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My journey with rectal cancer: What's your experience?
Hello everyone. I live in the UK and was diagnosed with rectal cancer 2 weeks ago. Since then I've been fast tracked through our NHS system with an MRI scan, CT scan, and another MRI scan this coming Monday to check out a spot on my liver, followed by a meeting with a consultant.
I've been told the tumour is 6" inside from my anus. Can anyone inform me if this would be rated low, mid, or high up in the rectum? Thanks.
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I lost 6 kilos in weight after my resection and during chemo and was advised by a dietician to pile on the calories, so full fat milk replaced semi skimmed, Greek yoghurt replaced natural and more bananas and eggs than usual. The result is stabilisation of weight but no significant gain yet. But having finished chemo and now building muscles again on a bike, and also currently skiing, I hope that this will result in weight gain.
Good luck with your diet!
Was your treatment of chemo thru a port or intravenously? I will be taking 3 500mg pills twice a day. I’m wondering if I will have the same severe side affects! I was told to get high protein ensure which has all the vitamins! It looks as if I will also need to get Gatorade to replenish electrolytes
My cancer is a 5cm SCC involving anal sphincter stage 3 diagnosed December 2022. I had an emergency loop colostomy end of January due to high risk of obstruction & commenced daily combined radiation & chemo. I completed my 28 treatments last week.
Firstly, I suffered more than most with the side effects of constant diarrhoea ( thank goodness for the Colostomy bag) leading to severe dehydration & electrolyte imbalance, loss of appetite & nausea leading to malnutrition, gross weight & muscle loss & nil energy . I had 2 breaks of 1 week each during treatment course & noticed improvement in appetite at end of each week . Interestingly, I began to pass bits of the dead tumour rectally in last week's of treatment. This was a putrid substance, but not unexpected according to Oncologist. Now I wait…chemo & radiation continues to work for about 1 month after treatment finishes…for my appetite to return, so I can begin my rebuild. Super important to keep fluids up & I have found cold drinks ( better if milk or high protein) with ice more successful with electrolyte replacement tablets once per day with diarrhoea. I have had 3 IV fluids replacements. I am still taking anti nausea medication so I can eat small amounts, but praying my appetite returns in next few days.
i have rectal c —- i'm on my 5 chemo i hope it shrinks and i dont need bag – id like them do do exam and see if its shrunk and they can operate asap
My rectal cancer is 7 cm from the anus. With that being said surgeons did not want to do resection on me until the 2 inch tumor shrinks via chemo/radiation. Which I will be starting in next week or so. The surgeon wants to avoid colonoscopy bag if the resection Was done before chemo/radiation, shrinking of the tumor. Thru research the rectum is 12cm, my tumor starts at 7 cm in I believe mine would be considered low rectal. But your Dr should be able to tell you.
I am interested in hearing from anyone who’s had an anoplasty procedure done.
Yes, I had keyhole surgery in 4 places below the navel. I left hospital after 4 days having had very little pain and recovered quickly. The only problem was an allergic reaction to the glue used on the stitches but that cleared up eventually.
I have had both. Chemo is a bit debilitating but do-able. I had a port inserted and took the chemo that way. You will feel absolutely wiped out. I never had much nausea but did take the anti-nausea pills they gave me.
Radiation is painless, but the sessions do build up, so it has become a bit painful towards the end. I have not had to take pain killers so, again, it is manageable. I think I have had over 20 sessions and take chemo pills every day. I have 3 sessions to go, then we will see the result. I will say that I feel quite positive as I don't feel any pain from the cancer presently.
i thought that radiation wasnt as bad as chemo
i dont get any pills but they give me intravenious anti nausea medicine and it seems to work — i didnt get any pills it was all intravenious