Mass found on colonoscopy

1. Thank you so much for your message.  This weekend feels like torture.  I can’t wait to have a scan so I can be told what I’m actually dealing with.  As you know from the loss of your brother my experience of cancer 2 years ago was simply devastating.  I’m starting to understand that every cancer is actually different.  It feels like my logical and sensible brain has gone off somewhere because I did know that not all cancer kills.  Even without a cure people suffering with cancer can lead full and happy lives.  Your experience and everyone else who has replied is so positive and inspiring.  I guess before Thursday I was just normal doing my thing swimming in my lane telling my daughter off for having a messy room and begging her to work hard a school and grumbling about work then on Thursday I’ve been put into another pool where the water is murky and I can’t even swim.  Roll on next week and I’ll hopefully get some much needed answers.  Good luck with your chemo and please stay in touch x

Hello. So sorry to hear you are going through this. I lost my dad to colon cancer and was with him after his diagnostic tests when he was told it had advanced so much there was nothing they could do. So when a mass was found on my colonoscopy I immediately thought the absolute worst! The waiting for results is the hardest and by far the worst thing I went through. As I said a mass was found during my colonoscopy so I then had a colonography. My own GP then told me I had cancer but the hospital team said they weren’t sure so I had another colonoscopy and CT tap and was told I definitely had cancer but was very early stages (turned out I was stage 3!). The only advice I can offer is just be kind to yourself whilst you wait for them to piece together all your tests and give your results. It is an awful time and I hated not knowing what was going on or what I might face. I was both completely shocked and not at all shocked to be told I had cancer which is a feeling I’ve never experienced! What I will say is everything that came after was easy in comparison to not knowing. I had major surgery and currently having chemotherapy which is all a breeze compared to waiting for results. And although cancer is never the news we want I think at least it was caught and now at least I will have regular monitoring. I hope you have some news soon 

Thank you so much for replying and I’m am so sorry about the loss of your dad.  Sadly I can imagine your worry to be told you had the same  type of cancer.  

 It’s interesting that for you the waiting is harder than the treatment.  That makes me feel better.  On Wednesday /Thursday I thought that the fruit punch prep was the hardest thing I had to do before that the  embarrassing appointment at the doctors was the worse thing I’d had to do so what you say makes total sense.  This waiting is pure hell.  

Today I’ve gone from I’ve got this I’ll be ok back to got what I don’t even know what my mass is called yet. …… I don’t have a bucket list should I be putting one together?  I can’t be bothered with a bucket list……..I think I want to be cremated now rather than buried…….i need to write my daughter birthday and Christmas cards for the next 20 years in case I’m not here……has the dog been fed?  I’m sure you can relate.  It’s exhausting.   

Please stay in touch because I’ll be needing advice about the surgery soon (it’s the only thing I know for definite is that I will have surgery to remove the mass).

I hope you stay well xx

 Scoutabout All you need to do is stay afloat for now and wait for the life belt next week which will tow you into cleaner, calmer waters. Remember we’re alongside you in our own little boat with energy snacks, words of encouragement and hugs x

Thank you so much.  Your kind words are really helping me.  

Today I need to put my big girl pants on, my daughter needs me   We will go on a little shopping trip for essentials and walk the dog   My partner is going to the football today so just for today I need to drag myself around and stop grieving for my life before this nightmare.  Just for today.  Xxxx 

Awww I think your feelings are completely normal. I was the same and even now I think  about writing cards for my children and buying them gifts for their wedding days and such. When I got my diagnosis and had to tell my children it was really sad and I felt almost guilty for ruining their childhood and giving them this huge worry. But it’s a journey and as strange as it sounds there has been some beauty in this journey.  Our relationships have changed and there is a different closeness between family and friends. Whilst I was waiting for results I went from being this strong, resilient person to a complete mess. When family would tell be it would all be okay I would list a thousand reasons why it wasn’t okay and I think I drove them mad! 

I’m the same age as you and surgery and treatment wise age is on our side. When I was recovering post surgery I was by far the youngest in my bay and I’ve noticed the same when I go for chemo. 

I also haven’t the energy for a bucket list! I hope you have a bit of ease today and get to enjoy it doing something that makes you feel a bit better. I’m trying to muster the energy to walk the dog! 

yes let’s defo keep in contact. Sending you positive vibes 

Hi all

how long in general does it take to get biopsy results back.  I’ve not heard anything since Thursday and obviously I didn’t think to ask how long biopsy results take to come back.  

I kind of thought that I would have a quick appointment for a scan but again I’ve not heard anything as yet.  

thank you. X

Hi all.  I’ve just had a call.  I have a CT scan booked for tomorrow morning.  Will I be told anything at this appointment or do you think I’m safe to go on my own?  

Hi Scoutabout No you won’t be told anything - I think the scans are usually sent off to be reported on. If it’s a scan with contrast then you’ll have a cannula put in and they’ll put dye through it during the scan. It’s totally painless but does give you a warm feeling in your groin (like you’ve wee’d yourself) and sometimes a funny metallic taste in your mouth. They’ll probably warn you but just in case they don’t! x

Hi Scoutabout, that's good news - things are moving along. As Kareno62 says the operators won't interpret the results themselves, just send them as another piece of the jigsaw to be reviewed at the MDT meeting when they consider possible treatments. 

One other weird side effect of the contrast if you have it that I experienced, apart from the metallic taste and the absolute conviction that you've wet yourself (you haven't!) that Karen mentions is that the tips of your ears get really hot!