Husband results In

The cancerous tumour is gone and this is the belt and braces. Imagine the tumour is a dandelion. They’ve dug it out and some of the soil around it as well. They’ve tested the soil and found some dandelion clocks in it (lymph nodes). These might be the only dandelion clocks so they’ve been removed which is great however dandelion clocks can be sneaky, drift off and settle somewhere else. To be on the safe side they are recommending a good blast of weed killer (chemo) to be extra sure. It’s standard post op treatment for affected lymph nodes. Chemos not nice but it’s doable and gives the best chance of preventing a recurrence.

No one will force him to have chemo but could he live with his decision if he didn’t and the cancer returned?

Hope this helps

Karen x

Hi Jkee.

Sorry Simon is finding it tough. 8 nodes does mean best to have chemo as they need to minimise risk of spread. It is a lot to take in, especially if you've had exhausting surgery.

Heaps of us are on chemo. It's not always nice nor easy, but the gains hopefully out weigh the negatives.

But it's your husband's cancer and he's the own to endure treatment - so his choice is critical.

The best things for me were having people to hear my worries, wishes and aspirations and then let me make my own decisions, in my own time without judgement.

Good luck and we're here for you both

He may need a little while to process and come to terms with all that he’s been told and the treatment is frightening

I may have to have radical chemo for another primary. I’m only saying this because. I got through my bowel cancer treatment. Each stage I needed to process the info and the alternatives 

Now I have no options there may be only one and if apt I want them to blast the cancer with everything in their arsenal 

Not having treatment is more scary than having it 

Try and have a break from it all. Even if it’s a movie and a drink with small treats. A little normalcy and forgetting cancer helps. 

The term chemo is frightening but more frightening are the words, your cancer has returned. I had to have post surgery chemo as I had one bad lymph node. I wanted to do everything I could to reduce the chances of a reoccurrence. If I did not have the chemo and it came back, I would feel even worse as I had not taken the advice given and had chemo. Obviously it is a very personal decision but chemo is doable. I coped really well and it did not impact my daily routine. Mild side effects but easily managed. 

Thank you all soo much yes I was hoping just in bowel but think we both now have decided on chemo me and te children need him around in future and his grandchildren I have just read you thoughts he said yes he will do and tomorrow Artise we are having a cancer free day no replying to phone little first walk thankyou xxx

Yes, tell your hubby to have the chemo. My hubby didn't after his surgery last year because they said it wasn't necessary and that they got all the cancer and lymph nodes were clear. Three or four months down the line after a blood test he was told CEA markers had risen and a CT confirmed that cancer was back so as Mel M says hearing those words that it has returned is NOT nice at all.