Hi Jo.

It's a difficult time ,waiting and in pain. 

I've have been on low fibre diets many times , with yearly colonoscopies and digestive issues after a right hemicolectomy.  And yes its v boring and difficult.  So I resort to soups, chicken ,fish but add butter and teriake sauce and red wine !

As to the wait for a plan mine progressed quickly as an emergency op but just keep calling - medical secretaries are your friend. 

Am guessing it is your staging results you are waiting on. I got mine between Christmas & New Year so took almost a month which was a very long agonising time. It it Squamous Cell Carcinoma you have too?

I would be telling you eat what is comfortable for you. High fibre does not suite my system either but little things like taking the peel off apples, having porridge instead of weetabix and not going mad on brown bread makes all the difference.

You have come to the right place for support

Sharon x

Thank you so much for your reply. I spoke to a nurse this morning and she suggested stay on low fibre but gradually try introducing different fibre sources. I had a very tiny piece of brown toast today and no more pain than usual. It’s just experimenting. The nurse also suggested I try lactulose as between my two colonoscopies (9 days apart) I was low fibre the whole time and barely went to the bathroom. We’ll see how it all goes. 

I also found out that they’re having their meeting about me on Monday. After that it’s just a case of how soon they can get me in to meet the team. Hopefully not too long!!! 

Thank you Sharon, yes it’s the staging results and the treatment plan I’m waiting for. I really hope it’s only surgery but we’ll see what happens. I don’t know anything other than there is a tumour in the rectum and the rest of my colon is clear. All the terminology is scary but I’ve read up on the staging a little bit. I’ll keep experimenting with the food until I hopefully find a good balance! 

I've found milk of magnesia ( laxative dose) more effective than lactulose as lactulose for me causes bloating. Tho it's whatever works best for you. 

I have a large rectocele which causes many problems and I totally ignore the 5 a day mantra as I know it causes problems. Ultimately its what works for you.

Gillm do you mind me asking if your rectocele presented before or after radiotherapy?

I didn't have radiotherapy.  I had a right hemicolectoy removing all of ascending colon and a bit of transverse.  Large tumor in caecum.No chemo either, just op. Rectocele was prob there before op but worsened after.