Happy with plan - 5 weeks chemo, APR surgery. Anyone had same?

Hi ColmFC722197 and good to hear that you finally have a plan in place. I had a different operation so can’t be much help there but I did have 5 weeks chemoradiotherapy which shrank my tumour by 75%. 

APR is a big op but many on here have had it and are now getting on with their normal lives. You could try typing APR in the search box at the top of screen to see previous posts or there’s a good one below from a few months ago 

 RECOVERY FROM 'Salvage APR' operation (removal of rectum) 

Take care

Karen x

 Elijahs nana and Angelite 

Do you have any advice for Colm please? 

Hi Colm, yes I had salvage APR just over 12 months ago.  Chemoradiation was one part of my initial treatment plan and I found this to be most manageable thankfully.  Most importantly, it reduced my tumour size down significantly.  You soon get into the daily appointments and staff are readily available to support with creams/treatments for issues that arise.  I had some sore skin as treatment progressed and was fine otherwise to be honest.  As Karen mentioned, APR is a big surgery so being as fit as you can be prior to will all aid recovery.  I'm no athlete but just really focused on a good high protein diet and being as active as possible in the weeks leading up to surgery.  I would take one step of your treatment plan as it comes as mine did change along the way due to how my tumour responded to things.  I eventually had the APR after 18 months (which as you say is the gold standard),  I just took the scenic route!    

I too took the scenic route! I have 25 radiotherapy sessions (no chemo) followed by 3 internal radiotherapy sessions at Clatterbridge in Liverpool in July last year.   It seemed to have worked but in October a re-occurrence was found  I found the radiotherapy quite easy with few side effects  but all very manageable 

so I’m booked for anAPR on 3March. The radiotherapy shrunk it down from 5mm to. 1.5mm which is important so they can get  clear margins

i wish you well on your journey

Thank all for your inspiring replies, it means a lot.

This forum is really quiet amazing and it helps that we are all in one place for each other, a genuine feeling of community.

I started my health and fitness journey today with a personal trainer laid on by the hospital. So I had a assessment today just to see what state im in  and he has set a program now to get me physically and mentally  ready for the journey ahead.

They are called PREHAB 4 CANCER based in around Manchester.

Also I let colleagues at work know today about about my diagnosis which I was very anxious about and didn't seem real as its not a conversation I thought I'd ever have. It isn't nice as that you think your making people feel uneasy or uncomfortable.

Im generally a quite private person who keeps to myself really, but obviously i couldnt keep this a secret any longer because its going to be obvoius something is wrong with all the time i will be taking off.

Thanks All

Ah, similar journeys indeed.  I also had Papillon contact radiotherapy at Clatterbridge, Liverpool.  This was after 25 chemoradiation sessions and six rounds of chemotherapy (Capox). My recurrence was found after six months and I was so deflated at the time knowing APR loomed ahead.  However, here I am getting on and enjoying life and grateful for absolutely everything!!!  Good luck with your forthcoming surgery

PREHAB4 CANCER sounds an excellent service and I'm glad this is available for you. I would imagine you feel a weight has been lifted now you've shared your diagnosis with work colleagues. As I remember, I too found this difficult, cancer talk seems to shift the dynamic in relationships somehow.  Best wishes to you on your treatment journey