This topic is about a person who has been living with a colostomy for five years after emergency surgery for colorectal cancer. Recently, they experienced some new symptoms and are trying to figure out if these are related to a recurrence of cancer or something else like sciatica. Here's a bit more about their situation and some advice shared by others:

- After a recent CT scan showed mild swelling, the doctor ordered more tests, including blood work and possibly a PET scan.
- The person has been experiencing new pain in the lower back, right buttock, and hip. Given their history of back issues, they initially thought it might be musculoskeletal or sciatica.
- Follow-up tests revealed a recurrence of cancer in the rectal stump from the original surgery.
- Surgery is planned at the Cleveland Clinic, with the surgeon confident about removing the new tumor. There's also a possibility of reversing the colostomy during this operation, which is seen as positive news.
- The recent pain has lessened, but doctors think it was likely related to the cancer recurrence.

Here are some helpful insights and advice from others:

1. Any new or unusual pain, especially in the low back or buttock area, should be checked out immediately. It might be mistaken for sciatica but could indicate tumor growth or other issues after colorectal surgery.
2. It's important to take it easy and avoid straining yourself while waiting for evaluation, as true sciatica-like pain can worsen with activity.
3. Having proactive and attentive doctors, along with a well-coordinated team of surgeons and oncologists, is crucial.
4. Emotional support, maintaining a positive attitude, and staying connected with the community are key to coping and recovery.