Rectal Cancer

Glad to see you managed to post, TopsyIrene. I'm posting to keep it in the active list, in the hope that some one will see this and be able to help. ?

I can understand your fears TopsyIrene I don't have personal experience of this problem but I have a friend who does. My friend had the operation and subsequent treatment, it was uncomfortable and at times she found it embarrassing but that's all. For the last five years she has been cancer free and now only needs a check up every couple of years. My friend is fit and well, enjoying her life and has just returned from a trip to Australia.

Good luck, you will be fine I'm sure

My partner was diagnosed with rectal cancer earlier this year,he has had a lower anterior resection and now has an ileostomy. He’s coped ever so well, as will you. If you are on Facebook there is a really good support group called Ileostomy and Stoma Support Group UK. My partner has now been told he has a 95% chance of complete recovery from the cancer.

I wish you well TopsyIrene. The surgeons will be well used to ops for rectal cancer. It is fairly common and I'm sure you will be in good hands. Hope you have some family support. Do you have a date for surgery yet? Although surgery and recovery will dominate the next few months, hopefully 2021 will be a much year for you. Take care.

Much better year!

These are just the sort of helpful answers I require. Thank you Marydoll for keeping it live.
MOMB yes it's 22 September and I am falling to pieces after all these months of worrying and not being able to get a diagnosis, investigations etc. Paid for 1st private colonoscopy so I suppose I am two weeks in front of where I would have been but COVID has a lot to answer for. Please continue to support me. By the way I have a very supportive family thankfully but they are worried too so I try and suppress my fears to a certain extent.

I have sent you a pm

TopsyIrene, I had a teaching colleague, who had rectal cancer about five years ago. It was mistaken initially for gynae problems and took ages to diagnose.

However, after a few bouts surgery, she has been back teaching for the last few years and is doing well.
We will all be rooting for you and remember, the Glasgow teaching hospitals have excellent surgeons in this field.
No-one is going to say it will be easy, but with lots of support you will get there.

All the very very best.

Yes, very best wishes to you.

Very best wishes for your operation. We are all here and you will find GN very very supportive with many people who have been through, or know someone who has, similar surgery and post recovery. Even in the early hours of the morning, you will find people on here who will listen.

It is very comforting to hear from you all so thank you so much. My mind is all over the place but I hang on to your words of support. Very helpful and caring.

Puddelchen

My partner was diagnosed with rectal cancer earlier this year,he has had a lower anterior resection and now has an ileostomy. He’s coped ever so well, as will you. If you are on Facebook there is a really good support group called Ileostomy and Stoma Support Group UK. My partner has now been told he has a 95% chance of complete recovery from the cancer.

Have joined today to support you.
My experience is the same as Puddelchen. Husband diagnosed in Feb had Op in June and now all is looking good. He is having mop up Chemo. Just to say this can be done.
Please keep posting as I remember that the days waiting to go to hospital seemed endless. Best wishes.

Very best wishes to you Topsyirene06. We are all here for you whenever you need some support xx

Very best wishes to you TopsyIrene06 ?

Thinking of you TopsyIrene06 and wishing you all the very best. You can get plenty of support on here. for you.

The post operation ileostomy specialist nurse in my experience was great, so knowledgeable and helpful!

Are you actually to have a permanent ileostomy, a temporary ileostomy, or a simple rectal resection ? I had the latter, so I did not get the full post-op. ileostomy service.

PS this was twenty years ago!

I have elected to have a permanent colostomy Alexa.
The hospital is first class but I find it all overwhelming even though I spent my entire career in the NHS!
I am so impressed and wholly touched that from my cry for help today and much deliberation as to whether I should make my extreme anxiety public, you all immediately rushed to my rescue. Impressive.

My very best wishes to you TopsyIrene06. Hope the op and your recovery go very well

My best wishes too TopsyIrene. You must have very mixed feelings after the long wait. But it will soon be over and done with.

I joined a private facebook group for kidney cancer a few years ago and it has been a great support for me as a carer. It' is DH who is the sufferer. There's always someone on there who has tried every type of new chemo drug and knows their way around. I am sure there will be a group for your cancer.

Hi TopsyIrene - so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, I had a similar diagnosis in March but it is in my kidney ...I have a permanent colostomy following 9 failed surgeries to solve a recto-vaginal fistula, it's not quite as bad as it seems once you get used to it! I suggest that you join the CA - Colostomy Association, they have a forum group on Facebook which will give you invaluable advice and talk through what is likely to happen etc .... remember no question is a silly one to ask! I am also very happy for you to message me too if you feel that's a bit 'public' for you?

It will take a while for everything to settle down, and for you to get to grips with dealing with it, generally I forget it is even there to be honest! The most important job is to find a pouch that suits YOU! The hospital will start you off, but you do NOT have to take that as the one and only - ask for samples from all the manufacturers as they are all slightly different, and there will be one out there that will suit you better.

One important thing to look to is your abdominal core strength, if you can improve it before you go into hosptal that could potentially help you a lot - Parastomal hernias can get BIG - mine is the size of a football, has pulled my spine out of alignment and it hurts! So certainly for a good while to come, no lifting heavier than a kettle, wear support underwear and be careful! Other than that you can do normal things!

Happy to speak via PM if you would like xx

Gramaretto please could you tell me the name of the Kidney Cancer group/forum?

Sending hugs xx

No experience of this topsyirene, just sending good wishes and a huge dollop of hope for you. Chin up. You’ll get through it. .

I understand how you feel and know exactly what you are going through, this was me five years ago. I was diagnosed in November 2015 and had a low anterior bowel resection in January 2016.
I have a permanent colostomy and was discharged from hospital on the sixth day post op. Within six weeks I commenced chemotherapy which lasted six months. The chemo did not cause hair loss and was in tablet form.
The colostomy has never been a problem for me, I cope very well and has not stopped me from enjoying life.
Please feel free to pm me if you would like to ask any questions.