Hi, new here so looking for advice

Lizz74 23 days ago

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Hi, I had a colonoscopy on Tuesday which was a horrendous experience, and watching on the screen I could see what looked to me like an infected ulcer. It was a blacked area that was bleeding.
I was told immediately after that I have cancer. I was on my own and totally did not except to hear that straight away. .
My report says

Semiannular stricturing distal sigmoid tumour. I had 7 biopsies taken, should get results next week, that I’d need CT scan, bloods, MDT and should have surgery in about two weeks time.

I asked about the tumour size but the doctor didn’t say, just said it will be discussed after the MDT, but that explains why it was so painful and I have a CT scan booked for Monday chest abdo and pelvis.

i don’t know anything else yet.

I excepted to have lots of wind after the colonoscopy but I haven’t, I’ve started with some wind last night, and I’d thought I was having some diarrhoea, but it was just blood.

when should I expect to have a bowel movement? Is it a while seeings as everything has been cleared out for the colonoscopy?

thank you

Nevermind 23 days ago

Hi Lizz74 that's a horrible experience for you! But things are moving quickly for you-after my tumour was found mid Oct 24 I didn't have surgery until December 18th, with scans between those dates. Try to stay strong if you can .As for normal bowel movements, they will follow as you eat as normal so don't worry about those. And welcome, to the forum that nobody actually ever wanted to join

Lee_L 23 days ago

Hi Lizz74

Such a shock to be told that when, if you’re anything like me, were expecting to be told it’s a polyp or haemorrhoids. Waiting for the next steps is really hard but once you know what you’re dealing with you can get your head around it bit more.

I think it was a couple of days after the colonoscopy that my bowels opened once I was eating normally Passing wind is a good sign, however If you are passing a lot of blood it’s probably a good idea to call 111 to put your mind at rest, especially if you are experiencing any pain or feel nauseous.

Were you given a cancer nurse? I found them invaluable at the beginning when I had so many questions. They can usually answer this sort of thing but unfortunately they aren’t around at the weekends.

Lee xx

Lizz74 22 days ago in reply to Lee_L

Hi,

yes they gave me a card with phone numbers on, I had no appetite after, I’d thought after fasting since Monday I’d have been starving but I didn’t eat until Thursday, and had a sandwich at lunch. Im getting back to eating more normally now, so hopefully it will be soon, I do suffer with constipation and prior to the bowel prep I had 10 sachets of Laxido which did absolutely nothing, then the bowel prep started which was very effective

I have my ct scan tomorrow so I might give the nurse a call in the morning. x

Lizz74 22 days ago in reply to Nevermind

Hi, thank you, yep, definitely the group no one ever wants to be in xx

Forest76 22 days ago

Hi Lizz74 , your experience sounds very similar to mine in that I had my colonoscopy and could see an area on screen that when they prodded it bled. I was immediately told afterwards I have a tumour in rectosigmoid area. This was a total shock as I barely had any symptoms. As my colonoscopy was later on day I didn't get a call until next day from the nurse but she was brilliant and explained next steps.

I was probably 3 days on until I had any bowel movement as I was getting worried but all back to normal.

I had my CT and MRI within 10 days of the diagnosis and colonoscopy and my MDT was last Wednesday. I got a call late Wednesday telling me I have my clinic appointment Tuesday to discuss the results.

As everyone mentions the waiting between diagnosis then scans then MDT then meeting with consultant is hard. The best advice I was always given was stay off Google and deal with what you know now and not what could be otherwise you can wander into dark thoughts.

Fingers crossed things move quickly for you.