LAR with permanent colostomy?
Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2017 9:35 am
So as recently updated I'm getting ready for my surgery in May and my mind as been busy with all the possible things still left to decide and ask about "the event".
It has however been present in my mind that a good solution for me personally would be to resolve this ocurrence in my life called rectal cancer just with once swift.
I don't like the idea of facing LARS or multiple operations until I have my quality of life back. I also do not like the idea of a surgery where a Surgeon has to worry both about getting cancer AND reconstructing a bowl where there is little or no rectum left.
So, after much though, I am preparing to have a conversation on my next appointment about the possibility of a permanent colostomy and a TEM as treatment plan.
I would really appreciate any opinions or experiences on the topic. I've read many topics on our forum about LARS and Reversals gone good and wrong, but I think I'm needing some personal counselling from you guys
My thinking:
1)I would only have to have one surgery, instead of two or three - so I could expect having my problem solved with just one stay in the hospital (I have a daughter who needs me very much).
2) I would have a colostomy during chemo, which would be better from a nutricional point of view (than an ileostomy - I weigh 50 kg btw).
3) Maintenance of a colostomy is not difficult and is more compatible with better quality of life as that of with LARS (1 or 2 times in the Toilett instead of .... ?).
I must say I have my buttocks injured really bad during radiotherapy, I have had excruciating hemorrhoids and I'm currently 5 to ??? Times at the Toillet everyday. So I'm the perfect candidate for postoperative LARS - although no one can forsee the future.. I would almost bet on it.
That said,
I'm looking forward and thank you in advance for your comments.
A life with a flat belly spent thinking about poo and toilets constantly sounds much worse than an normal healthy life with a bag.
Am I being coward wanting to avoid the possibility of LARS and not even wanting to give it a try?
Anyways...
Stay strong! (And happy easter )
Love,
Ana
It has however been present in my mind that a good solution for me personally would be to resolve this ocurrence in my life called rectal cancer just with once swift.
I don't like the idea of facing LARS or multiple operations until I have my quality of life back. I also do not like the idea of a surgery where a Surgeon has to worry both about getting cancer AND reconstructing a bowl where there is little or no rectum left.
So, after much though, I am preparing to have a conversation on my next appointment about the possibility of a permanent colostomy and a TEM as treatment plan.
I would really appreciate any opinions or experiences on the topic. I've read many topics on our forum about LARS and Reversals gone good and wrong, but I think I'm needing some personal counselling from you guys
My thinking:
1)I would only have to have one surgery, instead of two or three - so I could expect having my problem solved with just one stay in the hospital (I have a daughter who needs me very much).
2) I would have a colostomy during chemo, which would be better from a nutricional point of view (than an ileostomy - I weigh 50 kg btw).
3) Maintenance of a colostomy is not difficult and is more compatible with better quality of life as that of with LARS (1 or 2 times in the Toilett instead of .... ?).
I must say I have my buttocks injured really bad during radiotherapy, I have had excruciating hemorrhoids and I'm currently 5 to ??? Times at the Toillet everyday. So I'm the perfect candidate for postoperative LARS - although no one can forsee the future.. I would almost bet on it.
That said,
I'm looking forward and thank you in advance for your comments.
A life with a flat belly spent thinking about poo and toilets constantly sounds much worse than an normal healthy life with a bag.
Am I being coward wanting to avoid the possibility of LARS and not even wanting to give it a try?
Anyways...
Stay strong! (And happy easter )
Love,
Ana