tumour

[pippitysqueakity]

My DH has just had a coloscopy, and has a malignant rectal tumour. He also had a load of polyps removed.
We are awaiting the biopsy results and he has been booked in for a CT scan and MRI scan.
Just wondered if anyone had any experiences?

Don't know yet Lily. As always, it seems to be our next appointment that will explain it all. That is next Thursday.

Hi OP, I have been following your thread. I'm sorry I don't know the answers to your questions, but I'm hoping someone comes along who does know. I'm offering a wee hand hold and some

Sorry you are going through this Pippity. As Lilymaid said, with some chemo you lose your hair, with others you don't, but for what it's worth the chemo that my mum had for her bowel cancer (which was pretty much the standard treatment) didn't cause her hair to fall out.

pippitysqueakity it may not feel like it but what you have received is good news as they are going for curative treatment.

The chemo will prob be the least of it - the radiotherapy will likely be much more intense as that is a very gruelling regime.

In chemo terms I can't remember if hair loss is an issue but I don't think so - they will tell you at your oncology appointment and again before he starts the chemo. Looking back at my dad's chemo, the hair loss was actually the least worst thing - and when it grew back it was curly and he looked rather sophisticated.

Have you met a nurse specialist yet? They are an invaluable support who you can ask questions of as much as you need.

Met specialist nurse but she seemed to find it hard to cope with fact DH found it hard iyswim. Kept telling him to sit down and he really just did not want to. We were probably not in the right place mentally for their help.
How gruelling is radiotherapy, will he need someone there all the time? He is keen for me to take DCs to his parents this holiday, but do not really want to leave him alone.

With radiotherapy the answer is that you will just have to live it to find out unfortunately - some people find it a breeze, some people are exhausted, have a v sore bum and lots of diarrhoea.

So not exactly 'needing someone there all the time' - but he may just want to lie around in bed, have someone who makes all the meals, does lots of washing, rings up health professionals, goes to the pharmacy etc. Or simply just to take him to and fro to appointments if he feels too knackered to drive. Or he may be fine and just a bit tired. And actually pleased to have the kids out of his hair for a bit.

I'd suggest you make all your plans about holidays etc at the last minute as how he will feel is quite unpredictable, so don't make his parents any promises just yet.

The stoma, if needed, will be fine, trust me.
I had mine reversed recently but would happily have another if necessary (quite likely with my condition).

Hi pippity. Have been wondering how you/DH are.

If I can remember rightly from my DH's treatment, the side effects of radiotherapy weren't as bad as from chemo. Exhausting and tiring, but not the nausea etc of the drugs.

Radiotherapy for bowel cancer very localised on groin area, so they probably warn you about impotence just to cover themselves. Strangely my DH not warned about it, and it is not a problem. Sex drive significantly reduced - but for us that could be down to 15+ yrs marriage, or the fact he doesn't fancy me any more !

Agree with diarrhoea. We had to change diet from veg/high fibre to carb-based. Again hospital should advise.

What I did ask though was about sperm freezing, as he will be infertile. We were blessed with 2 DC's, but we had always planned on more, so DH went to freeze at sperm bank. As it happens we decided against any more. But do have that conversation with your DH and with the doctor.

Chemo & hair loss - my DH lost most of his body hair, but kept head hair. Again make note to ask what side effects will be of the particular drug regime planned. Hair loss. Skin (v sore fingers, and soles of feet, flaky skin). Appetite & nausea. Tongue & mouth.

Chemo - do ask how it will be administered. Some through IV line in arm. Some through Hickman Line. Some can be done in a few hours in hospital. Another was through a pump over 48 hours at home. My DH had them all.

Stoma - frightening at the prospect, but really really wasn't as debilitating or horrible. It just becomes part of them. For swimming DH wore a rash vest. We had sex with it on. I saw a lady in gorgeous bikini with stoma on last summer. She looked great.

Specialist nurse / support. Not great. In fact useless, so I can understand totally what you say about not being in the right place. I sought counselling early on from a cancer charity but not very beneficial at the time. I was just so full of anger - why us - that she just recommended beating a pillow.

I would suggest getting in touch with Beating Bowel Cancer or similar charity. The best support I got was chatting / meeting up with a lady similar age so going through exactly the same with her DH, and having to deal with children, work, and same MIL-issues too! We could compare notes, chat through stuff without the emotional drain of "reporting in" to family.

Long post - sorry

Hi there - hair loss is very uncommon with the type of chemo he will be having. The main side effects are nausea, diarrhoea and and redness and peeling of the skin on his hands and feet.

Just realised you said 'then chemo' are you sure he is not having chemo alongside the radiotherapy? That is fairly standard. Also radiotherapy is usually 5 days per week.

Thank you all so much for your helpful answers, I really do appreciate them all.
Not sure about treatment yet, DH notoriously rubbish at passing on info correctly and to be fair was told over phone (is also a bit deaf!).
We will find out the details on Thurs, am. I think you might be right Twodogs and it is 5 days with chemo alongside.
Thank you all again, it is reassuring to read of other's positive experiences.

Drs today. It is chemo and radio together, 5 days a week for 5 days.
They did ask us if we had completed our family and warned of burns. The chemo apparently will not make him lose his hair, but that is really the least of the symptoms it seems.
They also warned a stoma might be required sooner rather than later.
And mentioned about the sore hands and feet, but they will prescribe topical treatment I think.
He already is a bit anaemic and they warned this could get worse and could require a transfusion altho I think this was a worst case scenario.
Am going to start making liver and onions regulsrly I think.
My DH was a bit more upbeat after tho, I am trying to get him to let his parents knoe, but he doesnt want to worry them...

It's a common way to cope, almost as if not telling people means it's not happening. Of course if he's ill and they find out they will be even more worried - plus hurt, confused etc.

Why not give it a few days and then ask him how he'd feel if one of your DCs didn't tell you they had cancer when they were grown up?

Also when it gets into treatment, it will prove too difficult a secret to keep. Much better they find out with sensible optimistic news than by accident with a laod of misinformation.

And mentioned about the sore hands and feet, but they will prescribe topical treatment I think.
Try Udderly Cream or Moo Goo (available on Amazon) topped with a layer of Vaseline to seal and wear cotton gloves and socks (trainer liner socks are excellent) at night to keep hands and feet well moisturised.
Hospitals may give samples - not sure about prescriptions.

Lily, I have looked those up on Amazon and will get a store in. I did ask the consultant about creams and he said that would be managed by them, but will make sure am prepared. Am in Scotland if that might make a difference?
Kundry, I have used all those arguments with DH, but he is adamant, we are 400 miles apart, so he might get away with it I suppose. I have to respect his feelings I suppose, even tho I've made it clear I don't agree, it's not my decision to make is it?

No, but as time passes neither do you have to lie on his behalf.

It may feel different to him once he is half way through treatment and having to tell them tall tales on the phone - and you aren't helping him out.

Good point

How's it going pip