Hi I am new to this site. I had surgery for stage 3 rectal cancer 4 1/2 years ago following radiotherapy to shrink the tumour followed by post operative chemotherapy. I coped well with all this although I was in hospital for five weeks. I coped well with my ileostomy and after 18 months following various tests the stoma was reversed. Unfortunately about ten months later I developed a rectovaginal fistula. I was able to live with this for about two years but recently the fistula seems to have got worse and I am now passing gas and faeces through my vagina. This is harder to live with. I have seen my consultant who does not feel able to deal with this and has referred me to another specialist who is going to see if he can repair the fistula. Failing that I expect I will either have to live with what I have got or a colostomy again. I am fearful about any further surgery but I wonder if there is anyone who has been in a similar situation and what did they do. I am certain I could cope with another stoma it’s just fear of more surgery.
