My husband's tumour has responded brilliantly to the oral chemo and the radiotherapy, we viewed the 'before and after' scans showing a huge tumour then no visible tumour. Yesterday the surgeon explained in graphic detail what is going to happen next: The remains of the tumour and a degree of healthy tissue will be surgically removed along with the lymph glands in that proximity. they will use keyhole procedures. There is a small margin of rectum that could be rejoined to give him normality eventually, having a reversable Ileostomy for a few months. If during the procedure they find it too difficult to rejoin or it doesn't heal properly then he must have a permenant colostomy. Philip says he would rather die than end up with a permenant bag. He says he would lose any confidence, he'd lose all his dignity, he says he wouldn't feel up to going out of the house and he wouldn't want to work in peoples kitchens and bathrooms any more. He says I would not fancy him any more. The surgeon did say that the radiation will carry on working but they have no evidence that shows the long term results because they are still learning about these new combinations of attacks on cancer cells. We didn't ask if Phil could forgo the surgery, I'm wondering if you can share any thoughts.