Waiting for results after bowel cancer op

Hi Wish3a8504 

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

I know how difficult waiting for results can be and we all handle it differently. For ma I found that trying to maintain my normal routine while finding time to do things I enjoyed helped to keep my mind from wandering to the 'what ifs'.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

I hope you don't have too much longer to wair.

Hi. Thanks for getting back. I had a bowel resection forca cancerous polyp o December 15th. I can't remember if I had stated that stupidly I had delayed my op for a time as Ibwas in complete shock and so scared of the op. It took my life overvand common sense so extra worried about my results. I live on my own so had no one to push me. My family whoblive in Canada as Ibam Canadian,tried so hard to getvme to go. Of course i did in the end butvwasted so much valuable time. I was in a desperate state that few understand. I was hoping someone has experienced this also and all turnedcout ok.

Not sure how to access my profile.

To access your profile, click on your profile icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Then select 'profile', followed by 'edit profile'. Once you've added information don't forget to click 'save' and that's it done.

It's natural to worry that things might be different if you'd acted sooner, exercised more, smoked less or a hundred other things that we all blame ourselves for having done or not done. I think it's the human way to try and blame ourselves for where we are now.

I'm sure there'll be lots of people with similar regrets who have come through their treatment and everything's okay. Hopefully they'll pop on soon and share their experiences with you.

Hi - it’s a difficult time for you, I know.

Before your surgery you’ll have had a colonoscopy, an MRI and a biopsy, from that you’ll have had an indication of the expected staging of your tumour. I was in a similar situation in Feb ‘23 with staging T3 N0 M0. During my surgery 12 lymph nodes were removed and 1 was subsequently found to contain cancer cells. This meant that following surgery my staging changed to T3 N1 M0, there was no metastasis evident (M0). About 4 weeks after surgery I started  12 weeks of CAPOX chemotherapy. 
I’m now approaching 3 years since my operation and meet for the final time (hopefully) with my oncologist when she will review my recent colonoscopy, CT scan and bloods. Fingers crossed.

good luck to you.

Dewi

Hi Dewi

Thanks for getting back. I am extra worried as I put off my op out of fear and shock. They never told me what the staging of my tumour was and they just said it was early. My head is all over the place. I am glad you are ok now and feel sure all will be well with you. Not so sure about me but I keep the prayers up. 

Take great care

Thanks for that. I do hope all will be well with me. My prayers have been many!

Take care yourself

I’m surprised that they didn’t give you an indication of the expected staging, anyway, I think if they were describing it as early then it’ll probably be a T1 or T2 in which case you’ll be ok. Just my take on what you’ve told me. Good luck 

Dewi 

Thanks Dewi. I hope you are right. They never once said it was aggressive.