Trying to find my way

Hi Rd stage 3 and I’m sorry to hear that you’re struggling. I know Gemmary and CrumpetsOrToast have replied about the perineural invasion on your other post but, as everyone’s situation is different, it really is something you need to discuss with your team? You could maybe ask about how far the perineural invasion was into the area that was removed? I have no personal experience of this but I know I had 2 out of 17 lymph nodes affected and they told me that both were close to the tumour and, as lymph nodes are found in a sort of chain, as the ones further down the chain weren’t affected, then that would point to them having removed all the affected ones.

I also had a post op rectal abcess which they drained under CT scan and then left a drain inserted in my bum cheek. It was horrible and there for 5 very uncomfortable weeks. I luckily avoided an NG tube and got away with nil by mouth but I’ve heard they are really unpleasant.

If you click on my name then you can see my treatment to date. I was diagnosed in 2016 and I’m still ‘no evidence of disease’ as are the 2 ladies that I went through my treatment with. There is always hope but it’s often hard to find 2 people with exactly the same treatment/ prognosis and people often leave the board once their treatment is finished and get on with their lives.

Please give the support desk a ring and have a chat with them? There is counselling available too if you think it would help you?

Take care

Karen x