Don’t want to lose anus

Sorry to hear of the diagnosis. They couldn’t prove cancer with me prior to surgery, so my surgeon, Dr D’Angelo got together with another young robotic surgeon at Mayo in Rochester, MN, and they resected my rectum and saved me from having permanent colostomy bag. It was after pathology came back that they found 2 cancers in it and a few months later, I started Chemo/radiation protocol. My oncologist at same location is Dr Halfdanarson. Hope this helps some.

I too had my tumor removed from my sphincter muscle in November. I had no chemo or radiation and my last scan came out clean. It took a bit yo heal but I have no issues with going to the bathroom. Hoping I will never have to go thru it again. My surgeon was in Stamford, CT and my oncologist in NYC at Sloan.

Please reach out to me. 42 year old Mom of 3 here and Mayo was able to cut mine out very near sphincter with robotic surgeon and colorectal surgeon working together to do so. So far, no colostomy. Doing my darkest to keep it that way. I also did rectal and pelvic radiation and chemo. No easy thing! But I’m doing well a year later.

Where did you have this performed and what doctor?

I just had my tumor removed from my sphincter muscle. They were able to reconstruct the muscle and I have no issues going to the bathroom. The recovery was not pleasant, but worth it to be able to poop normal.
Fingers crossed your outcome is great!!

I'm tagging @jenmo to make sure she sees your helpful post, @happygrandpa. Holding light and really hoping that the surgeon is able to confirm that you've had a complete tumor response and may be able to avoid having surgery at this time. I'll be anxious to get your update.

Rich, what help you manage the challenges and side effects of chemo-radiation?

Hi Jen and all, I was diagnosed with mid-lower rectal cancer in October and finished 6 weeks of radiation and xeloda at the end of January. The tumor was staged as T3 with no lymph node involvement yet and the stage overall, like yours, was IIa. I had my MRI Monday and met with the medical oncologist on Wednesday. I too have been very anxious about the surgery that is the standard next step for this cancer. I was amazed to find in my appointment on Wednesday that my tumor is completely gone and that there appears to be no lymph node involvement. The next step is an endoscopy from the surgeon on March 10 to verify the status of my cancer. If I have indeed had a "complete response" to the CRT, meaning the cancer is gone, then I may be a candidate for a "watch and wait" protocol. This would mean careful surveillance over the next couple of years with the possibility of avoiding surgery. There may be additional chemo to ensure that there is no distant spread of cancer. If they find residual cancer, they will have to do the surgery.

I share this to give some hope as to how effective the chemo-radiation treatment can be. I know that it is not always this effective, but it can be. I've been taking this journey one step at a time and that feels necessary. Every cancer is different and the protocols need to be evaluated each step along the way.

I also completely relate to how scary the thought of permanent change to your body is. But I do have faith that if need be, others have travelled this road and I will just have to follow and adapt as so many have. Agreed with all that finding a team that really listens and thinks through options with you is important. I found that to be true of my team at Penn Medicine the more we actually got into the treatment and the care truly began. Holding you in the Light, as Quakers say, for this scary journey, hoping for the best possible care, peace of mind along the way and the best possible outcomes.

Finally, just a note that the chemo-radiation was not easy, but definitely doable. Hope this is helpful- with you in spirit.

Rich

Hi Jen and all, I was diagnosed with mid-lower rectal cancer in October and finished 6 weeks of radiation and xeloda at the end of January. The tumor was staged as T3 with no lymph node involvement yet and the stage overall, like yours, was IIa. I had my MRI Monday and met with the medical oncologist on Wednesday. I too have been very anxious about the surgery that is the standard next step for this cancer. I was amazed to find in my appointment on Wednesday that my tumor is completely gone and that there appears to be no lymph node involvement. The next step is an endoscopy from the surgeon on March 10 to verify the status of my cancer. If I have indeed had a "complete response" to the CRT, meaning the cancer is gone, then I may be a candidate for a "watch and wait" protocol. This would mean careful surveillance over the next couple of years with the possibility of avoiding surgery. There may be additional chemo to ensure that there is no distant spread of cancer. If they find residual cancer, they will have to do the surgery.

I share this to give some hope as to how effective the chemo-radiation treatment can be. I know that it is not always this effective, but it can be. I've been taking this journey one step at a time and that feels necessary. Every cancer is different and the protocols need to be evaluated each step along the way.

I also completely relate to how scary the thought of permanent change to your body is. But I do have faith that if need be, others have travelled this road and I will just have to follow and adapt as so many have. Agreed with all that finding a team that really listens and thinks through options with you is important. I found that to be true of my team at Penn Medicine the more we actually got into the treatment and the care truly began. Holding you in the Light, as Quakers say, for this scary journey, hoping for the best possible care, peace of mind along the way and the best possible outcomes.

Finally, just a note that the chemo-radiation was not easy, but definitely doable. Hope this is helpful- with you in spirit.

Rich