Recent diagnosis of colon cancer ,and how to cope with waiting

Hi and a warm welcome to the board from me although I’m sorry that you have found yourself here. It’s a huge shock isn’t it and every little ache and pain that you shrugged off before suddenly becomes a worry. I see that you’ve read nan-nans post so I won’t repeat myself. Bowel Cancer is very treatable and when it spreads (metastasises) it tends to be to the liver and lung - you may read posts referring to ‘mets’ and they are referring to spread. Were  you seeing blood when passing a motion? If so that could cause you to be slightly anaemic and might explain the dizziness? 

The tumour won’t be officially graded until after it’s been removed but the consultant can usually give you a general idea from the scans. The waiting and worrying is the worst part and there’s no magic answer apart from to try and keep busy and stay away from google. 

I read a lot of posts before my meeting so knew what to expect but my husband prefers to find out things on a need to know basis - everyone has their own way of dealing with it. Please take somebody with you to your appointments as 2 pairs of ears are better than 1 and there can be a lot to take in and a lot of jargon. 

I see that you’ve sent Nan-nan a friend request so it’s good that you’ll be going through this together. Please ask anything you want on the board though and we’ll be happy to get you through this

Take care

Karen x

Hello i can share my experiences with you i was diagnosed in June 2019 with rectal cancer. The word cancer itself is frightening as one has no understanding of the illness. I am a lawyer by profession and 57 years old. The following 3 weeks after diagnosis was stressful.time for me and my wife. I joined the cancer UK website which heloed as others shared their experience. I started researching and understanding the illness and the cure available my m8nd started to be more positive.

You need to stay busy till you get your scan results . Once you know your path of treatment you will see some light at the end of the tunnel. Cancer is a decease but with modern medication it can be cured. Best of luck. 

Thanks Karen for your reply that was really helpful  .

That is so true what you say about noticing every ache and pain now and  worrying, yet before I wouldn’t give them a worry or second though . Everything is heighten 

I was seeing blood but not loads. I had two lots of blood taken in  June and sept but it all came back clear.  So GP were not concerned .  I’ve not had bad dizzy spells since August but do feel fussy and slightly lightheaded at times but it passes so quickly 

Thank you Stan for your reply. Today is not a good day for me , up until today I’ve been keeping busy but today I seem to have hit a brick wall.  I know I must remain positive. I am a nurse and being on the other end is very frightening. 

How are you getting on, I really hope treatment is going well for you. 

Hello clareymary hitting the brick wall is normal i felt the world had fallen around me. However you need to stand up to the illness and consider all the options available after you are correctly diagnosed. I finished 5 weeks chemoradiotherpy on 09 Sep it was a difficult period but now feel fine. I am due to have scans after 10 weeks when i grt back from my holidays. 

I now have a better understanding of the illness and have decided to go for natural remedies and not the golden rule of surgrey which has many complications attached.  Can i suggest you join community.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/.  The members are very helpful and give you a lifeline.

Best of luck 

Stan

Thanks Stan for the recommendation I will join this.

So pleased to hear that you have got through your chemo and can now enjoy your holiday 

Hi ,

Big welcome to the forum from me to . So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It’s a tough time for you and your family . 

Lots and lots of information to take in but from what your nurse is saying it sounds as though they think it’s caught early from its visual appearance . Early detection is great . As Karen said things like cell type can only be determined after its removal . But by then it’s out and not so much of an issue anyway .

There are so many treatments for bowel cancer . My mum was a late stage diagnosis and due to the great care she has received she is still her keeping me busy ten years later . 

One piece of advise that I was given by a patient was to keep my mind where my body was . Don’t let it wander to worse case scenarios , or imagining situations that were not your current reality. I did better with it some days more than others but it really helped . 

Take all the help and support you can get just now but for some unknown reason knowing the treatment plan really helps . A solution to this horrible situation .

take special care ,

Court 

Thanks for your message court . I’m so pleased to hear about your mum. This must have been a really difficult time for you both.

i like that saying keep your mind where your body is, I try mindfulness but it doesn’t come easy. I can see by saying this to myself I will be able to do this easier 

it’s the waiting I’m finding very hard right now. Some days  being better than others 

best wishes to you and you mum - glad she is keeping you busy !!! X 

Welcome to the forum, but I'm sure you would rather not be a member.

you have been given some excellent advise already, members on here I have found to be very supportive.

i joined in March after my husband was diagnosed following screening programme, he had no symptoms previously, however he had been to see the GP with light headed feelings, he had blood test and nothing came back as irregular.

the waiting is the worse part, I was told that on here and it was right, once there was a plan it helped.  My husband needed 5 weeks radiotherapy with chemo before surgery could be done.  However following the 10 week wait after treatment and scans and biopsies he was told he had a complete response so is now on 3 month checks,  and we have everything crossed.

so don't lose heart, as Court has said, her mum is ten years post diagnosis and doing great.

really good advice from Court, be were your body is.....the mind can and does...(mine certainly did and does) run away sometimes and all the what iff,s ......not what is!

keep posting on here, you will get through this.

best wishes to you.

Thank you for your kind  message. I’m so pleased to hear about your husbands recovery and sending positive thoughts for his continued all clear.

Its been a great support on hear so far, I have had a better day today , yes taking courts advice with keeping the mind where the body is has really helped. 

Did they say why your husband felt light headed ? 

I have had a few dizzy spells but mainly feeling light headed , my bloods came back all clear from the GP 

Best wishes to you and your husband