TNM - final pathology report is in.

[Txbj1]

Greetings all,

Here are my final pathology report after surgery.

Invasive Adenocarcinoma, Moderately Differeniated, Extending through muscularis Propria into the pericolonic soft tissue. Resection Margins are negative for dysplasia or carincoma.

5 of 21 lymph nodes positive for metastatic carcinoma (5/21) 😔

Tumor location: Rectosigmoid Colon

Tumor Size: 3.5 x2.5 cm

Blocks(s) containing tumor suitable for further testing: a4,a6,a8,a9

Non-Tumor block a1

TNM

t3 N2A (I need to figure out what N2A is on a chart)

Stage 3 N2A but my surgeon's final notes read Stage 3 N2B but that's not what my pathology states. I am a little confused with that.

Proximal Anatomosis: Benign Colon with no diagnostic abnormality

Distal Anastomosi: Bengin Colon with no diagnostic abnormality

So, my Post Op appt went well for the most part. Since the cancer spread to the lymph nodes chemo is needed. I was a little disappointed with the number because although I knew since the tumor is a T3, I was hoping only 2 or 3 lymphs was positive, not5! The other mishap was that when my dr was telling me that I need chemo, and how a port will be placed in my chest, I was shaking my head no because I wanted to do the cancer pills. He told me that they don't work. hmm how does he know that? don't get me wrong my surgeon was the bomb and I would highly recommend him; but I disagreed with his statement regarding treatement. He said that my Oncologist will make that determination anyway. But in my mind, if the pills 'don't work' then why are people taking them? I go see my Oncologist on Tuesday. I know I need to fully heal before treatment will start, and I am only 2 week Post Op. So I am praying that the Oncologist will work with me with the pills instead of the port. I wonder how long treatment would be.

On positive notes, My Biomarker went from 4.8 to 1.9! Wooo! and my surgerial wounds are healing really well. 15 more days left to complete my self administrated Herapin shots, I don't care too much for doing that, but I am handling it well. ☺️

[mittle]

Best of luck with your treatment, take care of yourself 💙

[CountryGirl14]

first line treatment is almost always IV chemo when it comes to colon cancer. I didn’t try the pills until the third line of treatment. Plus you should get genetic testing of the tumor to see if you have any mutations that respond better to certain kinds of treatment. First line chemo is every other week with a take home pump for 3-6 months.

[Txbj1 in reply to CountryGirl14]

I get my port placed next week. 12 cycles for 6mos. Doc said nope on the pills plus according to him insurance doesn't cover the pills. So I faced the music.

[kewl1]

I had Stage 3 C colon cancer. It was 15 cm in so I was lucky. They removed my rectum and gave me a temporary Ileostomy for a year. I had 6 months of chemo every 2 weeks. The docto told me that the pills were 95% as effective as the IV. I chose the IV, Pik like in my chest etc because at the end of the day, if I still had cancer or if it came back, I did not want to wonder if it was only because I was in the 5%. I also had a choice of 3 or 6 monthss and I chose the 8.

Chemo was a breeze. I never got sick for a minute and did not need the anti nausia pills they gave me. The said it would kill my immune system but it did not hurt it at all. I seem to be bullet proof in that department and haven't had a cold or flu for years, going back prior to cancer at least. I'm 5.5 years cancer free now. Chemo treatments were like going to a spa, coffee, cookies, heated blanket, stock market on my laptop. I felt very safe and comfortable. One time I had a slight rash where the PIK line went into my arm and when I showed the nurse, she had 5 nurses and a supervisor there wihin minutes. I sad "Holy crap what if I had a hart attack rather than just a little rash?" and they said "There would be 20 of us". All in all, it was not a bad experience at all. After each 2 or so hour session at the hospital, I came home with a small baby bottle sized bottle attached to ne for 48 hours. A nurse would come and remov it. All these nurses were so kind I thought of them as angels.

I met a woman in the waiiting room one day and she was going in for her first treatment. She told me that she had chosen to only do the 3 months. When I asked why she told me that her husband had had the same treatment as ours but it made him feel sick so he just went 3 months. I cannot understand why someone would lessen their chance of a cure no matter what, but I guess everyone thinks differently.

I got neuropathy from the treatment in my hands and feet. My hands are almost fully recovered and did within months or the first year at most. I guess my feet will never recover as they are still very numb and have not improved at all. As I neared the end of my chemo treatments my neuropathy was getting alarming so on the second last one he cut back on ne of the drugs in my 3 drug mixture. He cut it out totally on the last treatment.

Showering was a bit of a chore with the PIK line and the Ileostomy bag. But there are several videos on Youtube where people show how they handled wrapping them to shower. I used Press and Seal, rubber bands and electrical tape and never had a problem

So just to summerize , my thoughts on the chemo is hit it with all you can so you will not wonder later "if only"

[Txbj1 in reply to kewl1]

kewl1 Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It has been very inspiring. I hope you are still thriving. I have major fear of major side effects.

Nueropathy is one my my major fears, the only fun thing I do is bowl on a league on Mondays and I want to cry if I can't bowl anymore. That's the main reason why I want the pills because I am a woman on the go. Plus since I live alone and I am my own bread winner, I am worried about work and being off alot, gotta pay the mortgage! So, I've been seeing online about port or IV? Is the IV like a catherer in the arm or in the chest? I am reading and studying about that today so I can be ready for my Tuesday appt. Can you please share how many days in a week that you went to get treated? When you selected 8mos, I take it that the dosage was about the same as 3mos or 6mos?

[Sunshine8240]

Hi Txbj1. Thanks for update. Sorry to hear it was in your lymph nodes. Glad the surgery all went well though and you're recovering well. I'm on tablets only, but that's because it wasn't in my lymph nodes, it was in a blood vessel though. Had it have been in lymph nodes they would have recommended the IV and the tablets.

[Txbj1 in reply to Sunshine8240]

Sunshine8240 How are you doing by the way? I hope you are well! Yes, I was so bummed about it lymphs. Doesn't seem like I am going to get my way with the pills. I still want to bowl on my league and I don't want to lose time a work, I want to cry about that. Tell me how you have been feeling? Thank you for your post! 💕💕

[Sunshine8240 in reply to Txbj1]

3It's been ok. I'm nearly halfway through the 6 months chemo now. Its been tolerable. This month has actually been fine, they did reduce my dose after cycle 2 though. I'm lucky that I get sick pay so I haven't had to work and I can just relax. I would recommend you go with what they suggest, the most important thing is you getting better so that you have many more years ahead of you to enjoy your bowl league and work xx

[Txbj1 in reply to Sunshine8240]

Port will be placed next Friday. Chemo starts on Dec 7th with a take home pump for the next day every other week for 6 months. I was told 12 rounds 2 a month for 6 months. I'm praying for the best for myself. It was confirmed, the surgeon was correct T3 B

[Sunshine8240 in reply to Txbj1]

Good luck with the chemo xx