1. < Colorectal Cancer

How long between LARS, stoma and reversal for you?

Posted by michaelfromsf @michaelfromsf, Jun 30, 2024

I am expecting to have LAR surgery soon and the plan is to remove my sigmoid, part of rectum, lymph nodes and install ostomy, then hopefully reverse. I presented stage 4 10cm tumor but with no metastatic spread. Had FolFox through port, then 25 rounds CRT, last radiation in Feb. all tests show CR or near CR. wondering if anyone like me can share this long it was between your initial LAR and healed enough for reversal. I am Pretty nervous! Thanks.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.

michaelfromsf | @michaelfromsf | Jul 16, 2024
In reply to @happygrandpa "Hi Michael, sorry to hear about your diagnosis and treatment so far. Mine was a T3..." + (show)
@happygrandpa

Hi Michael, sorry to hear about your diagnosis and treatment so far. Mine was a T3 rectal tumor. I did the 6 weeks of chemoradiation with near CR, then a break before LAR surgery in May 2023. Did cleanup chemo from June to October (I didn't have chemo before LAR like you) and then had my reversal in November. It was long path, but reversal was very successful. The ostomy was something I was nervous about, but was definitely doable and there are lots of resources out there to help live well with that. Given the bad stories I had heard about reversal, I was open to the idea of living with a stoma, but I'm so glad I went for the reversal. It's rough getting your system up and running again, but I am living a very full life with no restrictions and no urgency. Things can vary a bit from day to day, but very manageable. It is great to have my body back. Hang in there, this is no fun, but it is all doable and each segment of treatment does come to an end.

Jump to this post

So I guess you are 8 months from reversal? How was it for the first months, and how long before you were able to "live a full life." Might I also ask your general age and if you have other health issues? Thanks so much!

REPLY
happygrandpa | @happygrandpa | Jul 21, 2024

Hi Michael,

The first few weeks both recovery from the surgery and getting to manageable bowel function were very real. My system tended toward running too slow which made for painful constipation which was hard to manage with a fresh abdominal wound and new mechanics for moving things along without a sigmoid colon and rectum. But I didn't have accidents during that period or unmanageable urgency. Just clustering, unpredictability day to day and some pain. After the first four weeks, things really settled down and have been fine since. I'm 64 and in quite good health apart from the cancer and treatments. Hope this helps and wishing you well.

Rich

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.