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-   -   Prayers Needed for Smashmouth (https://blackandgold.com/saints/102617-prayers-needed-smashmouth.html)

K Major 01-14-2023 09:12 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmashMouth (Post 967407)
I am so blessed to be loved by all. I can't thank everybody enough for the positive thoughts and prayers.

I beat cancer for the second time. Dr. Vargas at Ochsner is the man and a master surgeon. I had colon cancer in the sigmoid area. He excised it by performing a partial colectomy. So rerouting my plumbing by cutting out the bad. The complication was that the spleen was fused to the colon, making the separation highly challenging and potentially dire with a possible spleen damage. He used robotics for 4 hours then had to call an audible by going to laparoscopy for the next 2.5 hours to finish the job. He said I was his most challenging case in his career. Everyone's prayers guided his blessed hands for a highly successful outcome. Everything works, albeit slightly differently. I made it home tonight basically two days after the procedure, incredibly. Can't say enough on how well the Ochsner team performed.

Recovery and healing for the next 6 weeks to 3 months.

I was really worried the plumbing wouldn't work like before... meaning potentially a colostomy. Thanks again for all the prayers. :bng:
Awesome Smash, just awesome!

https://media0.giphy.com/media/7hIUa...giphy.gif&ct=g

halloween 65 01-14-2023 09:16 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmashMouth (Post 967407)
I am so blessed to be loved by all. I can't thank everybody enough for the positive thoughts and prayers.

I beat cancer for the second time. Dr. Vargas at Ochsner is the man and a master surgeon. I had colon cancer in the sigmoid area. He excised it by performing a partial colectomy. So rerouting my plumbing by cutting out the bad. The complication was that the spleen was fused to the colon, making the separation highly challenging and potentially dire with a possible spleen damage. He used robotics for 4 hours then had to call an audible by going to laparoscopy for the next 2.5 hours to finish the job. He said I was his most challenging case in his career. Everyone's prayers guided his blessed hands for a highly successful outcome. Everything works, albeit slightly differently. I made it home tonight basically two days after the procedure, incredibly. Can't say enough on how well the Ochsner team performed.

Recovery and healing for the next 6 weeks to 3 months.

I was really worried the plumbing wouldn't work like before... meaning potentially a colostomy. Thanks again for all the prayers. :bng:
Glad to have u back man. Wouldn't be the same without u on here.

AsylumGuido 01-14-2023 10:37 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmashMouth (Post 967407)
I am so blessed to be loved by all. I can't thank everybody enough for the positive thoughts and prayers.

I beat cancer for the second time. Dr. Vargas at Ochsner is the man and a master surgeon. I had colon cancer in the sigmoid area. He excised it by performing a partial colectomy. So rerouting my plumbing by cutting out the bad. The complication was that the spleen was fused to the colon, making the separation highly challenging and potentially dire with a possible spleen damage. He used robotics for 4 hours then had to call an audible by going to laparoscopy for the next 2.5 hours to finish the job. He said I was his most challenging case in his career. Everyone's prayers guided his blessed hands for a highly successful outcome. Everything works, albeit slightly differently. I made it home tonight basically two days after the procedure, incredibly. Can't say enough on how well the Ochsner team performed.

Recovery and healing for the next 6 weeks to 3 months.

I was really worried the plumbing wouldn't work like before... meaning potentially a colostomy. Thanks again for all the prayers. :bng:
Don't worry, Smash. You'll do fine without that Sigmoid region. I know from experience. Nine years ago they found a cancerous area near that region on me and removed nine inches in total. You'll never miss it. The plumbing is a bit more urgent, but quite functional. ;)

neugey 01-15-2023 07:59 AM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Was this all just an elaborate hoax so Smashmouth could spend time with all the Miss Universe contestants in NOLA? ;)

Seriously though, glad you made it through that scare and things are looking good. I've got my colon screening coming up in April and cases like yours might indicate why those are important.

FinSaint 01-15-2023 08:42 AM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
I'm glad to hear you are doing better Smash!

I'm sending positive energy from the other side of the Atlantic.

AsylumGuido 01-15-2023 10:57 AM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by neugey (Post 967440)
Was this all just an elaborate hoax so Smashmouth could spend time with all the Miss Universe contestants in NOLA? ;)

Seriously though, glad you made it through that scare and things are looking good. I've got my colon screening coming up in April and cases like yours might indicate why those are important.
Yup. They found mine way, way early and the surgery was all I needed. The doctor said I was the perfect poster child for the exams. I had my third follow-up this past Tuesday. All still clear.

saintsfan1976 01-15-2023 11:12 AM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Best news of the Year!

