1st Appointment

Good morning, sorry to hear of your recent weeks, your journey sounds very much like mine, I was referred to the General surgery team after my Dr thought I had a prolapsed hemorrhoid in June, I was seen in July when a consultant looked & felt it, he referred me for a Flexi sigmoidoscopy which happened on 18th August and then I was on the 2 week pathway, I had an MRI, CT Scan and Biopsy although they actually managed to remove part of the tumor. I then got the diagnosis 3 weeks after surgery when the results were back, my 1st appointment was with the Colorectal team who told me the results then with the oncologist a week later. I'm hopefully starting treatment on Monday 18th November. I hope you get all your answers soon xxx

Hello Fellsider

A warm welcome to our little corner of the forum, although I am sorry that you have the need to find us.  Each of us have been through this in one form or another and can help with lots of tips and coping strategies through treatment.  Unfortunately it is very common for people to be misdiagnosed with haemorrhoids and I am pleased your doctor was on the ball in referring you.

I am guessing as to why you are seeing colorectal surgery first, unless your tumour is very small and there is a chance that it could be removed by surgery alone with clear margins.  But different hospital have different protocols.  These early days are filled with so many appointments and investigations and the waiting can be absolutely nerve-wracking, but your appointment is only a couple of days away, I hope everything goes well and you know more about the next steps.   Once treatment starts you feel a lot more in control of what is happening and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

And we are always here with tips and coping strategies, or if you need some support, there is a really helpful bucnh of people on here who have all been through it and stayed around to help others.

Irene xx

Hi Fellsider,

I saw colorectal surgeon first and had a colonoscopy. He seemed to know right away that it was cancer, and told me as I wouldn't require surgery he was passing me to the oncology team. I didn't get any other information until I had contact with the oncologist, and he went through it all with me.

Good luck for Friday, you'll feel much better once you have the full picture and can see there is a plan.

Let us know how you get on.