After having recent surgery for bowel cancer, which involved having a permanent Stoma, I have been advised that a number of lymph nodes removed during the operation have been found to have cancer cells. My consultant has said the recommendation from the MDT team is that I have chemotherapy.
I am currently awaiting further information from my Oncologist, but am really apprehensive and anxious at the prospect of this.
I had combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy in 2021, after first being diagnosed with bowel cancer, and the chemotherapy was with tablets. However, I don't know if it will be with tablets or infusion this time, and I would therefore welcome any advice or comments from anyone who has had treatment for the same condition.
Many thanks
Hi Free2bme and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and I had chemotherapy for breast cancer in 2022.
As different types of cancer are treated with different chemotherapy drugs I'm going to recommend that you join the bowel cancer group as you'll then connect directly with others with the same type of cancer.
To join, just click on the link I've created and, once you've joined, you can start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.
It would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and proposed treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi Free2bme
In addition to Anne’s good advice to join the bowel cancer group where you’ll connect with many others undergoing the same chemotherapy for the same cancer, I’m not sure if you are aware that we also have a Stoma Support group within the community? The link is here
I have a permanent colostomy although I have not had bowel cancer, but there is a wide range of discussion in this group about our experiences, managing stomas, and handy advice and tips we all share. If you’d like to join us there, please click on the link I’ve made and feel free to ask questions or share anything you’ve found helpful in dealing with your colostomy.
Sarah xx
Hi Peter
You are very welcome! It did take a while for me to complete my own profile when I joined the community as I didn’t want others to think my experience was the norm and be afraid of what may be ahead for them.
I am very happy to share my own experiences if I can offer any help to others based on what I’ve been through, as are many others in the community. I hope you’ll find it a welcoming place to be and that you’ll be able to form connections with the people here- I’ve found that really helpful since I joined. There is so much information in the community it can take a little time to find your way around, but if you have any questions there will always be someone who can help.
I wish you well with your forthcoming treatment and hope things go smoothly for you. I got the very welcome news recently, 5 years after my surgery, that my surgeon now considers me cured, which was wonderful news!
Sarah xx
