Surgery is over

[Kylles]

I had my surgery on Tuesday - lower anterior resection... an 8 hour surgery - keyhole and I came home on Saturday afternoon. The surgery went well although it was apparently a tricky one thanks to a large low rectal tumour and small pelvis, the surgeon was happy with the outcome. I was so anxious about the surgery but certainly happy to be moving onto my next step of recovery. I have a clinic appointment in 2 weeks to find out the pathology results and the next step.

[Braveb]

Hi Kylies, Wow, what a nice quick recovery! Well done. I had the same surgery but mine was open and I had some problems after it which kept me in hospital a little longer. Did you have a loop illeostomy? I know surgeons prefer big pelvises but did you feel complimented when they said you had a nice small one? Ben

[Kylles]

Hi Ben I've been following your blog since I found out about the tumour and I see that ours was similar. No loop illeostomy for me. Yeah small pelvis is a compliment.. ummm I think... hahahaha. The pathology results were more than I could have hoped for. Initially I was a T3N2M0 and after surgery and the removal of 23 lymph nodes they found no activity in them and it was downgraded to a T2N0M0 which was fantastic to hear. Well today I met with the Oncologist and will start chemo - Capecitabine tabs on a 21 day cycle of 14 days of meds and 7 days off them for 21 weeks. I start tomorrow morning. I thought it would be a week or 2 before I would have to start. Kind of bewildering really.

[Leeanne]

Hi Kylles I know we talk that other way but I was trying to add you as a friend and couldn't work it out so I know when I replied to another person that I could add them as a friend so here goes. Let me know if you have worked out a way to be my friend on here I think I am having Chemo brain after 5 weeks of chemo :). Just like baby brain - remember that one. Lots of love Leeanne

[Kylles]

Hi Leeanne I'll try and add you, I did try but wasn't able so I'll reply here and then try again xx

[#6]

Hi Kylies I'm also taking Capecitabine tablets (Xeloda) on the same cycle as you. They also use them for metastatic breast cancer. I've been taking them for 8 cycles so far and have had mild/moderate Hand Foot syndrome. I started at 4,000mg a day and dropped this to 3,500 mg a day after cycle 3 as my feet were peeling like a snake. The fantastic aspect of this oral chemo is that they can tweak the dose to control side effects without any loss in effectiveness. It's working for me, hope it is great for you too. Remember to moisturise a few times a day - feet and hands, I use Moo Goo. If you need any more info just ask! With love Joy K

[Kylles]

Hi Joy, thanks for your reply. The Xeloda was pretty harsh at first, on day 3 I ended up in the ED for 11 hours with chest pains (no heart attack just vomiting and med related though) after having spent the entire day vomiting. I now have to now use Miinitran patches to keep those pains at bay, courtesy of the meds, and I've also been given stronger anti nausea wafers which have helped a lot. I've not yet done a 3 week cycle, I've managed 2 x 2 week cycles though and will start the first 3 week cycle on Tuesday, am hoping it goes as well as it did last week, I didn't have too many harsh side effects. I have been moisturising it's particularly my feet but so far they've been ok. How many more cycles do you have left?

[#8]

Hi Kylles As I have Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that has spread to one vertebra I will be on Xeloda until it stops working (when I build up a resistance to it) and then I'll switch to another chemo regime. I've found Xeloda to be very easy, no nausea, no tiredness, no vomiting etc. just mild/moderate Hand and Foot syndrome. Some women in America have been on it for over 2 years, hope it works for me that long! With love Joy k