Results after chemo and radiotherapy, operate or not?

Hi and a warm welcome to the board from me. Yes you’ve got a tough decision to make and I think you could do with checking with the surgeon how ‘risky’ the operation would be with your underlying conditions so you can weigh up your options with all the information to hand?

Im also going to ask my friend if he could offer you some advice?

Take care

Karen x

Thank you Karen, I have discussed the dangers of the operation with my surgeon and he wants to go ahead with it, although I have to be admitted 3 days prior to it for a stent to be fitted in the abdomen to prevent a clot moving to the chest  area. 

As I said I have had 3 dvt's to date the most recent in February.

Then there is the 20 % return rate in 2 years and the wait and watch option.
Thank you.
Robert.

Hi Robby63

Welcome to the forum.  We're a very friendly group on here and I'm sure your'll have other replies very soon.

I would suggest that you have a good talk with both your surgeon and your Cancer Specialist Nurse.  It might be a good idea to speak to you GP too.  I was a patient member of the ERG (Expert Reference Group) for older people with cancer and you are not old by any means but I do understand your worries about your heart and other conditions as well as being overweight.

Following my surgery for colon cancer I started chemo, both iv and tablets and after the third iv treatment I was really quite ill and I had a discussion with my oncologist regarding either changing or stopping treatment.  She went through all the options in detail  and I looked at the percentage differences involved.  I discussed this  with my daughter, who said that the decision should be mine but whatever decision I made not to regret it should I needed more treatment in the future. I decided to stop the iv as,  for me, the extra small risk involved was worth it for my quality of life.  I know that having chemo is totally different to having surgery but my oncologist spent time with me to make sure that I had all the information in front of me so that I could make an informed decision.

I had my treatment back in 2012 and I do not regret my decision at all.  

My husband had angina, high blood pressure and Parkinson's when he was diagnosed with lung cancer (although he wasn't overweight)  and before going ahead with surgery he was put through all sorts of stamina exercises and  tests, and we were told all the risks.  He decided to go through with the surgery and made a good recovery afterwards.  

It is so hard to know what is best to do, but I would suggest you talk it through with close family and the clinicians and if you're still uncertain you can ask for a second opinion.

Don't be pressed into making a decision before you are ready, tell him you want more time to think things through so that you make the decision that is right for you, and perhaps suggest that it might be helpful to have another chat with him before reaching your decision.  

There is a cancer pathway that clinicians try their best to keep to, but if you want more time, you can take more time.

Take care

VickiLynne

Thanks Vicki, 

I do feel as I'm being rushed into making a decision, with the operation only a fortnight away and it being only  a week past that I was told I might need it.

I discussed the ins and outs of the operation with the surgeon last Friday and up until then didn't realise how big an operation it was. 

I have a cancer nurse I can speak to so I will run that past her within the next day or two.

I dealt with my chemo and radiotherapy without a problem but this has me vexed to say the least.

Thanks again I will take on what you have advised it gives me more to think about.

Robert.

Hi Robert,

I think you should stress that you are extremely worried about having surgery with your other medical problems and ask what tests they will be doing to make sure that you are 'fit' for surgery.

Once you are on the cancer pathway, they do try to stick to guidelines for surgery being carried out within a given time, but you do have the right to delay surgery.  Unfortunately, these decision are hard to make and we never know if we are making the right decision.

As I previously said don't be forced into having the surgery before you are ready and you have more information in front of you.

Take care,

VickiLynne

Hi Robby63 I have been in your shoes about 18 months ago I had a complete response and for me It was an easy decision,as I didn't want a permanent stoma, I had a wonderful time for  nearly nine months and then the cancer returned,so no option other than APR and colostomy, I am eight months on from op doing well and coping with the stoma miles better than I expected,but if I was given the same choice again I would take watch and wait without hesitation,as I am sure you know making decisions in the cancer world is not easy,my friend is on watch and wait and she is still clear after two years, hope this helps, cheers John and hi Kareno62

Thanks you so much pal for getting back to me this means a lot.

Just over an hour ago I spoke to my cancer nurse and told her I was unsure of going ahead with the operation in a fortnight, it all seemed to quick and that I was probably going the wait and watch route.

This has now helped me confirm I am doing what is best for me. I do suffer from anxiety and depression which was holding me back and to be honest my physical shape is not the best after this lockdown.

I didn't realise at the time when I completed my chemo and radiotherapy that the operation was as big. That part of it was fine apart from the tiredness.

The time in between if it does return will give me a chance to get back to a good standard of fitness, I used to do a lot of hillwalking and climbing so you can imagine was pretty fit then.

My nurse is making an appointment as soon as she can to see the surgeon, my  plan then will be to wait and watch, and do the three monthly routine of MRI and flexible colonoscopy.

You have been a great help, I hope this finds you and your family well.

Thanks Robert.

Hi Robby63 not a problem my friend , you are spot on, In the nine months before my cancer returned I got mega fit and without a doubt it helped massively with the op and my recovery, you can also change your diet as there are lots of foods  that aide in the battle against this horrible disease, take care cheers John.

Thanks - it’s always good to have input from someone who’s been there and done it! Glad to hear that you’re still doing well - I’ve just had a clear scan so that’s 3.5 years clear.

Take care

Karen x

Hi Kareno62 so chuffed for you with your scan results, you are closing in on the magic number take care and stay in touch cheers John.xx