I want to thank all of you that responded to my question about upcoming surgery. Cancerdad...you were right on about everything to ask...seemed my surgeon anticipated everything on my list and I was pleased with all her responses. I actually cut & pasted your reply to a word doc...that I printed out and took with me. My surgeon is a Board Certified Colon-Rectal surgeon with over 10 yrs of doing just that. My surgery is scheduled for this Thursday. Regarding the resection...she did go into detail regarding getting all the cancer and enough lymph nodes (mentioned about 20) and location of nerves, etc. Given my situation...blessed with a great wife for over 30 ys. & Two awesome adult children...son 27 & daughter 25...I just as soon she error on the side of getting everything. I will be having an ileostomy. My tumer is 8cm up with about 5cm at the distal end so I am hopeful that a reversal is in store down the road. One big positive from the meeting was her comments about my being a textbook patient for her in terms of my physical body. My normal body weight is about 160lbs ( 5'10"). Because of weight loss over the last few months...I'm now at about 145lbs. I have zero body fat and she says that's going to make everything easier...something about how men's pelvises are smaller vs. women and how it's more difficult with men that are much heavier...more fat etc. I think she did mention stapling rectum but forgot to have her elaborate...vs. sewing...why did you ask CancerDad? Regarding post-op...I will be having PCA for the pain.
Regarding the other things...coughing, etc...that was covered in my pre-surgey session at the hospital on Friday. I am lucky also that a very close friend of mine is a nurse that works the surgery floor ( 1 of 2) at the hospital where I will be having the surgery...she (& Dr) are making the arrangements to have me assigned to her floor. Regarding chemo after...will know more how we're going to approach, etc after the pathology...I will be having it...how long & how taken...pill vs. IV don't know yet. Finally...quick question about using this board...can you reply to one particular reply to a post (originally string)...or do you have to start a new string...as I am doing here? All for now...I will update you all after surgery & when able...this board has been so valuable to me...reading all of your stories...and yes CancerDad...attitude is everything...I'm going to make up a poster with this thought and hang it in my room. Thank you all again.!!

Hi Osage

Looks like you have a sound plan to me and its great that you can talk to your surgeon about these things. These boards and the posters really help to prepare you for the things you need to ask about.

Regarding the way to post. You can do 3 things.
1) Start a new thread
2) Add another post to a current thread by clicking on "Post Reply"
3) Add another post to a current thread but comment to a specific post or part of post by clicking on "Quote"

Hope this helps
kind regards
ktee

Hi:
I'm glad you found the questions helpful. The reason I asked about the staples versus sutures for the anastamosis (the connection bowel to bowel or rectum) is because suturing can tend to narrow the lumen (size of the tubular opening). Stapling tends to allow for a neater, greater sized anastamosis, which will reduce your risk of developing stricture or narrowing later on. It is true, however, that a male pelvis is smaller than a females and doing this type of surgery can be difficult to reconnect depending on how low they go. So, many surgeons do use a stapler when they can. The problem is, sometimes a stapler can't fit in a male pelvis, so manual transection is necessary. They will use another round type stapler though (or try to) in order to reconnect the bowel.

Also, suturing versus stapling the skin is a comfort and cosmetic issue. Staples provide a better looking closure, unless you have a surgeon who will do a meticulous closure. However, typically, surgeons have their residents close the skin incisions. Lastly, staples for skin closure can be more uncomfortable than sutures.

I wish you the best of luck.

Regards,
CancerDad :angel:

I'm glad you got some answers and it sounds like you are feeling a bit more comfortable with the procedure. Good luck to you! Let us know how you are doing. Recovery from surgery will take some time so try to get some help ahead of time if you can (meals, household chores). Hopefully you will be out in 4-5 days, but don't set that in your mind...it could take longer before they release you from the hospital (speaking from experience here!).

Best wishes for a great surgery and a speedy recovery!