Rectal cancer.

Welcome Hugo8!

Yes, this is a great group to come on to if you need to ask anything. Always someone here who can help with anything you need to ask and will get what you are going through. I am here supporting my husband who has unfortunately had recurrant bowel cancer after 6 months of apparently been clear- but please don't let that scare you everyone is different. He went in to have his tumour removed in January this year after having apparently walking around with this tumour according to his surgeon for 4 years not knowing he had it until the symptoms began to surface at the end of 2020 beginning like you, with changed bowel movements and back then it was the height of covid and he didn't get a colonoscopy appointment until May 2021 and was officially diagnosed in July 2021 and after that had a bowel resection op which now means he has a permanent stoma then started chemoradiation to reduce the tumour in prep for surgery in January this year. He went for a follow up appointment in May this year and they did blood tests then a few weeks later received a letter to say his CEA levels (tumour markers) had risen and was sent for a CT scan which confirmed the cancer had returned but surgery is not an option just now and he is currently going through combined chemotherapy of Oxaliplatin by infusion and Capecitabine in tablet form he takes for 14 days at home. He'd doing ok but this last cycle- cycle 4 has really knocked him for six. They upped his dosage of both treatments because he tolerated the first 3 so well but don't know if it's backfired and they may have to alter the dosage again. Yes, cancer is a horrible thing and a beast of a disease and doesn't care who it hits. Never once did we ever think it would come back- and so soon! I know it can come back a couple of years down the line but for us it was months. The surgeon was quite upset because Jay (my husband) was recovering so well after his op, and we know she and her team did their damnest to get it all but unfortunately it seems some cells can get loose and form again. All his blood tests kidney and liver function tests have come back normal so far, so we remain `cautiously optimistic` no complacent after the last time. Good luck with your treatment Hugo and just come on here when you feel you need to. Take Care. 

Vicky.

Hello Vicky,

This is a very traumatic time for you and Jay. It shows that cancer is a silent disease. I'm a 57 year old healthy man who didn't think of cancer but when the bowel movements changed, it was time to investigate.

After my GP got the results of my poo samples it only took 8 weeks to get a Colonoscopy appointment which revealed the tumor. That was 3 weeks ago. Since then I've had CT, MRI and an ultrasound scan. I'm delighted it's moving so fast here (Northern Ireland).

Hi Hugo!

Yes, they more or less `hit the ground running` with Jay's initial treatment to get rid of the tumour and are doing so again with his 2nd round of treatment I just hope it's doing something. Your treatment more or less mirrors his once he had the colonoscopy, they couldn't really tell if it was cancer and that there were `abnormalities` and biopsies were taken, and then he was sent for CT and MRI scans and it was after those he got his diagnosis that it was cancer, and the rest they say is history. Wishing you well with your treatment. 

Vicky.

Hi Hugo 

Welcome to the group. You will have lots of advice from others. If you click on people’s names you can read their bio  please stay off Google  I terrified myself by looking up all sorts which weren’t relevant anyway! 
It sounds as if your tests are moving quickly and it won’t be long before the treatment plan is revealed  they treat each case as individual  I was in quickly for an operation as I was close to blocking and if I needed chemo that would have come after  

If you have any questions fire away someone will be around to offer advice  

Take care 

Thank you Ann,

I realised early that Google wasn't the place to look. I was speaking with my cancer nurse today and she explained everything that is ahead of me with the chemo radiotherapy.

I’m really pleased that you have all the info you need to fight this horrible thing. 
keep us updated 

Thank you very much Vicky for your kind words. I also send you and Jay the best of wishes at this nerve wrecking time.

Hi Hugo8

I was also your age when diagnosed and mine too was as a result of a change of toilet symptoms whikst I was otherwise very fit and active. Cancer is a silent and well disguised blight!

After all the tests I was told the only ootion was surgery due to the site of the tumours and so now have "Eddie" my stoma who will be my friend for life. The alternative was not an option and I live life to the full, doing everything I did before, and have got myself as fit and strong as ever.

It's a scary time and I wish you well with the treatment but whatever the long term outcome, life can and will be, good.

Positive thoughts bring positive results!!! 

Thank you Eddiestomart....I admire your outlook on living...

I'm unsure at this early stage of my cancer journey if I'll get a little bag friend but I'm prepared for it and I'll welcome him if need be ....I'm sure we'll get on fine!!

That’s the way

Whatever it takes to sort it out.
That’s exactly how I got through it. I hated that thing and felt I wanted it gone 

Take care