Hello

Hi 

Welcome to the forum ! I am going to tag in Kareno62 and crankshaft to see if they can give you some advice. I am a carer so no direct experience but wanted to welcome you .

Glad to hear you are through the surgery ! 

Take care ,

Court 

Thank you x 

Hi Bon80,

Sorry to hear that you have had to have a bowel resection with ileostomy, I am not surprised you are having trouble getting you mind around things. So, have you been told what chemo you are going to have or are you waiting for a meeting with the oncologist?

I had radiotherapy with chemo tablets before my operation to shrink the tumour. I would have thought that you would only have radiotherapy now if there is something definite to aim at. Have they said that there was anything else affected, like nodes?  If you have to have radiotherapy it is quite straight forward, some people get side effects, personally I didn't.

If it is mop up chemo it may well be Oxyplatin infusion with capecitebine tablets, which I had. Depending on how many sessions you have they may offer you a PICC line which stays in your arm  rather than having a canula every time. It is worth having if they mention it as an option. There are side effects but the oncolgist will monitor you and, if necessary, reduce the doses.

How are you getting on with the ileostomy? I hope that you have a good stoma nurse that can help you. Once you get used to it you can live a pretty normal life.  If you have problems with it remember that most issues can be solved and that there are loads of different products to try if you have problems with the  ones you have.  Have they said it will be temporary or permanent?

You asked what is ahead. Bowel Cancer is very treatable today. A year after my treatment finished I was passed off as clear. What happens in the future we don't know but I am good to go for now. So all this is an experience you could have well done without but you have every chance of coming through it successfully.

If you have any questions please ask, especially when you know what your plan is.  In the meantime I wish you all the best for a good recovery.

John

I’m waiting to see the oncologist at the moment, yes histology showed it had spread to surrounding nodes and I had cells right up to the clearance margins. 
so they’ve said possibly chemo/Rt. Will all be discussed at my oncology appointment the waiting is difficult. 
Thanks for the reply