Awaiting surgery

Hi Rach510. Yes probably. They will have the results of the scans and will be able to assess the success of the chemoradiotherapy and discuss the next step forward which will hopefully be surgery to remove the tumour. She’ll then have a pre-op appointment and possibly one with the stoma nurse too

Please let us know how it goes?

Take care

Karen x

Thank you kareno62 for your reply. I know its not me going through this awful disease but my anxiety is through the roof with constant worry, praying my mam will be free of this awful disease in the near future. Also would like to thank everyone for posting on here, I come on here everyday and is does give me some comfort to know a lot of people end up being camcer free after their journey. Hope your well 

Rach x

Kareno62just an update, my mother's operation is booked for 2 weeks time (not sure on what it's called as she had to go to the appointment alone) they said the tumour has shrunk but didn't say how much. They also said they may have to take away some of the vagina in order to get clear margins as on the scans the tumour looked close but won't know for definite until the operation. They said she will be in hospital for around 7days (not sure if this is standard?) She is now in isolation, pre op is tomorrow. She had blood tests week before last as she has an underactive thyroid, her thyroid levels are fine but her b12 is low. She's being an absolute trooper and taking it all in her stride, not worried and taking each day as it comes. Me on the other hand I'm finding it very hard to process everything and lots of bad things are going through my head causing me to have panic attacks. I know its not me going through it but I'm finding it so difficult to function and the only thing keeping me going is my mother's strength and courage and my 2 boys. Sorry for the rant.

Hope you are well

Rach x

Hi Rach510. Thanks for the update and it’s good to hear that your mum doesn’t have to wait too long for her op. My husbands favourite saying is ‘it is what it is’ and it sounds like your mum is taking the same approach. You’ve just got to put your trust in the surgeons. Once the surgery is underway then they will be able to see exactly what needs doing to get the clear margins - on the scans it can sometimes be difficult to tell what is the remains of the tumour and what is scar tissue left from the radiotherapy. 5-7 days is usually standard. I think I was in a week because there were no stoma nurses in to sign me off with it being a weekend!

I know it’s impossible not to worry but try to distract yourself and help your mum prepare. Make sure she’s got a nice long charger for her phone, a good book to read, earplugs? There’s a few suggestions in the book below

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/YourOperation_BowelCancerUK.pdf

Take care

Karen x

Kareno62 I've just had a read of the link you posted and I actually feel calmer and you explained there could be scar tissue which is hard to determine on scans which now makes sense. Your husbands saying is exactly what my mother says. She's never been one to moan or grumble, I wish I could before like her. Thank you so much you really have helped, it may not seem like much to others but to someone who's suffering really bad from anxiety it has helped so much. I'm thankful for the support on this group and all the work you all do to help others like myself. I'm extremely grateful.

Thank you.

Rach x

Aww thank you Rach510 I’m glad to be of help. Cancer creates a ripple effect doesn’t it? I was looking at a photo of my husband and his daughter and I’m in the background but you can just see the bandage on my arm covering up the line I had in for my chemo. I commented on how tired he looked on the photo and she said ‘Oh he was just so worried about you’. 
It’s impossible not to worry but you can always post on here and we’ll try and reassure you the best we can - sometimes just knowing that something is ‘normal’ can help?

Take care

Karen x