Rectal Cancer Diagnosis

Hello All, momacocoupe here. I've been recently diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma in my rectal area. I'm told there are metastices in my pelvis. Apparently some 'anomalies' were noted in my torso as well, but strangely enough, although these were visible in my CT scan, my final PET scan showed no sign of them. I suspect these anomalies may have been sarcoid, as I have suffered from Sarcoidisus in the past.

I had a meeting with two highly qualified oncologists to try and pin down a couple of things, namely about how long have I got to live and how  are they going to keep tabs on the metastices in my pelvis. They reckon I've got several months, but I still haven't got any idea of the pelvic rumours' rate of spread or growth. 

This was several weeks ago and my phone has been ominously silent. No follow-ups or health checks. I suppose with the huge hoards of us who are suffering with cancer,  there's just no time for this kind of call to a patient who has had The News. Anyway  what more could anyone do, realistically? I'm far too old (79) to have chemotherapy, or surgery (apparently in a tricky place to operate, anyway), so I imagine that's that.

But I'm feeling OK and apart from the terrible constipation I have, due  I suppose, to the location of the rectal tumour and my inability to walk or stand without risking a fall....this is an ongoing problem which i suspect may be due to.my hellish peripheral neuropathy causing a breakdown in the comms between my feet and my brain. No messages from foot to head means my poor brain has no idea of where I am in the space around me  so I simply fall over. If I close my eyes I immediately lurch towards a fall, because then my brain is getting no spacial information at all! 

I can totter around with a stick, but I cant turn my head, or look anywhere away from where I'm walking. It's all great fun!

Anyway  compared to lots of you on this Forum, I'm comparatively in a fair position, so ill just hang on wondering when the cancer will kick in in earnest and what new hell that will bring.

If anyone has any suggestions or is in a similar boat to me  it'd be great to hear your story. 

Thanks for reading this far and all the best to each and every one on the Forum!

Sincerely,

Monies.

  • Hello monacocoupe

    I'm sorry to hear about the recent news that you were given about a rectal tumour with metastases. Undoubtedly it's hard news to hear and I hope that you have the support of family and friends around you at this time. 

    Were you given any contact details for a specialist nurse when you saw the oncology team? Or at the original point of diagnosis? You can always give them a call if you have questions about monitoring that you would like to talk through. 

    I'd also really encourage you to give your GP a call. Certainly having some support with managing the constipation will make things easier, but also having an assessment from the local community physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy team regarding equipment, other than your stick, to help you be safe at home would be good. It may be that as things progress with the cancer that your GP along with the district nursing team and/or local palliative care team will manage your care and make sure you are comfortable and well supported. 

    If you think it might help to talk things through with one of our nurses for some advice and support you're most welcome to give them a call. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any information they can. They're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    Keep posting here in the Cancer Chat communtiy it if helps to have a safe space to put down in writing how you're feeling, to ask question sor to just chat with others who understand. We're here for you. 

    Sending my best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Hello Jenn,  How kind of you to respond to my post. I will be taking your advice and contacting my GP (if I can get through! ) and I will most likely buzz your nurse helpline as well. There are a couple of strange things happening to my body right now, which I'd like some info on. Thanks again! monnie.