Operation day tomorrow and am in floods of tears.

Sending you a big hug . Yes it’s scary - there would be something wrong if you weren’t scared - but it’s doable. Is it an Abdominal, Perineal Resection that you’re having? If it is these are usually performed by 2 experienced surgeons so they will know what they’re doing. The symptoms may well have disappeared because the tumour has shrunk with the radiochemotherapy (my bleeding stopped and my poos were bigger) but as you say, it’s still there waiting so needs to go in the bin.

Are they doing the right thing? Yes - it needs getting rid of. Are things out of your control and in the hands of others? Yes but they know what they’re doing. Will it affect the rest of your life? Yes to a certain degree. It’s a big operation and will take several months to recover from but you will recover and can build back up with gentle walks etc. Permanent stoma? You’ll quickly get used to it and into a routine. My friend has one and has been on a cruise, flown to New York, just carried on with life as before. 

You will be taken good care of in hospital and any pain will be well managed by the nurses. The stoma nurses will make sure you’re confident with changing the bag and you’ll soon be home in your own bed.

Please keep posting and let us know how you’re getting on. There’s people on here who have been through the same op and will hopefully pop by. You can and will get through this and we’re all here behind you 

Take care

Karen x

Good luck tomorrow. We will all be thinking of you.

very understandable you are nervous and tearful. I am nervous and tearful and I am having my 2nd year CT scan tonight to ensure that dreaded C has not been reborn. 
take care

paula xxxx

Hi Karen, yes that’s exactly what I’m having,’thank you for taking time to post I feel a little better now just guess things caught up with me this morning seeing my grandson and it all became very real.

I will be posting regular updates as it looks like I will have plenty of time on my hands - hopefully x

Thanks Paula hope your scan is a good one x

Afternoon from a wonderfully sunny Liverpool.   You are absolutely doing the right thing, surgery is still the 'gold standard ' option.  I was very apprehensive on the morning of surgery but the anaesthetist was wonderful, professional,  compassionate and funny, I wanted to marry him and have his children, an odd feeling for a late-50's father of three.  Waking up knowing the tumour has gone is an incredible relief.  I was home after 3 days, the early release was partly due to my wife being a doctor and she was given a list of 'look fors' but was mostly due to the wonderful work of the team lead by Miss McNichol.  A week after I hobbled out to celebrate the birthday of my sons, I ate nearly 3 pancakes!   A month to the day I drove to Anfield,  walked to the ground watched LFC destroy West Ham then went for a post- match pint in the Arkles.

You are doing the right thing, hopefully the worst time is nearly behind you.

YNWA

Mike 

Thanks Mike 

Hi, The chemo and radiotherapy had the same effect on me, lack of symptoms and reducing the tumour to the extent that the surgeon almost didn't operate. But he did and there was still cancer there to remove so right decision. I had an ileostomy bag for a year and once you get the hang of it you lead a fairly normal life. I have a friend who has had a colostomy bag for twenty years and its just a normal part of him now..  There will be ups and downs but you have managed the first part ok, you will manage the rest. I wish you all the best for the op. Cheers John

Thanks John

Meant to say - get some drinks sorted, you eat very little, if anything in the first days, I was brought some frozen lemon fruit drinks & a Costa coffee to go, both seemed wonderful; but that was when visitors were allowed. Take a device to access the internet & some headphones..

Keep the site updated as to how it goes.

YNWA 

Mike 

All the very best with your operation and looking forward to hearing you are safely in recovery and making progress.

Court