I am also in SA but was diagnose with rectal cancer in Florida, USA. I flew back to SA and went to Busamed in Hillcrest and my oncologist is Dr. Rob Wilson.

I had 12 chemo sessions through a port that was surgically installed. I started in November 2022. First did 8 chemo sessions every 2 weeks. I would also go home with a chemo pump installed for two days then return to have it removed.

After 8 sessions I stopped chemo through the port and did 6 weeks of radiation every day and took chemo tablets. I then completed my last 4 chemo sessions.

I did not experience nausea but did take the anti-nausea pills they provided. My taste buds took a hammering and you will go off quite a few foods. I didn't lose my appetite but couldn't stomach some dishes. I also experience neuropathy in my hands and feet and took Neurobion (vitamin B) to help with that. The nurses also said to have a teaspoon of honey sprinkled with cinnamon every day.

I also had MRI's and CT scans to check on progress. I started with a 6cm tumor in the rectum and this shrunk to 4 cm and then 3.1 cm on my final MRI. I still had 2 more chemo sessions after that before my consultation with a surgeon.

I went to Dr. Strachan who is a surgeon at Busamed and had a colonoscopy done. He said he could see no sign of cancer. I was elated. He will check again in 6 weeks but I am feeling really hopeful, at the moment, that it has gone.

I will say, Busamed in Hillcrest is a world class facility. I am most impressed with that hospital and all of the staff. Dr Wilson works with Hopelands Cancer Center and is in Durban and Hillcrest.

Diet wise, I completely stopped consuming any sugar, which I did years ago, and have not had a drop of alcohol since my diagnosis. I stuck to a healthy diet of white meat (chicken), fish, eggs and vegetables. I also eat quite a bit of fruit and grain. No fried food at all.

I hope some of that helps.

Well, my husband is stage 4 rectal cancer. He has been fighting 2years and 2months. This round of chemo has been 9 months. If he goes off chemo, his CEA levels sky rocket. Once the cancer metastasized, it is moving in the body. We are not any better off now then we were when we started this journey. His cancer is not curable, which has been told to us by 2 teams of cancer doctors in 2 states. My husband did not want want believe this. But now he gets it. We have been married 54 years. Our children are sad. We are a close family. Cancer sucks!