Awaiting results

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Hi, 

I’ve had a bit of a scare and I probably jumping the gun a bit by posting here already. 

so the past few weeks I’ve had numerous episodes of bleeding. I do have piles. One morning I woke up wet and discovered blood all over my back passage. Was worried but blamed piles. Then about a week later I woke at 5:45 am with really bad tummy pain and needed the toilet, I had really bad diarrhoea that day, pretty much every hour was on the toilet. Then later that day I went for another bowel movement I felt like I had a poo but when I wiped it was blood and clots on the tissue. I looked in the toilet and there was no poo it was a slimy bloody mess in the bowl - no poo that I had felt come out. That then happened again that day. I was really worried but told myself I had a bad tummy. The next day I had another poo and checked, again blood. Looked like jam, it felt like poo but again there was no poo just a red mucous stuff in the bowl. It looked like little clots. I then went 2 days with no bowel movements. The third day I had a bowel movement, wiped. Blood. Loads. Looks in the toilet and the bowl was full of bright red blood, I couldn’t see the bottom of the bowl for the blood. Later that day it happened another 2 times, exactly the same, bowl full of blood. I talked to my mum and she phoned the gp for me.

 Here’s an important part. I’m in early 40’s, the same age that my mum was when she went through bowel cancer.
dr arranged immediate blood test, FIT test and have a face to face appointment with her on Tuesday coming. She said my results should be back by then. 

now I do have tummy pains, not unbearable they feel like mild period cramps. I have also had the feeling for a while that my bowels aren’t completely empty when I go. The last bleeding I had was Monday (the day gp was contacted) I also have mild lower back pain. My tummy does keep knotting like I need to pass a bm. 

also this time last year I had about a month of trouble with my bowels. It happened every morning when I had to do the school run, I’d suddenly need the toilet and it was incredibly urgent. It caused me so much anxiety and there was 3 or 4 episodes where I didn’t make it in time. I had to take spare trousers with me which made me feel horrible. But that passed and I didn’t think too much of it again until all this. 

anyway I’m scared. My mum went through bowel cancer (she has been clear for over 10 years now) and I’ve not felt well for a long time. Suffered chronic fatigue with no known cause. I never feel “well” 

I’m sitting here feeling like I need to go to the toilet again. I’m kind of fed up with the amount I’m going lately, like I’ve never gone so much. The last couple of days my bm’s look ok and no blood but I’m going alot and my tummy doesn’t feel right, it kind of just always feels like I need to poo. 
mom a single parent of 4 children and it’s such a worry. I’m not sure I’m physically or mentally strong enough to battle cancer. I keep thinking how there’s been so many cases of cancer in my immediate family (mums side) and it’s been a while since we lost a family member and I feel like it’s now my turn. 
I thought I could post here because I don’t know if this is going to be the start of a cancer journey. But I guess it might be and well, you’ll all understand. Thanks for reading. 

  • Hi Pink Spark

    Welcome to the Online Community and to the Bowel cancer forum.

    It is absolutely fine to be posting here- you are worried about some bowel symptoms and worried about cancer. So do not be afraid to post on here.

    Having symptoms such as yours are naturally concerning and you have done the right thing in getting them checked. Whilst having tests done and waiting for results is never great- it is really important to find out what's causing these symptoms. 

    These symptoms can be caused by reasons other than cancer but they normally try to rule out the most serious potential causes first. Because you have a close relative who has had bowel cancer ( and other family members affected by cancer) I would imagine that they would probably advise further testing - for my Mum it was blood tests and a colonoscopy. I can not remember if she had a FIT test. Once these tests were done she was then seen by a consultant fairly quickly.

    I can remember going through testing for my own cancer and thinking I would not be strong enough to face it or cope with it but in the end once I had an explanation for my symptoms and a plan of action- I did feel a bit better. It was the worrying and not knowing that I found hardest.

    It must be a worry to be single mum to 4 children. 

    I hope that your appointment on Tuesday goes ok and that it brings some answers. In the meantime if there is anything you need then please do ask. If talking things through  would help then I can recommend the Support Line. (detail below) 

    Jane

           

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

  • Thank you. 

    I haven’t been able to bring myself to come back until today. 
    so I had a face to face appointment last Tuesday, and I was expecting to not be taken seriously. But I was. My fit test came back positive. A few other little things on my blood results (various deficiencies) she done a rectal examination and said the bleeding wasn’t piles. 
    she referred me under the 2 week wait thing. 
     I heard from the hospital the next day and they said I will be called to go in for a colonoscopy. So that’s where I’m at. I’m just awaiting the call from the hospital. Today is a week since referral so I expect I will hear soon. 
      
