TPE

FormerMember over 4 years ago

6 replies
111 subscribers
996 views

HI my dad is 73 he was diagnosed with rectal cancer back in March 2018 he was given chemo-radiation prior to surgery with a recommendation of 6 sessions of mop up chemotherapy post op however he only tolerated 2 sessions and his oncologist advised against any further sessions. In May last year his CEA levels were raised and after further CT MRI and bloods it was found that his cancer had returned. As he is unsuitable for any other treatment he has been referred to Dr Qwynn at St James Leeds and yesterday was informed that his only option is a full TPE without this he has less than 12 months life expectancy. To say Im shocked is an understatement he is fit and well with no symptoms at all. He currently has a permanent stoma which he tolerates very well. Mr Qwynn hopes to operate mid to late February providing dad fits the criteria re heart lung tests he has stated that dad needs to be the fittest he has ever been!!! Can anybody who has undergone this operation please point me in the right direction as to what to expect and how he can prepare both pre and post op. I am totally aware that this is a huge procedure especially for a man of his age with lots of complications that can arise but he's in good spirits and says he will take this chance as its his only chance. thanks

court over 4 years ago

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/diagnosis/209375/surgery-recovery-nearly-8-weeks

Welcome to the forum . Glad you reached out to us . I have included a post that tumtum recently wrote that might encourage you . I will also tag in and

. They have previously been very helpful at giving some insight . As you are aware it is more specialist surgery but carried out by very experienced surgeons . That is very reassuring.

There is a bit of research about the benefits of exercise on post surgery recovery . Even moderate achievable exercise like walking .
Hope your dad is doing ok . Sometimes it helps to just get more informed and reduce some of the unknowns and fears that come with them .

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to court

As Court indicated it is a big operation but I am a living testament to its curative potential. I had mine performed just over 2 years ago. I was reasonably fit beforehand partly helped by living on top of a hill so regular walking up and down 100's of steps several times a week.

Certainly I felt like I had been hit by a truck after the operation but within a couple of weeks the worst was over.

I was initially recovering quite well, but an internal collection infection but me back in hospital a couple of months after. After that cleared up with a drain and antibiotics I regained my strength and have gone on to being able to walk several miles, cycle and even built a large garden Room.

It does take time to recover though and he should probably require at least 6 months to start to get over it. 12 months and starts to feel almost normal again.

Most people have no idea of the ordeal I went through and I look like a fit and healthy 60+ guy.

Here is me playing some guitar in the garden Room I built ... https://youtu.be/hcFoSQLAslo

Hope it all goes well.

GM.

court over 4 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Thank you once more . Fantastic as ever .

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Thank you for your reply you are an inspiration and I feel a little better about the procedure

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to court

Thank you Court

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hope it all goes too plan. It was my only option to beat it, so I had to take it and thankfully it paid off.

Best wishes to you and your parents.