Don’t want to lose anus

Posted by jenmo @jenmo, Dec 23, 2022

New member. Just received diagnosis with tumor 1cm from sphincter. Has anyone had a tumor shrunk and removed without losing their anus/sphincter and ability to poop normally? Any hope at all?

The idea of losing my body parts and changing my life forever, colostomy bag and whatnot as a single mom in her 40s is excruciatingly scary and depressing. Afraid of how I will manage chemo as a single mom but even more how to feel whole.

Desperate to hear hope that I might not lose ability to poop normally.

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

phylicaf22 | @phylicaf22 | Apr 3, 2023

In reply to @trishdep189 "Dr. Marilee Freitas Surgeon in Stamford, Connecticut" + (show)

What robotic procedure did doctor do? Was it transanal , ESD, emr

amariewilkinson | @amariewilkinson | Apr 3, 2023

In reply to @phylicaf22 "Which robictic procedure did you have? Trans anal or something else" + (show)

If I remember correctly, I believe it was transanal, yes.

amariewilkinson | @amariewilkinson | Apr 3, 2023

In reply to @phylicaf22 "Which robictic procedure did you have? Trans anal or something else" + (show)

I believe so, yes.

trishdep189 | @trishdep189 | Apr 3, 2023

In reply to @phylicaf22 "What robotic procedure did doctor do? Was it transanal , ESD, emr" + (show)

No. My surgery was just supposed to be to remove a nodule but when she got in there she realized it’s was attached to a tumor into the sphincter muscle and so she removed it and reconstructed. My tumor was small. Recovery was difficult, but she got it all with clean margins and I am so grateful. I have had my second scan and I’m clean.

phylicaf22 | @phylicaf22 | Apr 3, 2023

In reply to @trishdep189 "No. My surgery was just supposed to be to remove a nodule but when she got..." + (show)

Has was the transanal procedure? Why was recovering difficult

phylicaf22 | @phylicaf22 | Apr 3, 2023

In reply to @amariewilkinson "I believe so, yes." + (show)

How was procedure and after you went home

trishdep189 | @trishdep189 | Apr 3, 2023

In reply to @phylicaf22 "Has was the transanal procedure? Why was recovering difficult" + (show)

You’re swollen and sore and difficult to have a bowel movement. Ended up with a thrombosis hemorrhoid. Very painful and they could not lance because I had just had surgery. Took about 2 weeks to be able to go back to normal activities.

trishdep189 | @trishdep189 | Apr 3, 2023

In reply to @phylicaf22 "How was procedure and after you went home" + (show)

Having surgery in your anus is not the most comfortable. I had some minor bleeding and very sore.

amariewilkinson | @amariewilkinson | Apr 3, 2023

In reply to @phylicaf22 "How was procedure and after you went home" + (show)

It was a little rough starting a few days after the surgery. Some pain using the restroom and be sure to follow no lifting rules for even longer than they say. I’m not sure what happened with me, but I ended up with an ulceration that was probably due to the surgery and then chemo and radiation after that. The surgery recovery wasn’t as bad as the chemo/radiation recovery, as I did those at the same time.