About a month and a half ago I was told I have bowel cancer and awaiting surgery. Has anybody else been through anything similar as I just can't get my head around what is happening and feel so alone. (Even though that may not be the case).
FormerMember
Dear Rachel, so sorry to hear you have bowel cancer especially when you are so young, but the strength of youth will help you get through this. There is a group here for bowel cancer, I know you will get good advice & support from the lovely people on there, do join it soon. The only advice I can give is do let your family know, they may not know much about it but they will want to help you, so you & friends can read the literature from Macmillan also you can phone to say you would like to chat to a nurse on 08088080000 they are very kind & informal. You take good care & be sure to eat properly (I know some young people don't but you have to keep your strength up to help you recover) wishing you all the best & sending you strength and love Elma x
Thank you for your comment Elma! Means a lot to know what support is out there. But yes the appetite is a problem and always has been a problem with me! I've never been a big eater. Everybody Is trying to make me eat little but often as I'm sick quite a lot at the moment. Thank you again for your kind wishes! Love Rachel x
Hello Rachel, I was so sorry to hear of your diagnosis.
Although I am a lot older than you I can empathise with the fear and disbelief you must be experiencing, because I received the same diagnosis exactly 7 years ago. The good news is that seven years later, with lots of support along the way from hospital staff ( especially a brilliant surgeon, fantastic oncologists and an ever - available CNS ( cancer Nurse Specialist), all is well. Don't ever feel that you have to cope with this alone. The support network available from friends, family, and. professionals is far wider than you probably can tell at the moment.
I found the Macmillan telephone help line invaluable for having the kind of conversations with anonymous trained people, that I didn't want to have with people that I know well, and who might have been unable to deal with some of the things that I needed to say. Elma's advice is very good.
I send you love, support and encouragement. Have faith in the skilled people who will be working hard for you, and believe in your own strength....... human beings are amazing!
Hello Rachel sorry to hear your diagnosis my mum was diagnosed with cancer 11years ago she is no longer with us but speaking to other people in the same situation helped her and her family was there for her whenever she needed there are lots of supporting people at Macmillan, hospital and the best support of all is family take care loran
