5 weeks radiation & 5FU - now rectal surgery

Momof2plusteentwins
Momof2plusteentwins Member Posts: 509 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I see there are many ways to take rectal tumor out - what way is the most common, successful, less painful? I am meeting with surgeon June 1st, scared to death. I also have 1 liver mets, has anyone heard of them doing that the same time. I just want it gone before I go totally crazy. Then I start on the folfori for 24 weeks every other week - with a take home back for 48 hours. Long long road. Many more tears to flow.
Thanks,
Sandy

Comments

  • steved
    steved Member Posts: 834 Member
    #2
    Long road
    You are right it is a long road and incredibly daunting from where you now are. But breaking it down into stages and just facing the next bit is often helpful. GEt yourself through the chemoradiotherapy first and then face the surgery. My memory of it is that I got very tired torwards the end of radiotherapy but wasn't too bad throughout- continued to work full time and could do most stuff at home as long as I got my rest and sleep. Leave the later stages to worry about once they are closer.

    The operation isn't easy but again if you face it as a stage you need to get through it is doable - there are so many here that have been there and got through it despite all feeling exactly as you are now. As far as I know the most common ops remain the APR (abdominoperineal resection)and the LAR (lower abdominal resection). I had the APR where they use a large incision in the abdomen to take out a section of the rectum and associated lymph nodes, reconnecting things if it isn't too low but usually with a temporary stoma to let it rest and heal. Each person's experience of how they react to it is very individual.

    Talk to your docs and be clear as to what is the plan for you but don't try and cope with all of it at once or else it will be completely overwhelming.
    steve
  • dmj101
    dmj101 Member Posts: 527 Member
    #3
    Agree.. 1 step at a time
    Hi Sandy,
    I started with 6 weeks of radiation and chemo - 5fu.
    Then I waited 6-8 weeks and we operated to remove my rectal tumor. Mine was low and directly at the conection to the annus so both were removed and I have a permanent colostomy. So depending on where the tumor is will depend on the possible resections available.
    I was then put back on FOLFOX chemo protocol - 12 rounds.
    I did not at the initial diagnosis have any mets so I do not know it that makes any of the protocol different. I believe it may... you will definitely need to have a clear discussion with your surgeon and oncologist.
    They have since found I have lung mets and I just started folfiri last week.. Folfiri appears to be protocol when mets present..

    You have every right to be scared.. it is very scary to hear the word cancer... you will have a whole new vocabulary list in the next 6 months. .. I cried too.. but eventually they ran out and I realized I needed to get on track to get better and the tears were not going to help me ... It comes slowly the acceptance of what is happening but it will come.

    Peace and Hugs...
    Donna
  • dmj101
    dmj101 Member Posts: 527 Member
    #4
    Agree.. 1 step at a time
    Hi Sandy,
    I started with 6 weeks of radiation and chemo - 5fu.
    Then I waited 6-8 weeks and we operated to remove my rectal tumor. Mine was low and directly at the conection to the annus so both were removed and I have a permanent colostomy. So depending on where the tumor is will depend on the possible resections available.
    I was then put back on FOLFOX chemo protocol - 12 rounds.
    I did not at the initial diagnosis have any mets so I do not know it that makes any of the protocol different. I believe it may... you will definitely need to have a clear discussion with your surgeon and oncologist.
    They have since found I have lung mets and I just started folfiri last week.. Folfiri appears to be protocol when mets present..

    You have every right to be scared.. it is very scary to hear the word cancer... you will have a whole new vocabulary list in the next 6 months. .. I cried too.. but eventually they ran out and I realized I needed to get on track to get better and the tears were not going to help me ... It comes slowly the acceptance of what is happening but it will come.

    Peace and Hugs...
    Donna
  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #5
    I can understand what you're feeling
    I did radiation & chemo, surgery with a temporary ilestomy, then more chemo.
    You can do this---you can. You don't have to like it, but you can do it. You can cry while doing it (I did), but you can do it.
    One foot in front of the other...
    We are all here for you
    Big hugs
    Tommycat
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #6
    Treatment
    Had six weeks of radiation with Xeloda, then waited six weeks for surgery. They removed my rectum and made a new one from the large colon (j-pouch) and temporaily gave me an ileostomy for 7 months and then reversed it. That was helpful while going through chemo after surgery as diarrhea can be common. It's just one step at a time.

    Kim
  • Momof2plusteentwins
    Momof2plusteentwins Member Posts: 509 Member
    #7
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Treatment
    Had six weeks of radiation with Xeloda, then waited six weeks for surgery. They removed my rectum and made a new one from the large colon (j-pouch) and temporaily gave me an ileostomy for 7 months and then reversed it. That was helpful while going through chemo after surgery as diarrhea can be common. It's just one step at a time.

    Kim

    Thanks for positive thoughts
    Thank you Tommycat for the positive thoughts on this. I am still in the "this can't be me" mind set. I am a med/surg nurse and worked the day before my colonoscopy a 12 hour shift - and that was it, now unable to work and lots of time to think and cry every day. I don't know if I will get an ileostomy or not, but it sounds like not a bad thing.
    Sandy
  • tabbyfatgirl1
    tabbyfatgirl1 Member Posts: 17
    #8
    I hate cancer
    Hi Sandy,
    By the time you get this, you will have had your surgery already. I pray all went well. My husband had colorectal lesion very low so he had 28 radiation/xeloda first, then had APR with permanent colostomy. That was nearly a year ago. His posterior wound still has not completely healed - but it is getting there. He started Folfox & Avastin in January 2012. None of this stuff is easy - none of it. Our chemo nurse said - some of their patients worked right through their chemo, I am so proud for those people. Maybe it's an age thing, my husband turned 71 the day he started radiation. It has REALLY taken a toll on him. He is only now beginning to get some kind of life back - now this Tuesday we start chemo again (off due to side effects).
    However, in saying all this --- you WILL get through this. My husband said - if everyone else can do it then so can I. PLEASE, PLEASE try to remain positive. That goes a long way in the battle. It would have to be so hard to do so, but try.

    Will be praying as you recoup from your surgery.

    Take care,
    P & J
  • Momof2plusteentwins
    Momof2plusteentwins Member Posts: 509 Member
    #9
    tabbyfatgirl1 said:

    I hate cancer
    Hi Sandy,
    By the time you get this, you will have had your surgery already. I pray all went well. My husband had colorectal lesion very low so he had 28 radiation/xeloda first, then had APR with permanent colostomy. That was nearly a year ago. His posterior wound still has not completely healed - but it is getting there. He started Folfox & Avastin in January 2012. None of this stuff is easy - none of it. Our chemo nurse said - some of their patients worked right through their chemo, I am so proud for those people. Maybe it's an age thing, my husband turned 71 the day he started radiation. It has REALLY taken a toll on him. He is only now beginning to get some kind of life back - now this Tuesday we start chemo again (off due to side effects).
    However, in saying all this --- you WILL get through this. My husband said - if everyone else can do it then so can I. PLEASE, PLEASE try to remain positive. That goes a long way in the battle. It would have to be so hard to do so, but try.

    Will be praying as you recoup from your surgery.

    Take care,
    P & J

    Thanks P & J
    I am scheduled for surgery June 19th, thanks for your encouragement. I am trying to turn the cry corner and get positive. My twin boys are 14 and I need to be around for them. My daughter is 28 and son is 26. My husband has been the best - with me every step of the way.
    Hope your husband starts feeling better soon.
    Sandy

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