Back in the fight, sigh - surgery update
I was three months away from saying "I've been NED for 3 years". Instead I get to say I've got another recurrence. S--t. I've been working on losing weight since the beginning of the year before my surgeon repaired my peristomal hernia. I recently had an obstruction, spent 5 days in hospital with a nasty NG tube. After getting the all clear, I headed home, only to have the pain start up again. Now, a week later I'm back in the hospital after getting a PICC line for nutrition because I have't eaten in 2 weeks, and getting a PET Scan which revealed two tumors 2-3 cm each. Oh, yeah I've got an NG tube again. Next week I'll have the first of two or three surgeries to give me a temporary ilieostomy to go with my colostomy. The hope is that I can eat and get some nutrition, gain strength so I can do some chemo then HIPEC surgery! After HIPEC, it's more chemo and a take down of the temporary iliestomy. My surgeon even talked about reversing my colostomy, I would love that. After all that he will consider repairing the hernia. I've got a project at work that I finally got to work on and don't want to give up. Also, we are starting to remodel the master bedroom and bath. It's going to be a busy year.
My HMO has always been against HIPEC, but now they've got a doc from Pittsburgh. I had to fight so hard for this in 2009, now they are offering it without my even asking. Crazy. I need to find out the surgeon's name. I wat to do some research on him/her.
Sorry for the long post, but a lot has happened and I needed to get it out. I'm pretty upset with the recurrence. I've never in the 10 years since initial diagnosis gone so long witout a recurrence. I was really starting to believe that msybe I had bet the beast. Sigh.
Traci
Surgery update
I had surgery on Wednesday, doing well so far. Just want to get my intestines moving so I can eat and get out of here! I am so tired of being in hospital--10 days now plus another 5 earlier this month. The surgery was quite successful, looks like they got everything and the 2 tumors were only attached to small intestine so less chance of spreading. No new stoma, thank goodness, and likely no HIPEC either. The only question right now is post-surgery chemo or not, and that will be based on a meeting with my onc and the pathology results. Hurray!
Comments
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D**N!
I am sick in my heart to hear this, Traci. Why oh why oh why?!!!
What does it take to beat this horrible disease? Whatever it is, I pray you have it.
I'm at a loss for words.
I still plan on visiting with you when I head down your way, even more so now. You will be in my thoughts, prayers and heart.
TRU
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Sorry Traci
The options never change, you just do what you have to to beat it. My old surgeon never ever sugar coated it. His comment "you are in the zone, you have beaten this one , expect more" . So we reamain ever vigilant we band of survivors. My best wishes for a full and speedy recovery, Hugs Ron.
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I'm sorry Traci, setbacks
I'm sorry Traci, setbacks suck. Having to go through getting the mets out again, is painful to ponder, and as I am six months from the three year's NED, almost ten years in as well, wishing to make it to Sep to get my jumbo hernia fixed, well, all the parallels , have me worried. I'm even just starting the redo on my bed/bath. I want to say you deserve to get this in the rearview, but fair and deserving, of course, are notions not related to this battle. I hope everything goes smoothly and quickly, so you can get back to counting the days of being clear again. I'm thinking I need to reschedule the Onc meeting I bumped last month. Getting casual about check-ups suddenly sounds real dumb to me. Hang tough, my thoughts are with you........................................................Dave
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Thanks Jan!JanJan63 said:Oh Traci, I'm so sorry. What
Oh Traci, I'm so sorry. What a disappointment. And a lot of stuff coming up. I feel so badly for you. I hope you breeze through it and come out with flying colours and no colostomy!
Thinking of you,
Jan
I will fight this with everything I've got. Traci
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D**N! is right!Trubrit said:D**N!
I am sick in my heart to hear this, Traci. Why oh why oh why?!!!
What does it take to beat this horrible disease? Whatever it is, I pray you have it.
I'm at a loss for words.
I still plan on visiting with you when I head down your way, even more so now. You will be in my thoughts, prayers and heart.
TRU
Well at least this way I'll probably be home when you come to visit.
I'm still working towards another Happy Dance man. Take care, Traci0 -
Thanks Ronron50 said:Sorry Traci
The options never change, you just do what you have to to beat it. My old surgeon never ever sugar coated it. His comment "you are in the zone, you have beaten this one , expect more" . So we reamain ever vigilant we band of survivors. My best wishes for a full and speedy recovery, Hugs Ron.
My surgeon says I'm a good candidate for all he wants to do and is optmistic. He says he holds me up as an example of someone that is doing pretty good long term, as you are one of my examples. Take care, Traci
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It's just a setbackbeaumontdave said:I'm sorry Traci, setbacks
I'm sorry Traci, setbacks suck. Having to go through getting the mets out again, is painful to ponder, and as I am six months from the three year's NED, almost ten years in as well, wishing to make it to Sep to get my jumbo hernia fixed, well, all the parallels , have me worried. I'm even just starting the redo on my bed/bath. I want to say you deserve to get this in the rearview, but fair and deserving, of course, are notions not related to this battle. I hope everything goes smoothly and quickly, so you can get back to counting the days of being clear again. I'm thinking I need to reschedule the Onc meeting I bumped last month. Getting casual about check-ups suddenly sounds real dumb to me. Hang tough, my thoughts are with you........................................................Dave
I kind of like how you describe it as a setback. That's really what it is, just a setback on the road. The part for me that sucks is that I have had scanxiety with each blood test and CT Scan and was just starting to relax when my appointments would come around, now it will be back full scale. Definitely go and get yourself checked, and I hope that the results will be normal. Take care, Traci
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Been at it for almost 10 years nowNewHere said:C--p
Sorry to see this Traci. I wish I had some good words. I had a met officially diagnosed a year after chemo was done, but only have been dealing with this all for just a bit short of 2-1/2 years...thoughts are with you.
In the beginning, I was like you with mets less than a year post chemo. But the last surgery really gave me a good break. I believe that surgery is the best option for me andwill be happy to get through the HIPEC. That will really give me another good break, I hope. Several folks on this board have had to have multiple surgeries and/ chemo for mets. It's not the preferred result, but we somehow get through it, and I hope you will too. Take care, Traci
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UPMC is one of the best for HIPEC
Dr. Bartlett and his team are leaders in the field. It's a long haul, and I'm so sorry that you are back in the thick of things again. My vocabulary would be redacted; you can fill in the blanks. #$%# )(*)%$ !@#D#
Sending hugs,
Alice
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Alice, I knew you'd know whoabrub said:UPMC is one of the best for HIPEC
Dr. Bartlett and his team are leaders in the field. It's a long haul, and I'm so sorry that you are back in the thick of things again. My vocabulary would be redacted; you can fill in the blanks. #$%# )(*)%$ !@#D#
Sending hugs,
Alice
Alice, I knew you'd know who the experts are. I admit my HIPEC research is a bit dated at this point. I still don't know who the HIPEC person is at my HMO. I sure hope it's someone that worked with Bartlett. I guess I'll learn more as it gets closer. My HMO won't sent me to anyone, preferring to use their folks. I want to make sure the person is experienced before finally committig to another HIPEC. I also need to start working out. I was bootcamping before my last HIPEC and did really well. I'm no where close to be in good shape at this point.
As far as your vocabulary goes, probably what I've been saying, lol. Hope you're doing well. Traci
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