Thanks @omardr for your valid point, and I hope @jenmo was able to make the best decision for her by now .
I am a Rectal Cancer Patient at Mayo since 2021 Dec , and Have just gone through TNT ( total neoadjuvant treatment ) followed by a Long-course radiation and finally underwent an Abdominal perineal resection with End Colostomy .
In fact, After finishing the Chemo Therapy and Then Radiation, I felt completely fine but i was not sure if this situation would last . However i have asked the doctor to reevaluate if I really need such opera-tion at that time and I went in different process of evaluation for this purpose . Until it was found out that it would best to go for it to avoid any future complication which was explained accordingly by the doctor .
Now . What i wanted to highlight is that the fact that I am a person with Very Active Life Style , in which if I would got my rectum reconnected ( Assumption ) , the risk of potential complication would always be there . Specially there is no solution to create the Rectum function in Medical Science yet. Hence my surgeon suggested to go for Colostomy as the chance of my ability to adapt was height as per him as I had a positive attitude towards the plan .
I am happy I did, and I will continue this attitude of looking at my situation in constructive mindset . I can share with you that I am doing well with the Stoma since my Surgery back in Oct 2022 without feeling any limitation.
My message to everyone who is going through similar case is to be keep reflecting on the fact that there are solutions that could save your life and Also create a better life style when its compared to what we would think “ going back to normal” would be .
God created lots of reasons for every one of us to still enjoy life and go forward with own missions, However it's imperative to show gratitude to all blessings around us. e.g. Science, Technology, Doctors , Researches , people etc etc etc
Take your time to decide based on current risk and your aspiration and Go forward .
Good Luck ,
Yousif
@yssaf, please accept my belated welcome. I really appreciate your sharing your story along with @omardr's comment supporting @jenmo and decisio-making. It helps so much to hear from others who have been there.
I hope you'll also follow the Ostomy support group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/ostomy/
Yousif, you mention that you have returned to your active lifestyle with a stoma without feeling limited. Can you share an activity that you thought you'd have to adapt or give up and that you were able to continue after all?