Low Rectal Cancer Diagnosis - newbie on here

FormerMember over 7 years ago

352 replies
120 subscribers
489011 views

Hi everyone,

Well I think I’m ready to post on here now. Here’s my story so far...

Bleeding, lumps and discomfort last summer so went to see the doctor, he said (without any exam- just a little look) it’s haemorrhoids, gave me suppositories and off I went, no improvement, went back, given more suppositories, still no change so eventually he referred me routinely to hospital for treatment, this was in November. January I’d still not heard from the hospital so rang up and found waiting time to be 9 months.

Had a niggle in the back of mind that I couldn’t shift (based on the blood colour) so decided to go private for a consultation to put my mind at rest, the best £150 I’ve ever spent, had a digital exam and a rigid sigmoidoscopy to be told it was not haemorrhoids but a malignant tumour.

He said it was probably about an inch, likely to have been there for a couple of years but couldn’t tell if it was rectal or anal at that point.

This was only a week ago, I was referred back to NHS with the same consultant as he saw I was self funded.

Had a colonoscopy yesterday which confirmed a low rectal tumour but rest of the bowel was fine. Phew!

I’m thinking that if it’s not spread to anywhere else in the bowel then it’s unlikely to have spread anywhere else (hope my rationale is right!)

I’ve got a CT scan this Thursday, an MRI next Sunday then my consultant appointment for all of the results is 2nd March in the afternoon.

Husband and family have been amazing, although I think they’ve taken it worse than me! I told my 4 children (12,13,18 and 19) I was very open and honest but was very careful not to scare them.

I just want to know the extent of everything now, and start fighting this thing, the consultant originally said it would likely be radiotherapy and surgery.

Being only 42, I never thought this was even likely so it has been a rollercoaster of emotions but I’m feeling very positive!

Anyone else have a similar story? Would be interested to hear from you!

Thanks

Lisa

FormerMember over 7 years ago in reply to KevH

Hi Kev sounds promising!! I will do some research. Good luck & thank you for your honest answer xk

FormerMember over 7 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Yes I met Mark Davies. In fact he and I were presenting at The Christie together and he got me an appointment with Prof Myint. And I discussed reoccurrence with him and The Prof. The odds are almost none when you compare it as a “may as well try” Papillon if you are automatically put down for an APR. But it’s not quite as simple as saying none.

Prof Myint has issued a full paper on the reoccurrence likelihood.

I could ask Mark Davies for it if it’s not easy to find?

court over 7 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi ,

Any chance of you linking in the paper to let people read it .

Thanks.

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

court over 7 years ago in reply to court

I have also contacted a Papillion group to see if they could also provide information .

Just waiting a response .

take care,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

KevH over 7 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Thanks twikle I have ordered a copy from Amazon it is a used copy had some difficulty getting a new copy.

Couldn’t find it on WH Smith’s or Waterstones

KevH

FormerMember over 7 years ago

Hi Lisa,

My story is very similar to yours.doctors appointment due to symptoms including exhaustion & light bleeding in Jan. MRI scans CT colonoscopy (unsuccessful). Chat with consultant who said it's cancer till we prove it's not( is that a diagnosis)? Then had transanal incision to remove it as it was in low position & small (about 1cm) they couldn't remove it because it was too deep.Next appointment 18th May!! Like you I'm strong I can fight this literally "pain in the arse" but what exactly am I fighting? I have had good days like yourself & not so good but being in limbo is the worst psychologically.

Please keep me posted how you are getting on because you seem to be in a similar situation as myself health wise.

Good luck xx k

KevH over 7 years ago in reply to court

Hi Court,

If you look up www.contactpapillon.com

Scroll the menu and there is a section called medical articles which does contain some from Professor Myint.

Hopefully that should go some way towards what you are seeking.

Kind Regards

KevH

court over 7 years ago in reply to KevH

Thanks for that Kev I will do .

Really kind of you to forward that ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

KevH over 7 years ago in reply to court

Not sure how to do that on here and I am only working off a smart phone. But if people look up the site I mentioned and search the menu for medical articles it should be easy enough to find.

KevH

FormerMember over 7 years ago in reply to court

Ye sorry I don’t have it, trying to locate.