Hello, I've just discovered this Forum and am happy to be here. I was diagnosed with anal cancer 3 years ago and have been successfully treated. I don't have a colostomy but somehow I wish I did. I am no longer able to go for walks as every time I walk (even round Tesco) I have to go to the toilet every few minutes. I can ride a bike and ride my horse and this doesn't happen, I have no idea why. I dread going shopping, and have just retired to the coast but I can't go to the beach in case I need the loo. My favourite summer food is salad which I'm not allowed to eat, most fruits are banned too and many vegetables. As a retired home economics teacher you can guess I love my food and am feeling very depressed as 3 years on life is miserable. Has anyone any helpful info please?
Hi ,
When I was speaking to my oncologist a couple of weeks ago, a very competent Dr & an all round lovely man, we discussed the issue of late referrals by GP’s & we also spoke about my volunteering on this forum as I’d mentioned the amount of people that were joining here that had been misdiagnosed for a length of time & I also discussed some of the long term side effects of the treatment specifically bowel disturbances as this crops up a lot on here & I wanted to hear his opinion on these issues. Regarding late referrals he said to insist on a rectal examination before your GP dismisses your worries as haemorrhoids etc. Then he went on to chronic bowel issues following treatment & he said not many people are made aware that even years out of treatment if you’re finding, as you’ve described, that bowel issues are having a major impact on your life then a colostomy should still be an option. I know this isn’t a surgery that should be decided upon lightly but if it would mean you being able to do the things you love then would it be a consideration for you?
Nicola
