Hi folks
I'm hoping someone can weigh in with their own experience about this or have some advice to offer. I had an ultra low anterior resection for rectal cancer on March 17 2017. After being home for a couple of days, terrible rectal pain started with a significant amount of rectal mucous/bloody discharge. Went to emerg on April 2, 2017. Was admitted after they found an anastomotic leak. Surgery April 3rd for an ileostomy. Rectal pain has been mostly constant since then. Have tried different pain meds. Currently on Lyrica, which is working better than the previous dilauded and tramadol meds.
Leak has persisted since surgery. Chemo has been delayed several times. Most recently, was to start last Friday, June 16. Received call from onco last wed, saying surgeon was still very concerned that chemo would delay leak healing or even make it worse. Chemo was cancelled again and panel was being convened today to discuss my case. I received a call this afternoon from the chemo unit to schedule me for this Friday..folfox. I was surprised because I thought chemo would be cancelled permanently since it's been more than 3 months since surgery, and I was T3N0M0 before surgery and T2N0M0 after. Onco had previously told me that he recommended chemo because I only had a minimal response to chemo/rads pre-surgery. I've since read that leaks can increase chance of recurrence so maybe that has something to do with it. And I also wonder if maybe they figure that since my leak hasn't been healing, that maybe I'm destined for a permanent colostomy, so might as well start chemo...this thought worries me. I've had a hard time dealing with this ileostomy and pray that it can be reversed one day.
I see the onco on Thursday and will ask questions, but in the meantime, if you have any experience with this, or have any advice to offer, I'd appreciate it.
Thank You!!
Mich