I'm home from surgery

Rest easy and heal well.  It will be interesting to hear, if you want to share, what all the pathology says.  Yours is such an interesting case, speaking as one long-time survivor with multi-recurrences to another.  I'm glad for your sake that you seem to have a team that is more responsive to your reports about pain, etc.  I'm curious also whether this latest tissue is being sent for testing that might be relevant to immunotherapy now or later.  Post more when you are back on your feet.  Best wishes, Oldbeauty.

oldbeauty said:

Good to hear from you, Kathy

Rest easy and heal well.  It will be interesting to hear, if you want to share, what all the pathology says.  Yours is such an interesting case, speaking as one long-time survivor with multi-recurrences to another.  I'm glad for your sake that you seem to have a team that is more responsive to your reports about pain, etc.  I'm curious also whether this latest tissue is being sent for testing that might be relevant to immunotherapy now or later.  Post more when you are back on your feet.  Best wishes, Oldbeauty.

and have less pain. Glad also that you have a new doctor. 'Sorry you suffered so long in pain. I don't think that  I could do that. Please keep us posted.

Thanks for letting us know how everything is going!  I'm so glad you're out of pain and it all sounds encouraging.  Once you know what you're dealing with, coming up with a treatment plan becomes possible.  Please keep us posted!  (((Kathy)))

Love,

Eldri

Some of what you discussed as being wrong with you was similar to what I had last year.  My cancer had returned and wrapped itself around my ascending colon and was in a few other places, my incisional hernia was back, and my small intestine had grown into my mesh from my previous hernia surgery.  Two cancerous lymph nodes were found.  I had two bowel resections and a "replacement of my abdominal wall with mesh," among other things.  I had pain a couple of months ago after pushing a  very heavy grocery cart and wondered if the hernia was back again or if I had an abdominal wall muscle strain.  It still bothers me occasionally, either when I'm lifting something heavy, pushing a heavy cart again, or just climbing into bed at night.  My doctor can't locate another hernia and says scans won't show it.  If it continues to get worse, I'll have to see a surgeon again.  i wonder if the intestines are growing into the mesh again.  Sometimes I feel fine and other times I feel like I'm ready for another surgery.  I hope nothing like this develops in you.  Speedy healing!

Welcome home, Kathy! We were all worried about you so it's great to hear the surgery went well and you're in less pain. Thank you for letting us know, you'll continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Best always, B

Glad to hear the surgery went well.  Hope all is good tomorrow with your onc.

Takingcontrol58

Kaleena said:

Follow up appointment

Thank you all for the well wishes.  I had my follow up appointment yesterday (May 10th).   They took out the staples (that felt so good!)   I was having a low grade fever for about 4/5 days which they indicate is normal (which is also normal for me).   However, Wednesday night going into Thursday I had a pain in my left groin area - it was  a pinchy/burny feeling.   I had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and after that it started to hurt real bad.   I had that feeling earlier but I was under naracotics at the time so it only bothered me a few times.   I have been off meds since May 1st.   It seems to be aggravated when I stand up or sit too long.   Thursday was real bad and I almost thought of taking an oxy.   The doctor indicated that they had cleaned so much scar tissue out of me plus multiple other things and that the muscle was healing.  He said to give it a few days or so.  He also indicated that I could take Motrin which I did instead of using any narcotics.   I slept very well and today although it did bother me was not as bad as it was Thursday.  When I firsts stand, it takes a bit for it to stretch out.  Once it does then I am fine.

Other news, I go on June 7th for a barium enima and then see the doctor again.  If everything looks fine, they will schedule to reverse the ileostomy.  Yea!  They indicated that 2 out of 6 lymph nodes were positive and that the mass had 16 mm positive which was totally encased in scar tissue so it didn't spread at all!    Since everything was removed, there will be no further treatment.

I was to return to work on June 5th but they will extend it another 4 weeks due to the surgery.   They only thing about the reversal surgery the doctor said was that if I feel I have to go I may not have very much warning time.    Maybe I will wear depends for a few weeks after my surgery to be safe

They also did blood work and said my potassium was a little high which could be from dehydration.   I indicated to them yea because all I had that morning was a 12 oz cup of tea and some apple sauce and a little water so I knew I was not hydrated.   They want me to retest again on Monday which I will do.

So I will keep stretching this darn groin muscle out until I can fully move again   Thank you wonderful ladies for all your love, prayers and support.   It is truly appreciated.

All my best to you all

Kathy

Oh Kathy, that's the best news ever: "the mass had 16 mm positive which was totally encased in scar tissue so it didn't spread at all! Since everything was removed, there will be no further treatment". Congratulations and thank you for letting us know. Despite all the hurdles it looks like this part will be behind you SOON. Best always, B

Wonderful news!! 

Kathy, we can 'hear' your continued smile through all this adversity.  We all continue to cheer for you and pray your pain is gone.  Thank you for sharing your story with us.  You help all of us in our journey.