Hi
I know I'm probably paranoid but I can't get it out of my head that I have microscopic cancer growing inside me.
In 2024 I had my rectum removed as my cancer had spread to a lymph node. I had robotic surgery and formation of a temporary ileostomy. It was reversed about 7 months after.
I really had to fight for my surgery and feel that precious time was lost, 2 years in fact. If I'd had surgery in the beginning which was my wish, it may not have spread to my lymph nodes. Where else has it spread. Of course I have CT scans but they're not infallible.
Does anyone have similar fears..
Kind regards
Jilly x
Hi Combie Of course it’s natural to have worries but you are being checked regularly so if anything did recur then it would hopefully be picked up quickly? My oncologist told me that reoccurences usually happen within the first 2 years and once you get to 3 then things are looking pretty good - in fact the last NICE guidelines recommended that follow ups stop after 3 years although my hospital followed up for 5.
Have a read of the paper below? It really sums up how we feel about what happens after treatment finishes.
There’s also some great posts and advice on the Life after Cancer board
Take care
Karen x
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