New diagnosis - a few questions please

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Hi All

After a colonoscopy and subsequent MRI & CT scans, I was informed two weeks ago that I had bowel cancer but that they also noted something on my liver for which they wanted a more detailed liver specific MRI. I have a meeting on Friday this week to discuss the results. So I know I have cancer, I just don't know the full extent or treatment plan yet. While I'm waiting (which I'm not finding easy I must confess!!), I was wondering about the following, I wonder if others can help:-

1. Over the last two weeks I've noticed a small amount of weight loss each morning. This hadn't been happening until recently. ~100g per day. I've always eaten very healthily, but was worried that this means that something has changed about the cancer. The nurse told me it is just part of it and that bowel cancer is very slow, ie that it can't suddenly lead to weight loss. Maybe just the stress? I guess I need to just eat more.

2. During the phone call when the Dr let me know that I had cancer, he used the phrase cancerous ulcer rather than tumour - not sure if that is a good thing or bad? I know I should wait until Friday to hear the facts, but just wondering if anyone else heard the same.

3. I'm worried about how long this stage is taking. I'll find out this Friday but that will be 3.5 weeks after the coloscopy - maybe that is actually quick, not sure.

I'm sure I'll have many more questions to come :) but many thanks for anyone who has the time to consider these one

Thanks

Jools63 over 2 years ago

Hi DEP I don’t have answers to all of your questions, but just wanted to tell you what I experienced. I had a colonoscopy and saw that my bowels were a real mess in 2019. It was obviously cancer. I haven’t heard of the wording ulcer when referring to cancer. I was diagnosed less than 3 years later with secondary liver cancer. It was missed in a scan in 2020, and I was told it would have been present back in 2019. I had a liver resection last September and a scan this July showed a further spread. Do try not to worry that they wanted a more specific scan. This is a good thing. Unfortunately, due to recent strikes more people are having to wait longer for their results. They were aiming for a two week turnaround beforehand. Make sure you write all of your questions and concerns down so that you don’t forget anything. I’m sure others will be along soon to offer their thoughts. Take care.

DEP over 2 years ago in reply to Jools63

Hi Jools63 - thanks so much for your response & I'm sorry to hear about the ongoing challenges with your liver (so very well noted that the extra detail now is definitely a good thing). Good idea re the questions. Good luck to you & thanks again.

Kareno62 over 2 years ago

Hi DEP and welcome to the board. I also had to have an MRI on my liver but it turned out to be a haemangioma which is a harmless cyst - very common apparently and most people go through life never knowing that they have one unless they have a scan.

1. Personally I think your weight loss is probably down to stress and anxiety - I always feel like the body’s metabolism speeds up when you’re worried.

2. Not sure what the difference is. You could ring the support desk on the number below or just wait till Friday - I’ve not heard that terminology used in the sense of ‘seriousness’

3. No I don’t think 3.5 weeks is excessive. I think I was 3 weeks from colonoscopy to meeting with the consultant and that was in 2016 when things were a little less hectic.

Bowel cancer is notoriously slow growing but very treatable nowadays. I’ve attached a link to a booklet that I was given at my first meeting which you might find useful?

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/YourPathway_BowelCancerUK.pdf

Happy to answer any questions that you have - there’s nothing too daft or embarrassing on here!

Please let us know how it goes on Friday?

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

DEP over 2 years ago in reply to Kareno62

Hi Karen

I really appreciate your time & the answers. Also the booklet looks really helpful, will definitely take a closer look. Fingers crossed that the feedback on the liver is the same!! Thanks again for the welcome.

Jools63 over 2 years ago in reply to DEP

You’re welcome and don’t worry about me. I’m a tough ole bird!