Rectal cancer watch and wait

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Hi all,

See my profile for my watch and wait journey so far after rectal cancer diagnosis in November 2018 and a clinically complete response to radiotherapy in January 2019 and since then I have been in remission.

I am recording my journey on watch and wait as I go through milestones hoping that this is helpful to others considering watch and wait or perhaps earlier on in the journey.

About 6 months ago I had an equivocal MRI, i.e. they were not quite sure whether there was cancer there or not, so they ordered another one earlier than usual and I had this yesterday and the CEA blood test too.

I just got the CEA result and it was normal and completely unchanged from 6 months ago which is great!

I should get the MRI result in about a week and will post the result on here when I get it. However I am very hopeful now that this will be clear.

However we all know that cancer is tricky and unpredictable so I don't know for sure until I get the actual MRI result.

Wish me luck!

Jogey

Jogey 10 months ago in reply to Bella12

Really hope it works out well for him and he can go on watch and wait.

During watch and wait I started off with quarterly scans, colonoscopies blood tests but as I built up time clear the frequency of these reduced. Some tests 6 monthly, some annually in the later stages.

Bella12 10 months ago in reply to Jogey

Thank you. I’ve just read your profile and you are very similar to him. No symptoms FIT test when he was 60 - colonoscopy in sept 24 Tumour Stage 3 T4N1M0 -Radiotherapy with capecitabine then chemo Oxaliplatin/Capecitabine of which he's done 3 of 4 cycles so far. 50/50 chance of needing surgery after treatment. So not too much longer before he has his last session then 3/4 weeks later he will have his scans.
fingers crossed

thank you for sharing your story it’s very helpful

Jogey 10 months ago in reply to Bella12

Quite amazingly similar! Please wish him very well from me.

Arial88 10 months ago in reply to Jogey

Sorry to hear but as you say the test can be v sensitive and it could have any explanation. Sending best wishes your way.

Jogey 10 months ago in reply to Arial88

Many thanks Arial88

Kareno62 10 months ago in reply to Jogey

Everything crossed that it’s something and nothing Jogey Please keep us posted x

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

Jogey 10 months ago in reply to Kareno62

Thanks Kareno62, will do

process 10 months ago

Good morning Jogey your right cancer is so unpredictable and does keep us on our toes ….everything crossed it’s nothing when they do the next tests I’m sure you will update us all.

Jogey 10 months ago in reply to process

Thanks process

Jogey 9 months ago

So 6 years and 3 months since the end of radiotherapy and clear all that time, I

had a colonoscopy today after a positive FIT test. Surgeon found small hard nodule which he says is probably cancer but this is not certain.

Awaiting results of CT, MRI and Biopsies and then I'll assess what I am dealing with and how best to handle it.