How is everyone?

Hi and good to hear from you.

Its true that cancer becomes less of a focus as time goes on and although I’m still on here I’ve tried to spend less time on the other sites - I found I was always looking to see how people with the same staging as me were doing then getting upset if they were having problems which is silly as you don’t know everyone’s background and we’re all individuals.

Ive had a few hiccups along the way since my diagnosis in July 2016 (T3 N1 M0) so not really got into a proper follow up routine yet but I had my CEA checked in October and January and they were both under 1. I’ve got a scan on 18/3 so everything crossed for that.

Went back to work part-time which I wish I’d done years ago! Yes I do feel tired sometimes and occasionally manage an afternoon nap at a weekend but not always. My main side effect is numb red feet from the chemo and my legs seem weak but I don’t know if that’s from the chemo or menopause or middle age! So I have reflexology and I’ve rejoined the gym - although I’m meeting my friend for coffee and cake today instead!

I used to chant Lifers mantra of ‘this too shall pass’ and it does. I also try to remember that worrying does not change anything and is emotionally damaging - easy to say but it won’t make the cancer go away so I pulled my big girl pants up and got on with it.

Unfortunately cancer is becoming all too common in today’s world but Bowel Cancer is very treatable and this board is great for support and advice.

Let us know how you get on next month

Take care

Karen x

Hi Jmas

It is good to hear from you and I am glad it is going well. I felt tired for ages, still do but I am not sure if it is just my age and level of unfitness. I found the mental stuff quite hard to deal with afterwards not helped by a growing lung nodule. Still too small to say what it is for sure and I am awaiting the results of my latest CT scan. It takes 4 to 6 weeks to come through so I am down for results on 26th March. Time is dragging so slowly and I keep imagining the worst. I am hoping that if it comes through quicker and is bad news, they might ring me up sooner to put me out of this misery.

As an avid gardener I don't know whether to plant my veggie seeds or not as if I need treatment they will likely die through neglect and watching them die is more painful than not sowing in the first place. It is horrible when you want to get on with life but the worries won't leave you alone. My 2 year cancer free anniversary is in Aug this year and I hope that if I get that far without any mets I will be able to relax more and stop thinking about cancer quite so much. Having this place helps as it puts my situation into perspective and it is good to try to help other posters when I can. Something positive to do with my experience.

Nicky

Hi Jmas, 

I can relate so much to your post.  I do come on every now and then but I don't post. I don't always feel that I can give advice as well as others because surgery was my only treatment, luckily.

I'm coming up to my 1 year scan in March/April and I won't pretend that I'm not anxious. I have regular check ups with my surgeon and blood tests. I have also taken part in a research project for people under 40 who have had bowel cancer with no family history and have 2 living parents. They took blood from the 3 of us and look at the dna.

I'm the same as you.... Busy with my 3 children and trying to get on with things. My middle one has Cystic Fibrosis so his treatments keep me extra busy! 

I had my anastomosis (new join) stretched in November. I was finding going to the toilet difficult. The surgeon said that he could fit a rigid sigmoidoscope after the stretch and seemed happy with that!!!!! 

Great to hear from you and good luck with your check up. Perfectly normal to feel nervous after everything you have been through. I always feel like that before my check ups. 

Take care xxx

How lovely to hear from you . So pleased you moved on with your life but we are always here  for you to drop by and get a little support around scans etc . It’s just lovely for others to read how well people are doing . 

We are ok on the whole . There is always something going on with someone’s health so this week we have two family members getting investigated for abnormal symptoms and one scan . The teenagers keep us rolling in the right direction with their fun and laughter .

Nicky we have horrible long waiting times for scans too . Not sure what your GP is like but if they share the same clinical portal it can shorten the waiting time . My mum’s GP is more than happy to do this as he has been with her through all 25 scans . To be honest she prefers it from him so she has processed it and can ask informed questions at her oncologist appointment . 

Hope it all goes well for all the upcoming tests .

take care,

Court 

Hi Jmas and you other great posters,

One week post lung surgery and feeling quite a lot better, I can finally take a deep breath. SBRT radiation on the other nodule in three weeks to a month I believe. Accepting that I’m stage 4 easier than I thought, always reminding myself that just because we label something doesn’t change the reality of that certain something or anything else for that matter. Keep your Hope and Faith up no matter what- as far as I’m concerned nothing in this life is written in Stone. 

Glad Lifer, and jou @jmas are doing well.xxx

Hi, glad to hear you're getting on with life. I have less than a week and my chemo is finished, scan then hopefully will be in a position to move on. 

Hi I wrote on here a few weeks ago that I had been told nothing more could be done so sought a second opinion. This specialist put me on a different chemo regime and we are going to try Avastin too although we have to pay for it but if it gives me a chance then it will all be worth it. My tumour is huge but it is a mucinous one which doesn’t respond to treatment as hoped. Fingers crossed there will be some improvement. There has also been talk of a drug trial.

Hey everyone, how lovely to hear how you’re all getting on. It means a lot to me to know I’m not alone in all this. You’re the only people who ‘get’ it. I feel lonely sometimes and i think some people kind of think ‘oh it’s finished with now’ when actually it really isn’t! 

Just hoping my CEA is low next month! Is it 5 and below that is normal? 

Keep smiling guys xxxx

Wish mine was that low, my last CEA was 469, my ca-125 was69 even though my ovaries aren’t the primary source