Blood again

Hi Georgie, 

I can completely understand your fears. I think once you've been through something like this, any new symptoms are going to be a cause for concern. You're doing the right thing reaching out to the team. If nothing else, you need some peace of mind. Hopefully, it's nothing to be alarmed about, but definitely better safe than sorry! I hope you are seen quickly and that you are able to lay these fears to rest. Let us know how you get on.

Jenna xx

Hello Georgie

I am sorry you are feeling so scared - it is completely understandable after a cancer diagnosis and the treatment.  Many of us find that the anal canal doesn't goes back to it's pre-cancer healthy state - the radiotherapy damages the area internally and externally and we are left with very fragile thin skin.  So a hard stool is more than enough to start off bleeding, I took a laxido a day to avoid any hint of constipation as it could make a bowel movement very painful.

But if the blood was a lot more than normal you are right to flag it up with the colorectal team  You may have developed a fissure which can give the symptoms you describe.  I stress I am not a medic, just a bit further down the line with the painful bowel movements.

Please let us know how you get on.

Irene xx

Hi Georgie6775 ,

It's only natural to be feeling scared, think what you’ve been through since your diagnosis. I still get fretful at times & I'm a little over 7 year post treatment but this is the legacy of any major health event I think, we lose trust in our bodies & it results in even the smallest of things sending us in to a spin. You’ve done exactly the right thing though in contacting your colorectal team as they’re the ones that will give you proper reassurance. I hope things settle down for you soon. 

Nicola 

Thanks everyone. I had a call from the Colorectal Nurse and she’s not concerned as it’s a one off and not uncommon. As I’m due my 3 month check-up at the beginning of September she said not to worry because they’re keeping a good eye on me.