Bowel Cancer recurrence

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Hi all.

I have used this forum before around 2014 to 2015 when my father (78) had bowel cancer which he sadly succumbed to and I got a lot of useful information back then which helped to prepare me and deal with the situation.

I am back again but this time its my own battle. It started in 2024 but I am only rejoining now because it looks like this is getting a bit more serious. I dont think I have any questions as I have found most of what I need in the forums but just want to use this thread as a diary which I promise to update till the end (whenever that is) to help others who may be in similar situations as I am.

Diagnosed in August 2024 after blood in stool, constipation and fatigue. Sigmoid colon resection. I think it was T3 and 3 of 11 lymph nodes had cancer. CAPOX chemo from December 2024 until May 2025. 4 infusions and 4 tablets only. CT scan in June 2025 and was NED. Colonoscopy in September and all clear.

Went for 3 follow up appointments and all stable. CEA stayed at 4. I was feeling great as well and was very thankful and optimistic. My last follow up in May 2025 saw a rise of CEA to 5 and that coincided with me not feeling the best. I pushed for CT scan and it came back with a new nodule on my lung and existing ones had grown. They weren't really worried about it back in 2024. I have had a PET scan today and await a call from my colorectal nurse to book an appointment for me to discuss my options with a consultant.

I was 46 at diagnosis and now 48, hoping to get to 49 later in the year. I have 2 children, 18 and 15 who knew I was ill, but I didnt tell them what it was. I just told them stomach surgery Rofl. I plan to keep it that way until a point where it is necessary to let them know.

  • Hi  

    Sorry to see you back but just want to wish you all the very best . One thing I found out about my mums lung mets , they really do seem to be quite slow growing . 
    My mum first had signs of lung mets was back in 2014 and had a lung resection in 2016 . Then it came back in 2022 . Age caught up with her and she was just not robust enough to keep taking treatment . But did take a year of it at 81 years .

    So I absolutely think you are taking the right approach with your children as we had so many good times as a family after the lung disease started to show . 
    Once you know all your options helps too . We do have members who have successfully used radio frequency ablation too .

    Take care and best foot forward .

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • So I have just returned from seeing my consultant and my PET scan confirmed two active nodules, one in the upper lobe of each lung. One is 6mm and the other, 13mm. They are referring my case to the lung team to discuss at the MDT meeting and the colorectal consultant reckons I will be offered surgery and maybe more chemo after.

    Its not what I wanted to hear but I guess its better to know the truth and prepare accordingly. At the moment I feel very healthy so thats a plus.

  • Thanks for your reply. I like hearing positive stories to give me some hope.

  • Hi  

    Sorry to hear you have to go through more treatment but it really is a very small tumour burden .  Used radio frequency ablation to deal with bilateral mets and her lungs continue to be clear . My mum had a very small tumour removed surgically in her lung and she really was out two days later and back bouncing around two weeks later . It was by far the easiest of all her ops . Vats surgery was so much easier than bowel and liver surgery .

    They will have a good plan for you .

    Hold on tight . Lots more living to be done .

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • Love the NHS!

    Booked for a lung function test on Monday and then seeing a respiratory medicine consultant on Wednesday. I am guessing this will be to tell me what the plan is for me and possibly schedule a biopsy.

    The brain works in mysterious ways. I was a bit nervous after my PET Scan but as the weeks went by and I didnt hear from my colorectal team I hopefully thought it meant good news and I just got on with life and felt great.

    But since I got the news yesterday my body has started to feel like something's wrong. I just hope its the hot weather.

  • Definitely the hot weather . Most lung tumours are apparently not symptomatic until they are larger and quite often around 4 cm when people start to think something is wrong . 
    The brain plays tricks . 
    My mum had one at the end of her life that was 2 cm and no symptoms . Found by accident .

    After you get a chat with the team it’s amazing what they tell you and it sticks in the memory .

    Take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • So I had an appointment with the lung consultant last week and he showed  me the 2 active nodules. One was an existing one from my last CT which had grown from 5mm to 8mm and the other is a new 13mm nodule.

    He took my case to the MDT and they have agreed surgery is my best option. One nodule at at time, the bigger one first. I am now waiting for an appointment to be scheduled with the lung surgeon and then a hope to get a date for surgery as quickly after the appointment as possible. 

    It looks like my case is not a priority as things are moving much slower than when I was with the colorectal team 2 years ago. The surgeon wanted to get me in the theatre about 7 days after he saw me but that only fell through because I couldn't get a CT colonoscopy appointment in time.

    They havent recommended but I will also like to have some chemotherapy after the surgery. Is this something I can discuss with my previous Oncologist (havent had contact with him for over a year). I'm thinking about doing the capecitabine tablets alone. I definitely wont be taking the Oxaliplatin again. Anything else but that Grinning

  • I am awaiting formal diagnosis but with 4 red flag symptoms including blood on stools, really I know.I had breast cancer in 2008.I have no family other than my 21 year old grandson who I have brought up since birth.I am hoping not to have to tell him until near the end.