I am in a quandary right now, & would very much welcome advice from others please.
Brief summation of past history:
2019 - Diagnosed with bowel cancer. Left Hemicolectomy; no adjuvant chemo.
2020 - 2 Lung Nodules (Bowel Mets) discovered. 6 mths. oral chemo, then RF Ablation procedure.
Bowel habits since - 1 week out of 4, Diarrhoea. (Something I've got used to, & never questioned.)
Jan. 2026 - Given all clear from Hospital.
Past two months - extreme urgent & continuous diarrhoea, Very low dull ache in left side. (after the diarrhoea) Basically, the low colon feels bruised - possibly from the diarrhoea?)
Presented to GP late May.
Fit Test - Normal
Bloods - Normal
CEA Markers - 'Normal for me.'
8th July - Consultant with a surgeon, who thought it unlikely to be a recurrence of bowel cancer, (Due to such a short period of time since given 'all clear.') & thought it more likely to be Colitis. However, he advised me to have a Colonoscopy to determine actual cause of symptoms. I mentioned my reluctance, as my last one was very painful.
Colonoscopy is due 4th August.
Since seeing consultant, the diarrhoea has gradually been lessening in urgency & frequency.
For the past six days - my stools have been 'soft' but relatively normal - which of course is very pleasing.
& of course now I'm wondering not to go ahead with the Colonoscopy! Because I'm now 77 yrs.& skinny; & because of the pain of the last one! & let's face it, no one wants to go through an unnecessary procedure.
My dilemma is What if the symptoms return? & would I then be refused a Colonoscopy in the future? Will I feel like a failure?
Obviously I will have to decide very soon, so as to give someone else the chance of having the procedure.
A part of me feels like I have frightened my bowel into behaving itself! Mind over matter perhaps?!
Thanks everyone for reading this.
