Prayers Needed for Smashmouth

K Major · 01-14-2023, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by SmashMouth

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.

Awesome Smash, just awesome!

halloween 65 · 01-14-2023, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by SmashMouth

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.

Glad to have u back man. Wouldn't be the same without u on here.

AsylumGuido · 01-14-2023, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by SmashMouth

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.

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, 08:59 AM

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, 09:42 AM

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, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by neugey

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, 12:12 PM

Best news of the Year!

SmashMouth · 01-15-2023, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by neugey

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.

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

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, 02:44 PM

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, 03:09 PM

Is no news good news? I certainly hope so. Let's hope our prayers are working.

01-14-2023, 10:12 PM	#41
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,618 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth Originally Posted by SmashMouth 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. Awesome Smash, just awesome! SmashMouth likes this.

01-14-2023, 10:16 PM	#42
halloween 65 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana Posts: 5,893	Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth Originally Posted by SmashMouth 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. Glad to have u back man. Wouldn't be the same without u on here. SmashMouth likes this.

01-14-2023, 11:37 PM	#43
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,173	Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth Originally Posted by SmashMouth 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. 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 and SmashMouth like this.

01-15-2023, 08:59 AM	#44
neugey Hu Dat! Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,695 Blog Entries: 13	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. AsylumGuido and SmashMouth like this.

01-15-2023, 09:42 AM	#45
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,961	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. SmashMouth likes this.

Latest Blogs
2023 New Orleans Saints: Training Camp Last Blog: 08-01-2023 By: MarchingOn Puck the Fro Browl! Last Blog: 02-05-2023 By: neugey CFP: "Just Keep Doing What You're Doing" Last Blog: 12-08-2022 By: neugey

01-15-2023, 11:57 AM	#46
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,173	Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth Originally Posted by neugey 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. neugey and SmashMouth like this.

01-15-2023, 12:12 PM	#47
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,832 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth Best news of the Year! SmashMouth likes this.

01-15-2023, 02:38 PM	#48
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,123 Blog Entries: 29	Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth Originally Posted by neugey 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. Originally Posted by AsylumGuido 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. AsylumGuido likes this.

01-15-2023, 02:44 PM	#49
hitta 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,320	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. AsylumGuido and SmashMouth like this.
hitta 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,320

01-15-2023, 03:09 PM	#50
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,044	Re: Prayers Needed for Smashmouth Is no news good news? I certainly hope so. Let's hope our prayers are working. SmashMouth likes this.