MDT = Mysterious decision team

Hi Barbiesnemesis

The waiting bit for the MDT decision and treatment plan is very hard. You should get a treatment plan on Tuesday and that will allow you to decide how you want to proceed.  My hospital allocated a cancer nurse who is my point of contact for questions and help, hopefully yours will do the same.   

Chemo before surgery is to shrink your tumour. It’s not a bad thing and research is starting to show it produces better outcomes when needed. Try to trust the MDT, they’re working on what will be the best for you as an individual - I know it’s hard, I was angry at everyone for quite a while until I did research and accepted and understood the scale of the task ahead. 

Hope the appointment goes well 

Lee x

Hi Barbiesnemesis,

In 2019 I was given chemoradiotherapy to shrink the tumour and it worked very well shrinking it to the point where they almost didn't operate. The chemo part, capecitabine, was a relatively low dose that helps the radiotherapy. The whole procedure was 'do-able'. The radio part is quick and painless, After the treatment I had to wait while the body absorbed what it was given and had an operation a couple of months later. The side effects were not too bad for me and I could carry on life more or less as normal.

After the operation with a temporary stoma I had back up chemo and a reversal. I now have 'no evidence of disease', so if what they are suggesting for you works as well, go for it and good luck!

All the best

John

The first period after diagnosis is so hard! You can read my story in my profile. 

I remember waiting a month for a treatment plan. That month was so hard! 

I wanted nothing more than surgery and I wanted it NOW. But my tumor was too large for surgery and they had to shrink it with chemo radiation followed by full infusion chemo (folfox). The surgery that followed was successful and I didn't need additional chemo afterwards.  

Trust the plan they give you. It will work out. 

Thank you all for replying to my somewhat snarky post. It really helps to know that other people understand how I feel and that I can get through this as you have. xx