Hello!
I'm in my early 40s and recently got diagnosed with rectal cancer. I'm currently having chemotherapy and will be having radiotherapy afterwards and then surgery.
The tumor is small and discovered early and I've been told I will not need a colostomy bag after the surgery as my bowel will be put back together.
Just thought to introduce myself to the group.
Cheers.
Hi and welcome to the Online Community, although I am always sorry to see folks finding us.
A cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of stress on a family but talking with people who are on the same journey will help a lot and will help reduce the whirlwind wind that is rushing in your head.
You may like to follow this link to our Bowel (colon and rectum) cancer forum where you will connect with people who understand the journey you are on. You can ask the folks questions about treatments and what to expect during this time.
Follow the link above and join the group. To do this hit the ‘Join the Group’ tab just under the main group name. At this point go to the right on the group home page and select how you want to receive email notifications when someone answers your posts. If in the future you don’t want to receive notifications just switch off the email notifications tab.
The best way to get support is to go to the 'Start a Discussion' tab just under the main group name. Set up your own Discussion and Introduce yourself to the group - you could just copy an paste what you have in this first post.
Have a look through our various Macmillan Support Line Services then call them on 0808 808 00 00 to be very helpful covering Emotional Support and Practical Information. Clinical Information and Financial Support and Work Guidance mostly open 8.00 to 8.00 but check the link.
We also have our Online Information and Support Section where you will find some great pages covering the cancer diagnosis, treatment and information pages covering most types of cancers.
Talking to people face to face can help a lot so check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support Groups in your area or a Maggie’s Centre as these folks are amazing.
When you feel up to it thank about putting some information in your profile. This really helps others when answering. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on YOUR username, look to the left and select 'Edit Profile'.
All the best.
