Process for new bowel cancer diagnosis

Hi  

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. 

And welcome to learning how to wait. I was diagnosed in July and like you everything moves quite quick. Had to wait 8 days between the last scan and meeting my surgeon. Then it was two weeks or so before starting chemo / radio for five weeks. I am now at the end of the ten week wait until I finish the scans again on friday and, again, waiting for the MDT. 

I have found the waiting to be tough but I am sure as you read posts on here, a lot will share the same experience. But saying that, I am still in awe how quick things do actually happen despite me wanting things to be quicker obviously. 

For me it's been a case of having a routine like exercise (walking mostly) and little things round the house. 

Not sure if this helps you at all but it's how I found it. I am in a group on Facebook so I can share and chat on that with people who understand. And of course you have this amazing forum too where people are always happy to help where they can. 

Hope things move as quick as they can for you. 

Good luck and take care of yourself

Kev

I missed the first Friday of their meet so it was just under two weeks. But I was anxious so I phoned my colorectal nurse  and said we wanted to book a holiday to Spain (white lie) in August and what was my treatment plan. She told me over the phone. I had time to process the info and adjust .
Because like you I needed to know. 
Good luck.
Keep us posted 

Thanks Ann. That's a good tip. I'm guessing perhaps not much will happen over Christmas and that I won't get any treatment until January. I'll post on here how it goes.

Hi SophiaFromEssex,

I had a colonoscopy on 3rd December last year, where a tumour was found that they said was almost certainly cancer.  I had MRI scan on 6th and CT scan on 9th. MDT meeting on 11th or 14th (can't remember which).  Phone call on 15th to arrange face to face appt with Consultant on 22nd who explained treatment plan.  Phone call on 30th December to say operation (LAR) would be on 5th January 2021.

Hope that helps. Best Wishes,

Net77

Well if you don’t hear from them you could phone and ask if there was any decisions made regarding your treatment as you had plans for the new year.  I’ve found the nurses in all my treatment really supportive and well informed. They’ve been angels.
Good luck with your results. 
Keep us updated

Net77, that's very reassuring to hear, thanks so much for sharing. Hopefully I will be able to share a similar experience on here shortly. I really appreciate you reaching out.

I have had a similar experience Ann, the nurses are lovely. I think if I don't hear by Thursday lunchtime I'll phone for information. I just didn't like to be too pushy, given how fast they have been.

That’s a really good idea, they won’t think you’re pushy. If there really busy they won’t be able to answer. 
My fingers are crossed for you 

Thanks so much Kev

I have felt a little paralysed, using lots of chat F2F, phone, text, social media), books, TV, music, and particularly my dog Kiki (French mastiff) to make the time pass until I hear whether the cancer has spread.

I can now see this is no good, I still have a life and I must live it. Simply using up the time to make it pass is a crime on myself, each day feels so much more precious now.

I see that this could be a continuing stream of scans, diagnosis and medical pathways. When I have my surgery to remove the tumour, they will remove lymph glands, so another test and a wait for results.

Having cancer changes us, doesn't it?

I have to normalise it somehow and still live my life.

Thank you for the wake up call

God bless you and everyone else who has replied to my message. You are angels sent to bring love and light into my life. I wish you all well on your journeys too.

I'll let you all know when I get my results. I don't know how I tap into your updates here, but please share your news withe too, if you are inclined.

Wow. Just looked up French Mastiff.

STUNNING.