Good morning I've been diagnosed with bowel cancer but because of lots of other medical problems an operation is not an.option Is there anyone out there the same as me ...told we just have to take each day as it comes.
Just want to welcome you to the forum . Sorry to hear your news and some people do report to having the same advise given . Does that include chemotherapy ? We do have a group here for patients only who have a diagnosis that won’t lead to a cure . I am going to tag in as she has found it to be most useful and I am sure would be happy to welcome you there too . It covers all cancer primaries . You are also welcome to stay here with us and we would be most happy to support you but both options are available to you . The group is called “ incurable cancer “ patients only !
Glad you reached out to us and hope we can be of some help ,
I just wanted to say hello and also to welcome you to the forum. I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis but I see Court has been in touch with useful information and hopefully Nikki will be in touch with you soon.
If chemo is an option there is lots of research going on at the moment into side affects which will hopefully make treatments more suitable and available to people with other medical problems.
Keep in touch to let us know how you are getting on, we are a very friendly and supportive group on here.
Don'r give up, write to a Ms Adams, clever Surgeon, was in Plymouth, I believe somewhere up North now, but Cancer Nurses would give you details I'm sure (their number 01752 439473). Bowel Cancer, had to cut out a bit and join remainder, apparently, I bled like a pig, but I'm still here two years later. Good job, as I thought I was a goner. Find it hard to believe cannot operate, but if so, make sure you have stacks of morphine. I guess you know, pain is rather nasty.
Vicky, I know nothing about chemo, refused when I was cleared of bowel cancer. Not sure about your bowel cancer now, mine was horrific pain, maybe different for you? I'm no Doctor, but sympathise, it's a bitch whatever!
Hi sorry that I am late to the party, chemo got in the way. The incurables forum is wonderful, so many stories of beating the odds, so called incurables many years down the road still living a good quality of life. One of the most memorable things said to me from a inmate (thank you) i was that she spent too many years waiting to die before she learnt how to live. Getting to a good place in your head takes time and tears, so be kind to yourself. Also inoperable now may not mean forever inoperable and chemo, immunotherapy, targeted therapies and various cyber knives have turned previously inoperable people to operable.
Finally on this wave of possitivity some people have gone onto treatment whilst they get themselves fitter. You haven't said very much about your existing conditions or your cancer but there is a lot of advice around, and you can get a second Drs opinion who might see possibilities that your current team can't.
So in summary my advice would be, take your time to take everything in, (it is devastating, I am not denying that) do some research for yourself and then find those big girl panties and hitch them up high (big boys pants also available) and see what you can do about it. There will be things you can do to make life a bit better.
My wife was diagnosed in March 2024 with right side bowel cancer and because of her having COPD and Asthma in July 2024 she was given less than 12 months of life it’s now 18 months ,she is not mobile but I think it’s down to her COPD and Ast,a
My wife was diagnosed in March 2024 with right side bowel cancer and that is all the information regarding the cancer she was ever given ,in July 2024 she was intubated that there was no treatment although the cancer could be removed with a operation but because she also has COPD and Asthma they could not do any surgery,I asked if chemo or radiotherapy was a option or any other treatment for her no was the reply chemo would probably kill her Quicker than the cancer radiotherapy would not penetrate were the cancer is she was informed this time next year she would not be hear that was 04 07 2024 ,well she is still hear today she my not have much quality of life but her words she has life .her GP was quick in putting a DNR a in place .I think it’s the COPD a and Asthma is the reason she is not really mobile. she has had 2 blood transfusions in the past 4 months the second one was last week because she had low blood count,I don’t know if it’s the end of life for her has anyone been in a similar situation many thanks
Hello Armedforces, Sorry to read about the difficult situation for your wife and for you. I am not medical in any way but I did have a major right bowel cancer op in 2023 followed by low dossage chemo (Capox) for a reduced period because of a condition known as DPD deficiency (not uncommon). At all times, I was, and still am, under an Oncologist who referred me for the op, chemo and subsequent scans (routine). Also had two separate successful targeted radiotherapy treatments for suspect nodes indentified by the scans. Given the all clear at last scans a couple of months ago. All in all I am very well now, fit and active at 81.
I have given my case outline because it is not clear from what you say above if your wife has had a recent update consultation with an Oncologist. Or might you perhaps consider getting a second opinion, if only to perhaps access a low dose, by mouth only, form of chemo to arrest and maybe improve her condition? Ongoing developments and improvements in cancer treatments are remarkable and hopefully you will find a form of more benign treatment to help your wife, allowing for her COPD and Asthma. Hopefuly some positive treatment be possible and very best wishes to you both. Cheers Anbou.
She was discharged from the hospital about 2 weeks after she was informed about no treatment was possible,it’s been extremely difficult to get her GP or any GP to make a visit and now the practice has said if anything changes phone the palliative care team at woodlands house who have there own doctors, I have tried I have even wrote to a MP No response he’s lost my vote that’s for sure I even looked into paying for one myself but I would have to get a second mortgage to pay for it and at my age although I’m only 77 my wife who is 76 , my wife is a fighter and very strong willed
