Rectal cancer treatment

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Hi, I received a telephone call from the specialist nurse to confirm cancer after having biopsies taken and scans.

I have been told that I will have a appointment in clinic later this week, she told me that I would have chemotherapy and radiation before surgery and that sometimes this can stop the bowel functioning correctly so a stoma may be needed before treatment. Anyone else experienced similar?

I'm 38 and had the horrible job of telling my teenage child and close family last night.

I had my appointment today and the advice is to have a stoma before starting treatment of chemotherapy and radiation.

Next step is a PET scan, the tumor is T3. So many questions but unsure where to start!

court over 3 years ago

Hi Happy 14

Take all the time you need to process what you have heard today . It’s overwhelming for anyone and if you want to know more information about a stoma people will be happy to give you information.

Thinking of you ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

Kareno62 over 3 years ago

Hi Happy 14. I was stage 3 when diagnosed in July 2016 and had chemoradiotherapy, surgery with stoma, mop up chemo, then stoma reversed. Its tough but it’s doable. Break the treatment into stages and focus on each one in turn then give yourself a big pat on the back when it’s ticked off.

I didn’t know anyone with bowel cancer or anything about it before starting on my treatment but this board and the bowel cancer uk helped me through it. I became friends with 2 ladies on the board who were the same stage and we went through treatment within a couple of months of each other - we’re still in touch and all still cancer free.

Please ask anything you like on here - there is nothing too daft or embarrassing!

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm