New here and scared

Hi and welcome to the forum but I am sure you would rather not be here.

i felt the same way when I joined a few months ago, my husband was well, no symptoms, fit, energetic and healthy, it comes as a big shock.

we too lost parents to cancer so past experiences not helpful.

we were told by lovely people on here that once a plan in place that the anxiety would lessen and you know what they were right.

tge shock of diagnosis, then waiting, for scans biopsies results was quite an anxious time but once a plan in place you will feel better I'm sure.

There are some fantastic treatments now for bowel cancer, and there are some fantastic. Stories on here of people that have been through it and are out the other side.

The advice given is don't google, information can be frightening and is often out of date, lots of good information on this site so access that.

the support on the forum I have found amazing, you can read some people's profiles on the first page if you access the user name.

no question is too big too small, or silly etc, just ask, or moan, or rant.......

my best wishes to you and your family xx

Hi ,

Welcome to our forum although we totally get that you would rather not be here .

It is incredibly scary to begin with but first the very good news . Bowel cancer caught early is very treatable and others who have been through this process will come on to reassure you . You can ask anything you like here and trust me we will all have had similar thoughts . 

I think both patient and carer will agree that the unknown aspect at this point is one of the most mentally difficult aspects to get a handle on . Reducing the fears at this stage is a major part of the process . 

In Scotland we have a very good team of professionals to look after us in the bowel cancer world . My mum had advanced cancer and went to Edinburgh to specialist liver unit there . They did a marvellous job on her and she is still here ten years later doing well . 

Once you have more information from the scans the Multi Disciplinary Team will review them and come up with a treatment plan . That is pretty individual to your needs . But is well thought out . 

Getting a treatment plan means you can start to take this horrible situation in a more positive direction . Bowel cancer is also fortunate compared to some other cancers as it has many treatment arms from which to target the disease .

However we get just how anxiety inducing this stage is and we are here to try and ease that for you both .

He sounds a strong man who will endure well .

take care ,

Court 

Hi new here. Sorry to hear your news I'm sure once scans and more tests have been completed you will have a better understanding and a plan to attack this cancer. I myself was diagnosed with bowel/colon cancer on the 4th July and operated on the 30th July I am now going through chemotherapy.

I am a 48 yr old male and had no symptoms at all it was only a routine test for anemic due a stomach infection and liver abscess earlier in the yr which sent me for a colonoscopy. So to say things were a shock is an understatement but I found joining the forums helped no what all my fears and questions were answered or my mind but at ease.

The having no symptoms is not an unusual occurrence my surgeon told me but now we have a diagnosis we can beat it together. Thinking of you and your family and please don't hesitate to ask anything it really does help.

Mark

Hi 

I would like to add my welcome to the online community and to the group whilst we know that you'd rather not be here but I hope that you will have realised from the wonderful responses you've already received that we are a very friendly group and very supportive towards each other.

It's unfortunate that your husband contracted this disease so soon after your arrival in Edinburgh and you haven't met many people yet, give it time Edinburgh is a very friendly city and I'm sure that you soon make new friends.

I see that your husband is waiting for a scan at the Western and I hope that you have been aware of the maggies centre Edinburgh  at the hospital, they are situated in the wee building behind Ward 1 next to the Edinburgh Cancer Centre.

You can pop in there anyway and meet with the staff and of course other people not just over a cup of tea but in some of the discussion groups they organise.

In all groups you have joined you will come across something that is common to them all, the friendliness and support the other members will give you they are always willing to share experiences with each other.

I hope that the scan produces some positive news and you can start to breath again and plan the future for the whole family.

Ian

By clicking on the green text above will open up a new page for you and give details on the activities that Maggie's Edinburgh organise

Hi and a warm welcome from me too. You’ve had some great advice so far and hopefully reading other people’s experiences will show you that Bowel Cancer is very treatable nowadays.

Have you thought about posting on the Bowel Cancer UK Board also? A lot of us frequent both boards but I know there are quite a lot of Edinburgh people on that board and they quite often meet up so that might be something to consider?

Its a horrible shock when you get told something like this and I certainly knew nothing about Bowel cancer before being diagnosed. You can see my treatment on my profile page and I will hopefully be coming up for 3 years disease free at the end of November. As others have said you will feel a bit better once there is a treatment plan in place but the waiting for scans and meetings is very stressful. In the meantime please do not Google! The information is out of date and downright scary in places - stay on here and/or the Bowel Cancer UK. 

It will be a tough year ahead but we’re here to support you both through it so ask anything you like - there is nothing too daft or embarrassing on here

Take care

Karen x

Thank you I feel so alone rightnow and i dont want to  be weak for him.. Im strong for the kids but I feel like Im flattened with fear.  Its the waiting to hear for when hs scan will be.  The Dr was very matter of fact and to be blunt scared the hell out of us both when he said how big the tumour was and then said we'll be in touch....

Is it too soon to call and see where things are so we can at least get an idea when thisprocess begins/

My husband who isn't the most open and never shows he's afraid last night said, the dr tells you, you have a tumour and its cancer,  Then theres no one there to help you process the news. Even over the next few days.  It's so surreal you keep thinking youll wake up.

Sadly we both went on the internet and well f*** me that sure didnt help either of us. Even more panic.

I know nothing of Western General or colon cancer.  I just want to get him and seen everyday waiting is a day he loses a day to fight.

What steps can I do to help him other then try and find a way to take the stress away from him 

Hi

I just wanted to add my two cents worth! I was diagnosed in May and have just come home having had my surgery for bowel cancer last Thursday. I made a complete nuisance of myself  on the advice of a nurse in order to track and chase various scans. Don’t apologise to anyone for chasing appointments as I’ve heard all sorts over the past 6 months. Often hospitals send letters second class! That’s no use if they send stuff on a Thursday. I got one letter on the morning I was due to see an oncologist, and I’d already had a phone call that morning changing it. Do what you’re comfortable with. Lots of love and luck. We’re all here for you.

Hi Again,

yes it is a scary lonely place, until you have done like you have and come on the forums, on the forums everyone is or has been in the same boat one way or another at some point maybe years ago months ago or like you more recent.

on the forums I found I lost that sense, so many willing to welcome, share and just be there supporting.  You don't get that searching facts figures stats on google, because here are people, not statistics, it's hard not to search I know, it was only because of advice on here that I didn't, I was told figures are out of date, and real people like courts mum here 11 years after diagnosis and doing great, when I was told that what it gave me was hope, others along the way done the same with their sharing too...all adds to the hope pot.

i remember back in May this year going to christie hospital and seeing so many people being treated for cancer and thinking wow....a normal world , my hubby one of many with cancer, and yet also far from our usual normal world  too. If you get my drift.

once you have a plan you WILL feel better, then you will know what needs to happen and why.

keep checking forum, keep posting, we are all with you xxx

One thing I forgot to say was....I told the oncologist I was worried by size of tumour, she said don't be...size is not as important as location, she then showed us on screen my husband scans and went through we're on body location can cause more problems...it was very reassuring.

Thank you Karen  It been so overwhelming the past few days. We received his scan date Omnday and it said the 2oth..However, not but

an hour after tht thehospital called aasking if he could make it THIS Thursday the 14th, and he overherd a nurse say they moved it due

to urgency.  So he has been in an absolute tail spin and Im sick with worry.  Because the only way to take that is i'ts worse then

expected...We just cant seem to keep ourselves pulled together and I am just at a loss right now