New Member (long time reader)

I have been lurking around this Great site for some time now and would like to share my experience and get involved with this community.

I was DX'd with stage 3 rectal cancer in 3-2004 with one node that seemed suspicious per the ultrasound although CT scans were negative for node involvement. The mass was 6 CM in size in the rectum and was 7 CM from the Anal verge. I went through six weeks of chemo/radiation preoperatively (5fu via a pump for six weeks). After a 6 week rest the surgeon at the Mayo Clinic performed a TME (Total Mesorectal Excision).The Pathology reports indicated a complete pathlogical response from the previous treatments so there was no evidence of any cancer cells during the excision which is Great news! A temp ileostomy was performed. I received 6 months of Folfox chemo after the surgery.After the chemo my CEA was higher that the norm (3.8 at one point yikes!!) and my liver panel was also higher and they found an additional nodule on my liver. During my followup test all concerns were confirmed as benign and I went through the reversal of the ileostomy about 10 days ago. The takedown of the ileostomy has been Very Difficult to deal with.... I was informed that I would be in for a long recovery (bowel training for at least one year) I am not giving up on the reversal but I would like to get some feedback from anyone that has gone through the reversal. I will admit that it is getting a little better over time but seems unbearable at times but yet I have gone 8 hours without the urge/panic of going now at times but I have periods of time where I need to be very close to the toilet. I was so used to dealing with the ostomy bag and seemed free to do what ever I wanted. I would appreciate any feedback on this. Thank You