3 month results

Oh dear I am so sorry you're having to go through this. Its the waiting that is the most difficult to cope with. Looking at posts on the forum I notice that if there is still some cancer left after 3 months, then they wait a further 3 months as the treatment continues to work? Did this not get mentioned? 

I have another 8 weeks until my first scan, and I am already feeling the scanxiety. I had a 5cm tumour and 1 lymph node involved. 

Xxx

Hi,

Thank you for your reply. 
yes my oncologist had explained this to me at my first follow up in December however, he said they don’t want to wait and see what it’s doing therefore they are acting on it sooner rather than later. Again I am thankful for this however, it scares me as I feel for the first time since diagnosis that there’s an urgency. 
They have not been able to get to the remaining timour in the lymph node as it is outside the rectum wall and they tell me I’m an unusual case which again is worrying, hence the possible referral to the Christies. 
The tumour in my anus if I can remember correctly was 2.5cm however the one in lymph node was twice the size.

I hope you receive good news at scan results. 
x

I’m sorry to hear that you haven’t had the one hundred per cent thumbs up you had hoped for . However, I’ve been told that the treatment carries on working for at least another 3 months. So the 6 month result is the most telling of success. The fact that the tumour in the lymph node has shrunk is surely a very good sign. 
I do understand how you feel about the endless waiting, it’s so difficult to live with. But the signs are very good and your medical team are on it. Try to hold on to the success so far as proof it is working.

Im wishing you all the best.

Happyflower x

Hi  AW3, 

Cancer never comes to the party alone, it always brings along panic, anxiety, depression, confusion, numbness to mention just a few. And they all bring fear and story making.

I really feel for you having to deal with this when I am sure all you want to do is just get on with your life.

We all love the NHS but none of us really want to have to use it. In this case it feels like you are in that crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s scenario which remains a limbo state and that is  where our imaginations can run wild.

I keep telling myself that in a year’s time this will all be a distant memory. This is hard when it seems to be all consuming at the moment. I really wish you well on your journey to better health and I really hope you will be looking back at this in a year or two as a miserable but distant memory.

x

Hi AW3

I'm so sorry you haven't got the news we all want. It sounds like your doctor is on it though. Try to hold on to the fact that the tumour in your anus has been blasted. Hopefully the fact that the treatment will still be working and your doctor is being proactive you will soon be told that your lymph node is clear aswell. Keep talking, whatever you need to keep your mental health good I know to well how it messes with your thoughts. Sending hugs. Xx

Hi AW3,

I feel for you having further waiting to do. It’s such a relief when the treatment is over but then the next stages waiting for outcomes arrives. It’s good that the Oncologist is really on it’ by requesting an early scan and a quick follow up for the PET scan.

None of this helps you however with these mixed findings and all of the emotional fallout that you so understandably experiencing. Of course you feel upset and scared. I can’t advise as only have my first scan tomorrow but hope that you have good support and that everything moves as quickly as possible for you to get some answers. 

Big hug to you x

Hi AW3 , I’m really sorry that you’re still on this emotional rollercoaster! I’ve got everything crossed for you for your scan on Thursday & hoping you need no more intervention. I know it’s not the news you wanted to hear but it sounds as though your oncologist is on the ball & is looking after you. 

Please let us know how you get on.

Nicola 

AW3

I am so sorry that you had this disappointment and definitely yes, mental health takes a huge battering on this path.  I would echo the others in that your oncologist seems on the ball and isn't leaving anything to chance and whilst it is so worrying for you at least steps will be taken if the lymph tumour is still active.  I wouldn't want to second-guess what might happen but we will all be thinking of you this week and hoping for good news.

Big hug, please let us know what happens.

Irene xx