Hello Everyone

Hi @Jbel59 so sorry to hear your diagnosis. Xxx 

Hi Jbel59 and welcome to the board. It’s a scary time and the flurry of scans, bloods, meetings etc. can be overwhelming but hopefully having a treatment plan in place is reassuring.

Bowel Cancer is very treatable nowadays and the treatment options are certainly more advanced than 20 years ago. My consultant said that they were treating me with a ‘view to cure’ which my doctor said wouldn’t have been heard of 20 years ago.

Have you had a look at any of the other recent posts on the board? There are a couple of other new friends who are also just starting out on treatment so hopefully you’ll all be able to go through this together?

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/new-here-say-hello/211876/new-to-this

Its difficult telling family but the radiotherapy with chemo is standard treatment to shrink the tumour before surgery - I had it in 2016 and I’m 4 years clear as are my 2 friends who were diagnosed at the same time.

Stay away from google - you can ask anything you want on here - there is nothing too daft or embarrassing and we will help and support you through this

Take care

Karen x

Thank you Karen. That is very reassuring to hear. I must admit I just want it removed but have talked to the colorectal nurse today and she has reassured me that this is the best way for me. It’s nice to hear you are 4 years clear. I hope you stay well. Judy xx

Jbel59. Thanks Judy. My tumour shrank from 4cm to 1cm after radiotherapy which helped the surgeon get it all away with a clear surrounding area (clear margins) Bowel cancer is very slow growing so don’t worry that it will be getting worse - I found that the blood stopped and my stools became thicker as the treatment went on - sorry if tmi - I did you warn you that there was nothing too embarrassing on here! x

Hi there, 

I am new to this group too. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer last month and I am due to start radiotherapy/chemo on Monday (22nd Feb). 

I am similar to you in that I lost my Nana to bowel cancer when I was 14. I’m 50 now, so it was decades ago, but her death haunted me for many years. However, treatments are far more advanced now so try not to worry. 

My family and friends have been great, but I don’t like discussing too much with them so I’m always really optimistic whenever talking to them, although sone days I don’t feel as optimistic as others. That is why I joined this forum, so that I could discuss my feelings with others in the same position who will totally understand.  I would also like to offer support to anyone who needs it. 

When are you due to start your treatment? Please let me know as it would be nice to be in touch with someone who is going through the same treatment as me. 

Hello Etta

Thank you so much for your message. I was told my biopsy results on Monday this week and I was told I have to have another colonoscopy (!) to retrieve some metal clips that they left in me which apparently blurred the MRI so I have to have that done again afterwards too. I have an appointment on 4th March to see an Oncologist and apparently they will book me in for my radiotherapy/chemo. I don’t know about you but I will be glad to start my treatment and feel that something is being done. It will be lovely to have someone in the same boat to talk to so please keep in touch. Like you I try and stay optimistic most of the time. 

Take Care. Judy xx

Hello Jbel59  & Etta J I finished chemo radiation 4 months ago, they said they were going for curative. Mine was  in the bowel just mid way. I had no symptoms, it was picked up from the bowel testing, the age should be lowered. It was a no/mo. I got my letter for further tests last  February, went in March for consultation, was supposed to get the colonoscopy 2 weeks later, but because of COVID didn’t get to seen until middle of June. Was going to have surgery, July 27th. Got cancelled on the day. Then I was offord chem radiation, where I took 10 tablets and had radiotheraphy for 5 weeks. Then waited for mri in December, then I had to have another beginning of January. Mine was a T3, I had a complete response to treatment. Sorry for it to be long drawn. But the fears are real. I couldn’t believe the wait .My  chemo radiation didn’t start until September. I got my self into a bit of a state like you thinking all sorts. Karen said not to google, please don’t because I did that before I came to this site. Good luck with your treatments for me all the waiting was the worst. 

Thank you for your message Nelly1955. I’m so pleased your treatment worked for you even though you had to wait for it. I’ve been seen very quickly so far - even through the pandemic. I agree though - I just want something to be done now so it feels more positive.

Best Wishes. Judy x

Hi Judy, 

Sorry there was a problem with your colonoscopy which I’m sure will be sorted soon.

Good to hear you have an appointment with your oncologist next month. I had my appointment on 20th January and felt so much better once I had spoken to him and had my treatment plan confirmed. I should have started my treatment this week but a problem with my preparation CT scan resulted in a week long delay. During your preparation appointment with radiotherapy they will do lots of measurements and put four little dots on you so that they know where to position you on the bed each day. 

As I will be starting a couple of weeks before you I will give you regular updates to give you an idea what to expect and please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions. 

Bye for now, Sharon xx

Thank you for your message Nelly. I am sorry you suffered so many delays, but so very pleased that you had a complete response to treatment. Reading your message gives me so much more confidence starting my treatment on Monday. You and Karen are absolutely  right, stay away from google at all costs. Early on, before my colonoscopy, I made the mistake of googling my symptoms- it was the worse thing I could have done x