Colonoscopy 1 year after operation

Hi there

You are not whiney. It’s really tough keeping going after Cancer and I know how you feel  I had an NHS letter arrive and I instantly went into flap mode inside  

It was nothing but a FIT test on its way 

My LARS was August 4th 2021 and I haven’t had an appointment for a colonoscopy although I’m not going for it as I’ve had a PET scan and further treatment so I do not want the prep upsetting  my bowel after my reversal last September   However I think they are running behind with their surveillance. 

Maybe contact your colorectal nurses and jog their memory. They may push you forward 

Best wishes. Keep chatting if it helps 

Hi Sappy. I totally get what you mean about how your bowel - my surgeon told me I would get used to a ‘new’ normal but it seems to vary from day to day and that’s after 6 years. I was happy enough that my CEA was constant and that my scans were clear and I didn’t have another colonoscopy until I was discharged after 5 years. As Ann says they are probably running behind and prioritising new cases but you could maybe give your colorectal nurse a nudge to check that you’re still on the list?

I think the reoccurrence thought is always there but I found it lessened after each clear scan. A lot of people find this paper helpful if you haven’t seen it already?

https://www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Lastly, you’re not being whiney! We’ve all been there and know how it feels so feel free to post whenever you want to offload or just talk about how you’re feeling?

Take care

Karen x

ps had to smile when my iPad changed that to ‘you’re not being Whitney!’

Hi Ann

thank you for that I will contact the nurses just to make sure ! 
it’s such a life changer , people who don’t know say this is one of the better cancers  but it completely changes your life as you have to deal with the after effects everyday ! 

thank you for listening

karenx

Hi Karen 

thank you for that , it’s not good but it good to know you know what I mean  it’s a different ‘normal’ everyday ! I’m glad to hear about how you are feeling now and that as they say about every thing it’s all about time passing and everything getting less worrying . I will contact the nurses just as a reassurance and will check out the link you’ve kindly posted !! 

very big laugh about the Whitney I wish you had left it !!  

thank you for your kindness 

Karen x 

Hi Sappy.

Just my 2 penny worth.

I had LAR in Jan 21 (Stage 3 with 1 node affected) followed by chemo from March to June 21. I was told I’d have a colonoscopy around 18 months then again at 3 years. I checked with them late 2022 as I hadn’t heard anything and was told I’d been scheduled for Dec 2023. When I queried it turned out the consultant put the wrong year down (should have been Dec 2022). I managed to get mine in Feb this year and it was clear.

I know what you mean re memory not what it used to be but always worth checking with them as mistakes can be made.

BTW, I believe the start counting the 18months/3 years from when you finish treatment not when you start.

Pleased to hear you’re getting on with life but as you say things are never quite the same again and so easy for the worry to set in.

Take Care,

Net x

Mine too Karen. I had Whitney

Aw thank you ! That explains a lot I definate will check up as I it is now 18 months since end of treatment too , I found having all this coming out of covid , in hospital after coming out of hospit it’s been a very lonely not very caring you’re just a number experience with regard to nhs, other people I’ve talked have had such positive experiences ! I hate how everything is blamed on covid buI hate to say it’s probably the case lol  

anyway enough wingeing! Thank you for taking the time to reply it is much appreciated 

Karen x 

Hi, Sappy , I had one approx a year after my operation, then told the next would be 5 years. So perhaps chase?

 Artsie yes I know that feeling!!! Trouble is most appointments come in brown envelopes, but the giveaway is the brown recycled paper!! Seem to have had lots lately. But at least my lymphoedema socks arrived today, so will have to try them out tomorrow. Not an avenue I wanted to go down, but will try my best. Only stage 1 at the moment, so hopefully it can stay there for a few years. 

I really hope everyone is ok with storm Antoni , it is ridiculously wet, particularly for August. I still need to cut my hay........

Hi Gemmary 

I hope that the socks help and stage one is a good place to stay. 
I have lots on my lungs so they’ve taken two away and the rest is watch and wait. Think my lungs are now my priority 

Fingers  crossed bowel stays as is for at least ten years

The storm has caused us to have flood warning. So far so good. Weathers horrible but we are lucky to have this temperature my brother is boiling in Spain 

Hopefully we will get some dry weather for you to cut your hay 

Thank you Gemmary , I’m going to chase it up this week ! Even though I’m sure that all is good it’s that extra reassurance to stop the nagging doubt I. The back of my mind which I wish would go away ! 

karenx