Has anyone refused rectal cancer surgery due to concerns about getting a stoma b...

This is such a difficult situation, and it's completely understandable to have concerns about living with a stoma. Many people in this community have faced similar fears and decisions about rectal cancer treatment options. The good news is that temporary stomas are often successfully reversed, though it's wise to be prepared for all possibilities. Consider connecting with others here who have experience with stomas - many find that their quality of life concerns were greater beforehand than the reality turned out to be. What aspects of this decision are weighing most heavily on your mind right now?

I was diagnosed 6 years ago with stage 4 colon cancer. I received chemo and radiation. It has not returned to the original site so i opted out of surgery because i did not want a colostomy bag. It has since returned to my lungs and that’s my current battle. I am greatful that i did not get the bag.

Thank you so much for sharing, Joe! I'm so very sorry that cancer has returned to your lungs. It doesn't seem that surgery would have prevented that, though, six years later? I don't really see how, or understand how they know it's the same cancer -- couldn't it just be a new, unrelated cancer? I am so glad for you that you had those 6 years without a bag, and am wishing you the least painful and most successful treatment for the lung cancer!

I cancelled my first surgery date for the colostomy at the last minute. I brought the topic up with my oncologist first and he didn't even comment. Then when I saw the surgical oncologist he jumped on the ID and ran with it scheduling for the next Monday. Didn't have a good feeling about all if it, mainly wanted info about the procedure didn't want to go from frying pan to the fire and two weeks later had the procedure done. For me it was a big mistake as I suffer from a rare neuropathic pain disease complicating everything. There are pros and cons, you need to discuss with someone the pros and cons. Because my tumor who I named George, Mine is a permanent one, even if c they manage to shrink it because it's right on the rectum and sphincter, both internal and external when surgery is done to remove the mass I will no longer have a rectum, it's pushed into the vaginal area as well. You need to get nan honest evaluation, I also have a Foley, double nuisance.

I chosen the bag after chemo and had it for 3 months ,it’s definitely a challenge but it’s manageable compared to not being alive , Just manage what you eat not too much I never had a bag explode but close to it and I worked on my off week from chemo so you can do this if it’s going to help you ,stay strong you got this