I was diagnosed with stage 3 Rectal Cancer ;last year I went through 5 weeks of intense Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy and I was told by my oncologist I responded well to the treatment.
On the 12th November I went through a 91/2 hour Robotic assisted laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision of the rectum + Hartmann's procedure.and ended up with a stoma for the rest of my life and they also took out 9 lymph nodes out. I was in hospital 3 weeks before being discharged.
I have been told since then I am now cancer free hooray and was offered extra chemo afterwards but turned it down as I was told by my oncologist I have a 5% chance of getting cancer again either way and he was happy for me to decline.
I have very good stoma nurses who are keeping a good eye on me and they have given me a 5 year programme on what I will be going through.
Since coming out of hospital I have had a lot of bad days not eating as I was being sick a lot, so tired no energy, my legs not working properly for the first 2 weeks I couldn't even climb the stairs all I kept being told was I had, had one of the longest operation they did and with being 75 it would take a lot longer for me to get better and feel more like myself. still haven't got my taste buds back yet and there is a lot of food I can't eat if I do it ends up in a bucket.It has been a long slog but I think I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. My bum still hurts but that will be healing inside to outside. I had 24 clips put in.
even though I went through all that I can't believe for now I am CANCER FREE
