Hi All,
Im new to the Colon Club, I need to make a decision on my treatment and I am looking into medical literature and trying to make a best course decision, accounting I am 45 years old male, with 3 young children and looking to have to find a new partner, as current relationship is already out of whack and unsaveable.
My aim is to have the best possible quality of life, valuing that I would like to see my children grow up, but I don't want to have a miserable life. I think I can take a challenge and adapt to circumstances, and have a positive outlook on life, although I am already a lowner and worried that I might isolate my self if certain conditions occur during my treatment. I am also prepared to change my diet, my exercise platform (currently running 5km daily), and look into my emotional life to fully go deeper into the meaning of this desease.
I have the following options to choose from, and I would like to hear from other people's stories. I am very wary of Radiation.
I have been diagnosed with a T1/T2 Rectal cancer, N0 and M0. Size is approximately 2-3cm, and around 3 cm from my anus.
I currently have three options on the table.
1. Do a 5 Day high dose radiation followed by an 8 week stand by and the carry out a TEMS. Seems High Dose Radiation has less of a short term effect, but same long term effects than longer lower dose radiation.
2. Carry out a TME and have a colostomy. Golden Standard Solution.
3. Carry out a local excision, and carry out a pathological study and then take either a no further action, local radiation or a full TME with a collostomy. This is with a different Surgeon.
In both 1 and 3, I would have an intensive follow up every 3-4 months for the following 3-5 years.
I spoke to th e Oncologist and he was higly reserved with option 3, informing me how some patients had suffered greatly from takin this approach as the cancer could extend and there is no treatment for those cancer patients. I
Can anyone share their story or point me to others who have had to go down this road?