I was 65 years old when I was diagnosed with stage 3B mid rectum cancer.I had concurrent 5FU and radiation for 28 days.After 10 weeks I underwent surgery.A descending colon J pouch was created after removing the sigmoid and rectum and it was attached to the anal canal. In pathology ,the lymph nodes were free of cancer. But the medical oncologist wanted me to take a three drug ,6 courses of chemo for 6 months.His arguement was the nodes were positive in PET scan.As the tumour was in the anterior wall of rectum,uterus and thee fourths of the vagina was also removed,so that the microscopic infiltration is not missed. Sigmoid was removed as it has a common lymphatic drainage.The oncologist said the chemo was meant for increasing the 5 year survival rate.Is it a 100% survival.No ,about 20% risk will remain.So I weighed all the options and decided when there is a 20 % risk why sacrifice my quality of life.Any day chemo or radiation do not destroy the cancer stem cells.So No chemo was my decision.It is 8 years now.Though post surgery challenges like frequency and fragmentation is there and post radiation pain in the anal area is there,I am having a reasonably good quality of life.If those small hindrances are not there,I might forget to be grateful.

All the best for you to decide on what you want in life,quality or quantity?