I am 63 & have recently been diagnosed as above.
At the MDT Meeting the oncologist was unsure whether to recommend short course (1 week) intensive RT with surgery (AP Resection with permenant colostomy) shortly (2w ish) thereafter or long course RT (5w combined with chemo) with surgery 12w after - with rpt scans to latter end of this time to assess efficacy prior to surgery.
He is going to discuss this with his oncology colleagues & I hope to see him in the next week or so to hear their recommendations.
Obviously, I'm likely to go along with their advice, but.I just wondered if anyone had had experience of the short course RT option & indeed if anyone had had experience of the long course combined chemo/RT - both followed by an AP Resection with permenant colostomy?
If you could possibly share any of your experiences, I'd be most grateful.
Many thanks.
Hi Pez2
You could give our helpline staff a wee call . 0808 808 0000. They would be happy to chat timescales through with you .
My own experience with my mum was there was never any great urgency ! They even told her to go and have a holiday as it had probably been there for years . That is obviously completely different from a patient perspective and certainly at the beginning there is anxiety around timescales . But I am sure the staff could reassure you . Over the summer months things often get delayed a week or two with holidays .
Hope you are coping ok ! Totally understand your concern
Court
Helpline Number 0808 808 0000
