Rectal cancer

Hi Suzi and a warm welcome to the board. Have you discussed a treatment plan with the consultant yet? Rectal cancer treatment often starts with a course of chemoradiotherapy to shrink the tumour before surgery. If you click on my name then you can see the treatment that I had for stage 3 rectal cancer in 2016.

The next few months will be tough but we are here to help and support you through it. Stay away from google - you can ask anything you like on here - we’re happy to share advice, experience and top tips.

Take care

Karen x

Hi Suzi

I hope that you are okay the early stage I found the toughest. The mind can go all over the place 

Karen’s given great advice , most have treatment before or after but I was straight to surgery as there was concerns that I would block and then it would be an emergency.

So I didn’t need chemo after either.

Best wishes 

Hi Karen. Thanks for replying.  I'm to have 5 days radiotherapy, then chemo via drip and tabs then op. Awaiting planning meeting for radiotherapy Currently flip flopping between denial and abject terror  x

Hi Ann. Thanks for replying.  My mind is certainly all over the place!  Take care x

Hi Suzi10. I think I pretty much stayed in the denial stage and just decided to get on with it and pretend it wasn’t cancer. Sometimes the thought and reputation of chemo is worse than the actual act - the tablet chemo taken alongside the radiotherapy is quite a low dose and used to enhance the effects of the radiotherapy. The iv/drip chemo is stronger and has more side effects but they can be managed so please keep posting and let us know how you’re getting on?

The support desk on the number below is there if you need someone to talk to

Take care

Karen x

Hi Karen. Thank you for replying. Denial is strong atm! The euphoria of being told it hasn't spread was quickly replaced by the reality that I still had a cancer diagnosis.  No words. Your response super helpful though and I'm so touched that you have all responded and provided comfort x

Hi suzi10 I have just finished 5 1/2 weeks of iv chemo radiotherapy and chemo tablets. I’m now home 3 weeks was tough and had to take anti sickness and you sleep lots with the radiation I had 28 doses.I am now waiting follow up scans to see if I need surgery I’m stage 3 collerectal cancer.You got this

vii

Hi Vii, thank you for replying. 

Wow, you're a warrior! Hope you are feeling better now. I've heard sleeping a lot is going to be a thing. 

Take care xx