Hello. Surgery next week, radiotherapy wasn't enough

Hello Jump Jump

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through, you really have had more than your fair share of major problems.  Your reaction to the chemo was extreme and unpleasant (I have also had C. difficile after very strong antibiotics and was also very ill).  

It must be a very worrying time for you.  If the doctors are giving you this option of the surgery (which undoubtedly is life-changing) it must be possible to cure this and this is their plan.

I had an elective colostomy last year after suffering severe anal stenosis and associated problems which were only getting worse over time.  It was life-changing for me and I have never looked back.  I recovered remarkably quickly, even though I had to have antibiotics because of a wound infection.  But I am well aware that an ileostomy is quite different from a colostomy and can be more challenging.  There is a forum here

 Ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy and any other stoma support 

and I found the members on there very helpful when I had to make the decision whether to have it done or not.

I had a quick Google on anal excision as opposed to an abdominoperineal resection (APR) and excision seems to be much less invasive surgery.  But that said, there are forum members here who have also had an APR and although the recovery can be long, they are thriving.

It can't be easy when you have the worry of other health conditions affecting you but I think that your treating team will have taken your history into account and think your body can stand this surgery. 

Sorry, I seem to have waffled a lot and not said a lot to help.  I will be thinking of you next week, please let us know how you get on.

Big hug

Irene xx