Recurrent bowel cancer

Oh Faloola  that is such a shame and I do hope you get a better sleep tonight .

By far the majority of people get to chemotherapy for bowel cancer and the only ones sadly that don’t are just too Sick to tolerate it and they are having symptoms of sever weight loss, unable to eat , exhausted etc . It would just be too unfair to put them through that .

I worried about that too when my mum was diagnosed but honestly it was just the panic that had set in . I think when something so unexpected has happened you start to believe others can follow . But hopefully they will get you in soon and reassure you .

Mum had five liver mets , one 5 cm and her liver actually tolerated chemo very well and subsequent surgeries too .

Our helpline staff are there for moments like this and would be happy to chat them through with you .

0808 808 0000

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Court,

im thinking because it’s recurrent and lesions and nodules on my lungs a enlarged lymph node outside my bowel and a tumor on my hip it will not b curable and they won’t give me treatment. I’m not ready to go anywhere I’ve beat it fir 10 years until it’s came back. I just can’t stop thinking about it. 

Although not curable it does not mean not treatable . That’s what they told my mum and they were true to their word .

Its is treating it like a chronic condition that requires constant intervention and monitoring from the hospital .

What they can never say is curable as they can never guarantee they have removed all the micro disease cells . Even when my mum was showing no obvious cancer in her body they refused to use the word cured . They need five full years of clear scanning. But they talked about “ treatment pathways “ all the time .

Once you meet your team and get a plan a lot of this will reduce . It will give you more direction and insight into how they are going to proceed . 
You are probably the only person I have read on here with such a late stage presentation so it’s definitely slow growing .

That’s encouraging in itself .

Did you manage any sleep last night ?

Remember your GP is part of your team if you need some help to get you over this part .

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Court, 

thanks for your reply. I never slept . I don’t think the consultant who phoned me helped as she left me feeling hopeless and that’s not me I’m a strong person. She kept giving me negatives no positives. I’m also going away for a break 16th in the uk with all my family it’s been booked for ages and that’s on my mind as well. My husband of 45 years is just crying all the time I’m supporting him, 

I would give your Gp a phone call .

We had a lot of negative input too and to be fair they withhold more positive talks until they see how you respond as an individual and clinically I think that’s fair enough it’s just hard to hear .

However there are people on the boards who have a very difficult diagnosis and continue to do well . They respond to treatment despite it all .

A holiday is good , but allow yourself some space to process things too .

If you look on Bowel cancer U.K. forum you will see lots of people navigating a stage 4 diagnosis. Might help encourage you both .

Take care ,

Court 

I will Court thank you for all your support. I’m sure I will speak to you soon.I had adjuvant chemo 29 year ago and was told my body tolerated it great so years hoping. 

Hi Court, I’ve read your mums story and it’s Amazing. What are clinics of excellence?. I’m in Scotland as well. 

The care in Scotland has been great . We can’t thank them enough . Once you get over the more difficult conversations of  the implications of a spread . ( we found them hard and mum did not want a prognosis ) it was then full steam ahead into supportive treatment .

You have a lot of strength and previous experiences to draw from . You have already come through so much . The chemotherapy is very similar to lower stages for bowel cancer so it’s not too different from what others are going through in terms of chemotherapy. However they may add in other treatments where possible .

The NHS has specialised units where the staff are able to do more clinically advanced interventions . Like for the liver and lungs etc . The centre for the liver is through in Edinburgh where they do all the liver transplant work and they are also able to do some of the more complex liver resections . The whole team is highly specialised and a dedicated unit . All nursing staff too .

Its impressive !

I think it just means they are more specialised in their fields . My mum’s lung surgery was done in a different hospital in Glasgow which is also impressive . She has covered the central belt when it comes to hospitals . 
She just kept pressing on , doing the best she could and slowly they got the upper hand .

Are you getting some of this sunshine ?

Its beautiful today . 
take care ,

Court 

Hi Court,

yes we lay round the back yesterday then went for a walk.  

Having my son and his wife and my 4 grandchildren down for a BBQ today. We’re busy looking out all the games for them, 

my daughter is in Liverpool at the moment I will tell her then. 

can I keep in touch with you Court if that’s ok. 

That’s great . I fully believe the Gran children played a big role in helping my mum get through her treatment . 

Have a wonderful time with them .

Of course you can . That’s what this is all about . 
Here to support you through this stage .

Take care ,

Court