Totally understand you must feel very overwhelmed just now . I am a carer so I am going to let others address the initial diagnosis period . It’s always better to come from someone with experience.
I will tag in a few others who are maybe around Kareno62
Hi and a warm welcome to the board from me. Yes these first few weeks are very stressful and it’s easy to let your imagination run riot but please remember that thoughts are not facts.
My first piece of advice is always to stay away from google - it is out of date, misleading and downright scary in places. Stay on here and the Bowel cancer uk Board and ask anything you like - there is nothing too daft or embarrassing.
Once the consultant has the results from your scans then they will be reviewed at the MDT (multi-disciplinary team meeting) which has specialists from all the fields that might be involved in your treatment and they will decide on a plan for you. Once you have a plan in place then things will feel a little better. You will also be allocated a Colorectal Support nurse (CSN) who will support you through this and make sure you understand everything.
Bowel cancer is very treatable nowadays. The next few months will be tough at times but break your treatment into stages and cross each bridge as and when you get to it.
I’ve attached a booklet that covers some of the treatment that you may have - I wanted to know as much as I could about Bowel cancer before I met the consultant but others prefer to just know what they need to know.
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in February 2019. As Court and Karen said, the first weeks until you have a treatment plan in place are the worst. What treatment you have depends on the size and location of your tumour. I had 25 sessions of radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy tablets from March to April, followed by APR surgery in July. I then had 8 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy to help make sure it doesn't come back. I did make the mistake of Googling but my colorectal nurse specialist told me to ring them for any advice. Good luck with your treatment plan.
Hi Matilda5, I agree with the others, you are in the worst part at the moment. Treatment seems to depend on the tumour location as well as the severity. Big (((hugs))) you can ask anything on here.
Good Afternoon, Just got the news today myself. Know what you mean about head spinning. Rang close family as not said anything until 'confirmed'. No idea what to think but will appreciate the support of the people in this forum. CT Scan is in a week, I'm sure it will feel like a month. Hoping for good news for you soon.
Hi and a warm welcome to you too. The waiting for scans and results is known on the board as scanxiety and we all suffer from it. As I said to Matilda5 it will feel easier once you have a treatment plan in place. I wanted to know as much as possible about what might lie ahead whereas my husband preferred to come with me and just know what he needed to! Everyone copes differently but we’re here to help you through it.
Theres a wide section of people on the board - carers, people just starting out, people part way through treatment and people who’ve finished treatment - so there’s lots of support for you when you need it
