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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,

    Well what a day you had yesterday!!!!!. A lot of news to take in all at once. No wonder you are stuggling at the mo. It can definitely be a roller coaster of a ride at times.

    I had my hysterectomy in January and have to say because it was done through a laproscope it was a fairly good experience. Up the same day and walking the dog on the third day.

    However Meerkat I presume your hysterectomy will be done abdominally as you will be having the bowel resection too.  The good thing about advancement of medicine is that the anaesthetics are much better than they used to be and therefore recovery is often quicker because of it.

    I read your positivity as the others do, so stay strong, have faith in these surgeons, and I feel sure you will come through this fine.  I hope you have a lovely holiday, one that panders you. We will be here for you for when you get back from hols ready for any chatting.

    Look after yourself,

    best wishes

    Annabel.

  • Offline in reply to Annabel

    Hi Annabel, Lovely to hear from you! I was glad to read that you were up and about the same day that you had your hysterectomy . . . And walking the dog on day 3!!!! Something for me to aim for maybe . . . Though we haven't got a dog! (Sorry, weird sense of humour!) Seriously though, I was told today at my pre op assessment that I will be up and about very quickly after the surgery - obviously to prevent deep,vein thrombosis! You are right that my surgery will be abdominal. It brought a smile to my face on Monday when the surgeon listed what he was going to remove during the op and finished off by saying "Keyhole surgery isn't an option" it would have to be a pretty big key hole! So, as I posted to Brian, I'm off to lift some plants ( they're only small) and then have a look at some holiday ideas - like your idea about a pampering holiday Take care,Best wishes, Meerkat x

  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Morning Meerkat,

    Dogs not a problem I can lend you ours. !!! LOL. Excellent rates, bonios, water and cuddles after walk and a nice sleep.

    Pampering holidays can be wonderful, especially if you go with daughters/ girlfriends, however they do allow gentlemen the same these days.

    Garfs suggestion at a cruise is a good one, you can do as much or as little as you want on a cruise. Can be very relaxing.

    The insurance side of things has gone through my mind since the cancer diagnosis, but I believe there are one or two companies that do cover cancer, and you can get there details i believe through cancer chat.

    Like you I was gardening yesterday, and will be finishing off today before the weather changes. I managed to plant 25 plants yesterday and then move loads of tree branches after my husband had pruned a load of very big trees.No wonder we were in bed before10pm. Got to finish tidying them up today.

    Hope you find the holiday you want.

    Best wishes.

    Speak soon.

    Annabel.

Reply
  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Morning Meerkat,

    Dogs not a problem I can lend you ours. !!! LOL. Excellent rates, bonios, water and cuddles after walk and a nice sleep.

    Pampering holidays can be wonderful, especially if you go with daughters/ girlfriends, however they do allow gentlemen the same these days.

    Garfs suggestion at a cruise is a good one, you can do as much or as little as you want on a cruise. Can be very relaxing.

    The insurance side of things has gone through my mind since the cancer diagnosis, but I believe there are one or two companies that do cover cancer, and you can get there details i believe through cancer chat.

    Like you I was gardening yesterday, and will be finishing off today before the weather changes. I managed to plant 25 plants yesterday and then move loads of tree branches after my husband had pruned a load of very big trees.No wonder we were in bed before10pm. Got to finish tidying them up today.

    Hope you find the holiday you want.

    Best wishes.

    Speak soon.

    Annabel.

Children
  • Offline in reply to Annabel

    Hi Annabel,

    Thanks for your kind offer of the loan of your dog . . . Plus all the benefits like the bonios and cuddles.

    I liked Garf's cruise idea too. The thought of bobbing around on a body of water and then arriving at a new destination each day sounds great! We're still no further forward with our plan though! Must make a decision and book something otherwise September will be here! I have looked in to insurance and found a company that will insure me, but they needed my latest results before they could quote a price, but at least they didn't 'decline' me as my insurance through the bank did!

    Wow! 25 plants planted!!! And a load of branches tidied up.. . You could get a job with Alan Titchmarsh on his programme!  I can see why you were in bed before ten o'clock!

    Take care and hope you've had another 'fruitful' day in the garden!

    Best wishes, Meerkat x

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