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Rectal cancer surgery

Meerkat@65
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Hi everyone,

Thought I'd post my latest update in this topic area as oppose to tagging it on to my thread in the 'Introduce Yourself' area.

I saw the Colorectal surgeon today for the results of my scans and the next step with regard to surgery.

He told me that the radiotherapy and chemotherapy hadn't shrunk the tumour as much as he'd have liked, but sufficiently to still operate.

An added complication was the fact that the scan also showed that I have a tennis ball sized fibroid in my uterus, which will hinder the surgery, so I will have to have a hysterectomy too ; gynaecologist in first, colorectal surgeon next - like a tag team! ( I may sound flippant, but I am struggling a bit with all this!)

Also have to have my cervix removed and top end of my other lady bits! (Sorry to the men reading this!) (Scan showed I also have gall stones and cysts on my liver! But these are not a problem!)

I listened to the list of 'parts' the surgeon said he was going to remove, wondering if there'd be much of me left!

I looked down at my body and said " It's amazing how much is going on in there!" Bear in mind I'm the size of Kylie Minogue! He did say I made his job easier by being so slender!

He'll take out a section of lower bowel and join it to the the section of rectum that will remain after he's taken the tumour out of there!

I'll have an ileostomy (as correctly predicted by Beaker) which may or may not be reversible in a few months time. And I may need more chemo after surgery; this depends on the pathology report on the section of bowel that will be removed.

So . . . We're now planning a 'pre-op' holiday (the hospital have kindly organised a pre-op assessment for tomorrow so that we can go anytime between now and the operation on September 17th.)

Another 'bright side' moment; when I was diagnosed and had my treatments, my lovely colleagues wanted to do something to support me other than the usual flowers and cards. so they have organised a sponsored walk to raise money for the local cancer hospital where I had my radio/chemo and it's due to take place on September 15th, and I'll be able to go along and add my support!

So many positives, but still can't help feeling a bit all over the place! All aboard the cancer roller coaster eh?

Hope everyone else is ok?

Love to all, Meerkat xx

Parents
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    Hi Meerkat,

    WOW! What a story and what a horrible time cancer is putting you through.  Your ability to keep a sense of humour is testament to your strength and I believe it is that, as much as the work of the surgeons that will help you through.  Oh and as a man no apology is neccessary for your description, I just closed my eyes while I read that bit.

    You obviously have some wonderful work colleagues who think a lot of you.  Luckily I also work with some good people and they recently helped me raise just over £2000 for cancer research.

    Have a wonderful holiday and please let us know how you get on after you get back.

    GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!        

    Garf.

  • Offline in reply to GARF

    Hi Garf,

    Thanks for your good luck wishes and thanks for being the perfect gent and closing your eyes when you read the bit about my lady problems!

    It's great to have supportive colleagues isn't it? Wow . . . What a fantastic amount of money you and yours raised. How did you do it?

    We went for my pre op assessment today. Very thorough! I've only ever had one operation and that was 23 years ago (emergency Caesarian) so the pre op process was a bit more "sign here please and when you wake up you'll have a beautiful baby!" (She was and still is!)

    So yes, a holiday! I'm looking into travel insurance this afternoon and then the 'world's my oyster!' (Perhaps the world is a bit too far; maybe I'll just confine it to Europe or Dorset!)

    Take care,

    Meerkat x

Reply
  • Offline in reply to GARF

    Hi Garf,

    Thanks for your good luck wishes and thanks for being the perfect gent and closing your eyes when you read the bit about my lady problems!

    It's great to have supportive colleagues isn't it? Wow . . . What a fantastic amount of money you and yours raised. How did you do it?

    We went for my pre op assessment today. Very thorough! I've only ever had one operation and that was 23 years ago (emergency Caesarian) so the pre op process was a bit more "sign here please and when you wake up you'll have a beautiful baby!" (She was and still is!)

    So yes, a holiday! I'm looking into travel insurance this afternoon and then the 'world's my oyster!' (Perhaps the world is a bit too far; maybe I'll just confine it to Europe or Dorset!)

    Take care,

    Meerkat x

Children
  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Hi again Meerkat,

    To raise the money we organized four teams of seven people and each team had to cover 2000 kilometres in a month during their spare time.  We either went for runs or bike rides or used gym equipment. Unfortunately one of the guys taking part had his bike stolen from a train station so he struggled to complete his distance - but he did.

    I do hope you find a good holiday destination and from personal experience I would certainly reccommend a cruise, maybe from Southampton to the Med' to avoid airports and their long queues.  It is such a wonderful experience to wake up roughly every other morning in a different country.  Having said that it isn't everyone's cup of tea. Or as you say maybe somewhere closer to home like Dorset.

    Look after yourself and have a great holiday wherever you end up.  I will look forward to hearing how it and your operation went once you are back on your feet.

    Garf. x

  • Offline in reply to GARF

    Hi again Garf,

    I loved your fund raising idea. What a superb way to raise money and with the added bonus of the health benefits for those who took part! A gold medal award to the guy who still managed to complete the challenge even without his bike!

    I liked your idea of a cruise. . . it certainly  eliminates the stress of the airport! We're still pontificating about what to do . . . The rate we're going with decisions / arrangements, it'll be a swift weekend away in a local B and B as we've run out of time!!!

    Best wishes , Meerkat x

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