My dad 69 no previous medical history at all suddenly stopped passing urine on his 69th birthday in march ,was disgnosed with prostrate cancer and commenced tamsoulosin the mri picked up incidental concern of bowel two more mri ,ct,bone scans and colonoscopy later and we now know he has 15 polyps largest is 6cm and is 2cm from anal verge with query lymph involvement in mesorectal /pelvic wall.
histology from biopsy cannot confirm cancer but surgeons and dr all say looks and feels like cancerous polyps and therefore advancing immediately to a aper operation removing anus rectum bowel etc.leaving a permanent toma awaiting urology to decide whether to go in for prostrate at same time the last ct also picked up a triple A of aorta and anurysm of left iliac.
Dad is suffering with pain losing weight and has begun to look generally unwell …we have pre ok Thursday.
so much has happened since 26 march ,I lost my mum 4 years ago suddenly to copd and dad was just getting his lust for life back he is a being brave and wants to do everything to carry on
I’m with him every step of the way although I’m petrified as I know two people personally that had Apr operations and neither had a good outcome haven’t told dad this obviously….and with the prostrate cancer the triple A and they I tend on leaving 13 polyps behind I’m just so worried not sure what I’m asking I’m just shouting this into the wind but thanks for reading
Hi Dotingdaughter and welcome to the MacMillan community and the bowel group.
I noticed that you hadn’t received a reply yet, but hopefully my response will nudge your post back to the top of the discussions where others will spot it and reply.
It sounds like your poor dad has an awful lot going on right now, so I can appreciate that this must be a very worrying time for you all. It must also be a concern for you that you know people who haven’t had a good experience with APR surgery, but I hope others in the group who’ve had a positive experience of it will be able to reassure you.
I haven’t had APR surgery myself, but I have had my rectum removed (though not my anus) and I do have a permanent colostomy along with a urostomy because I’ve also had my bladder removed. I needed both a urology and colorectal surgeon to work together on my surgery along with my primary gynaecological surgeon, and sometimes related disciplines are required to work together for the best outcome.
I notice you have a pre op assessment today, so your dad will be assessed for his ability to get through the surgery and recovery and I hope the outcome is a positive one. It is major surgery and recovery, so they will want to be sure that any surgery risk is minimised as far as possible.
I hope that you’ll get more replies now to your post and that you’ll keep posting if you need support. This group is normally very active with lots of helpful members, many of whom have been through surgery.
If your dad gives permission, you could ask questions of his team if there’s anything you’re unclear on. Please take care of yourself-this is a lot for you to deal with and I hope you have some extra support around you from family and friends.
Sarah xx
