Stage 4 rectal cancer

Dear Daisys Mum,

Thank you for getting in touch and welcome to the online community, I hope you find it a helpful and supportive way to communicate with others.  My name is Isobel one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialist, on the Macmillan Support Line.

I am sorry to read about your husband’s diagnosis and the challenges he is facing as a consequence of his surgery. I can only begin to imagine how this has left him feeling.

The production of mucous is normal after surgery, as the lining of the bowel continues to secrete mucous even though it serves no purpose. The amount varies from person to person. It can be worse if there was a longer amount of redundant bowel left as there is more capacity for mucous to be produced.

As much as this is “normal” it can be a difficult problem to live with, as your husband is experiencing. The fact that he is having to go to the toilet hourly day and night is concerning. You mention that his surgeon has said there is no way to help him, I would suggest asking to speak to a specialist stoma nurse. They will have spoken to others who may have experienced something similar. This might do a more detailed assessment of the impact that this is having physically and mentally, and hopefully offer some practical solutions.

You do not mention any medications that he is on, or if any other treatment has been given. Medications and cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy could also be responsible for increased inflammation and possibly infection, which could contribute to the amount of mucous he is producing. This should be explored with his stoma nurse or his surgeon.

You could also ask if there is a late effects clinic, in your area that looks at the longer term consequences of cancer treatment.

Colostomy UK have produced this booklet, called Rectal discharge after stoma surgery. This explains more and has detailed some coping strategies that you may find useful.

One is keeping a food diary, as it is thought that some foods may increase mucous production. There is no scientific evidence for this, however keeping a record of foods eaten may help identify if there is any connection in his situation.

It could also be worth trying to make a point of trying to evacuate the mucous naturally by sitting on the toilet and gently bearing down as if having his bowel open. Doing this at regular intervals may allow mucous that has collected to be evacuated more thoroughly and give longer spells where this is not so problematic. This may allow for sleep to be less disturbed.

Strengthening pelvic floor muscles may also help to control the leakage from the rectum.

These are practical suggestions and may be helpful. However I would encourage him to speak to his GP about his mood as it does sound like he is very low, and his quality of life is greatly affected. It is not uncommon to struggle with mental health after cancer and with ongoing side effects like this.

Loss of sleep can be very challenging and may well be contributing to how he is feeling. Some talking therapies may help, such as emotional support through the GP and cognitive behaviour therapy. Medication might also help.

We also have a partnership with an organisation called Big health, their Sleepio App may be useful to explore, it is free in some areas of England and can be accessed through our partnership.

Calling the support line and speaking to one of our nurses may be a first step to getting more help and support. Sometimes a two-way conversation can be very beneficial when dealing with life changing consequences of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Best wishes,

Isobel Y, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref/ IY/KH