T2N1 Stage 3A Colon Cancer Weakness Post Op Symptom

ShannonF · New User Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 3

Hi all, I'm 40 and recently (6 weeks ago) had laparascopic surgery to remove a tumor on the left side of my colon. Unfortunately, post op. tests revealed that the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes. As a result, my doctor will schedule chemo treatments starting within the next few weeks.

Prior to the surgery I was feeling tired and weak and at times also light headed. Tests revealed that it was not related to blood loss (I did not have anemia). I had hoped that this feeling would go away after the surgery, and it did for about 4-5 days. Now I feel stronger that I did prior to the surgery, however I still feel weak when I'm standing still. I can take walks and I feel fine when walking.

My question is ... could it be possible that the weakness is coming from the cancer that is present in the lymph nodes? The only other possibility I could think of is a chronic deyhdration due to fluid loss. After surgery I've had soft BM, so this could contribute to dehydration.

Was wondering if anyone else has experienced this feeling of weakness after the surgery?

Any help provided is very much appreciated.

Regards, Shannon

REB · Last edited by REB on Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:46 am; edited 1 time in total

I was 40 last year when I found out I had stage 3 colon cancer. I too felt weak, tired and light headed prior to my surgery. I thought I was just out of shape. i even started jogging again two weeks before I found out I had cancer.

I would almost pass out when I bent over and then stand back up. I also experienced spotty vision a few times. I was also very pale. When I went into the hospital, they said I was two pints low on blood, so i assume that is what caused all those issues. I must have been bleeding through my colon for a long time, but I never really noticed any blood, but I never really paid much attention.

I should have gone to the doctor months before, but I thought I just needed to get back in shape and I always hated going to the doctor.

It has been six months since the cancer was removed. Despite chemo making me feel bad, I am stronger and have more energy than I did before the surgery, and I am getting stronger every day.

You might want to talk to the doctor about it. I am guessing that you are still weak from your surgery.

I was back to work two weeks after my surgery. I did take it easy and only worked half days(I am a programmer and DBA, so I sit at a desk). Four weeks after surgery I was working full days and feeling much better. I gradually got stronger. If you are not improving day by day, you should talk to your doctor.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

ShannonF · New User Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 3

Thanks for the reply, REB.

Same here, I regained my full strength (I can take walks, pick up heavy objects ...). I intially also thought that blood loss might be giving me these symptoms, but blood tests had revealed no anemia. What leads me to believe it could be dehydration is the fact that I was ok for about 4-5 days after the surgery, then I slowly started to feel weak again (not as bad as before, now I don't feel light headed), but only when I stand still. While in the hospital, they injected me with lots of intravenous fluids so that kept me hydrated and not feeling weak.

Unless possibly the fact that one of the lymph nodes came back positive could somehow be causing this symptom.

Regards, Shannon

bendamron

from my wife's experience and her lab reports, the fatigue from exercise, and unrelated to anemia (which is a classic diagnosis) is low count in hematocrit, which carries oxygen through the blood to all parts of the body. my wife is a gym rat, and unbeknownst to her this one time, her count was at a severe 19 (normal for females in their 30's is in the high 30's-45) and after an hour of her usual workout, she came home complaining how fatigued she was. long story short, she was diagnosed two weeks after this incident.
_________________
my wife (30 yrs old) diagnosed nov 10, 2007 with stage IV colon cancer with met to liver and lungs. current treatment of folfiri + 5fu + avastin, and weekly infusions of erbitux (cetuximab).
did not respond to folfox.

ShannonF · New User Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 3

Bendamron, hopefully as your wife progresses with the treatments, the
feeling of weakness will gradually go away and she will have more energy.

A fellow my brother was chatting with recently was also in the same boat. Prior to his chemo treatment he always lacked enery, however well into the treatment, he was feeling much better (I know chemo usually makes you feel worse, but in his case he felt better).

Let's hope we all get back on our feet soon and in good health.

Regards, Shannon

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