13 days from diagnosis to tumour removal

FormerMember over 5 years ago

2 replies
117 subscribers
1581 views

Hi, still reeling in shock but felt its a good time to come somewhere like this.

I had issues last year and was told I was being tested for Crohns disease. On 24th January I had my colonoscopy & they told me they thought it was a tumour.... Knock me down with a feather!!

Phone call on 30th January to confirm diagnosis. Over the weekend I had bad "different" stomach pains so went to hospital on Monday morning, had an xray & it turned out food had become stuck in my tumour & was blocking me up. So they decided to keep me in and operate!! 2 days later surgery was done & then pathology confirmed it was 38mm tumour staged at T4N2M0 25 lymph nodes were removed, 4 contained cancer. They left "good clear margins" but are recommending 6 months of chemo

Im very positive about it all, but sometimes the reality can get a bit scary. I'm only 41, married with a young son

Kareno62 over 5 years ago

Hi and a warm welcome to the board from me. I can imagine that you’re feeling a shell shocked after everything that’s happened but the good news is that the tumour is in the bin and you’ve got good clear margins and no spread.

Im glad that you’ve found us here and there will be lots of advice and top tips if you need them. Please stay away from google - it’s out of date and downright scary in places so stay well clear. Chemo is not fun but it’s definately doable and worth the 6 months to put the belt and braces on your treatment. Yes there can be lots of side effects and everyone has a different experience of it but you will be closely monitored by the chemo team and there are pills and potions available for any issues.

It’s good that you’re feeling positive -you’ll probably have the odd wobble along the way - but tick off each chemo session one at a time and you’ll be halfway before you know it.

Keep posting and let us know how you’re getting on

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

stoatlord over 5 years ago

Hello, NatsMum!

That sounds like you have had a pretty swift and scary experience! I am very glad you came here and found the forum. There are some truly amazing people here, with equally amazing experience at offering help to people in your situation. Whatever you need to know - ask!

I really hope that things pick up for you, but the chemotherapy does sound like a very good idea.

I sympathise with how you must feel. I was the same age when my own bowel cancer symptoms started, and I know how that felt. I do not have children, so can only imagine how much more harrowing it was for you to realise you were on this journey. It may take a while to come to terms with it all. The reality of the situation did not really hit me until after the surgery, to be honest. But the support here is exemplary. Never feel any question is too small, too trivial, or too embarrassing. This particular cancer comes with the embarrassment factor built in, but most here have been through it, and will be very willing to help!

Hang in there! You are amongst friends!

Robin.