Is Surgery Worth It?

without my surgery three years ago, I would have been dead around 2 1/2 years ago, that pretty much says it all for me.

As for recovery from surgery, just pain for a couple of weeks helped eased by pain pills and then good to go, chemo side effects can last years.

Winter Marie

I will take surgery over chemo every time. Chemo drags on and with surgery it's a couple weeks of inconvenience. Plus after surgery I end up in remission. It's a personal choice.  I hate taking drugs so surgery wins over with that also. Surgery is some anesthesia and a day of pain killers. For me chemo was IV drips and popping several pills a day. When I get a bad scan I run straight to the surgeon.  I had an ostomy for 11 months. It wasn't that bad and I got used to it quickly. I kept it a few months longer than I had to so I could work it in a convenient time in my work schedule. 

Surgery is the key.  It's the only way to stay ahead of the cancer.  When you've been diagnosed with MCRC the best scenario is to stay ahead of the cancer with surgery and then do mop up chemo.  The hope is to enjoy long periods showing NED until it rears its ugly head.  There are exceptions.  Sometimes people will have several spots surgically removed from their liver and go on to be considered cured.  Unfortunately, when some people are diagnosed the cancer is too advanced for surgery to be an option.  (multiple organs/areas).  Also, when people have recurrences in multiple organs it limits them.  Ideally you want recurrences to show up in only one organ at a time.  Surgeons are more likely to operate when the disease is contained to one area.  Otherwise, people have to rely on "chemo for life".  Someone (I think Steve) once posted an article that compared managing MCRC to hitch hiking.  You "catch a ride" with each available chemotherapy cocktail until that particular combo stops working.  You then hitch a ride with the next one.  You keep going as long as possible.   Getting it cut out whenever possible will extend ones life considerably.  A well respected surgeon explained to my husband and I that surgery buys an average of six months.  (key words being average.  Some people go years between operations).  Stage four is a very tough diagnosis.  You have to devote a huge part of your life to fighting the disease.  It takes a lot of effort both physically and mentally.  I admire these people so much.  I am astounded by their strength and determination.  I don't know if I could do it.  Surgery is the way to go.  Even when you factor in the risks and the lengthy recoveries.  Surgery offers the best hope.

Yes...

What I wouldn't do for a surgery now.....who even knows if chemo is even extending me....I know it keeps me sick....and I know I recover from surgeries.

Best life extension and best weapon we have available in our fight though is surgical intervention(s)....the reason I'm out out now 9 yrs. 3 mos....no question about it.

You've got to reduce tumor load....and surgery is really the only way to truly accomplish that.

Surgery has its risks but is the best chance for a cure or at least time spent NED.  I'd take it over the crappy side effects of chemo any day.  Especially since they are so good at pain control now.  Even after HIPEC, I had a epidural for 7 days and no pain meds after that.

Now, I do have a friend that needed surgery for a larger polyp that could not be removed during a colonoscopy and she ended up with a major infection and eventually a liver transplant.  Took her about 18 months to get back to normal and she didn't have cancer.

So, yes the risks are there, but even seeing her go through this I'd take surgery over chemo.  Traci

my husband had some surgical options regarding his multiple liver & lung mets.  But, right now it is not going to happen, though we hope it may be possible in the future.  While Pat's LAR surgery (low anterior resection) took awhile to recover from, we have no regrets, and feel it was a life saver.  Also, just wanted to mention that Pat has a permanent colostomy and it has only improved the quality of his life.  It has not stopped him from doing anything that he did before he had a colostomy.

Take care,

Ellen

lp1964 said:

Dear Friends,

I guess what I really wanted to understand was that many of you have gone through surgeries like every few months and keep going. I don't have seconds thoughts on my first and hopefully last surgery at all. In fact I can't wait to have this tumor out of my butt. 

Of course I'm scared, it's a major surgery. I'm concerned how the permanent colostomy, potential impotence and other possible side effects will effect my personal and professional life. I don't like chemo either, but looks like it's a necessary evil.

You are all so awesome. You give such a clear prospective on things.

Many people asked: my wife's name is Audia.

Laz

To me recovery from surgery is all about being in shape, and having a strong fighting mental attitude. I was back mountain biking 6 to 8 weeks after each surgery and would have been riding sooner after the doctor would let me. The more you push yourself the faster you will recover. I also push myself hard before surgery stepping my mountain biking. I told my surgeon that a lot of my mountain biking buddies train for races but I train for surgeries. But seriously I feel strong heart and lungs will not only speed up recovery but increase your chances of making it through surgery. It's also helpful to be very goal oriented. Set goals for yourself each day in recovery and try to exceed those if you can.

lp1964 said:

Dear Friends,

I guess what I really wanted to understand was that many of you have gone through surgeries like every few months and keep going. I don't have seconds thoughts on my first and hopefully last surgery at all. In fact I can't wait to have this tumor out of my butt. 

Of course I'm scared, it's a major surgery. I'm concerned how the permanent colostomy, potential impotence and other possible side effects will effect my personal and professional life. I don't like chemo either, but looks like it's a necessary evil.

You are all so awesome. You give such a clear prospective on things.

Many people asked: my wife's name is Audia.

Laz

Hello Laz,

Just seen the posts of our dearly friends of this wonderful forum & I strongly believe that surgery is the best option for extended life. Once the surgery is over, it is a matter of few weeks until you are back to your normal activities & you feel good after the surgery as you know the culprit is gone out of your body either forever (let's pray for that) or at least until it shows up again after some time. Don't worry thinking about the permanent colostomy, potential impotence & side effects etc. None of these are more important than living an extended life. If your surgeon is clever enough (I am sure he is) you will come out of all these problems well. I had the same concern as yours before my surgery. But it came out well & I didn't have any of those issues which I was pre warned other than the 2 weeks recovery time. With the Epidural Analgesia running through your system you will not feel the post surgery pain & for me it was almost zero. Recovery from a surgery is not a concern at all nowadays with advanced technology & expertise of a good GI Surgeon.

So be positive, go on & relax on that OT bed & it is only a matter of few hours of deep sleep & everything will be over. Good Luck on your surgery Laz. Stay in touch.

Gavin