Colorectal bowel cancer. Panic setting in

Hi RTD It’s horrible when you get these calls just before a weekend isn’t it? It may well be with the surgeon to discuss the next steps and talk about how successful the treatment so far has been? Unfortunately googling can take you down a rabbit hole of scenarios but they are all ‘what ifs’ and not facts relating to you. Try to focus on enjoying your weekend away then you can ring the nurse back on Monday and the oncologist may well have the scan results back by your appointment on Tuesday.

Take care

Karen x

Seems I was right to panic.  Had phone call with the nurse from the colorectol clinic. The radiotheraphy and chemo seems to have had little effect on the tumour and there's concern about a badly placed lymph node that may make surgery too tricky so case referred to surgeon team at Christies, to see what they think.

Still keeping my appt with oncologist tomorrow. Maybe he can give me hope about alternative treatment, but it all feels overwhelming at the moment.  The only good news is that they are not concerned about the liver following the second scan, as they seem  to cysts. 

Roll on tomorrow, so I  can get more information.

So sorry to hear this RTD.

We had something similar happen just before Christmas where we were told they were speaking to Southampton, the specialist hospital in our area, about surgery for my husband. He also had rectal cancer and Although he had responded to treatment there were still some tricky bits they weren’t confident about in the local hospital.

Longest 4 weeks ever (hopefully yours will be quicker - we had Xmas and new year fall on MTD days so it was delayed a bit).  The good news is, the specialists in Southampton took him on and agreed to operate. He’s  now 12 weeks post op and histology shows they got clear margins. It was a bigger surgery than we were initially expecting and recovery has been a process but they did it and they got it out. We’re now waiting for the 12 weeks post op scans to happen but very grateful to have got to where we are. 

It’s really hard waiting but there can be hope. These centres of excellence have extremely talented specialists and I very much hope they can give you some options.

take care

sarah x 
  

Thanks for your reply Sarah. I'm keen to hear what the oncologist has to say tomorrow.  Apparently he wasn't present at Fridays meeting, so this may be news to him.  I was diagnosed with Polymyositis this time last year, and less that 6 months prior I  was a fit 66 year old, walking most days, often 6, 8 or even 10 miles, so the change in my mobility was a major shock. Investigation tests and scans found the low rectal tumour.  Probably related to the myositis.  Major surgery is likely to effect any improvement mobility wise, especially as medication recommended by my rheumatologist had to be suspended for the radiotheraphy, and chemo treatment.  Double whammy.  Been a difficult year.  Hearing the stories and successes on this forum is really helpful.  But can be a difficult read sometimes.  Pleased to hear you have had good service for your husband, and progress sounds to be going well.  Onwards and upwards, as the say. Best wishes. RTD

Hi RTD How did your meeting with the oncologist go? x

Unfortunately I  didn't see the consultant, but one of the team i haven't seen before.  She wasn't aware of the scan results and that the meeting last Fri referred me to their surgeons for a decision as to whether they would be prepared to operate.

She advised that the oncology team had intended to monitor me every six weeks, though with no planned scans or tests, I  wasn't sure what that actually meant.  There was no discussion about any after affects of the chemo i am dealing with etc, although in fairness, I didn't bring up the subject, as when I  offered her a list of amended medication, she gave it a cursory look and handed back saying they didn't need to know unless I  was on more treatment from them, so I  felt we were wasting each others time. Even my husband felt she just wanted the meeting over with., and she failed to engage with any questions I raised.

I can honestly say this is the first time I  have left  the hospital dissatisfied with an appt.  

Guess I  just need to see what the surgeon says, and hope I will be given full and frank information.