Hi, I have been here for quite some time gaining support and motivation from afar within this wonderful forum. Today, I finally felt ready to share my journey so far. I was diagnosed with locally advanced low rectal cancer (T4N1MO) in July '23 at age 53. My treatment plan consisted of five weeks of chemoradiation followed by six cyles of chemotherapy (Capox). APR surgery was the original plan at this point, however, when post treatment scans showed a near complete response I was instead offered Papillon treatment of which I had four sessions. These concluded in June'24 and I am now subject to the 'watch and wait' surveillance protocol. Second round of scans, etc are pending in December and I'm positively trying to find my feet coping with the additional anxiety this inevitably brings to my life on a three monthly basis. In the meantime, I'm on a mission to enjoy life to the full and take nothing whatsoever for granted.
