I am a 76 year old bloke who has stage 3 cancer. I have been through radio/chemo thereapy with a significant reduction in tumor size but have now been referred for exenterative surgery as there are complications. The surgreon frightened the life out of me and I am now in the position of having to make a decision. The risks seem huge but my understanding is that there is no option if I am going to survive beyond 5 years. Does anybody have any experience of this that i can use to get this in perspective? I know surgeons have to spell out the risks but I can get no feel of the probabilities. i am in good health but did suffer a mild stroke as a result of the chemo ( I think). Any experiences would be gratefully received.
Hello oldgit
I had a different cancer, but when it recurred, I had a total pelvic exenteration which means I had my bladder and rectum removed (along with many other bits) and I now have a permanent colostomy and urostomy. I would not have survived 5 years without the surgery. I maybe would have had 18 months at best. Yes, there are huge risks, but in the interests of survival I was prepared to take them. I had a 50/50 chance but had great margins and it removed all my cancer.
It’s huge surgery with a long recovery, but my only other option was palliative chemo, so for me I just wanted to go for it. I’m almost 2 years out and have a great quality of life with no issues. I’m a bit younger than you-coming up to 60- but I have never for a moment regretted my surgery.
Hello again oldgit
Your odds are much better than I was given! But faced with not surviving very long, or potentially surviving 5 years or more, I chose to go for it. I admit that when it was very first mentioned as a possibility if my cancer recurred, my immediate reaction was to say no in the car on the way home-the thought of it terrified me.
When push came to shove and it was actually my only option to potentially survive 5 years or more, I knew I’d say yes. I realised I was lucky to be offered it at all, and only because my cancer hadn’t spread outside my pelvis. My will to live was stronger than my fear.
I have had no major issues since surgery-a couple of small wound infections in the immediate aftermath, treated at home, and I have never been readmitted to hospital for any reason. I consider I have recovered very well from it. I do know of people who have refused it, through fear, and I know of people who are still going strong 15 years on. It’s a huge decision to make and I don’t consider myself a gambling woman, but I’m glad I chose this particular gamble.
It’s a good idea to think of as many questions as you can and take them with you to your appointment. It’s easy to forget things when you’re in there I found. You need to be quite sure that you are comfortable with your decision, and are as informed as you possibly can be.
