Hello Elena; how worrying for you.  I cannot advise on the medical front but can certainly sympathise about your worries.  For general advice you could do worse than making a phone call to MacMillan Cancer Support (Freefone 0808 808 0000), tell them of your worries and ask their advice. They may suggest that you contact your mum's doctor and ask her/him about the things that are worrying you.  S/he may send another appointmnt to your mum or may suggest that she is visited by a cancer nurse (pardon the generic term).  Is she not getting any follow-up?  If she is then whoever is doing this would be the person to contact.

As you will see my advice is a bit general too and I imagine those who are more knowledgeable will come and give you their views on your difficult situation. 

Your poor mum has been through a lot.  (I am sure I don't need to tell you that!)  I can understand that she feels she needs a bit of peace and quiet and not more being prodded around but as this is obviously a worry to your family you should seek some medical advice.

Best wishes.

Hi Elena,

Just to say that rectal discharge is normal. The colon produces mucus to help the passage of stools in the normal course of events. This mucus also helps nourish the colon. Unfortunately, when a bit of bowel's been removed the rectum doesn't know and continues to produce mucus. Sometimes the rate of mucus production slows down with time.

I had a colostomy and mucus fistula installed in June 2017 and still produce a fair amount of mucus daily. Mostly of course, this comes out of the fistula into the bag but some goes into the rectum.

Usually, all that is needed is to sit on the toilet for a minute or two and pass it. Occasionally, I have an anal wash-out. You'll need to see your stoma nurse to get the equipment prescribed but it's only a small bulb type thing, not as much as a normal enema.

In the early days, small amounts of faeces can also be passed as they can stay in the rectum for some time.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards

Taff