Hi there..

My name is Nikki, and my Mum, in early December had an operation for Dukes
C rectal cancer where they have removed her lower part of her bowel she now
has a permanent stoma.  From reading on here, I have found that some of you
have had previous experience of this situation before, and I’m hoping for a
little bit of advice for her.

She is currently clear, but cancer cells were found in her lymph nodes,
hence the additional treatment.  She is due to start adjuvent chemotherapy
treatment next week for a period of six months.  She is unable to have a
PICC line, they tried to insert it 5 times and left her in a mess, so she
is not going to trying that again.. She is going for treatment every three
weeks and also having orally administered treatment.  She coped very well
with the chemotherapy that she had previous to her operation and responded
well to it.  

If anyone had any advice I could pass on to her, I would be really
grateful. In what she may expect to happen.  I know she’s concerned that
she’s going to lose her hair this time, and I think she’s worried that it
is for such a long time. She’s done so well, I’m hoping this really
doesn’t knock her back too much.  She’s a still a well 70, so going back
to work isn’t on the cards, but she’d love to at least still be able to
drive as she’s just out again today for the first time since her
radiotherapy treatment started to kick in, back in October.