SmashMouth 01-15-2023 01:38 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by neugey (Post 967440)
Was this all just an elaborate hoax so Smashmouth could spend time with all the Miss Universe contestants in NOLA? ;)

Seriously though, glad you made it through that scare and things are looking good. I've got my colon screening coming up in April and cases like yours might indicate why those are important.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 967445)
Yup. They found mine way, way early and the surgery was all I needed. The doctor said I was the perfect poster child for the exams. I had my third follow-up this past Tuesday. All still clear.
Preach... early detection is always key. I got regular frequent screenings and still developed it. I suspect it may have come from radiation treatment I got 6 years ago, even though they say it doesn't. I had a nice size mass develop under a year, benign at first but then came back in less than a year. You never know... get checked regularly. It's cheaper and less invasive as what I've just gone through.

hitta 01-15-2023 01:44 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
A sigmoidectomy may be performed for other reasons besides cancer such as bad inflammatory bowel disease. It's not my area of expertise, but from my understanding, it shouldn't cause too many complications. I'm glad you avoided the colostomy, though my sister is forced to have to use one right now because she is for the most part paralyzed(though improving) after developing an infection that eroded two vertebrae in her neck while pregnant. The baby came out just fine though my sister is working hard to try to reconnect the dots, move and hopefully walk again. The reason I'm saying this is that I don't think there should be any stigma with colostomy bags. They really are not bad and if something were to happen where you were forced to have one, you shouldn't hesitate one bit. They've made her life a lot simpler with all of her issues. It's really good to hear that you are improving and that the surgery went well. This place wouldn't be the same without you.

Rugby Saint II 01-15-2023 02:09 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Is no news good news? I certainly hope so. Let's hope our prayers are working.

dizzle88 01-15-2023 02:22 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II (Post 967482)
Is no news good news? I certainly hope so. Let's hope our prayers are working.
Smash responded on Page 4 Rugs :bng:

subguy 01-16-2023 09:46 AM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Smash...I am so happy the good Lord has you in his sight. Really feel blessed you are okay!

mapcow 01-16-2023 11:44 AM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Good news!

Rugby Saint II 01-16-2023 12:02 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dizzle88 (Post 967488)
Smash responded on Page 4 Rugs :bng:
Thank you dizzle. Smash is back!

SmashMouth 01-20-2023 05:49 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Seaux, I got my path results today. All margins negative, tumor size 2.2 cm, pT3 (stage 3), N1b 2 lymph nodes outta 26 positive.

For what seemed minor, or super early stage, at first turned out to be far more mature. Undergoing genetics testing to ascertain future probabilities . We'll see just how it correlates to the two lymph nodes .

Sharing this info so that all can be educated and hopefully more proactive and aware.

Thanks again for the continued prayers.

AsylumGuido 01-20-2023 06:09 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Prayers will keep coming, Smash!

K Major 01-20-2023 06:21 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmashMouth (Post 968016)
Seaux, I got my path results today. All margins negative, tumor size 2.2 cm, pT3 (stage 3), N1b 2 lymph nodes outta 26 positive.

For what seemed minor, or super early stage, at first turned out to be far more mature. Undergoing genetics testing to ascertain future probabilities . We'll see just how it correlates to the two lymph nodes .

Sharing this info so that all can be educated and hopefully more proactive and aware.

Thanks again for the continued prayers.
Appreciate the update sir Smash.

Thoughts and prayers for sure brother :bng:

SmashMouth 03-23-2023 08:11 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
A little update for everyone.

I wanted to educate those that were not aware. I am the beneficiary of a newer technology for testing for cancer. It's called ctDNA .

What is that, you may ask. it stands for circulating tumor DNA. It is a test, now FDA approved, to test for traces of cancer in your blood. There are two types, tumor informed and tumor naive. The former was used on me. They tested the pathology along with bloodwork. They do a DNA test and come up with the cancer genes found in your pathology. I had four of them, cancer genes, all bad. And they use part of that information to test your blood for traces. It is significantly more accurate than the current standard of CEA. The latter is really not accurate at all, I learned. The only time it is is when the number returns a double digit result. But it's really too late by that time. I mean it's not over, but pragmatically it's merely a matter of how long, even with treatment. Then it's a decision on quality of life. The beautiful thing with ctDNA is that it gives more clear options.

What are the options? Well the test can return a negative or positive result. Positive means they detected it and it's pretty much a certainty it's present or coming back. So it means it's present in the blood. Depending on staging, it could mean a variety of therapies, depending on the cancer type. In the case of adjuvant therapies, it means it must be done. If it tests negative, it means it is not detected in the blood. Depending on staging , it could mean active surveillance or still adjuvant care. I tested negative, which is good news. While the standard of care is still adjuvant chemo officially , unofficially it gives me the opportunity to do active surveillance from here on out. I chose active surveillance since the adjuvant care in my previous cancer is very likely what caused this cancer. Genetic testing suggested this. It can only be inferred, since they will not commit to anything, of course. The data from trials and studies and the geneticist all show that continued negative results in low risk cases like myself show stellar outcomes. I am low risk due to negative margins, CT scan results (nada) and staging and ctDNA results.

I wanted folks to be aware of this new test in case it was needed. Not every oncologist will bring this up, unfortunately. We must be our very own self-advocates. I assure you, I was probably more learned with my questions to this provider than she has ever been accustomed to dealing with.

