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Post by Kristina on Dec 24, 2003 0:02:28 GMT -5
Hi. My dad was diagnosed today with colorectal cancer which has spread to the sphincter and perhaps farther (test results will be along soon). His doctor told him he needs a colonectomy or he'll be septic within three months and die a horrible death, etc. However, this is all happening very suddenly and we are looking for any kind of information people can give us. My dad's general health other than this issue isn't terrible but isn't great. He has some concern that his chances for survival will not be great even if he has the procedure, and then his last few months will be spent in pain, etc. Does anyone have reliable statistics on survival rates after colonectomies? We would also appreciate any information about life with a colostomy. I think my father has fairly outdated visions of how it will be, and he is afraid his quality of life would not be good even if he survived the cancer itself. I don't want him to make a decision against it based on such information, if it's incorrect. Thanks for any help you can offer. My e-mail is forcefullilmuse@aol.com and his is blackdog9446@aol.com.
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Post by Kathy_from_England on Dec 24, 2003 4:44:26 GMT -5
Hi Kristina, I'm sure this must have come as a terrible shock to both you and your father.
A colostomy is the standard treatment in many cases of colon cancer. Sometimes it can be reversed later. If your father's cancer is in or near the rectum a reversal may not be possible, but irrigation may be. (Irrigation is a procedure that removes the need for a bag.)
I don't have any statistics, but I do know of many cancer survivors in the ostomy world.
Ultimately, the decision to have the operation should be based on his chances of surviving the actual operation and his prognosis - which you'll know when the results come back.
Life with an ostomy isn't as bad as many people fear. My husband was 35 when he had an emergency ileostomy 'out of the blue'. Since then he has fathered two sons, continued to work until other health issues stopped him, and lived a normal home life. There is very little he can't do.
Ostomy appliances have improved considerably. Leaks and odour are now at a minimum and people will not know he has a colostomy unless he tells them.
This link will take you to Jason's Lifestyle Guides, which should help answer many of your questions: www.ostomy.fsnet.co.uk/guide.html
The chatroom is open 24/7...although over Christmas it may well be quieter than usual. If you pop in and there's no-one in, hang around....often people drop by!
www.ostomy.fsnet.co.uk/chat.html
meantime, if you've any more questions please post them and we'll do our best to answer.
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Post by phyll08 on Dec 26, 2003 13:10:21 GMT -5
Hi Kristina,
I'm so sorry about your Dad's diagnosis...it's quite a blow! I have colon cancer, and have had a colostomy since November of 1999...I was 55 when I had the surgery.
There is nothing that I can't do now because of the colostomy, and as Kathy said, no one will know about your Dad's colostomy unless he chooses to tell them.
The treatment for the cancer will depend on the location and extent...chemo is standard, and radiation is often used...but the exact course of treatment may not be known till after the surgery. I've had Chemo twice, and while it is not pleasant, they have come a long way with that too, and I would have it again if I need to. I haven't had radiation, so can't speak to that.
When your Dad makes his decision as to what to do, please tell him that the colostomy is not all that bad at all, and to try not to let fear of a colostomy make up too much of his decision making.
Best wishes,
Phyllis
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Jo
Im new!
Posts: 6
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Post by Jo on Dec 27, 2003 20:15:19 GMT -5
HI
My name is Jo i was diagnoised with rectal cancer 7th Jan 03 and had my opp march 03 i have had to have a colostomy bag which is not reversable. I am only 40 life with the bag has not been too bad it takes some getting use to but once you do its ok. I have found this site very helpfull with all the different issues people have talked about. As for the caner i have regular check ups every 3 months and so far so good. I only had radiotherapy before the opp. and the only side affect was it made me feel sick which i found either eatting or drinking anything with ginger in like some of the herble tea's etc. helped with the sickness. Hope this helps and good luck all the best Jo
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Post by honeybear on Jan 1, 2004 9:05:18 GMT -5
Hello Kristina (great name by the way....it is my youngest daughter's name ) It must be a heck of a shock to both you and your father. I had a colostomy for 10 months and it isn't such a bad thing to have. You will find that quite a few people on the board have been through a similar situation as your father. With the support of family and a positive attitude I am sure your father will come through this ordeal well. Take care Jennylee
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