Dad diagnosed with Bowel Cancer. Has had 1 course of radiotherapy

Hi 

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/radiotherapy-for-rectal-cancer

Welcome to the forum . Sorry to hear about your dad . I am hoping some people pop on to give some insight into how they have handled a stoma  just to see it from another view point .

The link above has a reference and a link to a treatment called Papillion therapy . Not sure if it’s at all appropriate, comes with a criteria and would need to speak to his consultant about it . I would however also read the Nice guidelines too as they give some insight into the implications of not having surgery and when and where this would be appropriate. Just so he is fully informed.

Like I said it comes with a criteria. But is in the information sheet from Macmillan. Maybe something you would be interested in reading up on and chatting to his consultant about if he really does not want surgery .

Send him our best wishes . I hope he finds something to help him .

Take care ,

Court 

Hi DJB66, sorry to hear about your Dad. In response to Court I would ask whether the consultant is saying that the tumour is in a bad place so that after operating the stoma bag would be permanent or just temporary while the bowel heals? Would it be an Ileostomy or Colonoscopy?

As a 73 year old man I had a temporary ileostomy for a year and have now had it reversed. It is not something you want but if you have to have it you get used to it and once I had it didn't interfere with my life. I have an older friend who has had a colostomy bag for twenty years without concern.

If he can find a cure without one that would be great but don't let the thought of having one cloud his judgement.

I hope it goes well for him, whatever he decides

John

I had a stoma bag when I was in teens ( am

now in forties) and my aunt went with me as she had a permanent stoma bag i got reversal Three months later and mind asking my aunt should I get reversal

as she has permanent stoma and she said she was so happy to get her health sorted out that the stoma bag didn’t ever worry her and now she in eighties with the bag and her health is great you wouldn’t no she has a stoma while I got mine reversed and was a few episodes if I ate something it would block my bowel

and I be in hospital

but I mean to say everyone I’d different but I see my aunt and she amazing it never holds her back at all