Newly diagnosed and scared

Hi Dangalff2f1cc , 

Well done for posting ! Initially every emotion goes through your head and yes that first appointment when you have your colonoscopy is brutal when they tell you about what they have found. 
My husband was diagnosed after going for colonoscopy after an abnormal FIT test. With no expectation of there being anything other than possible IBS like you did. 

After that he had scans pretty quickly after (within 2 weeks) then had to have another biopsy because they weren’t conclusive but the scans indicated a tumour in his rectum. 
we saw the surgeon at the end of October  which was about 6 weeks after. That time was the worst, not knowing what we were dealing with. But one thing I have realised throughout is that your imagination is far worse than the reality. 

The colorectal nurses told us at the time it would be a long haul but both consultants (oncology & surgical) were very positive and their aim has always been for a complete removal. 

Stay positive and there is no point worrying about something that might not happen.  Keep informed ask all the questions you can. 

people on here are very helpful and have got us through the worst days. You have 3 great reasons to get through this. And you will!!! Keep the faith and take it one day at a time 

Bx 

Hi Dangalff2f1cc and a warm welcome to the board. Yes it is a shock but once you have a treatment plan in place then things will honestly feel a bit better. Bowel cancer is notoriously slow growing but very treatable. The following tests will give your team the full picture and then they’ll come up with a treatment plan for you. 
Stay away from google - stay on here and the bowel cancer uk board - there’s lots of information and we’ll be happy to answer any questions that you have. 
I’ve attached a link to the booklet that I was given at my first meeting which a lot of people have found helpful

https://bcuk.adidocdn.dev/Publications/Bowel_Cancer_UK_Your_Pathway_V10.1.pdf

We’re all at different stages of treatment and recovery on here and happy to help and support you through yours

Take care

Karen x

Hi Dangalff2f1cc  we all empthasise, the initial diagnosis, waiting for tests bit is so so hard. Like you I found out I had a tumour in my ascending colon last December..... then began the wait for CT scans and so on. My colonoscopy was on the 14th December, then I had a meeting with the surgeon on the 27th December, post CT. It felt like forever, but things do move quickly. Like you, I thought the absolute worst case scenario.

For me, I ended up having a right hemicolectomy and then some chemotherapy. Treatments are very advanced now, so hang on in there. It is a terrible shock. I am not on here so much now, but pop on every now and again and this is a lovely, supportive community to be part of x

Hi Dangalff2f1cc , I’m sorry you have had this diagnosis. I remember after the colonoscopy the Drs face when he told me they found the source of what has caused me some stomach cranps- when he said cancer my world felt like it fell apart. I didn’t sleep all night and did a lot of crying and googling which didn’t help at all! It’s so awful as you have no information until after more scans are done and the waiting can be hard.

I came on this forum and so many people reassured me that once you have a treatment plan in place you will feel a lot better. Mine was in the transverse colon and they did an extended right hemicolectomy which removed the tumour. It felt like a long time by the time the MDT sat but then when I was called back to see the surgeon he booked me in for surgery the week after. Mine had gone to lymph nodes so I needed chemo - again something I thought I would never be able to get through but I’ve just done 5 of my 8 cycles. I’m 46 and have a 7 year old so I know the thoughts are awful but it’s great you have reached out to MacMillan and written on here. I felt less lonely knowing people had the same and were getting through it.

I think the swinging between the two moods is so normal - it still happens to me now 8 months down the line. What I clung onto was that so much can be done these days and you are young. 

I think once you have a bit of a timeline things will feel less overwhelming ( I hope). Let us know how you get on xx