1. < Colorectal Cancer

Adenocarcinoma - just diagnosed

Posted by fpdm @fpdm, Oct 24, 2023

Hi - just diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma rectal cancer after colonoscopy. Will go for CT scan and MRI to determine next steps. Any advice? So scared.

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verol65 | @verol65 | Apr 26 9:22am
In reply to @lou3 "It’s been six weeks since my LAR and then 3 weeks since I was admitted for..." + (show)
@lou3

It’s been six weeks since my LAR and then 3 weeks since I was admitted for small bowel obstruction. My surgeon follow up is in May 8. Hopefully I can get the stoma reversed. My pathology report showed no cancer in any lymph nodes so hopefully no chemo. I haven’t been contacted so far about that anyways. Fingers crossed. Then I’m worried about symptoms after reversal!!??

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They usually wait several months before reversal. Then you must be prepared for possibly suffering from LARS. You can watch this for an explanation of what to expect after reconnection.

There is also a LARS FB group when the time comes.
And this site: https://livingwithlars.com/

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lou3 | @lou3 | Apr 25 8:58am

It’s been six weeks since my LAR and then 3 weeks since I was admitted for small bowel obstruction. My surgeon follow up is in May 8. Hopefully I can get the stoma reversed. My pathology report showed no cancer in any lymph nodes so hopefully no chemo. I haven’t been contacted so far about that anyways. Fingers crossed. Then I’m worried about symptoms after reversal!!??

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1 reply
lou3 | @lou3 | Mar 20 8:26am
In reply to @terrihodges "You've got this! I'm also a 65 year old Cdn female who had a LAR with..." + (show)
@terrihodges

You've got this!
I'm also a 65 year old Cdn female who had a LAR with temp ileostomy in March 2022. Do you know yet if you're having a temp ileostomy? Mine was a bit of a surprise........ Think loose clothing, getting up and around as soon as you can, and please consider having your husband help you as much as possible - it's helpful to be able to lean, AND it helps them be involved and improves their ability to empathize (in my experience.) Sending you good vibes! Please do let us know how you are doing and ask away with the questions xo

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I had the LAR and have so temporary ileostomy too. A bit of a surprise but surgeon told me right before I was sedated. Stayed in hospital for day of surgery and 2 other nights. Came home in St Patrick’s Day. A lot to learn and high anxiety for sure. I’d sure like to know about underwear and something to hold bag in place instead of dangling around my leg? 3 weeks I should find out if I need chemo from pathology report. Did you have chemo??

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terrihodges | @terrihodges | Mar 14 2:00pm
In reply to @lou3 "Scared to death! 4 more days to LAR. I’ve never had surgery before and I’m 65..." + (show)
@lou3

Scared to death! 4 more days to LAR. I’ve never had surgery before and I’m 65 years old female. Any words of advice on how to deal with feelings leading up to surgery? I don’t want to scare my husband with all my feelings.

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You've got this!
I'm also a 65 year old Cdn female who had a LAR with temp ileostomy in March 2022. Do you know yet if you're having a temp ileostomy? Mine was a bit of a surprise........ Think loose clothing, getting up and around as soon as you can, and please consider having your husband help you as much as possible - it's helpful to be able to lean, AND it helps them be involved and improves their ability to empathize (in my experience.) Sending you good vibes! Please do let us know how you are doing and ask away with the questions xo

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1 reply
cjay | @cjay | Mar 12 2:46pm
In reply to @lou3 "Awww thanks for that, you are very thoughtful. Yes I’ll check it out, I’m in Canada..." + (show)
@lou3

Awww thanks for that, you are very thoughtful. Yes I’ll check it out, I’m in Canada so it’s a bit to chilly now but good idea when it gets warmer here.

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I’m always wore mine with a sweater, and sometimes with leggings👍
* I just realized this link doesn’t even go to PACT. That’s what I get for texting from work without my glasses!
Here’s their link. That dress may be last year’s and gone now, but they have very nice things.
https://wearpact.com/women

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verol65 | @verol65 | Mar 12 12:55pm

@lou3 Don't be afraid to share your feelings with us here, as your surgery gets closer and keep us posted afterwards as to how it went. I'll be thinking of you, hoping for the best outcome possible.
Big hug!

