Phil64 Update - surgery # 5 coming up...

Phil64
Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
edited November 2013 in Colorectal Cancer #1

Talked to surgeon (Scott Regenbogen, M.D., M.P.H.) yesterday.  Surgery is scheduled for Monday 12/2/2013. I now need to meet with work to discuss time off.  So far this year I have had 48.5 days off in the past 12 months from work (chemo, scans, and a liver resection surgery last April).  We have a policy for no more than 90 days off in a rolling 12 month window.  If I exceed more than 90 days off in this 12 month window I think I need to go on disability and could end up losing my job.

This surgery will essentiallyl be the same as the last surgery albeit more complicated given that it is a second surgery (scar tissue).  Also, I have an increased chance of requiring a temporary colostopy but the good news is that there is still an excellent chance I'll be able to get by without a colostopy (spelling?).

Happy Friday to you all and THANK YOU for your advice and support. 

Sincerely,

Phil

 

**

 

Last I reported uptake on a PET scan. I underwent an ultrasound and biopsy. Today I learned the results. I have a cancerous tumor in the colon right by the sutures from my previous resection. I'll be talking with a surgeon at UMHS soon. There is a possibility that they might recommend radiation treatment as prep for surgery but my onc thinks that surgery may be the next step given the location of the tumor. So I may be in for another colon resection within a couple of weeks. 

No remission break for me yet.

feeling a little down.

Oh, it’s hard to learn the lesson,
As we pass beneath the rod,
That the sunshine and the shadow
Serve alike the will of God.
—Anon.

God Bless us all!

Phil

«1

Comments

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #2
    Sorry

    Sorry that you didn't get better news but the radiation can bring the tumor down to minimal tumor making it more operable and more successful.  I'm praying for the best outcome for you.

    Kim

  • Hooley
    Hooley Member Posts: 156
    #3
    Keep strong

    Praying for u Phil.   Never forget He holds u in the palm of His hand....

  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    #4
    Dear Phil,

    Don't know what you will decide, but I wish you the best of luck And I know everything will be all right.

    With brotherly love,

    Laz

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #5
    You will be fine. God be with

    You will be fine. God be with you.

  • johnnybegood
    johnnybegood Member Posts: 1,117 Member
    #6
    janderson1964 said:

    You will be fine. God be with

    You will be fine. God be with you.

    sorry you

    did not get better news but we just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other,and God will carry us thru....Godbless....johnnybegood

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    #7
    prayers
    Prayers for you Phil...hoping this is the surgery that gets you to remission!
  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    #8
    Phil,

    it's recommended to take at least 800mg of Tagamet/Cimetidine a few days before and after surgery. It's over the counter and many studies and patients say that it may prevent the spreading of the tumor from the surgery.

    Good luck Brother,

    Laz

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #9
    Hang in there, Phil...

    #5 did the trick for me.  I hope that this one will be your last battle with cancer too.  I would 2nd Laz's suggestion that you try the cimetidine.  I used that for one week before and one week after my last surgery, and although I have no way to know if it worked, it's one of those "can't hurt, might help" things, imo.

    Hugs~AA

  • tachilders
    tachilders Member Posts: 313
    #10
    Sorry to read this phil but

    Sorry to read this phil but be strong my friend. Best of luck with whatever they decide to do. 

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #11
    Surgery and radiation

    There's some inovative surgery going on in one of the hospitals over here in Arlington, Tx.  They cut down to expose the tumor then put the radiation beam right on the tumor.  Takes a few minutes to do what takes weeks of external radiation to do and also no harm to other tissues.

    What ever path you take it's good they found it early.

    Keep moving forward.    Dan

  • Phil64
    Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
    #12
    Talked to surgeon (Scott

    Talked to surgeon (Scott Regenbogen, M.D., M.P.H.) yesterday. Surgery is scheduled for Monday 12/2/2013. I now need to meet with work to discuss time off. So far this year I have had 48.5 days off in the past 12 months from work (chemo, scans, and a liver resection surgery last April). We have a policy for no more than 90 days off in a rolling 12 month window. If I exceed more than 90 days off in this 12 month window I think I need to go on disability and could end up losing my job.

    This surgery will essentiallyl be the same as the last surgery albeit more complicated given that it is a second surgery (scar tissue). Also, I have an increased chance of requiring a temporary colostopy but the good news is that there is still an excellent chance I'll be able to get by without a colostopy (spelling?).

    Happy Friday to you all and THANK YOU for your advice and support.

    Sincerely,

    Phil

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #13
    Phil64 said:

    Talked to surgeon (Scott

    Talked to surgeon (Scott Regenbogen, M.D., M.P.H.) yesterday. Surgery is scheduled for Monday 12/2/2013. I now need to meet with work to discuss time off. So far this year I have had 48.5 days off in the past 12 months from work (chemo, scans, and a liver resection surgery last April). We have a policy for no more than 90 days off in a rolling 12 month window. If I exceed more than 90 days off in this 12 month window I think I need to go on disability and could end up losing my job.

    This surgery will essentiallyl be the same as the last surgery albeit more complicated given that it is a second surgery (scar tissue). Also, I have an increased chance of requiring a temporary colostopy but the good news is that there is still an excellent chance I'll be able to get by without a colostopy (spelling?).

    Happy Friday to you all and THANK YOU for your advice and support.

