MID scan

Hi again Three. Here’s a big hug and now take a deep breath. Everyone is allocated a nurse - she is your Colorectal Support Nurse (CSN) and she will become your best friend throughout your treatment. The CSN’s are often also  part of the stoma team and they are a lot easier to get hold of than the consultant if you need to query anything or just want them to explain things to you. My CSN sat in on my meeting with the consultant then took me into a room after and went through everything again to make sure I understood it all and gave me some booklets. They often rang me about appointments and I used to ring them for blood test results. They have access to your treatment record so can usually answer any questions.

Have you been given the morphine because you’re in pain with things? I was given liquid morphine after my op and it’s often given via a syringe driver that you can control yourself. It’s a painkiller that can be used in different strengths nothing more. Cancer treatment has come on leaps and bounds over the years. When I had my chemo the lady next to me said she wasn’t going to have any having watched her husband struggle with it 10 years ago but was glad she had as it is so different nowadays.

I didn’t know anyone else who’d had Bowel cancer so there was no one to reassure me that what was happening was normal which is why this board is so great.

Please keep posting - you can do this - just take it one step at a time

Take care

Karen x

Thank you again Karen, I think you are my own guardian Angel just now! I asked if they could give me something for the pain, I didn't expect to be given morphine, both tablet and a topup in  liquid form too! I actually think the consultant got a surprise too, I'd been seen in gynie a couple of weeks before and the consultant there was sure it was a fistula! It was when I mentioned a hard, painful lump that was hurting like he'll when I tried to sit, that he examined me! Everything changed, cancer was mentioned for the first time and everything became a blur! I still can't explain properly!  I joke and things but I feel like it's going exactly the way my mother's did, same same time of year, everything! I know I need to get a grip! Thank God I can rant about my feeling on here! I've been reading your journey and you're so brave!

I still have one of my sons to tell yet, he lives in America and has been on holiday to Hawaii with his family! Imagine that conversation on New Years Day!

Anyway, I go for my MID on Saturday, is that different to a CT scan? I suppose they can see where it is and if it's spread? I don't know if you've realised yet, I'm the world's  biggest woss! Sorry to go on about it, I actually HATE self pity but at the moment that's what I have!

Right time to put my big girl pants on! The I you always Karen,love Moira x

Three

Thank you again Karen, I think you are my own guardian Angel just now! I asked if they could give me something for the pain, I didn't expect to be given morphine, both tablet and a topup in  liquid form too! I actually think the consultant got a surprise too, I'd been seen in gynie a couple of weeks before and the consultant there was sure it was a fistula! It was when I mentioned a hard, painful lump that was hurting like he'll when I tried to sit, that he examined me! Everything changed, cancer was mentioned for the first time and everything became a blur! I still can't explain properly!  I joke and things but I feel like it's going exactly the way my mother's did, same same time of year, everything! I know I need to get a grip! Thank God I can rant about my feeling on here! I've been reading your journey and you're so brave!

I still have one of my sons to tell yet, he lives in America and has been on holiday to Hawaii with his family! Imagine that conversation on New Years Day!

Anyway, I go for my MID on Saturday, is that different to a CT scan? I suppose they can see where it is and if it's spread? I don't know if you've realised yet, I'm the world's  biggest woss! Sorry to go on about it, I actually HATE self pity but at the moment that's what I have!

Right time to put my big girl pants on! The I you always Karen,love Moira x

Three

Sorry, it was meant to say M R I scan

Hi Three I was diognoised back in June I’ve had my chemo radiation and had good results from the scans but still having difficulty in excepting. I’ve been told treatment has come along way. I’ve got to trust what I’ve been told. Take care Nelly

Thank you Nelly, it's nice to know you're getting good results, I'm so happy for you! I suppose we all have to learn trust but it's very hard when we are so frightened! I'm just glad I've found this wonderful  site where people like you take time to write! Thank you Nelly,

Love Moira

Three

Three. Hi Moira. Happy to hold your hand through this and give your big girl pants a yank when necessary! I had both a CT and MRI and I think the MRI is just a bit more in depth so gives the consultant a better picture to plan your treatment with. It takes longer than a CT - think mine was about 30-40 mins and it involves lying in a sort of tunnel thing that makes a lot of clanging noises. 

It will be hard telling your son but please tell him too to stay away from google and you’ll keep him updated after your meeting with the consultant. 

You’re not a wuss - you’ve been dragged into unknown terriority at the end of a very difficult year so a bit of self pity and a good old rant and moan is perfectly excusable. Try to keep your sense of humour if you can - it will help get you through the tough times but if you want to cry and beat the pillow then do - there’s no right or wrong emotions during this ride.

I shall leave you with a funny story that I hope will make you smile. At my first chemo session the nurse brought me a bowl of water and said ‘I’ll just leave that with you’. When she came back I told her that I’d only managed to drink half of it and could I have a bit longer? Her face was a picture as she explained that it was to put my hand in to make my veins more prominent. She looked very relieved when I told her I was joking!

Karen x

Hi Karen, 

now that's the sort of thing I'd have done, only I'd really have drunk the water! I've always joked about things but I'm not so good at talking, don't get me wrong, I talk non stop, just not about upsetting things! I'm so emotional and I don't like showing that side!

What you're describing sounds like the PETS scan I had years ago, the scanned from eyelids down, it took about an hour! It doesn't sound too bad, it's afterwards, when I see the consultant, and he tells me what's been found! I'm convinced he's going to say there's nothing they can do! Ok Karen, time to tank hard!!

My son certainly won't go on Google, his wife, also Karen, will research it though! 

I can't tell you enough how much you're helping me, I feel like I've known you for years already! Massive hugs from me to you,

Love Moira x

Hi Moira Three, yes it is frightening, and it’s hard to get a grip. I’ve got so many big girl pants to yank up because yes I’m a big girl. So I’m going to try before my scan on the  6 th of Jan love and kindness to us all. Someone gave me a meditation site on you tube honest guys. I know I’m on meds fo anxiety but I’m trying all sorts. Such a pain just not to be able to get up and go an£meet whoever we want. Take care stay safe.

When I saw consultant, and got the shock of my life, I was assigned a nurse, Abbie, she didn't have anything to write her phone number on, so she wrote it on a paper towel! She handed it to my husband, and you've guessed, he's lost it! I was given enough morphine for 2 weeks, which means I have 1 week left, I was going to ask Abbie how to get more but now I can't! Apart from killing my husband, which as we've been married 53 years today, seems a tad drastic, does anyone have any ideas?