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lou3 | @lou3 | Mar 12 9:12am
In reply to @cjay "Lou, I forgot to add something that made a good difference to me. I went online..." + (show)
@cjay

Lou, I forgot to add something that made a good difference to me. I went online and ordered a really pretty, loose, high waisted cotton dress (from Pact). I wore it home, and wore it to most of my chemo appts. It didn’t interfere with my ileostomy bad, and it made me feel good every time I put it on!!
I know you just have a few days., but maybe go online and check them out!
https://poshmark.com/listing/Pact-Revive-Pop-Over-Dress-Animal-Print-Organic-Cotton-Scoop-Neck-Cap-Sleeve-XS-65ad798bbd66cdce8f410dd9

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Awww thanks for that, you are very thoughtful. Yes I’ll check it out, I’m in Canada so it’s a bit to chilly now but good idea when it gets warmer here.

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1 reply
cjay | @cjay | Mar 12 9:04am
In reply to @lou3 "Scared to death! 4 more days to LAR. I’ve never had surgery before and I’m 65..." + (show)
@lou3

Scared to death! 4 more days to LAR. I’ve never had surgery before and I’m 65 years old female. Any words of advice on how to deal with feelings leading up to surgery? I don’t want to scare my husband with all my feelings.

Jump to this post

Lou, I forgot to add something that made a good difference to me. I went online and ordered a really pretty, loose, high waisted cotton dress (from Pact). I wore it home, and wore it to most of my chemo appts. It didn’t interfere with my ileostomy bad, and it made me feel good every time I put it on!!
I know you just have a few days., but maybe go online and check them out!
https://poshmark.com/listing/Pact-Revive-Pop-Over-Dress-Animal-Print-Organic-Cotton-Scoop-Neck-Cap-Sleeve-XS-65ad798bbd66cdce8f410dd9

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1 reply
lou3 | @lou3 | Mar 11 3:14pm
In reply to @cjay "Lou, I am 65 and had my first hospital stay and surgery in April when I..." + (show)
@cjay

Lou, I am 65 and had my first hospital stay and surgery in April when I had my LAR. I went right into a temporary ileostomy, and I was just blind with anxiety in the days leading up to the surgery. There is no way to know what to expect. It will be ok. It will be scary, and different, and you will amaze yourself how strong and adaptive you are. You will draw on strengths you didn’t realize you had.
There are wonderful nurses and doctors and helpful people all along the way. I keep a pad with me always and wrote down EVERY question that crossed my mind.
I promise you it will be ok. Feel free to reach out to me anytime. I may have some similar experiences that could help you.
You got this! Sending 💗🌹

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Thank you so much !! I will definitely take paper and pen with me and continue to ask a million questions. I hope I am as brave as you!!!

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lou3 | @lou3 | Mar 11 3:12pm
In reply to @verol65 "@lou3 First of all, sending you a big, big hug. I too was a nervous wreck..." + (show)
@verol65

@lou3 First of all, sending you a big, big hug.
I too was a nervous wreck before my LAR, so I started psychotherapy and meditation. Also Dr. Andrew Weil's 4-7-8 is starting to help me (it takes several weeks of pratice). It is important to share your feelings with your husband and anyone close to you, because then they will understand your behavior and be able to provide better support. I learned it the hard way: trying to protect my parents from being anxious because of my health, I increased my own anxiety ten-fold. Once I told them, I could breathe more freely and focus on being as calm as possible. Writing down what you feel in a diary can also be helpful.
Something else that helped me was to make an appointment with the surgeon and bombard him with about 15 questions related to the surgery, the hospital stay and the early convalescence. Also talking with someone who had gone through the same surgery (mine was a two-stage Turnbull-Cutait pullthrough with coloanal anastomosis, which is a form of TME without a stoma).
Finally, I also took a short trip with my husband to a place I had long wanted to visit, just before the surgery, leaving 2 days for the prep.
Also, preparing things that would occupy me through the hours at the hospital: a book that wouldn't need me to concentrate much, a video game, and crocheting, and a stress relief ball or small stuffed animal.
You might want to take your own wipes to the hospital, without alcohol or fragrance. Pack anything you feel will make you feel good about yourself and relaxed. It might be make-up, your favorite perfume, your favorite hydrating cream or oil for massages, your favorite earings, aroma-therapy difusor, an electric cushion, etc. Preparing your bag with feel good things can help you relax a little.

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Awww thank you so much with words of encouragement. I will use your ideas of packing my bag with extra things and journaling. I made an appointment with a social worker to start talking g one day before my surgery and maybe beyond.

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