Refused surgery at 77yrs of age

Gaz791105 2 hours ago

3 replies
109 subscribers
26 views

I have just attended a meeting with my consultant after receiving 5 weeks chemoradiotherapy.

My rectal tumor is very low down and has shrunk considerably after the treatment.

I have been offered an operation which would involve a permanent stoma.

I have declined as at my age the quality of life is more important than a complete cure.

Any feedback would be welcome.

AllyL 25 minutes ago

Hello Gaz791105

I had a stoma fitted prior to chemoradiation and I have found it very easy to manage.

I eat everything and I am very active.

So no real impact on my quality of life.

All the best with what ever you decide.

Ally

Dulac 9 minutes ago

It's your choice and I quite understand but I followed the surgeon's/oncologist's advice and ended up with two stomas. They are easy to manage and it is a side to medicine I knew nothing about, until a few years ago. The specialist support to develop a routine was very good. In terms of lifestyle they haven't made a great deal of difference. Being 75 I lost the desire for a slim figure many years ago and now relax wherever I might go! To Hell with fashion - comfort is the name of the game.

Dulac

gertrudej a few seconds ago

A stoma is definitely not the end of the world Gaz. The very idea is horrendous to everyone I think and rightly so , a normal bodily function you have not really thought about since you were small has now become the elephant in the room !

Suffice to say without it I would have died. 7 years on and like Ally I eat and drink whatever I like, have an active life and the joy of watching my grandchildren grow.