Rectal cancer operation

Hi  and welcome to the board. I’m going to tag a few people who I know have 2 bags and will hopefully be able to offer you some reassurance. had an op that sounds very similar to the one you may be having, s dad has 2 and so does LisaCardiff. Then of course there’s our resident expert Ian aka  who will be on hand for any stoma questions that you may have. 

Hopefully some of these guys will be along shortly - Cancer is life changing but life does still go on. 

Take care

Karen x

ps hope nobody minds me tagging them in 

Hi ,

Big welcome from me too . There are a couple of people with both procedures but on the cervical or Bladder thread . I have sent one a friends request to see if I could “ ping” her into the discussion or you could have a look on their forums . 

Just another angle as the bladder forum could certainly enlighten you on how to manage that aspect .

You can read my mum’s story by clicking on my user name . As you will see from her history she has had a few larger operations . Each one cover every possible outcome in depth . None of it thankfully happened but was good to have it fully understood. 

All the very best ,

Court 

Since no reply ... what is the point of responding to your request... so deleted!

Hi, it is always a sorry time for us when we have to welcome a new member to the community as we know that life as they know it now will never be the same or will it, you've already had some good responses from members of the double baggers club and these members are living proof that living each day with not just one bag but with two is possible and fulfilling, these members will be a good source of help to you in the time pre and post surgery and will not be shy in sharing their experiences with you whether they be good or bad ones they will tell all and all you have to do is ask all of your questions here but not only will they answer your questions but they will give you help and support at any time you are struggling.

I look after the Ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy and any other stoma support and only have one stoma but I can help you when it comes to products and troubleshooting problems but more importantly resolving them and I am always available for a chat whenever you need one.

You may be interested to read these two articles.

Rachel Story 

This one touches on a delicate side of being a double bagger

Rachel advocates for better awareness of sex and disability

If we are to take anything from the 2nd article is that accepting our bags, our situation and being honest, when we have to, about them does not make us any less of a person. Wearing bags is nothing to be ashamed of, it can be a bit of an inconvenience at times and can make us a little embarrassed on occasions but the important thing to always remember is that we are still here because of our bags.

Please keep in touch and come over and see me in the Ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy and any other stoma support group you will receive a big welcome.

The way forward is to be positive but if you need to let off steam, have a rant or rave about anything this is your must go to place to come to, in one way or another we've all been on journey you're about to start and we will be your support throughout.

Ian 

Hi Hope Bear

My Dad had rectal cancer and had radiotherapy for 5 weeks and chemo to try shrink the tumour which it did but not enough for clear margins. He was recommended he have a TPE which he had exactly a year today ( it was on my birthday). It is a massive operation and life changing but it is the best option for a cure. It does come with risks but then I wouldn’t like to think of the alternative.

My Dad was sitting up in a chair the day after the op.. he recovered really well from the operation but the first few weeks he did struggle emotionally with it as it’s quite a lot to get used to and your body goes through so much it just takes it out of you so seeing my Dad go from so active to not was really hard but by Christmas he was doing amazing he’s been back to playing golf 3/4 times a week for a while now and we have just been away to Portugal aswell and all went fine he even went on a jet boat over there and was absolutely fine.

 You can honestly still have a great life with 2 bags and you wouldn’t even know my Dad had them yes it’s slightly different but they say this operation is a cure and my Dad had a wonderful surgeon and team to. 

Ive excepted your request if you want to message me. Good luck with what you decide. Danni 

Yes same here I have had no response at all back not even a reply. Danni 

Thank you for your reply, after being an emotional wreck since my results, I think I have finally come to a decision to have the LAR op and not go down the bigger operation route. I will keep posting with my progress after my operation, hope I have made the right choice, only time will tell.

I am really sorry, I thought my reply went to all the people I had connected with, thank you for all your responses and advice, I have decided to go with the LAR op as I cannot face the bigger procedure.I have been reading it all and taking it all in, sorry to upset anyone.

Hi hope bear

No worries, it’s a big decision to make and I’m sure you will make the right one with the consultants help aswell. Good luck with it and keep us posted. Danni 

Thank you, reading all the responses has really helped me. I am dealing with so much more than just the rectal cancer, I also have my mum with severe Alzheimers and my dad with Prostate cancer, plus my husbands mum with breast cancer. Having an extremely tough year all round, so sorry for not replying straight away and upsetting people on this forum by not providing an immediate response. I am still trying to get my head around how this site works, as I think I may have private messaged people instead of on the forum.  I have had a tough weekend and the decisions I make not only affect me, but my husband, two daughters 23 and 21 and the rest of my family. Cancer is cruel, but hopefully I will beat it. Thank you all for your help and advice, will keep you posted on my recovery over the next few months.