Husbands recent diagnose of bowel cancer

Hi Worried Wife. Yes you’re entitled to ask the consultant for a 2nd opinion. Ive not done it personally but perhaps the support desk on here could advise you?

www.macmillan.org.uk/.../getting-a-second-opinion

Hello, sorry you are going through this, I have a similar problem with my hubby who only has a small cancer in his bowel,but they do not want to operate as he has other health problems. He feels abandoned and I am finding it difficult to help him. 

We have a friend who had similar health problems to my hubby and he successfully had an op to remove his tumour. It has made me think has the bar risen due to the difficulties with the backlog from the pandemic etc so that they are ‘writing off’ (sorry don’t know how else to,put it) people that might previously have been operated on. Sorry maybe I am just feeling down so not thinking straight. 

Hi Worried Wife

To be honest if there was a spread to the liver they would probably go to chemotherapy first even if the lymph node had not been there as they like to get a systemic approach where they tackle all potential tumours at once . My mum Was classed as inoperable twice and chemotherapy turned that around both times . Gaining stability over the disease is often the first port of call in a stage 4 setting . They are always there in the background re-evaluating to see if other approaches can be incorporated .

I can’t say if her lymph nodes where reactive or actually swollen with cancer cells but after chemotherapy there was no active cancer .

Its a very difficult position to be in as chemotherapy requires to do a big job but it’s not without hope for sure .

But it was full of uncertainty and a difficult time to go through . We are here to help you both through that and hopefully he will mount a response .

Mum made it to surgery the following year !

Thinking of you both ,

Court 

Hi Misprint

Its a big doubt to live with and I think a second opinion is not always to open up other options but also to answer these types of questions .

Some departments go further than others .

I think there is a big benefit to have time with another clinician to air your concerns .

Its been a difficult time for the NHS for sure but you want the best care in the situation you both find yourself in .

Our helpline staff could assist . 0808 808 0000.

Your GP can arrange another consultation but I think it’s best to go to a different health authority. 
Just my own opinion.

Thinking of you both ,

Court 

Hi Court

thank you so much for your reply and useful information. I will chat to my hubby and see how he feels about a second opinion as that might at least give him some hope.