Rectal Cancer Surgery: Anyone have LAR (low anterior resection)?

Good morning and thank you for reaching. This is a nice community that is a good resource for information and support. I had LAR surgery this past April, following six months of Folfox chemo. I had a wonderful surgeon who spent seven hours removing the majority of my rectum and the surrounding lymph notes, several of which had become cancerous. I had an ileostomy that was taken down four months later. My first surveillance CT scan in October was clear and I continue to be positive and optimistic with no debilitating after effects. I hope this helps.

Will you be having an ileostomy?

Hi
Had my surgery in 2017 for stage 3B as per PET scan.After taking concurrent chemo and radiation for 28 days,it was followed byLAR after 10 weeks.Surgeon decided to remove the sigmoid colon and rectum.Brought the descending colon and attached it to the anal canal. The lymph nodes came negative in Pathology.Medical oncologist wanted me to take six courses chemo but I decided against it.My surgeon and Pathologist also accepted my decision as all the lymph nodes have been removed and sigmoid which drains into them has also been removed.As it was an anterior wall tumour,three fourths of vagina and uterus with ovaries were removed as I was 68 yrs then.It was almost a total pelvic clearance,along with the appendix..Had an ileostomy bag for three months and then it was reversed.Initial challenges were pain.After reversal Frequency of stools with incontinence due to radiation damage was a great challenge but as time went by they became tolerable but they continue to challenge me. Refusing the chemo gave me a better quality of life.I am 73, 8 years + in remission.Fully fit to be a total care taker of my 90 year old mother who is bed ridden.If you ask me how are you? my answer would be,Great.
You are at a stage of acceptance of your diagnosis.If you train your mind to accept every day as it comes,challenges are easy to cope up with.Please don’t get into self sympathy mood,it will make it difficult for you.
My surgeon always told me dont look at the staging of the disease.Each cancer is different,just as each persons response is different.
One thing to focus on is healthy LIFE STYLE. God bless you with the great will power,then All Is Well.

jaspithill1946
Thanks for your reply. Your complex journey paid off. Wishing you continued health.

@pjebp
Possibly short term. Thanks for reaching out!

@premi
Thank you for sharing. Wishing you and your mother continued health!!

I've completed chemo a chemo radiation.
Tumor is in lower rectum.
It did shrink, however not completely.
Surgery scheduled end of March.
Surgeon said due to location, temporary illiostomy possible but may have complications with bowels after reconnecting.
Also have option of permanent colostomy.
I do have current issues with bowels and urgency.
Looking to get feedback on both.
I'm 59 yrs old and the astetics of colostomy don't bother me.
Continued or prolonged bowel issues do as it certainly impacts daily life.
Look forward to hearing from others who've made a choice and how it has gone.

@moonchaser389, how did the meeting with the surgeon go? Will you have LAR (low anterior resection) surgery?

I had LAR on December 16th. No bag needed after surgery. Mine was done robotically and I was out of the hospital two days later. I felt great, didn’t need pain meds and only did Tylenol and Ibuprofen-alternating every three hours. I would say about 2 weeks after the surgery I was basically recovered physically.
I had 5 of 22 lymph nodes test positive for cancer so I’m on round 3 of 12 of Folfox.
I do have frequent bowel issues. I’m hoping that it will resolve itself in time. It was worse right after surgery and then got better but again now having started chemo it’s unpredictable because chemo brings its own bowel movement issues. I hope that once I’m a year out from surgery I’ll have a clearer picture of what I’m dealing with so I can go from there. I’ve heard pelvic floor PT is helpful and also just the use of fiber and lomotil.
I hope your surgery goes well and that all your cancer is removed!

I had LAR for a rectal tumor in 1986 after radiation therapy. Colostomy for three months then reduced. Lymph nodes were clear, tumor was staged as Dukes Stage 1. Rectum and part of Sigmoid colon removed. Biggest challenge over 40 years has been in establishing regular habit. Frequent, unpredictable diarrhea which I can stop with Loperamide (immodium). Occasionally constipation which I can address with Dulcolax (milk of magnesia. About five small bowel obstructions over the past 30 years, two requiring hospitalization and naso gastric tube.
The others have resolved them selve. Assessment is scar tissue in my small intestine from surgery/radiation history. Primary care physician recommend smaller, more frequent meals, with low residue foods which has helped me reduce no notice small bowel obstructions. Did a pelvic therapy course last year for both bowel and uninary incontinence and notice some improvement in control