Starting Radiotherapy on Monday

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Hi all,

After a good few weeks of dismissing my symptoms as stress related I went to the doctor who advised "good news it isn't cancer" before she had even examined me, her reasoning was im only 39. After being pushed by my partner and work colleagues I go back and forth for over a month before I finally get a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy was over in 10 minutes as they found a tumour in my rectum and I left the appointment after being told that they don't need to wait for the biopsy results to tell me its cancer and I was allocated a macmillan nurse who has been brilliant.

I was sent for a CT and MRI scan on my pelvis and thereafter an MRI of my liver which has came back showing two nodules.

It has been decided that thr tumour needs to be shrunk before they can operate as its 6cm and attached to my uterus.

The plan is that I start one weeks intensive course of radiotherapy on Monday, have a couple of weeks break and then start 3 months of chemotherapy which will be a mix of tablet and intravenous. In the meantime I'm being referred to the specialist liver team.

Now that it's getting closer to all kicking off it's becoming more real and I'm struggling with my emotions. During the day I'm OK as I can keep busy but as soon as I get to bed my mind has me thinking the worst. Probably doesn't help that I am awaiting the results of the PET scan. I'm worried about side effects or the treatment being too much for me. I'm worried about the treatment bringing on menopause and the side effects that come with that. We had already decided that we didn't want anymore children as our two are 19 and 15 its everything else that comes with it on top of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

I'm 40 next month, have a partner and two children I need to be OK.

Thanks for reading my rant.

Lyndsay

Unfair2 over 1 year ago

It is daunting I had 3 weeks of radiotherapy and I took chemo tablets at the same time . I had a rectum cancer . I'm now clear . Radiotherapy is no problem the only thing was I had to fill my bladder up to a certain amount . It was a laugh in the waiting room all talking about how much we had to drink or we had to try and let done out.

Just try and keep positive, and strong.

Kareno62 over 1 year ago

Hi Steelynds and a warm welcome to the board. Thank goodness for your partner and colleagues being aware that bowel cancer can affect the under 50s and shame on your doctor for not - especially after all the recent publicity. Anyway you’re in the system now and have a treatment plan in place which is good.

Yes it’s daunting and can be tough at times but it’s doable. Stay away from google - it can be scary and out of date - stay on here and the bowel cancer uk board (which actually has a page for the under 50s) and I’ve attached one of their booklets below

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/YoungPersonsGuide_BowelCancerUK.pdf

I had 5 weeks chemoradiotherapy at a lower dosage and found it to be ok. You may experience diarrhoea and sore skin around the area being treated but you’ll be given tablets and creams so use those as directed and talk to the radiographers if you’re having problems.

Chemo affects everyone differently but sometimes it’s reputation is worse than the actual experience. I presume you’re having Capox/xelox? That’s oxaliplatin by iv then capecitabine in tablet form. Yes the oxaliplatin can have quite a few side effects and most people get the sensitivity to cold so make sure you wrap up well - covering your mouth- when leaving the chemo unit and use gloves for getting things out of the fridge or freezer. I’ve attached a link to a post that we did about chemo - like I say you will probably not get all the side effects but it helps to know what’s normal and what isn’t?

CHEMO TOP TIPS UPDATED

I was 53 when diagnosed so perimenopausal anyway but you could maybe chat through your concerns with your doctor or colorectal support nurse? The support desk on the number below are really helpful and there are 6 counselling available with bupa if you feel that would help at some stage.

Bowel cancer is very treatable even with the liver mets so just take it one step at a time and talk to the experts if you’re struggling. We’re all at different stages of treatment and recovery on here and happy to help and support you through yours

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

Jools63 over 1 year ago

Hi Steelnyds I just wanted to say that I know it’s easier said than done, but try not to think too far ahead at the moment. I had a 6cm tumour in the rectum, and had 5 weeks of chemo/radiotherapy, followed by a three month wait before surgery. This allowed the treatment to continue working, and gave me around 1/3rd shrinkage. This was in 2019. Last year 3 liver mets appeared in a routine ct scan. I had a liver resection. The guidelines have changed even within that time and new treatments are becoming available to patients all the time. I was one of those people who was terrified of the thought of chemotherapy, until I was told that it could make a huge difference. It was not scary as the unit where I went was bright and cheerful. A lot of patients had a friend or partner with them and there was a radio on. The nurses were, as always, kind and aware of patients nervousness. Try and take one procedure as something to tick off a list. It makes it more manageable. Wishing you all the best for a positive outcome.