Am I worrying?

Hi Capt Noglos It’s hard not to worry but you sound to be doing really well. The cancer has been removed and this is the final belt and braces - bit like digging out a dandelion and giving the ground a good blast of weed killer to make sure nothings left.

Times a great healer and you’ll gradually start to get your confidence back in your body. You’ll be monitored regularly over the next few years and anything untoward will be acted on quickly.

Bowel cancer is very treatable. I was diagnosed stage 3 in 2016 (if you click on my name then you can see my profile page) and I’m still ‘no evidence of disease’ as are the 2 ladies who I became firm friends with who were the same stage at the same time.

Ive attached a link to a paper about After Treatment which is really good. I know you’ve still some more chemo sessions to go but some parts may be helpful now and some later?

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

Hope this helps and take care

Karen x

Hi Capt. I had a similar story to yours. Diagnosed with colon cancer in October 2023. Surgery over Christmas 23 followed by chemotherapy (Capox) for mopping up and prevention of recurrence. The few side effects I had are now a distant memory. This Christmas is a year after my surgery so blood tests (which all came back with "low markers") and a CT Scan last week (still waiting for results).

I'm feeling well in myself. The "what's that pain?" thoughts now practically non-existent, so it does get easier if you accept the fact that your cancer has been removed and any stragglers treated. So, to all intents and purposes, you are cancer free. Go live your life.

I know we are the lucky ones, but that's something to celebrate. Worry only wastes your time and energy, but it's natural after such a journey. Like Karen says, your confidence in your body will grow and grow over time. Enjoy Christmas and celebrate your successful treatment. All the best.

I think that worry & a sense of anxiety (including health anxiety) is totally normal. I felt that it was the way my mind was slowly adjusting to my diagnosis and ultimately accepting what was happening and what is due to happen.

i totally sympathise with you. 

I find that regular mindfulness helps. I started a journal (as recommended by a friend), listen to relaxing or “feel good” music when I’m feeling anxious or sad. I found some guided meditation playlists on Spotify which as helped, and I listened to Spotify when I was in the hospital pre-op & post-op (even the nurses said that I create a room of “zen” on a busy ward. lol).

i think worrying about my anxiety made things worse, so now, I just accept it as “normal” reaction to having a big diagnosis, like cancer and figure out how best to manage my symptoms.

First, make a list of things that can help you relax and decompress…then take it from there.

Good luck! 

Thanks Karen, that’s really helpful.   My second cycle starts on 27thDec.   Nice to have a “break” across Christmas.    Nigel. 

Thanks Micromaster, That’s encouraging.  My chemo is the same regime, and side effects over the last three weeks since starting have been present, but also mild, which I am grateful for.    I hope you also enjoy Christmas.  Nigel 

Thanks Sonibee, That’s alll helpful and along the lines that I am thinking, so it’s great to hear that it is working for you.   I also started a journal and after a mental health issue in Nov22, and started another as a pure Treatment Journal.    Since writing my post a friend has come round and introduced me to watercolour painting, so I am sure all these things will help.  Thank you.    Nigel.

Thanks for pointing me to your profile page, I read that and felt very humbled in a good way.  Thank you for sharing.   Glad that you are much better after a long journey.  

Hi

I am similar to you, i had/have small bowel adenocarmina stage 3. They removed the tumor in July 2024, im about to start course 5 of 8 of capox. Ive since had an xray and ct scans of the chest, 2 colonoscopies to check for anything. They haven't found anything on those, everythings fine apart from tingling the week of my IV drip, and some loss of taste.

I too worry about every pain, im only 38 and have a 6 year old, even just writing this makes my eyes tear up. Im just so scared and I dont want to leave my little boy any time soon. Im now fully crying.

Ive given up so much whilst i have chemo, had to move back in with my parents only see my son half the time i used too, cant do the things i enjoy like going to football or nights out with friends.

I dont want to let my son down by not being here it breaks my heart.

I get paranoid from feeling like theres something the back of my knees, to my arm pits and my back. 
As boring as my life was as a single dad a year ago, id give anything to go back to that right now.

I spend so much time on google looking at stats, but i know i shouldnt compare myself to others but i cant help it.

As i said im 38, i was as fit as ive ever been, dont smoke, drink or do drugs. Ive always tried to eat fruit, drink 1.5l of water everyday, i just dont know why this has happened to me.

My oncologist says he would expect some one of my age and health to be ok and from what i can gather he has a good reputation, but my brain gets consumed by the stats i google. Im either 20% chance of survival upto 74%.

I wish you all the best, try not to worry….rich coming from a 38 year old sobbing on his bed in his parents spare room!

Craig

 Craigh86 Oh Craig my heart goes out to you so I’m sending a big virtual hug. Google is so not going to help you - the 5 year survival stats are based on people diagnosed 5 years ago and treatment is improving all the time. As Court has mentioned previously a lot of bowel cancer patients are elderly and suffer from other medical issues. Also you are not a statistic! 
If you’ve seen my profile page you’ll see that I was diagnosed in 2016 and I’m still ‘no evidence of disease’ as are several people who I became friends with along the way. I had 2/17 lymph nodes affected both of which were close to the tumour. As they travel in chains my oncologist said she wouldn’t be too bothered if I didn’t feel up to chemo but I went with it for the full belt and braces treatment.

Has your oncologist told you to avoid crowds or do you just not feel in the mood for football and going out? 

You are totally not letting your son down.in fact, quite the opposite - you’re taking all the treatment offered to give yourself the best chance of a long and happy future with him? I know it’s hard not to worry but you’re having regular checks and they’re all coming back clear.

Have you spoken to the Macmillan support desk? They’re really understanding and can help you out with some counselling if you think that might help?

Lastly I’m attaching a link to a paper that a lot of people have found helpful. I know you’re still having treatment but have a read and then read it again in a few months time and whenever you need to?

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

Take care and please keep posting?

Karen x

Craig86 forget Google. The fact that your searches have resulted in such a wide range of your chances of survival must indicate that they indicate nothing at all.

Your cancer has been removed. Scans and colonoscopies have found nothing sinister. It's time for you to celebrate being cancer free. The Capox is, I assume, just a mopping up exercise. Ignore the niggles. Or, if they continue to worry you, talk to Macmillan or your consultant's team about it. They are brilliant at putting your mind at rest.

Get back to football as soon as you feel up to it and mix with your friends. That is sometimes the best therapy. I wish you all the best for your future recovery.