Hello and thanks for posting

I'm sorry to read about your mum's situation. This must be a difficult time for you both.

When someone needs to have an emergency stoma operation this can mean that something urgent is happening with the bowel. It may be blocked, at risk of perforation, or not working properly due to the tumour.

A stoma is where the surgeon brings part of the bowel to the surface of the abdomen ( tummy ), so poo can come out into a bag instead of going through the usual way. You can read more about this on our website. We also have information on advanced bowel cancer.

Once your mum has recovered from her surgery, her doctors will want to treat the cancer in her body. This is where chemotherapy or immunotherapy comes in. Chemotherapy uses anti cancer drugs to shrink or slow down the cancer . The drugs circulate throughout the body in the bloodstream so it can reach the cancer cells in the body. Immunotherapy helps the body's immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells. But it's only suitable for some people.  Your mum might need to have tests using some of her cancer cells or a blood sample. This is to find out whether the treatment is likely to work. These tests look for changes in certain proteins or genes.

It might be worth having a chat with your mum's specialist nurse (CNS) as they know her situation and may be able to advise you further. You often have to call and leave them a message and they will get back to you.  

I hope this has been of some use. Give us a ring if you want to talk anything over. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind Regards,

Celene