Rectal Cancer

Hi Kentman

 I’ve not had the same I was straight to surgery LAR with temporary Ileostomy which is now reversed 

I wonder what surgery you will have?
If you have a temporary stoma then you will have time to heal and when reversed you will gain control 

Best wishes 

Hi Kentman I have been through the chemoradiotherapy treatment route similar to you for a rectal tumour after it was found on a screening test. The chemoradiotherapy had cleared the tumour by the time I was due for the Papillon brachytherapy. Only a white scar with tiny capillaries were seen following a after treatment camera check. They say the radiotherapy continues working for a few weeks after the treatment stops. Towards the end of the chemoradiotherapy treatment i was in a lot of pain and had to take some strong pain killers and like you i was always near the loo and i dreaded going. I found regular soaks in the bath helpful and applications of the creams. After treatment a couple of weeks later the pain and soreness started to ease up, i continued to get some bleeding both through the rectum and when peeing which has gone now. I occasionally did get the urge to go to the loo and nothing coming out which has eased up now also. Six months on after treatment stopped i feel fine down below. I am on the watch and wait programme and have recently had an MRI and am due a CT and camera in the next few weeks. Any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. Wishing you all the best.  Jack

Hi Artsie,

The main purpose of my Papillon treatment was to completely eliminate the cancer, following the 5 week daily sessions of external chemoradiotherapy, thus avoiding surgery which in my case would be ‘risky’ because of my age (over 80) and heart issues. So far it looks as though it has been successful, won’t know for sure until i’ve had scans etc in 3 months time.

Glad to hear your surgery has been successful and thanks for reply,

Best wishes, Kentman.

Hi Jack,

Thanks for your reply. Very encouraging thank you. 

Like you, for two or three weeks after the chemoradiotherapy I was in a lot of pain and bleeding going to toilet. Normal painkillers like cocodamol and paracetamol had little if any effect. My encology team gave me suppositories and cream which helped, also giving encouragement by saying these after effects are normal and would ease in a few weeks, which they did. Then I had 3 sessions of internal radiotherapy, the Papillon treatment. Not a pleasant experience, but well worth going through with it as the hope is to avoid surgery. For the last two weeks since my final Papillon I have been extremely tired, but again been told this is normal and will resolve over the coming weeks, as will the urgency of bowel movements!

So now awaiting scans etc in 3 months time to check how successful it’s been, and to hopefully confirm no spread.

Best wishes, Kentman.

Hi Kentman 

It sounds as if you’ve had great advice from Jack 

Sorry that I misread you post the Feedback tab was over the word NOT need surgery. 
Hope all settles down for you 

Best wishes 

Ann