Hi
After visiting my GP in November with sudden bowel change and blood, I was referred for a fast track colonoscopy where they found a tumour in my lower rectum and took a biopsy. After a CT and MRI scan, I met with the consultant on 23rd December to be told I have a 4.5cm T3N2, The plan is to do a colostomy on 29th December, followed by 5 weeks chemoradiation, followed by an op to remove the tumour which will hopefully have shrunk.
The only box I tick is being over 60 - I don't drink or smoke, I am not overweight, I am a vegetarian, fit and healthy, no family history, and the poo-test I did after I hit 60, 18 months ago, was negative. It is just bad luck.
I was put on a low fibre diet after the colonoscopy which has helped a lot - but it is really not my sort of food! No more vegetable stir fries, brown bread, nuts, seeds etc. - my usual diet is a no-no. I have read horror stories of people with colostomies who can't eat lentils or anything green. I'm not complaining, I am very, very grateful that I am being treated so quickly. But I have to laugh at the irony of having to give up a healthy diet, or I would cry. I do eat eggs and fish too, so there is a little bit of healthy food there. Do I have to eat crumpets with cheese onfor lunch for the rest of my life?!? If it keeps me alive, then so be it!
