Newly diagnosed

Hi Lesley50

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I was diagnosed after a colonoscopy in February 2019. The only symptom I had was bleeding when I went to the toilet. No pain or discomfort at all. Like you I felt fine. I had ct and mri scans followed by 5 weeks of radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy from March to April, followed by AP resection  in July 2019. This was followed by 6 months of chemotherapy. All went well apart from a couple of side effects. I'm fine now and back at work. Try not to worry too much. Easier said than done I know but if it's found early rectal cancer is very treatable.

Take care.

Love Kim xx 

Kim, thanks so much for replying. I'm glad to hear your doing well after your treatment.

Bit worried that this would of been detected last June which was when I was due my bowel test, so nearly a year late due to covid. Just can't wait to get the scans out the way, so I know where I stand. xx

Hi Lesley50 and a warm welcome to the board from me too. As Kim has said, bowel cancer is very treatable nowadays and if you click on people’s names then their profile page might give you an idea of their treatment so far.

The waiting for scans and results etc. is very stressful but once you have a treatment plan in place then things will feel a little better. Please stay away from google - it is out of date, misleading and downright scary in places. Stay on here and ask anything you like. Everyone is at different stages of their journey and will be happy to help and support you through this.

Take care

Karen x

Thanks very much Karen. I know what you mean by Google. It was my first port of call and I felt so upset thinking the worst. My nurse told me to stick to the information on here and that the community would be very welcoming and helpful. I do have great family and friends all supporting me but none have been through cancer treatments so thought it would be good to speak to others. Xx

Hi Lesley50 I became very friendly with 2 ladies on the bowel cancer uk board who were diagnosed at the same time as me in 2016. We all totally understood what each other was going through and they’re friends for life. All 3 of us were diagnosed at stage 3 and we’re all still cancer free.

There will be a tough few months ahead but it is doable x

Wow, that's made me smile and emotional. Fantastic you're all doing so well. Makes me more hopeful when I hear stories like this. ️xx

Hi Lesley50,

Sorry to hear your diagnosis! I too was diagnosed with Bowel cancer after a Fitt test then a colonoscopy! I had no idea that that was what would come out of the investigations, I was expecting to be told I had IBS!! Anyway once I had the diagnosis things moved quickly! I had the op booked b4 the biopsy results were back! I too find the waiting the worst part of it all! I am currently waiting for an appoint with the Oncologist to discuss the next part.... Chemo!

I know all of this is scary, I too find it scary but I'm holding onto fact it might be the means to an end!! Take things one step at a time!! My friends and daughters have been amazing!! Tho I'm a bit to independent for my own good sometimes!!

Take care

Pauline x

Hi Pauline

Thanks for replying. Good luck with the chemo. I'm glad you have family and friends to support you. I know what you mean about being too independent, guilty of that myself and need to learn to let people in more. It's been a frightening time but I'm definitely feeling more positive today with reading lots on this site. Just hoping to get the scans ASAP and know what my treatment will be. Did you recover quickly from surgery and was it keyhole, if you don't mind me asking xx

Hi Lesley50

Surgery was keyhole yes I was home on day 4! Had few problems with my one scar and docs are saying I healed too quickly!! Haha!! Out of my control I'm afraid!! On day 2 the doctor did say he'd not seen anyone look so healthy after surgery!! Lol my head gets frustrated with waiting so I do have to remind myself that I was diagnosed on 1st April and operated on 26th April so they didn't hang around!!

Pauline x

Hi Blackstuff ,

I think we are in the same place at the moment.  I too have been diagnosed with a malignant retal tumour at my colonoscopy last week. 8 biopsies were taken and on 27th I have an MRI Scan and CT Scan. I too am 51. I have a 9 year old son and a 23 year old daughter.  We, as a family are so worried at this time. 

I am praying for you.