29th April 2004
John:
Sounds like everything went well-- you didn't mention your staging post-op... once they removed the nodes. Do you know if any nodes were positive. I am a 31 year old Stage 3C Rectal Cancer survivor-- 6/10 positive nodes... just had my ileostomy reversed after having it for 4 months while my rectum healed. I'm sorry you had to experience the severe burns from the ilieostomy-- totally un-necessary. I also had oxaliplatin/5FU/Leucovorin and radiation pre-op to shrink the tumor-- the oxaliplatin was horrible. I still have tingling in my fingers every now and again. I have 6 more months of chemo to go-- this round using Camptosar/5FU/Leucovorin.
I wanted to speak to the sexual aspect. I too, have difficulties-- and in addition catheterize to urinate every less than 6 hours. The urologist said it can take up to 2 years to realize whether there was serious damage to the nerves-- 2 years after chemo is completed. Sometimes the blood vessels to the penis get affected by the radiation too. He told me my body is still under assault, and that erectile function is one of the first to go. He gave me a bunch of samples-- Viagra, Levitra, Cialis... haven't tried them all yet, but the Cialis did nothing. My point-- don't get discouraged (I'm doing my best not to!)... and talk openly with your surgeon/or urologist. I was also told that even if nerves were severed/damaged and don't heal, there are injections available to address this problem :eek: (not that this sounds like a pleasant alternative!!!). But, as you said-- I'm happy to be alive. Please let me know if you find out anything additional.
Have fun in Bermuda! My wife and I love it there. It's our favorite island even out of all the Carribean! I glad things went well for you. :)
Sounds like everything went well-- you didn't mention your staging post-op... once they removed the nodes. Do you know if any nodes were positive. I am a 31 year old Stage 3C Rectal Cancer survivor-- 6/10 positive nodes... just had my ileostomy reversed after having it for 4 months while my rectum healed. I'm sorry you had to experience the severe burns from the ilieostomy-- totally un-necessary. I also had oxaliplatin/5FU/Leucovorin and radiation pre-op to shrink the tumor-- the oxaliplatin was horrible. I still have tingling in my fingers every now and again. I have 6 more months of chemo to go-- this round using Camptosar/5FU/Leucovorin.
I wanted to speak to the sexual aspect. I too, have difficulties-- and in addition catheterize to urinate every less than 6 hours. The urologist said it can take up to 2 years to realize whether there was serious damage to the nerves-- 2 years after chemo is completed. Sometimes the blood vessels to the penis get affected by the radiation too. He told me my body is still under assault, and that erectile function is one of the first to go. He gave me a bunch of samples-- Viagra, Levitra, Cialis... haven't tried them all yet, but the Cialis did nothing. My point-- don't get discouraged (I'm doing my best not to!)... and talk openly with your surgeon/or urologist. I was also told that even if nerves were severed/damaged and don't heal, there are injections available to address this problem :eek: (not that this sounds like a pleasant alternative!!!). But, as you said-- I'm happy to be alive. Please let me know if you find out anything additional.
Have fun in Bermuda! My wife and I love it there. It's our favorite island even out of all the Carribean! I glad things went well for you. :)