Recent diagnosis. Looking for positive stories to give me hope

Hi Lulu13 I was diagnosed with a 40mm rectal tumour in 2016 and I’m still ‘no evidence of disease’. Bowel cancer is notoriously slow growing and also very treatable. This time waiting for scan results and meetings is very stressful but once you have a treatment plan in place then things will honestly feel a bit better.

We’re all at different stages of treatment and recovery on here and happy to help and support you through this so feel free to post with any questions or worries and we’ll try and help

Take care

Karen x

Hi Karen,

Thank you and that’s good to hear there’s no evidence of disease.

I’m holding it together when my 3 children are home from school but go to pieces as soon as they’re out of the house. Maybe it’s a good thing it’s half term next week as I will need to stay strong for them (haven’t mentioned anything to them yet).

I’ve read on here that people feel a bit better once knowing exactly what they’re dealing with and getting a treatment plan in place. I guess I just have to take one day at a time.

Hi Lulu13 I had similar symptoms to you - just some cramps and had a colonoscopy only to be told they found a malignant tumour in the transverse colon. I also have a small child and I remember those first few days of shock and barely being able to function. I just wanted to offer some support and as others told me at the time - you will feel much better once you know fully and you have a treatment plan in place. Mine has spread to the lymph nodes but even for me I have now had the operation and am due to start chemo on Friday - I never thought I would get through it but here I am a few months on. I also had some anomalies found in my liver and kidney on the CT scan which turned out to be harmless but the waiting for that was terrible-  but again in the group people reassured me and I felt more positive. I know the wait is awful but you will get through it and there are many options. Lots of love x

Hi Lulu13  sorry you find yourself here, it's a massive shock. I had a tumour in my ascending colon, diagnosed December after I became anaemic.  The scans and waiting all ramps up the anxiety.  It really is a case of one day at a time and distraction.  Stay off Google too! 

I had an operation in January and am.now having chemo as it was in lymph nodes. I still have trouble believing it some days but it honestly does get easier with a plan of action.  

Treatments are varied and effective.  Hang on in there, lots of support and different experiences here xx

Hi Lulu,

I'm so sorry this is happening! I was diagnosed with a 12.5 cm rectal tumor in Aug 2023. I had

1. fatigue which we thought was caused by being pre-diabetic,
2. some diarrhea which I've had on and off my whole life so not new,

I was ridiculously cold, wearing long sleeve shirts under a sweater in the middle of summer then covering with a blanket, this started about 2 months before diagnosis. 

1. transient cramps in my lower back and abdomen that resolved with heat or ibuprofen. This started about 3 months before diagnosis. 
2. And finally, a UTI that wasn't responding to antibiotics. A CT was ordered to investigate the UTI and that's how we found the cancer.

Nothing said cancer to me or my doctor. There was no reason to be suspicious until the UTI wouldn't resolve and even then we were thinking abcess not cancer. 

The shock is unreal. It's the emotional equivalent of getting hit by a truck. 

Less than 2 years later, I am cancer-free and feeling better than I have in a long time. My tumor was twice as big as yours. There's every reason to believe you can be here saying you are cancer free in the not too distant future. 

Sending virtual hugs. 

Hi Ki21,

Thank you for sharing your experience, it’s a huge comfort speaking to people going through the same.

My tumour is also on my transverse colon but I think they said something about it being moveable. I was in too much shock to take it all in. 

My consultants secretary said it will be fast moving with regards to my treatment. Everyone I’ve spoke to so far at the hospital have been so lovely.

Best of luck with your chemo on Friday, I’ll be thinking of you x

Hi Arial88,

Thank you and sorry you’re going through this too. There really isn’t enough awareness of this type of cancer.

You are so right about staying off google. Unfortunately I’ve already scared myself enough doing that. Part of the reason I joined this forum I think, as it’s better to talk to people who have actually experienced the same or similar.

It’s like a bad dream that you just don’t wake up from isn’t it. My partner actually tried pinching himself yesterday. Just goes to show how desperate he is for it not to be real, bless him.

Thank you for your support and best of luck with the rest of your treatment x

Hi Susan,

Wow, that must have been so scary for you.

I always associated colon cancer with bad stomach pains and bleeding when you go to toilet. That’s clearly not the case for a lot of people.

I’ve been cold too and had a blanket on my lap at work just last week.

That’s such good news that you are cancer free, I’m so happy for you.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with me. I really appreciate it x

Hi I too Googled myself into a state of despair! I have been shocked at the prevalence of this cancer. I had IBS for years and years, for some reason, bowel cancer never entered my mind! 

I have gained so much from this forum, just being among people who understand is so helpful. 

Take care and best wishes x

Hi Lulu, 

I'm sorry you've had this news and are waiting for results. The waiting is definitely the worst and once you know what you are dealing with and there is a plan you will better - i know I did.

I had a bit of a shocking diagnoses as well, my main symptom was unexplained anaemia. No weight loss, no change in habits. 

By the time mine was found it had spread to my lymph nodes and I had chemo which was supposed to be adjuvant but 3 months after stopping chemo they found a spread in my lymph nodes in my abdomen. I started immunotherapy and the cells responded almost instantly to it. There are a lot of treatments so don't feel like it's too late, some just take longer to go through than others.