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Fiancé has colorectal cancer

MissSC
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On Christmas Eve my 40 year old fiancé was diagnosed with early stage colorectal cancer. The  proposed treatment is removal of the rectum and lymph nodes leaving him with a permanent colostomy. Although we're told that the prognosis will be good after the op, we're both finding the consequences difficult to accept.  It's early stage cancer and he feels absolutely fine so it feels strange that we're suddenly dealing with this but at the same time we're both very grateful that he's offered curative surgery. Can anyone offer any advice on how I can help him deal with this? Thank you xx

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    Hi,

    I can't help but if you haven't already found the following chat group they are wonderfuly supportive and know what you and your husband are going through. 
    community.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/.../

    Wishing you both all the best and hope they have caught this early. 
    Best wishes xxxx

  • Offline in reply to Frances123

    Thank you very much. I'll definitely have a look xxxx

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    Hi there my fiance just came out of hospital on Christmas Eve after his operation for colorectal cancer.  He had a 4cm tumour and they removed his sigmoid colon and upper rectum and he luckily did not need the colostomy which he was dreading so I hope it will be the same for your fiance too.  They marked his body for one before the op just know case.

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    Hi SC,

    You are doing well by wanting to support your fiance. He's going to need all that support.

    Patients have the right to ask for a second opinion and to be treated at an hospital of their choice. I think it would be advisable to explore any options for different treatments and which hospitals are offereing the best treatments for colorectal cancer. The outcome of treatment very much depends on the quality of treatment and unfortunately in the UK, not all cancer care has been up to standard lately. You only need to read some of the posts here to conclude that.

    I don't want to put extra worry on you but if I were you, I'd explore all options, I'd seek all info and advice on his behalf. I'd get him the best treatment and the best surgeon I could.

    This site www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk has a lot of info and a forum where you can post questions. You can also ask the Macmillan Trust for advice through their freephone. They are super!

    Once you and him are happy that he's going to be operated by an experienced surgeon in an hospital that has a good record of cancer treatment, you can relax a little and let the professionals do their best for him.

    Wishing you both all the best!

    BIG HUG

     

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    Hi 

    So sorry to read about your partner, how is he doing? if you don't mind me asking what were his symptoms prior to diagnosis?

    Sending the very best of wishes to your partner, stay strong. 

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