Hi Richard,

Great to hear from you and I'm sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis mate. Sucks eh? Proper kick in the balls, but if I had one bit of advice, it would be to not let cancer be the dominant force in your life. I treat mine as background noise, a nuisance and something that only gets my attention when it comes to treatment time. There is a much better recovery rate for those people who carry on and make plans for the future.

Anyway, I thought I'd start with my favourite advice so it doesn't get lost in the rest of my waffle lol

I'm doing good mate. I've had a round of chemo and 25 days of radiotherapy. Sadly the cancer managed to come back during my radiotherapy as the chemo had cleared it from my liver and lungs, but obviously the break to hit the tumour with radio waves obviously gave it change to get a hold again. Bit of a pain, but that's how it goes, so I can look forward to another round of chemo and probably and operation to remove the tumour.

It's amazing the treatments available now mate. They've come so far in the past 10 years. Chemo isn't as harsh and there are so many new options.

So, what do you know about your situation? You say cancer of the rectum, which sounds like the same as mine. Have they found a tumour? Have you had many scans to investigate it? I've had every scan going. Surprised I don't glow a little.

It'll be great to hear back from you dude. And if there's is anything I can help with, please don't hesitate to ask, because we're all in this together. Most importantly, keep laughing and don't pay the evil b*****d any attention.

Neil

Hi Neil,

Good to hear from you and thanks for the reply.

Yes, rectum cancer. A tumour was found during CT scan after referral from my GP. A colonoscopy and MRI then followed.

Its approximately 6cm long apparently and goes all around lining of wall.

I have an operation next week to fit a stoma to give the area a rest and prevent any further complications. Then followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

It's still a lot to take in...

Richard 

Hi Denise,

I hope you've been doing well.

Apologies i havent been on here for a while. Time goes so fast sometimes.

For everyone, my Dad was given stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis last Summer. He began chemo treatment right away. After 9 weeks his scan showed a 25% reduction in the tumour. Cancer had spread to his liver and lungs too I may add.

After another 9 weeks, his scan showed a further reduction. By December, his tumour had shrunk so small that he came off chemo. A scan 6 weeks later showed no signs of anything growing again. At present he is living with cancer. They dont want to operate in case it "wakes up" other cells. 

He gets a blood test every 6 weeks which tells the hospital if there has been any changes. So far after 2 tests all seems normal. I'm not sure what will happen in the future but for now everything seems "dormant" and the chemo really did work well.

My advice is where possible have a positive mind and do things that make you happy. Stay active and eat well. Don't get stressed over silly things in life. This can help your body inside. 

It's still a little unsettling that something may wake up in the future, but this x 100 what we could have wished for last Summer after finding out.

Take care,

Jamie 

Hi Jamie

Great to hear from you and know that your dad is responding well to his treatment.

I agree with everything you say, stay positive eat well and do what makes you happy, it certainly has worked for me.

Take great care and keep in touch

Denise

Hi Mary

So sorry to hear about your husband, my thought's are with you and hope his treatment starts soon and goes well. There is so much the amazing surgeons and doctors can do now. I am now 3 years clear and feel fantastic. 

Please keep me informed as to his progress. Good luck and take care.

Denise

Hi Denise

thank u so much. It's just a lot to take in am still thinking is this really happening to us. 
 

mary

Hi MARY

I know it is difficult as this information is hard to get your head around and I am sure yor Husbands head is in overdrive. Try and stay positive and take each step as it comes. This is the only way to deal with a cancer diagnoses. Treatment  has changed over the years and no 2 people are the same, so what does not  work for one, works for another.   The waiting is the worse asyou are uncertain of what you  both face. Just stay strong, be positve and do not look at google. I was diagnosed last Feb , had my operation in March followed by chemo in June and now in the monitoring phase.. Good luck to you both   

Hi Mary

So sorry to hear about your husband.

Mine was Diagnosed with inoperable Bowel cancer with Liver mets in October 19. Given a 1-2 year survival prognosis.

He has tolerated chemo quite well. His tumour was tested and it was found to be KRAS wildtype so had his chemo regime changed and has treatment every 2 weeks. CT Scans every 3 months.  In  January 21 his scan result showed that he had mets in his lung also. Aagin Chemo drugs changed but he tolerating these drugs alot better and is even going back to work.  We have both been very upbeat with a positive attitude. It took us a while to get our head around things. Just remebre evryone is different and ask as many questions as you can. If something pops into our head we email the colorectal specialist nurses who are great.

Good luck and take care

Thank u we now know it's stage 4 as it's spread to his liver. Not started treatment yet but will be in the next couple of weeks. We didn't actually get a prognosis as such the oncologist just says it will shorten his natural life span but hopefully the treatment will prolong his life. The doctors & nurses that we have are fantastic I write everything down we want to ask. Ano everyone is different as the doctors say that we'll know how much he responds to the radiotherapy & chemotherapy wen it starts. Thank u for messaging me. X