Life after Bowel Cancer Surgery

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Hi Everyone,

I had bowel cancer surgery in early March and a tumour was removed from my large bowel, thankfully it had not spread to my lymph nodes or anywhere else.

My symptoms were quite vague and I very nearly didn't bother going to the doctor but thankfully because of my husband's nagging, I eventually did. The doctor was so thorough and professional and because of that I can say that I truly owe her my life.

Having recovered well I feel that I am probably struggling more now than I did when I first got my diagnosis. I was very positive and was more upset about how the diagnosis impacted on my family and friends and kept saying to everyone that it would all be okay. it was like I was on autopilot...

I think because I now have time to process the last few months it has made me realise how fragile life really is.

My constant worry now is that it will come back eventually and I just wondered if people in the same situation as me feel like that?

A positive to come from this horrible experience is that I have decided to retire in September and make the most of the time with my little grandchildren who bring me so much joy :-)

Sending big hugs to you all

Kareno62 over 1 year ago

Hi Faithless61 and good to hear that you’ve recovered well from your surgery. Yes we all can relate to the constant worry but each clear scan and positive CEA test pushes the worry a little further back each time in your mind.

I did similar to you and left my job to move away from my home town (after 57 years!) to be nearer my husbands work and his daughter who has a 5 year old little girl. There is a lot less stress in our lives now and we are able to see much more of her now it’s not limited to weekend flying visits.

I tell myself that worrying will not change whatever the outcome will be but will put a dark cloud over your present life - easier said than done I know but try to live in the moment.

A lot of people have found the paper below really helpful and often dip back into it if they’re struggling?

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

Hope this helps and we’re always here with an ear to listen as are the support desk on the number under my name

Take care

Karen x

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

Faithless61 over 1 year ago in reply to Kareno62

Thank you so much for your response :-)

Birchtree over 1 year ago

Yay!! Retiring!!! It sounds like I’m in a similar situation… just about to start my final 2 weeks of capecitabine and I’m 99.9% certain I’m going to retire rather than go back to work. I’m counting my blessings that that is an option for me. I think I’m also embarking on that ‘is it going to come back’ thing now too. Good to hear from Kareno62 that this moves further back in our minds over time.