Hello sundaeblue

I'm sorry to hear that you're currently undergoing treatment for rectal cancer and that you're now facing the decision about which kind of surgery will be best for you. It's understandably a difficult time. 

I know we have had some members here on the forum who have had reversal surgery. If you use the forum search function to look for the term reversal you'll find lots of posts where this is mentioned - some with good outcomes and some from people who have struggled since the surgery.

As Cancer Chat is a general cancer forum, I wonder if you may be able to connect with others who have been through this process via the Bowel Cancer UK forum. As a more cancer-specific forum, I'm sure you'll find others there as well who are willing to share their stories with you. You might also want to consider getting in touch with Bladder and Bowel UK for some advice and support. 

If you'd like to chat with our team of nurses you're welcome to call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. I'm sure they will be happy to offer any information and support that they can. 

Whatever choice you make, we wish you well for your surgery and hope that your recovery is smooth. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator 

We are facing a decision as well - to have the TME with permanent stoma or go for watch and wait strategy. 

Very tough decisions indeed. We decided to have to base criteria - one is longevity and the other organ preserving. If the two are in conflict, we will lean on longevity. 

Quality of life is important for sure.

On the forum there is a story about someone who decided against stoma reversal because he didn't want the trouble of readjusting back. 

I think there are positive stories as well. Don't focus on negatives alone. 

How did your treatment go so far? Where in rectum is the tumor located? What was the initial stage? 

You can have an excellent quality of life with a permanent colostomy. I didn't have a choice between ileostomy or colostomy, but am glad I have a colostomy. Easy to manage, and not an issue in my experience, and I've had one for some time now.

Thank you for your replay. I appreciate it.