuk CSN Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #2
    Brian: the colectomy surgeon gets very close to nerves that are related to testes, prostrate, etc.
    You should definitely consult with a Urologist ASAP.
    So far as the Surgeon never having a similar question, that is scary, because I'm sure that a lot of men having this surgery have had similar complications.
    Can't help on the 2nd question because my surgery
    included colostomy. nanuk
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  • taraHK
    taraHK CSN Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #3
    nanuk said:

    Brian: the colectomy surgeon gets very close to nerves that are related to testes, prostrate, etc.
    You should definitely consult with a Urologist ASAP.
    So far as the Surgeon never having a similar question, that is scary, because I'm sure that a lot of men having this surgery have had similar complications.
    Can't help on the 2nd question because my surgery
    included colostomy. nanuk

    Hi Brian,

    I agree with Nanuk that you might want to see a urologist. I also can't help with your second question, for the same reason! In terms of the "intermittent" chemo -- this probably refers to the schedule? For example, I had chemo five days a week for the first week, followed by three weeks off, for a total of four cycles (months). There are other schedules/cycles -- you might want to ask your drs for more information on that.
    Best wishes,
    Tara
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  • BSNC
    BSNC CSN Member Posts: 14
    #4
    nanuk and tara, thanks for the replies. I'm going to the surgeon today to have the remaining staples removed (I ended up in the ER Sat night with an infection in my upper incision.) I appreciate the info and I'll get to a urologist soon. Brian.
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  • BusterBrown
    BusterBrown CSN Member Posts: 221 Member
    #5
    BSNC,
    I am about to follow in your footsteps, our backgrounds are very similar...I'm 43 yrs old, never been sick in my life, and last Dec I was dx'd with Stage 4 CRC w/ Liver Mets. I'm meeting with my Onc and surgeon this week to discuss my next step, which is surgery. I have to say that I'm a little apprehensive about surgery, I'm in line for a resection in the descending colon. Any light you could share on your experience would be truely appreciated...
    FYI, I've been on chemo now for 3 months, 6 cycles, and I have seen some positive results. My liver mets, 3 spots about 1.5 cm big are no longer visable via a ct scan. Also my primary tumor has shrunk from 2.5 to 2.2cm.
    Hang in there...
    Buster
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