Bowel cancer CARERS, FAMILY & FRIENDS chat

Hi Pauline,

So nice to hear from you. Sorry to hear about your health problems. Good luck with your appointment. I know how you feel, whenever someone is ill, I automatically think of cancer. I know the NHS has a 2 week fast track appointments for suspected cancer, since they're not rushing your appointment,, hopefully it'll all be OK. Fingers crossed for you, try not to worry too much.

I understand that you don't want to post on here anymore. I don't post on here regularly either cos I've been busy and don't want to think to much about the dreaded C word. I wish you all the best for the future. You're always welcome to post on here if you ever want to have a chat. You've been so nice and supportive to everyone, it was nice to have met you on here. Take care. 

Thank you falling leaves for your reassurance. I am trying to be positive and so is Les. I did manage an hour out to see my sister in law which was good. Just being away from the house was a blessing. I know the surgeons etc are extremely good but I still have worries like everyone else. I am so pleased your dad is still here just make sure you enjoy every minute with him even doing things he likes and you don’t.  It all helps. Thank you again for the reassurance.  I will keep everyone updated as do we all. 

big hugs and love. Maggie xx

Just been catching up on all the posts. everyone has their own way of dealing with cancer . Hope everyone is managing to keep going with all the ups and downs that come with it.

Just a quick update Paul is is hospital again and I’m supposed to be going away on Sunday and am worried sick wondering what to do. Already cancelled Paul’s trip as he was supposed to be coming with me and Sally. I feel like I’m desperate for a break but don’t know if I can leave him. I am being referred for some sort of councelling as feel everything is getting too much

Never mind, Good Luck Pauline and best wishes.  I’m not posting much either but still like to support everyone in any way

Helen x

Maggie it seems ages ago since started this journey and so much has happened Hope Les gets sorted and you can have a bit of relief

Hugs Helen x

Helen I can’t believe it is a year since Les found out.  It is just a rollercoaster every day. You too are having a tough time.  If it is the freeman I will have to find somewhere to stay so I can be near him, if the bowel is first it is just 15 minutes from the hospital. We are all suffering one way or another.  I felt not to bad yesterday after having an hour out but this morning terrible. It is just day by day.  Are you coping with Paul and your blood pressure as you really need to look after yourself.  Just having a cuppa so will text later. 
big hugs and love to all xx

Helen just read your bit above. What a nightmare. I certainly would not know what to do in your situation.  Counselling will be good. I do see a counsellor every now and then and she puts me right and I do feel better after a chat.  I hope you click with the counsellor as that is important. Please let us all know how you get on as you need the support on here as well even just to vent. I do feel for you in every way being torn.  What a rollercoaster every day. When do you hope to see a counsellor.  Keep us all updated as it is such a worrying time. I am not very good with words but I am thinking of you.  A big hug sent your way xx

Morning Helen so sorry to be reading this about Paul what ever you feel you need to do you must do . When you know for sure the situation at the hospital you can make your decision sending hugs to your family xx

Hi Distraught 

I think he has done remarkably well and endured a lot of chemo . My mum’s colon started to get quite inflamed towards the end of her chemo . Think she was needing the break so the surgery was actually at just the right time .

I was actually really positive about the surgery . I felt in one day she would dramatically reduce her tumour burden . I was scared on the day but delighted to see her on the ward .

She had open surgery so was in for ten days but hopefully the robotic will be good . I have a post tucked away from someone who thoroughly recommended it . I will see if I can find it .

Take care ,

Court 

Hi everyone.

A few new names that I haven’t seen since I started posting on here. Nice to meet you all.

Pauline, Vicky - I’m so sorry to hear about your respective losses. Am sending my love and wishing you strength.

Helen - hope Paul is doing a bit better and you’ve been able to make an informed decision about what to do.

Maggie - if Les does end up having his liver op first, I can let you know where my mum and I stayed for my dad’s op. It wasn’t anything fancy but we just needed somewhere to rest our heads and was well located.

Fallingleaves88 - I hope your dad continues to amaze and you get to spend plenty more time with him.

I made it back up north late last night and was able to see my mum and dad for the first time since Monday’s news. Lots more tears and plenty of hugs.

My mum and dad now seem bit vague about specifics of his prognosis. He has calls with the GP and consultant on Monday so I’m hoping he will allow me to listen in to get some clarity. I’ve been pushing him to ask for a second opinion and to enquire about options for private treatment or trial treatments. He seems reluctant to do so, but I don’t know if I should push him more. Has anyone else considered this?

The first rounds of chemo seemed to work well, and they had originally said that they wouldn’t do the liver surgery unless everything was heading in the right direction and they expected to do the bowel surgery too. It feels like everything has gone wrong since his liver surgery in the summer, while he’s been having radiotherapy on the bowel tumour. I’m also bit confused why they won’t put him back on the original chemo drugs that had been working.

Sending love to all,

Matt x

Hi court, again just reading your journey gives me hope. I really hope they do the bowel op first as that has started to grow so fingers crossed. Our good friend as mentioned is lead sis in the colorectal theatre and seen many times the robot being used. She also thinks the bowel should be first. At least that is only 15 minutes in the car to get to the hospital. I am still of course very anxious but looking forward to the post if you can find it. 

matt, Les can’t have radiotherapy as it will affect other organs near the bowel so that was ruled out. They did say they could change his chemo tablets to something different. This is a dreadful time for all. No trials were suggested but I do know one or two who looked up on the internet and found one but not sure what happened. It would be good if you too could join in the conversation so you are not getting anything second hand. Again it is a wait and see game and a rollercoaster. Your mum and dad may not want you to know too much so you don’t worry but that makes it worse as you worry more. I would be grateful for the hotel or whatever where you stayed, I have found one but would welcome yours. 

hugs to all Maggie xx