Recurrence

FormerMember over 4 years ago

2 replies
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I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2015 and was operated on successfully and was clear for three years. Two years ago it recurred in my lung and again was operated on successfully.
I live a very healthy life, eat very well exercise regularly and am pretty close to my perfect weight but yesterday I got the call that my last CT scan showed an irregularity and they have asked me to go for a PET scan.
Until now I suppose I’ve not really taken all this very seriously as at no time, apart from recovering from the operations, have I felt ill, but I think that the possibility of a third bout I find quite daunting.
I am worried about the effect all this is having on my husband who is very supportive but tends to internalise his own feeling.
my main concern is that I have never dealt with a doctor, all my contact has been with the Macmillan team who have been great but I feel I’d like a face to face with a medial person who can explain what all this means.

court over 4 years ago

Welcome to the forum . Strangely enough my mum was picked up during a bowel screen and despite no symptoms was a stage 4 patient . She has had two recurrences but due to the good scanning program everything has been picked up before it became a health issue . This has resulted in her living the last twelve years having never had a cancer symptom but as you can totally appreciate she has had side effects and recovery from treatments . In between she has been well . I can totally relate to what your saying . It almost lacks a reality but on the other hand it is a very strong position from which to undertake treatment and again I attribute it to her longevity.

The last recurrence was in my mum’s lung six years later but whilst it was as ever dismantling as I really thought she might have been on safer ground it turned out to be her easiest procedure and recovery was much quicker . As the with the others it faded eventually and nothing like a few good scans to help that process along .

Glad you have good support . It’s tough but I personally felt the person going through it was still getting the rougher process .

I think it’s only reasonable to want to discuss this . It’s so hard seeing people not getting access to that . We met with the oncologist to tell us the scan info and advise of the PET scan and referral to the MDT . Then she met with a thoracic surgeon to go through their process . The same happened with the liver surgeon. First the oncologist, Pet , then specialist liver surgeon . Depending on who you would like to speak with you could email your oncologist for an appointment. If it’s with a surgeon , depending on the area of concern you are entitled to a second opinion. Your oncologist and your GP could arrange that for you .

I certainly found it helpful to have the opportunity to discuss the type of spread , implications and possible options . I think it’s part of the process to find the way forward . It’s just been so impacted by covid .

I wish you well and hope you can get the support you need .

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to court

Thanks Court. It’s good to hear the experience of others. I sometimes feel that l’m in a vacuum especially during Covid when you can’t even get an appointment for the doctor. I’m waiting for an appointment for a PET scan so they can get a better idea of what’s happening. I’ve just recovered from Covid so it might even be a red herring but scary all the same.