Rectal tumour

Hi Gweneira

I  was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2017....Dukes A.... 4 hour surgery to remove the tumour....no stoma or chemo needed.... final colonoscopy in December 2022.... clear..... hope you have a similar outcome.

Take care and best of luck 

Peter 

Hi Gweneira,

Like you I was recently (May) diagnosed with rectal cancer. I was told after a colonoscopy and then had to wait 5 weeks to find out the treatment my doctors have planned for me. I did have a CT, MRI and a surgical pre-assessment in that time. 
I then spoke to my surgeon who told me what the plan was - 5 days of radiotherapy, followed by 4 cycles of chemotherapy and then after 3-4 months he will operate. Due to the position of the tumour which is quite low down I am likely to have a stoma after the operation, which I’m ok with.  

I’ve since spoke to my oncologist (lovely man) who gave me a more precise idea of my oncology treatment plan. He said I should be able to continue driving to my radiation appointments since the side effects will be worst after treatment finishes. But I will be supplied with creams, vaginal dilators and painkillers. The chemotherapy side of things will be Oxilaplatin (IV) and Capecitabine tablets twice a day for a fortnight then I get a weeks break. I should also be able to get the IV chemo in my local hospital. 

He told me the tumour was 3cm in length and that it was stage 3 as it had gone into some of the surrounding lymph nodes but wasn’t present in any other organs. But he stressed to me that I shouldn’t focus on that as it didn’t mean anything but I should focus on my treatment, looking after myself and that’s what I am doing. 

I still haven’t started treatment, I have a PET scan tomorrow and then I get my radiotherapy tattoo next week. But I am hopeful that I will start treatment in the next 3 weeks. 

Please let me know how you’re getting on. x

Hi Brambletini.Hope you are coping OK.

I've started treatment this week.Combined radiotherapy/tablet chemotherapy every day for 5 weeks.Have the weekend off. Haven't found it too bad .Feeling a bit washed out today but nothing I can't cope with.I have a break of 6 weeks at the end of this week while everything settles down then mri etc to see what's next.

Trying to take each day as it comes & not worry about what may be next for treatment.

Hospital & staff have been amazing & whatever support or help I need it's there.I'm sure this will be the case for you too.

If you don't mind me asking, which part of the country are you? 

I'm in South Wales.Just wondering if the treatment varies according to your cancer centre.

Keep in touch x

I was told to keep taking the chemo tablets over weekends. Check with your oncologist.

Dulac

I’m doing alright. Had my PET scan today and was absolutely wiped afterwards. Thank goodness I’m not working at the moment. Yeah definitely trying to just focus on the upcoming week and not look to far ahead. No sense in looking for trouble. 

I’m up in Tayside, Scotland. The staff I’ve met so far have all been brilliant. 

We’re also waiting to hear when we can get the keys to our new build council house after being made homeless 4 months ago. So everything’s a bit chaotic at the moment.

Not sure why there’s such a difference between various treatment plans unless it’s due to size & location of tumour as well as possible hospital protocols.

Hope you enjoy your weekend and that you have better weather than up here, overcast & drizzly at the moment. xx

I hope you have your keys soon.You need to be settled before treatment starts.

Rotten weather forecast for tomorrow.️

One day at a time & be kind to yourself.

Fingers crossed it works out that way. 
Good to know the weather’s equally as bad with you.
And the same to you, take it easy this weekend and look after yourself. xx

Hello xxxx Love your positivity xx waiting on my first appointment with the surgeon on Friday x