Hi Betty

Your situation sounds very similar to mine. I had a LAR in July due to rectal cancer (T!) and a temp ileostomy. Im waiting for the result of the enema x ray which I had in November. 

How did you get on?

Have you had your reversal andd how long did you have to wait for it? I have been told there is a waiting list for reversal.

Thanks

Marshian

Hi Marshian,

Thanks for getting in touch, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. How are you getting on now? Have you had the results from your histology? 
 

I just had my appointment to discuss reversal this week. My first set of bloods, CEA levels and CT scan all came back ok, and my enema test in July was all fine too. I've now been given a provisional date for reversal in February, so fingers crossed that gets confirmed soon! In total, if they go ahead with the Feb date, I will have had my ileostomy for 9 months. I believe 6 months to a year is the average time for reversals. 
 

I have been a bit nervous about possible side effects following the operation as I've read a lot about low anterior resection syndrome online. The surgeon told me that in my case, with the amount of colon I had removed being about 15cms, that the chance of getting severe LARS is about 2%, so that's made me feel a bit more assured. It's just nerve wracking isnt it not knowing for sure how you will cope when you're reversed and things go back to "normal". Anyway I'll be glad to have the operation and getting the next hurdle over with! 
 

I hope you are doing well,

Betty 

xXx

Hi Marshian,

Thanks for getting in touch, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. How are you getting on now? Have you had the results from your histology? 
 

I just had my appointment to discuss reversal this week. My first set of bloods, CEA levels and CT scan all came back ok, and my enema test in July was all fine too. I've now been given a provisional date for reversal in February, so fingers crossed that gets confirmed soon! In total, if they go ahead with the Feb date, I will have had my ileostomy for 9 months. I believe 6 months to a year is the average time for reversals. 
 

I have been a bit nervous about possible side effects following the operation as I've read a lot about low anterior resection syndrome online. The surgeon told me that in my case, with the amount of colon I had removed being about 15cms, that the chance of getting severe LARS is about 2%, so that's made me feel a bit more assured. It's just nerve wracking isnt it not knowing for sure how you will cope when you're reversed and things go back to "normal". Anyway I'll be glad to have the operation and getting the next hurdle over with! 
 

I hope you are doing well,

Betty 

xXx

HI Betty

So glad you have a provisional date. 

Im having blood tests in January and am told I will get the result of the xray early in January too so im hoping all is well and I can go on the waiting list.

I know what you mean about the reversal, it is nerve racking and so many different experiences. Like you I had surgery and no other treatment was needed so in that sense we are lucky.

It would be good to keep in touch as our experiences are similar so far.

I am in west yourkshire, wherabouts are you? I have been told the same about waiting times, six to twelve months.

I am 59 years old and in good health otherwise, no other co-morbidities as they say. I follow some You tubers who have had positive experiences of reversals which makes me feel better.

Are you managing to stay active and get on as I think the stronger you are going in to any op helps.

Glad to have found you on here