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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

  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Glad you are back safe and sound from your trip to Scotland.  Also glad that the Flying Scotsman you had was missing some Haggis. - YUCK!

    It seems we both failed to do any shopping while on our trips.  As a fan of Formula 1 and McLaren I just didn't find the time to go to the McLaren store in Knightsbridge as there was just too much sightseeing to do.  It's probably just as well as it would have ended up being an expensive visit. I did need to buy some plasters for the blister on the bottom of my foot though.  I knew I should have taken different shoes.

    I just want to wish you all the very best for Tuesday and to let you know my thoughts will be with you.  Please, please come back here to let us know you are o.k. and how the operation went.

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

    Garf. x   

  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Hello Jo,

    So lovely to hear from you. It sounds like you had a great time up around Glasgow.Are you telling us you were good and didn't have a knickerbocker glory with him. ( Can anybody tell us why it's called a knickerbocker Glory???)

    Anyway I hope you are feeling rested and at least you have been away. I am sorry you've come back with a sore throat. Gargling with a good mouthwash just might help that before Tuesday Jo. ( Sorry it's the Nurse in me, still comes out sometimes). I have to say I love Scotland and was up in Dumfries the other week but then I don't live far, being in Cumbria.

    Thank you so much for your congrats at me becoming a Nanna. It was such a shock as she wasn't due for another 4 weeks . Anyway they are both fine now, My daughter had to have 4 units of blood transfused today as she had quite a bleed at the end of the process. She is feeling a lot better now and able to get up.

    Well I hope you enjoyed a lovely meal this evening Jo before the low res diet tomorrow. Have a peaceful weekend Jo. I shall wish you well for the op next week.

    best wishes

    Annabel.

  • Offline

    Hi Meerkat,  Just want to say enjoy your self pampering day today and wishing you loads of best wishes and good luck for tomorrow.  I hope everything goes really well and that you'll soon be posting on here again.  Hope x

  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Hi Jo,

    I have come as promised, to wish you all the best in the world for your operation tomorrow  . Bet your sick of the low res diet already.

    I shall definately be thinking of you tomorrow . Let us know how your getting on when you can, will be lovely to hear from you.

    Grandaughter weighed 6.3 lbs at birth and although a little preterm they went home last night after she had had some uv therapy. Haven't spoken to my daughter today yet as I have been working this morning. So will catch up with her later today.No name yet but I don't suppose it will be long.

    Hope you are feeling as calm as you can. There comes a point where you just have to put all faith and trust in these people and let them get on with their job.

    You'll be in the post op ward before long.

    Chat soon

    Hugs

    Annabel. xx

  • Offline in reply to Hope23

    Hi Hope,

    Thank you so much for your good luck wishes! I've been pottering around today, doing last minute jobs as I know I'll be out of action for a good few days! It's amazing how little things like paying the credit card, writing a letter, ironing my nighty etc can fill the day and take your mind off tomorrow!

    I've saved the self spa treatments until early evening so that I can be out of the way when my partner tucks into his delicious dinner! I'm not sure what he's having, but not having eaten since midday, anything would be delicious!!

    I hope your son had a good first day . . . It'll be such a treat to be able to share his day's news on a daily basis. My son is away at Uni and I swear it's like pulling teeth to get any idea as how his course is going! I tend to get the news secondhand from my daughter.

    Well, this will be my last logging in for quite some time. Meanwhile, keep up the good work in supporting others and don't forget to look after yourself too!

    I look forward to seeing how you and your family are getting on when I get back to 'technology land'

    Take care, Hope,

    Jo x

  • Offline in reply to Annabel

    Hi Annabel,

    Thank you so much for your lovely, kind wishes for tomorrow. Yes, the low residue diet has become boring! It's amazing how everyone else's plate looks so appealing with colourful vegetables on them! 'White' food certainly is as bland as it looks!

    Today, I've been preparing myself, practically and mentally for tomorrow. Keeping busy practically has been easy, but the mental preparation has proved more difficult! I can't help feeling a little bit anxious about tomorrow; from "Will we get there on time?" to "Will the operation be successful?" However, there comes a point when you just want it to be done so you can get on with the next chapter of the story! And this is where I'm at!

    I love reading about your new granddaughter. So glad your daughter and baby are back home now. Did I see in a post to Jules or Hope, that you'll be skyping? Technology is fantastic! We keep in touch with my partner's daughter and grandson via FaceTime (they live up in Fife)

    Well, as I said to Hope, I'm going to have a bit of a self spa! Mainly to relax, but also to keep out of the way of the kitchen where delicious food is being prepared! Not a hint of anything white in sight!!! Grr!

    I look forward to logging in, in around ten days to catch up with your news. And no doubt I'll see your supportive messages dotted about the forum too!

    Thanks again, Annabel, and you take care of yourself too and enjoy skyping and 'real time' with your new addition!

    Jo xx

  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Hi Meercat Just wishing you all the best you will be in my thoughts

    Ruggles

  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Hope everything goes well with the op Jo.  As always we are here if you need us.xxx

  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Hi Jo, Just to let you know I am thinking of you and praying you are doing really well.

    Annabel. xx

  • Offline in reply to Annabel

    Hi there Jo,

    Just wanted to add my best wishes for you even though you will still be in hospital at this point.

    Look forward to hearing from you when you get back.

    Garf. x

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