Rectal cancer watch and wait

So today I was told the wonderful news that despite the suspicious nodule the colonoscopist had found on digital rectal examination which he thought was probably cancer, the MRI, CT and Biopsies show no sign whatsoever of any cancer!
So watch and wait is the gift that keeps on giving. Over 6years and 4 months from a clinically complete response to radiotherapy, and despite a nasty scare just now, I remain free of cancer and that decision to do watch and wait has worked out extremely well allowing me to avoid major surgery and live a completely normal life for all this time. The only thing I will note is that colonoscopists have noted that I have radiation proctitis, internal mucosal prolapse and a narrowing of the rectum so it's clear there are late effects to radiotherapy. At the moment my bowels function extremely well and the rectum has no pain at all, but it is possible the radiation damage may affect me at a later date. Am I grateful to the hospital for watch and wait? Absolutely!
It has been wonderful for me. 
Finally the screening nurse had no explanation for what the suspicious nodule is but the hospital is very clear it is not cancer. I think they will discuss the nature of the nodule at MDT.

What a lovely post to wake up to Jogey  Onwards and upwards and hopefully no more scares x

Oh wonderful news Jogey .

You went through it there but wonderful news and back to the plan .

So pleased for you . Enjoy the good news .

Court 

Fabulous news and relax …..

So the screening hospital referred me back to the original watch and wait hospital for possible ongoing surveillance. My watch and wait surgeon said the biopsies and scans were all very reassuring but because the screening colonoscopist had found the small nodule, she would do a flexible sigmoidoscopy in 3 months time. If that is clear I will be discharged. I'm happy with that.

We need to find a new name for you now . “ watch and wait “ will be redundant.

Its been wonderful following your journey to such a brilliant outcome .

Wishing you many , many wonderful years ahead .

It will be interesting to see if cases like your own alters clinical practice in the future .

Take special care ,

Court 

Thanks so much Court and thanks to everyone who replied

 Jogey I’m going in for a sigmoidoscopy today following clear MRI & CT after 5 weeks chemo radiation and 3 months FOLFOX. Hoping it shows nothing there also after clear scans. I have opted for watch and wait opposed to surgery so thank you for sharing your journey it’s much appreciated 

Hope it’s gone well Wenglish Have you seen this recent post too?

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/diagnosis/299172/milestone-update

Hi Wenglish  thanks a lot for that and I really hope the sigmoidoscopy showed exactly what you are hoping for.  All very best wishes