    I had a terrible terrible day yesterday. I was taking my daughter to the bus for school and I got the sudden urge to go to the toilet. I tried to get to the nearest public toilet. I didn’t make it. I basically had explosive diarrhoea and I was absolutely horrified. I just want to cry every time I think about it. I had a jumper on so I tied that around my waist and then I sat on a bench outside and waited for my (other) daughter to bring me some trousers. I was literally sitting there trying not to wince (I was in quite a bit of pain with my tummy) and trying to hide what I was sitting in. The feeling of more coming out was absolutely awful. I can’t even describe how ashamed I felt and still feel about it. I’m so scared it’s going to happen again. 
    I then spent pretty much all day sleeping. Every time I try to not worry about cancer I get a niggle in my tummy or I remember the symptoms that I’ve had and it makes me anxious all over. 

    so anyway I’m just waiting on my colonoscopy and kind of stuck in limbo if not knowing. This is probably the hardest part is waiting for things! 

  • What a terrible situation you find yourself in, the morning my husband was due to go for his first meeting with the surgeon he had terrible diarrhoea, he was so worried about it happening again and not making it to the toilet. I bought him some incontinence pants, he didn't need them in the end but it was peace of mind that he wouldn't have an accident. maybe your GP can give you something to help? We are waiting for his end of chemo CT scan, it took 5 weeks last time for the results, the wait is horrendous. Nancy x

  • Pink Spark,

    Thank you for sharing the story of your accident. I had a similar incident. I was driving to radiation treatment and I got a sudden urge. I rushed to finish the trip... only about 3 min if that much. I thought I would make it insisted. The minute I stood up to go inside ... two massive waves of explosive diarrhea. It got everywhere! I was a long ways from home (45 min) so no way I could go  there. I tried to clean up in the public restroom but it was such a huge mess and my pants were not salvageable.  I ended up having to ask the staff for help. How humiliating! But they were super nice and understanding. They brought me wash cloths and towels and surgical pants to wear. 

    I had to walk around the facility and get my treatment in that condition... it felt like I was wearing a neon sign announcing my accident but I got thru it. That was 8 months ago and to this day I still wear adult diapers and carry spare clothing with me. 

    I hope hearing a similar story makes you feel a bit better. Hearing your story made a huge impact on me. Thank you. 

  • Hi PinkSpark

    I am really pleased that you were taken seriously at the appointment and that they have put you on the urgent list for a colonoscopy. As it's been a week, I would hope you should hear something in the next few days. If you don't there is no harm in calling the hospital. The waiting is tough, I understand but once the colonoscopy is done it should bring answers one way or another. Whatever is causing the symptoms, once you have a plan things will feel a bit more in control.

    I am really sorry that you had an accident and can understand how it has made you feel. I had pelvic radiotherapy treatment and had a few near misses. 

    Sometimes the fear of it happening again and it can help to be prepared. Finding out where the closest toilets are if you need to go somewhere can help. Wearing pads (or look into incontinence pants- Tena do some) and take clean undies with you and wipes in case they are needed. I also have a Macmillan can't wait card and a Radar key which means access to disabled toilets. They tend to have more space and cleaner if you do need a change. I have never had to use them but it was reassuring to have them. 

    You could ask your doctor whether you could have any meds that would help- but I am not sure whether they would want to do that with the colonoscopy coming up. During radiotherapy I was prescribed 4 different meds to stop the diarrhoea- and it worked. You could also ask whether it would be worth eating a blander diet for the next few days- similar to when you have had a tummy bug and are starting to eat again, 

    Jane

           

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

  • Thank you for the replies, it’s nice to have some understanding people giving advice etc. I’m going to look into pads/pants etc even if it’s just for the morning as it seems to be mornings that are worst. 
    i heard from the hospital and my colonoscopy is going to be on the 20th, which is just over the 2 weeks but at least I have a date now. I have my pre op today, which is being done over the phone, I thought that was unusual as ive not had one over the phone before. 
    I will keep you all updated and thank you so much for sharing your experiences and giving support. It means a lot to me. 

  • Hi  

    If you look up incontinence cotton pants you can actually get very discreet ones with a good bit of retention in them but still look just like pants . They are however a bit pricey . I got a few pairs for my mum at one point but the tenna ones are great too and disposable. Most shops sell the slightly bigger scented disposable bags .

    You obviously have the school run to consider but outwith that you will find yourself paying closer attention to the accessibility of toilets and selecting venues that are easier or more private . 
    Hoping for a speedy resolution. 
    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • I wonder if "period pants" may be worth looking into. From the outside they look like normal knickers and are made of cotton but they have a thick line with a lot more coverage at the back. Anything that helps you feel more confident while you are waiting for the testing has got to be a good plan. 

           

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

  • Thanks for all the replies. Had a really bad day today because I’m letting it get to me all of a sudden. I’m having horrible images in my mind and I can’t shake them. I am dreading my results and caCryt shake this horrible feeling of dread. I start my bowel cleanse diet tomorrow ready for Saturday. I’m going to be a mess come Saturday Cry 

  • Sorry to hear that . It is a horrible time waiting on results and investigations. 
    But we are here to listen and support . 
    It’s easy to let your mind slip off into the worst possible outcome but that is not your reality just now .

    The stats are very much in your favour . 
    Lots of support here for you .

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000