Hi, I’m new to the forum. Brief intro….my husband was diagnosed last year with bowel cancer, a 2.5cm tumour very low down in the rectum.
We were told from the outset that the “gold standard treatment” was (radical) surgery, culminating in a permanent stoma & colostomy bag.
As he is a young 64 and fit and active he was keen to avoid the surgery, so accepted the treatment option of radiotherapy & chemotherapy.
The treatment went well and late last Summer we were told he had had “an almost complete response” and the tumour had shrunk to just under 1cm.
We had already learnt of Papillon treatment (contact radiotherapy) and he was offered this, to be carried out over three sessions at St Luke’s in Surrey. We had high hopes for this and indeed on the second session he was told that it was going in the right direction. He had a third session and then had to wait for things to settle down before having another sigmoidoscopy to see if it had been successful. Really disappointingly we were told that it hadn’t been.
So we are now back to the surgery, which he is having next month, and we are both absolutely dreading.
Could I hear from people who have been through the surgery about what to expect, recovery time etc etc?
Hi Devon2023 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
That must have been bitterly disappointing to discover that the chemotherapy and radiotherapy hadn't worked and that your husband now needs to have surgery.
As the online community is divided up into different support groups, I'm going to suggest that you join and post in the bowel cancer group which is a great place to ask your questions, share experiences and get support.
To do this just click on the link I've created which will take you to the group. You can then join and 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 pop something about your husband's diagnosis and treatment so far 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.
Wishing your husband all the best with his upcoming surgery
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi Devon2023
In addition to the bowel cancer group, can I also suggest joining the dedicated stoma group which is full of useful advice and support for those of us living with permanent colostomies?
If you click on this link I’ve made, it will take you directly there-
I hope the surgery goes well for your husband. From my own experience the actual thought of it is much worse than the reality.
Sarah xx
Hi WelshJenny and welcome to the online community
You might also like to join the bowel cancer group that I linked Devon2023 to as you can then chat to others who have the same type of cancer as your partner.
Another good group is the carers only which is a safe and supportive place to share your worries and emotions with other carers who will understand what a hard and lonely time caring for someone can be.
Sending virtual (((hugs)))
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
