No chemo !!

Ps she has S3 rectal cancer, localised 

I have rectal cancer, was supposed to start 5 weeks of radiation and chemo this week. Been told today that I have rare DPD  deficiency and chemo too risky for me. So got to have 5 day course instead. So I guess similar to your mum. 

I was supposed to be having chemo after surgery as well. Has anyone any experience of this? 

Thanks for sharing Lizzie. 
It’s nice to know there are others out there that chemo Does not suit 

My husband Jay went in last January (2022) to get the cancer cut out which he did and as far as they were concerned they got it all and everything was clear. I asked at one of his post op appointments with his oncologist if they needed to do any further chemo- `mop up` would that be? incase there were any lingering cells maybe missed and they said no and if not necessary they don't do it. Five months later it was back. You hear of miniscule wee cells that can linger and can't be seen on a scan. I still feel if he got extra chemo it may have stopped it coming back but we are where we are now and chemo is out at present because he is still recovering from sepsis and they think his immune system will still be too weak to tolerate any type of cancer treatment but been told nothing has been ruled out meantime its a worry if the cancer is spreading further. 

Vicky x

Oh Vicky I am so sorry to hear. 

that is my biggest worry and the fact that chemo is not suiting her/ her reaction is so bad means we can never get chemo. Did your husband ever have radiation therapy? 

wishing you and your husband some hope 

Yes he did get radiotherapy. His official diagnosis was in July 2021 and then not long after he got his stoma op for the bowel resection. Then he had 6 weeks I think it was chemoradiation to shrink the tumour in prep for surgery. That worked and they did the operation and got it all. Think everything may have been going `too well` for us back then and the `bugger` (cancer) decided it wasn't finished with him and decided to make a return. We try to remain optimistic but it's hard. The chemo he got before his sepsis actually did some damage to his kidneys so it had to be stopped. Then when he got the sepsis they had to do a nephrostomy procedure for his kidneys meaning that he now has two bags one either side of his back to collect urine draining from his kidneys. He doesn't physically go to the loo because everything now is collected in bags. Take Care. 

Vicky xx

Hi there. 
I’ve read here that some people do not suit chemo. It doesn’t work for everyone. Some have amazing results some the opposite  It does sound like your Mum isn’t tolerating it and it could be causing more damage 

The radiotherapy has been doing its job and given the cancer a blast 

The operation hopefully will finish it off. 
They will plan your mum’s treatment to her. It’s very individual 

Try not to worry 

I’m sending you a hug 

Hi Ann, 

thank you for that kind message. I think it’s time for me to stop worrying and put my trust in the professionals. 

Thanks again

Yes honestly they will do the best for your Mum and with you’re love and support she will get through it 

keep us updated. 
I’ll be thinking of you x