2nd blog ever

I had an APR on October 9th last year. The surgeon told me just before the operation that it would be an APR because he was not prepared to leave any cancer behind. It is a massive operation - I spent 7 hours on the operating table, four hours in recovery, 2 days intensive care, two days in high dependency and nearly five weeks in hospital. I lost two feet of colon and have a permanent stoma which doesn't bother me at all because I was incontinent after chemo and radiotherapy.  My biopsies after surgery confirmed that the cancer was contained in the bowel. I am now as cancer free as the medical profession will guarantee.Now four months on and I still have pain sitting for more than 20 minutes but it is getting better. I had three hotspots where my skin graft had not taken. Two have cleared up but one is still being dressed by the district nurses although it is nearly cleared up. I have a small hole in the skin graft in my groin which is leaking a colourless liquid. The surgeon is unconcerned about it but I have just had an MRI scan and have got a follow up appointment on March 22nd. It is very strange not having a bum. The sensation is rather like wearing a nappy that has been pulled up your bum. I didn't like it at first but am now getting used to it. My blogs Roland's Revenge detail what happened to me. Don't let it put you off. The alternative was secondary cancers which would be terminal. I don't like what has happened to me but I have got a clean bill of health. I am sure I will be around to see my granddaughters get married. Please do not hesitate to contact me by private message if there is anything you want to know.

Keep smiling

love

Drew

X

Hi,

It's exactly one year since I was diagnosed with a rectal tumour, just 5-6 cm within the 'verge'.  I had 5 weeks of radio/chemo therapy (tablets) before having a laparoscopic LAR on May 26th (seven hour op! - home after 6 days). This was successful, I didn't have stoma.

In July, I started a six month course of chemo, oxalyplatin & fluoracine given through a PICC line every 2 weeks.  This was the worst part of the treatment - in my case -increasing bouts of constipation, diarroeoa - agonising anal pain and 'neuropathy' or tingling in fingers and feet, also total lossof appetite, and taste - I lost 4 stone in weight.

It's now 7 weeks since the final session, bowel movements are settling down, but more frequent than 'normal', fingers still 'tingle' almost constantly, and appetite is returning slowly.

hope this helps!

John

I had a rectal tumour which went undetected despite regular visits to the bowel clinic. It finally burst my bowel and I had to have an emergency op to remove some bowel and the tumour. I have a reversable stoma (hopefully). I am coming to the end of 12 treatments of Oxaliplatin and 5FU. I just have 2 more to go. It has been tough but with the help of my friends on here I have seen it through. I hope you make the right descision. By the way the stoma isn't that bad, the worst thing is I can't wear jeans because it squashies the bag causing "Pancaking" which is the worst thing. Good luck Julie xx

Thankyou so much for your replies they really have helped. Drew, sounds like you really have had a bad time but hopefully are on the up now, good luck.

John, mine is also 5-6cm with a hope for LAR laproscopically but i'm so scared there won't be enough good margin when they get in there, is that silly?  good luck for a good recovery from chemo, i've got that to come along the way.

Julie, Thanks Julie and good luck to you also, mind you the thought of no jeans oh no i live in them always ha ha

take care all

Jan x