As I had stated in an earlier thread I was diagnosed back in September with cancer. I know I am opening myself up to some cruel jokes but to be specific I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. I went thru chemo and radiation between Oct and November.The last week or so of radiation was not a lot of fun but overall I held up pretty well and didnt miss a lot of work. I had my first follow-up with my cancer doc(AKA Dr.Fingers) post chemo/radiation earlier this week. She told me the tumor had been "greatly reduced". She said she couldnt tell me more specifically until I have surgery(either late in Jan or early February). I am having surgery to remove whats left of the tumor and/or to make sure it hasn't spread elsewhere. The bottom line is due to the unkind location of the tumor my doc is telling me she may have to give me an ileostomy or colostomy.She is telling me if so I should only have it for maybe 6 months then I could have a reversal surgery and hopefully by the end of the year I might be back in one piece. The thought of having a colostomy depresses me to no end and it will take me forever to get used to having one even if it is temporary. Does anyone have family/friends going thru this with any helpful words? Thanks in advance, BR....