    Sincerely,

    Phil

    Dear Phil

    I understand about your concerns about work.  Does your company fall under the Family and Medical Leave Act?  If so you need to apply for it so you can get them to hold your job.  It is non-paid leave, but can keep your job for when you can return to work.

    As for the colostomy, that is not a big deal...if temp or perm.  I have had one for over 3 1/2 years and after a training period to learn what supplies are best for you, it becomes just another daily thing to manage.

    Sending prayers and all good wishes for a successful surgery and easy recovery.

    Marie who loves kitties

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    #14
    Phil64 said:

    Talked to surgeon (Scott

    Talked to surgeon (Scott Regenbogen, M.D., M.P.H.) yesterday. Surgery is scheduled for Monday 12/2/2013. I now need to meet with work to discuss time off. So far this year I have had 48.5 days off in the past 12 months from work (chemo, scans, and a liver resection surgery last April). We have a policy for no more than 90 days off in a rolling 12 month window. If I exceed more than 90 days off in this 12 month window I think I need to go on disability and could end up losing my job.

    This surgery will essentiallyl be the same as the last surgery albeit more complicated given that it is a second surgery (scar tissue). Also, I have an increased chance of requiring a temporary colostopy but the good news is that there is still an excellent chance I'll be able to get by without a colostopy (spelling?).

    Happy Friday to you all and THANK YOU for your advice and support.

    Sincerely,

    Phil

    good luck
    Phil...good luck with the surgery. My husband also stresses about days missed, but there's nothing you can do about. Try to let that go and focus on getting well. Hard I know...
  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    #15
    Phil64 said:

    Talked to surgeon (Scott

    Talked to surgeon (Scott Regenbogen, M.D., M.P.H.) yesterday. Surgery is scheduled for Monday 12/2/2013. I now need to meet with work to discuss time off. So far this year I have had 48.5 days off in the past 12 months from work (chemo, scans, and a liver resection surgery last April). We have a policy for no more than 90 days off in a rolling 12 month window. If I exceed more than 90 days off in this 12 month window I think I need to go on disability and could end up losing my job.

    This surgery will essentiallyl be the same as the last surgery albeit more complicated given that it is a second surgery (scar tissue). Also, I have an increased chance of requiring a temporary colostopy but the good news is that there is still an excellent chance I'll be able to get by without a colostopy (spelling?).

    Happy Friday to you all and THANK YOU for your advice and support.

    Sincerely,

    Phil

    Dear Phil,

    I'm going trough the same thing. On extended family leave now. They would have very hard time letting you go while on disability, because they are affraid of a law suit which they would certainly lose. Hopefully you can avoid colostomy, but if not its not a big deal. 

    The main thing here is your recovery. That s what matters and that's what you are gonna remember not the little details of lost days and stuff. 

    Good luck and everything will be all right.

    With brotherly love,

    Laz

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    #16
    Phil64 said:

    Talked to surgeon (Scott

    Talked to surgeon (Scott Regenbogen, M.D., M.P.H.) yesterday. Surgery is scheduled for Monday 12/2/2013. I now need to meet with work to discuss time off. So far this year I have had 48.5 days off in the past 12 months from work (chemo, scans, and a liver resection surgery last April). We have a policy for no more than 90 days off in a rolling 12 month window. If I exceed more than 90 days off in this 12 month window I think I need to go on disability and could end up losing my job.

    This surgery will essentiallyl be the same as the last surgery albeit more complicated given that it is a second surgery (scar tissue). Also, I have an increased chance of requiring a temporary colostopy but the good news is that there is still an excellent chance I'll be able to get by without a colostopy (spelling?).

    Happy Friday to you all and THANK YOU for your advice and support.

    Sincerely,

    Phil

    Surgery

    Hope the upcomming surgery is a complete success with a speedy recovery!!

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #17
    Phil, I was hoping to hear

    Phil, I was hoping to hear better news. Please try to stay positive and know that you are in my thoughts nad prayers.

    Lin

  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #18
    cim

    Any thoughts about using cimetidine for this operation?

  • fatbob2010
    fatbob2010 Member Posts: 467 Member
    #19
    Disability vs EFMP

    I am not sure about your company policy and no nothing about your company size etc.  Please review both the family medical leave act, if you are eligible, and disability (SSDI) rules.  I am pretty sure if you have used family leave then you have to wait 11 months till you can use it again.  The six plus months wait for SSDI started for me when I left employment not date of dx.

     

    Hopefully does not matter to you that much, but, was a hard decision for me to wrap my head around.

     

    Phil...Best to you

  • lilacbrroller
    lilacbrroller Member Posts: 412 Member
    #20
    fatbob2010 said:

    Disability vs EFMP

    I am not sure about your company policy and no nothing about your company size etc.  Please review both the family medical leave act, if you are eligible, and disability (SSDI) rules.  I am pretty sure if you have used family leave then you have to wait 11 months till you can use it again.  The six plus months wait for SSDI started for me when I left employment not date of dx.

     

    Hopefully does not matter to you that much, but, was a hard decision for me to wrap my head around.

     

    Phil...Best to you

    See above. Good luck with everything and hope you get the gold at the end of the rainbow

     

    Karin

  • Yolllmbs
    Yolllmbs Member Posts: 360 Member
    #21
    lilacbrroller said:

    See above. Good luck with everything and hope you get the gold at the end of the rainbow

     

    Karin

    My prayers

    for success. I hope this is the final surgery. Get strong!

     

    Yolanda

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