Stage 3A Sigmoid Question

Stage 3C colon cancer survivor. I had laparoscopic/robotic surgery myself at Mayo-Rochester. They took the entire colon and 108 surrounding lymph nodes and connected the small intestine to the rectum, leaving 4-5 small scars from the incisions. I looked to count them and I can't find them 2.5 years later after surgery. Very satisfied with this, particularly the quick recovery and lack of ongoing pain. Was 68 at the time. Your situation may require fewer incisions since it's a resection.

Went in on a Wednesday and was released on Saturday. The surgery and recovery weren't particularly painful for me - minimal use of addictive pain killers for that. The worst thing for me was that I have arthritic spurs in both shoulders which both went crazy while laying in bed - may also have torn a tendon in one shoulder trying to pull myself up in bed with my elbows.

Basically, they won't let you out until you've pooped which can take a while to get restarted since it will be while as they progress your diet to solid food.

I was sent home with various meds (memory is a bit poor) - one was Oxycodone (directions - if you need it, use it) and another was 28 day supply of self-injectable Heparin (blood thinner to prevent clots). Yes, they had me practice injections before sending me home.

If I remember correctly, follow-up with the surgical team was approximately 6 weeks and in my case also had one with oncology. They will set you up with a regular scan/blood work regimen if needed - in my case quarterly.

In my case (hopefully not yours) they also wanted me to do chemo. I'll leave that for another discussion.

My experience - yours may vary. All the best.

Stage 3C colon cancer survivor. I had laparoscopic/robotic surgery myself at Mayo-Rochester. They took the entire colon and 108 surrounding lymph nodes and connected the small intestine to the rectum, leaving 4-5 small scars from the incisions. I looked to count them and I can't find them 2.5 years later after surgery. Very satisfied with this, particularly the quick recovery and lack of ongoing pain. Was 68 at the time. Your situation may require fewer incisions since it's a resection.

Went in on a Wednesday and was released on Saturday. The surgery and recovery weren't particularly painful for me - minimal use of addictive pain killers for that. The worst thing for me was that I have arthritic spurs in both shoulders which both went crazy while laying in bed - may also have torn a tendon in one shoulder trying to pull myself up in bed with my elbows.

Basically, they won't let you out until you've pooped which can take a while to get restarted since it will be while as they progress your diet to solid food.

I was sent home with various meds (memory is a bit poor) - one was Oxycodone (directions - if you need it, use it) and another was 28 day supply of self-injectable Heparin (blood thinner to prevent clots). Yes, they had me practice injections before sending me home.

If I remember correctly, follow-up with the surgical team was approximately 6 weeks and in my case also had one with oncology. They will set you up with a regular scan/blood work regimen if needed - in my case quarterly.

In my case (hopefully not yours) they also wanted me to do chemo. I'll leave that for another discussion.

My experience - yours may vary. All the best.

Thank you so much for giving me hope. I am so glad that you are doing well. May you be blessed with many, many years of good health.

Thank you so much for giving me hope. I am so glad that you are doing well. May you be blessed with many, many years of good health.

Thank you for this explanation. I'm going in for surgery soon. They will be taking out my rectum and anus and I'll have an ostomy bag for the rest of my life. I'm kinda terrified but I know I'm lucky to have a great surgeon, not to mention the fact that I'm in good health and have no other major health issues to contend with.
It definitely helps to hear how other people have fared with this problem.

Thank you for this explanation. I'm going in for surgery soon. They will be taking out my rectum and anus and I'll have an ostomy bag for the rest of my life. I'm kinda terrified but I know I'm lucky to have a great surgeon, not to mention the fact that I'm in good health and have no other major health issues to contend with.
It definitely helps to hear how other people have fared with this problem.

My very best wishes and prayers for you!
Is your surgery due to cancer or something other such as a bowel disease?
(If you would care to offer additional information).
Thank you!

I wrote a detailed reply to you, Paul, but somehow it disappeared.
I was diagnosed with rectal cancer about 2 years ago. Opted for 6 weeks of radiation and oral chemo, hoping I'd be one of the lucky ones who were cured this way. Couldn't wrap my head around having major surgery with a lifelong ostomy bag. However, they recently found "something" at the previous growth site. Although a biopsy showed it was non-cancerous, the chances of it becoming cancerous are great. It is located very close to my sphincter and so my options are limited.
I'm trying to focus on all the ways in which I'm "lucky": great surgeon, good insurance, wonderful, helpful friends.
I'm so thankful for all the good wishes and prayers.