The other test, tumor naive,. is not FDA approved yet, but is still available. Basically it tests for cancer sans pathology. It is going to revolutionize early warnings for cancers, even hard to detect and diagnose cancers. It typically sees cancers 6-18 months before they even show on imaging technologies.

In my case, I figured with continued negative results and the lifestyles changes I have already made, I should be in good hands. 2 years worth of negative gets me in the clear.

Hope this helps someone in the future. Cancer sucks. I hope no one ever gets it.

iceshack149 03-23-2023 08:56 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmashMouth (Post 971918)
A little update for everyone.

I wanted to educate those that were not aware. I am the beneficiary of a newer technology for testing for cancer. It's called ctDNA .

What is that, you may ask. it stands for circulating tumor DNA. It is a test, now FDA approved, to test for traces of cancer in your blood. There are two types, tumor informed and tumor naive. The former was used on me. They tested the pathology along with bloodwork. They do a DNA test and come up with the cancer genes found in your pathology. I had four of them, cancer genes, all bad. And they use part of that information to test your blood for traces. It is significantly more accurate than the current standard of CEA. The latter is really not accurate at all, I learned. The only time it is is when the number returns a double digit result. But it's really too late by that time. I mean it's not over, but pragmatically it's merely a matter of how long, even with treatment. Then it's a decision on quality of life. The beautiful thing with ctDNA is that it gives more clear options.

What are the options? Well the test can return a negative or positive result. Positive means they detected it and it's pretty much a certainty it's present or coming back. So it means it's present in the blood. Depending on staging, it could mean a variety of therapies, depending on the cancer type. In the case of adjuvant therapies, it means it must be done. If it tests negative, it means it is not detected in the blood. Depending on staging , it could mean active surveillance or still adjuvant care. I tested negative, which is good news. While the standard of care is still adjuvant chemo officially , unofficially it gives me the opportunity to do active surveillance from here on out. I chose active surveillance since the adjuvant care in my previous cancer is very likely what caused this cancer. Genetic testing suggested this. It can only be inferred, since they will not commit to anything, of course. The data from trials and studies and the geneticist all show that continued negative results in low risk cases like myself show stellar outcomes. I am low risk due to negative margins, CT scan results (nada) and staging and ctDNA results.

I wanted folks to be aware of this new test in case it was needed. Not every oncologist will bring this up, unfortunately. We must be our very own self-advocates. I assure you, I was probably more learned with my questions to this provider than she has ever been accustomed to dealing with.

The other test, tumor naive,. is not FDA approved yet, but is still available. Basically it tests for cancer sans pathology. It is going to revolutionize early warnings for cancers, even hard to detect and diagnose cancers. It typically sees cancers 6-18 months before they even show on imaging technologies.

In my case, I figured with continued negative results and the lifestyles changes I have already made, I should be in good hands. 2 years worth of negative gets me in the clear.

Hope this helps someone in the future. Cancer sucks. I hope no one ever gets it.
Thanks a lot for the information and I'm so glad that you're doing well.
JOESAM suffered with COPD and it eventually killed him. In his last year here he wanted to make sure that we all knew about the long term effects of smoking and did what he could to educate everyone on how to quit smoking and how to take care of each other.
Good stuff, Smashmouth.

Mr.Riaton 03-23-2023 09:14 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Glad you doing good man

K Major 03-23-2023 11:29 PM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Sir Smash,

Definitely appreciate the knowledge.

And you’re 💯, cancer sucks.

AsylumGuido 03-24-2023 08:29 AM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Thanks, Smash! And let me add colonoscopies to the list of preventative measure. Or at least early solutions. My very first routine colonoscopy turned up an extremely early stage malignant polyp. This resulted in a donation of a section of my beloved innards. The early findings prevented spread. Five of those unpleasant ordeals later and I'm still clean. Guys, and gals, get it done if you are late forties or older and have not before. At the very least you get a good healthy cleansing.

;)

SmashMouth 03-24-2023 10:14 AM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 971924)
Thanks, Smash! And let me add colonoscopies to the list of preventative measure. Or at least early solutions. My very first routine colonoscopy turned up an extremely early stage malignant polyp. This resulted in a donation of a section of my beloved innards. The early findings prevented spread. Five of those unpleasant ordeals later and I'm still clean. Guys, and gals, get it done if you are late forties or older and have not before. At the very least you get a good healthy cleansing.

;)
Plus 1000%.

In my case, I still had it done on the regular. Yet this evil "reared" its ugly self in less time than the 2 year interval. Crazy stuff.

I had a genetics test done. It came back negative. That means despite family history, it was not not the source. I can only point to the radiation I got for the first cancer as adjuvant therapy. Other than surgery, the medical technologies fall far short of what they should be. Radiation and chemo may help but also cause other situations down the line.

SmashMouth 03-24-2023 10:57 AM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 

iceshack149 03-24-2023 11:54 AM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmashMouth (Post 971934)
It aint no joke I'd like to buy the world a Coke.

Rugby Saint II 04-05-2023 10:17 AM
Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by iceshack149 (Post 971941)
It aint no joke I'd like to buy the world a Coke.
That is the happiest thought I've seen in quite awhile. :cool:


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