Newly diagnosed rectal cancer

Hi KLJ and a warm welcome to the board. No I wouldn’t say the treatment was painful although there will probably be an operation involved at some point. Depending on whereabouts your tumour is and if there’s any suspicion of spread to other organs or infected lymph nodes will affect your treatment plan. You may have chemoradiotherapy and/or chemo or go straight to surgery.

Surgery can be open or laparoscopic but I found that the nurses managed any pain or discomfort well and you’re encouraged to get up and moving as soon as possible.

Chemo can have several different side effects but they can be managed by your team and tend to be more of a discomfort than painful

Hope this helps and take care

Karen x

Thank you so much for your reply. That does set my mind at rest

Hi KLJ, I've had all the treatments, from 2022 to 2025, two surgeries ( major ) and chemo/radiotherapy. I had stage 4, Rectal cancer, a lot of damage, that needed repair. But I can honestly say that they have not done anything to me that I couldn't handle. I dreaded colonoscopies, but found them painless under sedation, the chemo made me feel weak, but I got through, and there was very little sickness, but I was weakened,  and even the surgeries, which were radical, weren't too bad. Painkillers were given when needed, but nothing I couldn't handle. You've got this, I've been cancer free 14 months now, and the prognosis is great . Stay strong and positive. Good luck x

I'm so pleased that you are now cancer free. That's great news  

Hope I get the same experience you have had.

Thank you. So much. I've  got to be monitored for 4 years now, but it was worth it ! And I've got another grandson - he was born nearly 2 years ago, when I was in the thick of it, and he kept me going. Had I not  got the care I had, I wouldn't be here now. Shout-out to the fantastic team at the Christie Hospital in Wythenshaw, who pulled out all the stops to get me better. Amazing people! 

Hi KLJ 

I was diagnosed in Oct 24 with rectal cancer, CT ,MRI, Pet scan etc then a 9 hour operation in Dec24, with a colostomy bag.  9 days in hospital then 3 months chemo Feb to May on Capox. Another operation Oct 25 to reverse the surgery and I am now doing well, bowel movements improving 

At NO TIME in any of that entire procedure did I endure any serious pain , mostly just a little discomfort, odd bout of sickness, neuropathy etc but almost no pain, so try not to worry 

Sorry to hear you are joining all of us with rectal cancer. I was diagnose late 2023. Had chemo and op to remove rectum in Jan 24. Very little pain. Had stoma ileostomy until August 25 when reversed. Six months later everything back to normal and so pleased with outcome. Very little pain throughout just a little uncomfortable for a couple of days after each op. Best of luck.

Hi KLJ,

sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Everyone’s experience of pain is different, so some may have a higher pain threshold than others. I did have discomfort during my treatment and to be honest I actually adjusted to the pain as the new norm. I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Rectal cancer in Dec 2022, had a Colostomy fitted in January 2023, started 5 weeks of Chemo radiotherapy daily. More scans, then August 2023 underwent a complicated long abdoperineal resection. This resulted in a three week stay in hospital due to complications following surgery. There was pain as I had my rectum and anus removed, resulting in (Barbie’s Butt). This was well managed with pain relief. I found the best pain relief was paracetamol. I took the maximum dose daily to build up the management of pain. This for me was by far the best pain control without unpleasant side effects.

Good luck with your treatment plan, listen to your body, if it’s too much,don’t push yourself.

ECG