Hello

Hi Unfair2 and a warm welcome to the board. I’m so sorry to hear you lost your son so recently and then to be diagnosed yourself must be so hard to bear. Yes each tumour is different and spread or no spread has a huge bearing on treatment. Are you having chemoradiotherapy? That is often used for rectal cancer to shrink the tumour before surgery. The chemo part is in tablet form and a low dosage which enhances the effect of the radiotherapy. Most people find it pretty tolerable with maybe a bit of fatigue and diarrhoea towards the end.

I was diagnosed over 6 years ago and I’m currently cancer free - if you click on my name then you can see my treatment history.

Im glad you’ve reached out to us and we’ll be happy to help and support you through your treatment 

Take care

Karen x

Hi there ,,, Firstly my condolences on your sad loss , I cannot even begin to totally understand what you are going through. Then your own diagnosis makes it surreal. 
Do you have anyone assigned to you to tak through your feelings? Which may help  ? 
If not Karen has posted helpline number above 

Or if you wish feel free to talk to us 

I am on a list for counselling with St Francis hospice which is where my son died but no joy. 

• Hi Karen thankyou for reaching out to me. Wow you have been through it love. Glad you are through it all you must be very strong. Iam having the same chemotherapy for 25 sessions over 5 weeks I start on Monday so don't know how I'm going to react I just hope I can be as strong as you. .x

Macmillan are offering 6 free counselling sessions with BUPA. If you ring the support desk on the number below they’ll be happy to chat and advise you x

Hi Unfair 2, I am so sorry for your loss, losing a child to this terrible disease is truly heart breaking. I lost a sibling, only aged 9 to Bowel cancer in 1973, he was 18 months younger than me and as he was so young, his symptoms were not considered to be  BC until it was far too late to do anything. He was treated at Great Ormond St who did what they could to make him comfortable, thankfully BC treatment has come a long way since then. It did nearly destroy my parents but they turned their grief to fund raising . I did mention to my surgeon and oncologist about his cancer but they did not consider that BC my was genetic . 

You are so right in saying that each tumour is different so please don't think that you will have the same outcome as your son. I am sending positivity and hugs to you and wish you good health in the future 

Love Mel xx

Hello Unfair2,

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I too have rectal cancer diagnosed last Oct...(T3 N1 M0) Just like you my treatment plan is chemoradition x 25.....I've done 22 and complete the course next week. It hasn't been a walk in the park but very doable....I have constipation, neasea and a rash on my arms/hands but the oncologist prescribed tablets to help me, which do.

I hope your journey is as pleasant as can be expected.

Take care, Ralph.

Thankyou , sorry about your sibling that must have been hard as well. My son was an adult but he left 4 children who I dont get to see as much as they find it hard when they are around me and their uncles. 

Welcome Unfair2 

I am so sorry to read about your own situation and your son . How terribly hard for you to have to face this when you have come through so much .

We are here for you to support you through this .

My mum is a stage 4 patient and gone through a lot over the years and has left me with my own anxiety over the disease so I can see for what you have gone through you have to work through this to face your own treatment .

Have you had testing for lynch syndrome ?

Step by step you are going to get through this . 
Much love and support ,

Court 

Thankyou wish your mum well . No I have not been tested for lynch syndrome what is it.