Told its spread to lymphnodes

Hi Kirsty87 and good news that the liver was just cysts. I’ve attached a link to a booklet that describes staging and T rating although the histology report after your op will give the final staging?

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/YourPathway_BowelCancerUK.pdf

Your tumour would be classified as T4 because it has broken through the bowel wall however because there is no spread to other organs then it is classed as Stage 3 - page 12 describes it quite well. It’s quite common for them to suspect lymph node involvement and they will be removed and tested after your op.

Generally the treatment is 5 weeks chemoradiotherapy then you may have a few months chemo or you may go straight to your op although there is usually a 6-8 week between chemoradiotherapy and surgery as it continues working for several weeks after the physical treatment has finished. 

Theres lots of stoma support on the other board and you’ll soon get into a routine with it

 Ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy and any other stoma support 

Please give the support desk a ring and have a chat about how you’re feeling about the fertility issues and ask if there’s anything else you’re worried about - we’re all happy to help and share experience and advice

Take care

Karen x

Thanks for all tha information, iv looked through and its helped alot xx

Hi Kirsty87

Its a lot to process, Karen’s great advice will give you lots of info to help 

The stoma group are so supportive with great tips 

Keep chatting if it helps 

sending you a hug 

Hi Kirsty I had the same news as yourself in May, my tumour is slightly higher than yours but the same effect. I've done my 5 weeks chemo/radiotherapy and now waiting to see the oncologist next week to hear the exact next steps which I know will be chemo up until Christmas, she said she would tell me in stages as I go along the treatment plan but I always want to know what to prepare for. I have found lots of information on this forum some of which is scary but mostly helpful. 
I'm a lot older than you so i can't imagine what it's like to be told you can't have any more kids . So sorry to hear this as it's so final . 
mostly people tell me I'm looking so well for someone with stage 3 cancer... I think I'm just in denial really so not yet come to terms with jt all. 
I hope your Tuesday appontement answers all the questions you have x

claire 

Thank you, definitely is alot to process, still doesnt seem real to me yet, maybe when treatment starts it will xxx

Hi claire, thanks for the reply, so will you have more chemo before you have surgery?? Im same as you i prefer to know in advance 2 prepare, i 2 also think im in denial at the moment doesnt seem real quite yet. Everyone comments on how strong i am but i think its just because it hasnt sunk in yet. How did you find the chemoradiothearphy??? Have you got a stoma?? Sorry for all the questions xx

Hi again.

If you click on peoples names you can read their back story.

I will tag Katz51 she has a stoma.

I was able to have a reversal thirteen months but travel eating out is fine. I lived life to the full with Whoopi. (Aka Stoma) 

The group Karen has linked is full of information and they’re a great bunch if you want to connect with others  

The stoma group is a great source of advice.

If there is anything in particular you want to know just ask.nothing is too small or silly.

Stomas really are no bother.they save your life and enable you to live life to the full.really nothing to be afraid of.

Kath

Hi Kirsty

yes I'm starting chemo from the week of the 28th I think! For 18 weeks which takes me to Christmas . At some point they are doing more scans (not too soon after radiotherapy as apparently the tumour will look larger due to scarring) then decide if I need an op with a stoma or can op for watch and wait. Having had time to think I will just go for the op because at least then I won't be worrying every month if it's returned . The radiotherapy itself wasn't too bad as you don't feel it but the travelling and daily commitment for 5 weeks is so draining. I suffered with bad side effects which have continued  up until this week. I'm having a good week so far this week! I learnt the hard way not to wait and hope the pain I had would go away and the oncology nurses were brilliant when i finally rang them and sorted me out. 
like you everyone  says how strong I am , I hate that so now  tell them they only see me on good days because on others I just don't talk to anyone .

hope all goes well for you and keep asking questions! 
claire x