Follow up on my Transanal Excision for T3

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dschreffler
dschreffler Member Posts: 58 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Since I've pestered for so much info over the past months on sugical options, I figured it was time to share my results.

It has been almost 5 weeks since I had transanal excison for my T3 rectal cancer. For details, see my "about me page".

Short form:
Had transanal excison surgery for my T3,Nx,M0 dx, after a great response to neoadjuctive chemo/radiation. Procedure was an outpatient, was relatively easy recovery, and am close to being back to normal in terms of body function/energy, etc. I returned to work 4 weeks post surgery.

Clear margins - pathology came back clean.

I start 9 rounds of chemo (FOLFOX) on Monday, as planned prior to surgery.

Risk was if pathology not clean, would have ended up with an APR surgery vs LAR. other risk was reoccurance, but mitigating with post surgery chemo.

For me (strongly note the "for me") this option chosen to try less radical surgery first. Key to limiting reoccurance is to have post surgery chemo despite the clean pathology.

Regards,

Dan

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  • Kerry S
    Kerry S Member Posts: 606 Member
    #2
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    I also had transanal
    Dan,
    I also had transanal removal of the tumor in my rectum. 05/08. Then did 6 weeks of chemo/rad to kill a node that was near the tumor. Then had liver embolization, 12/08, to wipe out the crap on my liver. All was fine on my last CT scan 12/09. Had colonoscopy 3/10 that was great. The doc said I don’t need another one for 2 years. Get the rod up my butt end of this month to check yet again for recurrence.

    I think my colon surgeon just has a thing for looking up butts. I wish I had a smiley faced marble I could shove up there before the exam.

    I was told upfront that chemo/rad had a risk over surgery to remove the damn node. I am very happy I took that risk. I now have very normal BMs. Only problems I have now are from the side effects of the chemo/rad and the paranoia that goes with it.

    Kerry
  • 462lt
    462lt Member Posts: 117
    #3
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    I was wondering about you
    Glad to hear you are up and about. Sounds like it went well. I have 10 more rad left and then surgery. Guess I need to talk to doc about post chemo. Thanks again for info Laura
  • dschreffler
    dschreffler Member Posts: 58 Member
    #4
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    462lt said:

    I was wondering about you
    Glad to hear you are up and about. Sounds like it went well. I have 10 more rad left and then surgery. Guess I need to talk to doc about post chemo. Thanks again for info Laura

    I hope you are doing well!
    I hope you are doing well! I actually have 12 rounds of 5Fu and 9 of OXI. I thought it was only 9 of both. I got the first round of Oxi on Monday and my fanny pack of fun with the 5FU pump. The pump has not been an issue, but the xeloda pill was easier - as long as you took the pills on time. So trade off is not having to think but lug a fanny back for 48 hours. I get to turn in the pump today and then be off until 12 days. (Warning to men folk - shave the chest hair before they put the pump bandage around your port, cause it gonna be yank off anyway!)

    Oxi knocked me out Monday and Tuesday. Cold sensitivity back, and taste buds fading a bit.
    A bit tired today and expect a nap will be calling.

    Make sure they watching you skin for the radiation! And enjoy the summer!

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