Just been diagnosed

Hi, 

I am a little further down the line than you. I am awaiting an operation to remove the tumour and reconnect the colon. Just to say that this waiting period is so hard. Your mind goes down every dark path. You will feel better when all the results are in and a plan is put forward. 

It is a stressful time so try prioritise your own well being. I have found the support and comfort of this forum vital.  Sending you love and prayers. Take care. X

I’m further down the line.  Diagnosed 4th Oct 24, op 14th Oct, left hospital 20thOct, Chemo started 6th Dec for eight cycles of three weeks each.    Going well.   Low level side effects apart from one episode for cycle 3 that put me in hospital for a week.   Just started cycle 5, cycle four uneventful after they reduced the tablet dose.    Prognosis is full recovery.    Take one day at a time, get friends around you, stay warm and safe at home, don’t go out if cold.   Always remember that tomorrow is another day with its own challenges, and another day close to recovery and healing.    

Thank you for taking the time to respond. This weekend has just felt very lonely and reaching out for help has definitely helped. I am so new to this as my journey has just started so I want to take any advice I can. 

It's so hard sometimes to try and be normal whilst not knowing what I am really dealing with. This sometimes makes me think of worst case scenarios to then think anything else in terms of results will be good news.

I am going to try and start running a bit more and try to get outside walking whilst the weather is better. It's just so hard when days drag but I know they will pass.

Thanks again for reaching out and good luck with everything your end.

Thank you so much for your message.

Firstly it's great to hear your recovery seems to be going well.

I was told Monday about the tumour and MRI and CT booked and told that surgery is required. It's all the other bits that make you overthink and take you down the dark path.

It's great reading about people's journeys and what I can expect. There are so many good news stories and extremely brave people going through treatment.

I know things won't be easy but this really resets the value of life. 

I am so new to all this that I want to absorb as much advice as possible and this seems like a great place to ask.

Thank you again as your response have helped me massively.

Hi Forest76. I totally empathise with your worry and anxiety. What I found helped enormously were the exercises listed on a hospital website. Physical exercise is great, but in those quiet hours when your mind wanders to all the "what ifs", these might help:  RE: Controlling anxiety and panic 

Hi Marc, we will all empathise with the worrying and waiting.  It's all a massive shock. I am a bit further along but was exactly where you are in mid December.  Anaemia, v high FIT test, tumour in ascending colon. Flattened me. Scans and MDT. I am now post op and just started chemo, so rest assured things do move quickly. 

This is the hardest bit. You know there's a tumour but still don't know all the detail. I had very dark moments.  I still do but am getting better at reigning myself in. This is a lovely forum with lots of great people and lots of wonderful success stories.

So hang on in there. Don't go down the Google rabbit hole. Keep busy if you can but you are human and it's OK to feel nervous and scared. This bit won't last for ever. Meeting my surgeon was a turning point for me. A plan is everything. 

Best wishes x

Hello Forest76,

When I was in the same predicament as you we were at the point of moving to a house that had not been occupied for nearly four years. There was a great deal of physical work to be done. Not knowing whether I would be dead or alive in the following months made me work 7 days each week to achieve basic comforts for my wife. I couldn't leave her in the lurch. My friends believe that it was my keeping busy that kept my mind free from worry and anxiety.  That and having absolute trust in the NHS team who looked after me. 3 1/2 years later life is good. You will get there. I never chased the NHS throughout the treatment process and events took their course. Be patient, keep busy and don't worry about things over which you have no control; that is pointless and achieves nothing  Click on my name and you can read a fairly typical course of treatment with a sense of timing.

Best Wishes

Dulac

Thank you so much for your response.  I think sometimes you feel so lonely as family and friends are amazing but it's just you that is actually going through this. Sharing experiences and reading others journeys really helps.

I have my CT tomorrow and MRI Thursday so hoping I will then be able to understand what is going on. I know it's a case of just seeing the days pass until the MDT after the scans but every day just drags. 

I have tried to avoid Google as hear that alot of info is outdated and quite negative.  I have started to get out and run as find this helps clear the head so will try and continue this.

I hope your chemo goes as well as it can. Thank you again for the message.

Hi Dulac, I am so pleased things are looking positive for you. It must have been a really worrying time when you were diagnosed.

I am similar in terms of not actively telling my wife my worries but ensuring I am doing jobs etc round the house in case I am not here. I tend to be wired up to look at the worst case scenario as then anything else is positive but I need to try and avoid this thought process now!

Everyone I speak to says exactly the same with NHS cancer treatment. Just put full trust in the medical team and thats what I am going to do.  It's difficult when you are someone who likes to be so organized and in control but I need to let go and trust them.

Thank you for your message, I really appreciate it.

Thanks so much for the support, I will definitely have a look at this.

I have the mindfulness app which helps and started listening to audio books of cancer recovery success stories.

I know the days will pass and I will get to the point of knowing what's going on but as everyone experience it's the anxiety and panic they sometimes hits you hard when you don't expect it.

I appreciate the message so thank you.