On 6/22/2007
Withgrace wrote:
On 6/22/2007
Ltd03 wrote:
Hi, I'm new here. My heart goes out to all of you who are dealing with this horrible disease. I have searched through posts from the last year and haven't seen anything relating to my question, but I hope someone can help me. My cousin was diagnosed (age 35) with stage IIIc colorectal cancer last November. In January he started a chemo-radiation regimen that lasted 3 months. About 6 weeks ago he had surgery to remove the tumor and resection his colon. They took 19 lymph nodes and 17 came back positive, which I know is not good, but how bad is it exactly?
His recovery was slow and he was sent home after 10 days in the hospital only to return the next day with a lot of pain and bloating. They determined he had an intestinal blockage and he went back in for surgery. They found adhesions everywhere, all over his his intestines and what was left of his bowels. They removed the adhesions and he was doing fine until a week later when he started having the same symptoms. Another blockage from new adhesions that kinked up his intestines. Another surgery and this time they reconnected the iliostomy (sp). That was 11 days ago and his recovery this time has been really rough. The doctor said no more surgeries as that only makes the adhesions worse. Anyone had any experience with this? What happens if the adhesions mess him up again?
They're talking about sending him home soon with the TPN still in so that they can get him started on chemo asap. However he is incrediably weak and I can't imagine him being ready for chemo anytime soon. I'm really scared for him. He's so young, his kids are young and none of this sounds like it's good for his prognosis. I'm trying to be positive, but all these complications are frightening. It's seems like everything I've read on here for most people the recovery from the surgery is pretty straight forward. Has anyone else experienced this?
Thanks for listening to a newcomer freak out a little!
Bonnie
Hi Bonnie,
My sister had surgery in March 2006 and had most of her colon removed. She has a sigmoid colostomy. While still in the hospital she had a "blockage" or obstruction and got very sick, nausea, gas, bloating, etc. They used a nasal gastric tube for about a week which helped her (even though it was unpleasant). She did well with subsequent chemo for six months and showed no evidence of disease on any of the scans in Nov. 2006. We were elated. Well it came back about 4 months later and she had two spots on her liver. Back to chemo again. This time she has chronic gas pains, bloating and pain in her diaphram. Her onc. says she has obstructions, maybe adhesions, but they don't want to do surgery. But she is miserable and can barely eat. Over the last year she has lost 42 lbs. The chemo (CPT-11) also makes her very sick. She also has diarrhea with the cramping, etc. She went for CT scans today and we get the results Tuesday (so scared). She vomited the contrast drink before the tests and was weak and crying. We are all devastated and scared so I know what you're going through.
I don't know about more surgery for your cousin. I feel so bad for him. Have you gotten a second opinion? I wish I had an answer for you. This is a wonderful board so I'm hoping that someone can help. I will let you know if I learn anything new. I will tell you that her oncologist said that the blockages can also be from the cancer. Apparently they can seep a bit, thus making more room, and then build up again. He too described it as "a kink in a hose." The chemo is supposed to help. I hope so.
Best to you and yours. Keep us updated.
Peace to you.
Thank you so much for responding. I'm sorry about your sister. It's so hard to watch our loved ones go through this. My cousin is approaching the end of his sixth week in the hospital - minus one night at home and I don't think he's anywhere closer to going home than he was after the first surgery. He's currently battling an infection in his port-o-cath and a high fever. The poor guy cannot catch a break and it's completely demoralizing.
The symptoms you described in your sister are exactly what my cousin is going through. He's had a NG tube after each surgery and it definitely helps with the nausea. He's usually fine for a couple days after they take it out, but then the distention and pain begin and he's miserable. He just had the tube removed yesterday and as of today (it's been 10 days since his last surgery) there's no sign of any bowel activity.
I'm curious about what your oncologist said. Could you clarify a couple things for me? What exactly is seeping, the tumor or the surgical site or something different? I'm confused. And how does the chemo help with this?
I will be praying for you and your sister on Tuesday. I hope you hear good news, though from what I understand, you can't actually see adhesions on the scan, you have to do surgery. What will show up on the scan is whether or not there's a blockage. I can only imagine the kind of pain she's in, it must be awful. How long has she been on the chemo this time? You know, I really hate this disease.
Thanks again and I'll be looking for your update.
Bonnie