Can anyone advise

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Hello everyone, I'm new here,I find myself writing this as I'm so scared about my mum and have no one to talk to,mum had colon cancer (stage 3 I think) 2015 and had a right side hemicolectomy with no further intervention,back in 2018 her cea level went up a bit and she had a pet which revealed all was well,3 weeks ago she had a routine blood test at gp for her under active thyroid and she came back as slightly anaemic,at the same time she had routine bloods for oncology which showed her cea slightly raised and had a ct scan which showed nothing and was offered a pet scan which she declined as she has panic attacks,stool sample came back today with blood in it so I phoned the nurse specialist who said last years colonoscopy was fine but booked her in to see the oncogist for 16th April.....cut a long story short,im so scared,me and mum are so close I can't imagine not having her around and am finding it really hard to think positive and have spent most of the day crying,I know I should wait for the test results etc but I spoke to someone today and they said oh thats not a good sign and now I've got it in my head it's definitely cancer,I really am beside myself,mums 72

court over 4 years ago

Hi Vine

Sorry you are having such a rough time . My mum’s CEA can sometimes fluctuate but nothing shows on her scan . As you will be aware other issues can cause her colon to bleed and it’s important to find out why but it certainly does not mean your mum’s life is at risk . Fear is terrible and it consumes you , my mum has had a lot of cancer and good scanning really does help get on top of issues before they become a problem .

I understand the issue with the anxiety but it might be helpful for her to discuss this with her oncologist. The PET scan can be really helpful .
Robust scanning is a life saver .
I really do hope they can help your mum and give you both the reassurance you need .

take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

Vine over 4 years ago in reply to court

Thanks for replying court,im hoping the oncologist will talk her into having the pet scan,I think it would definitely put everyone's mind at rest,she had womb and ovarian cancers I'd say about 14yrs ago and due to the bowel cancer they checked her for lynch syndrome which came back positive,one of her colonoscopies showed she had diverticulitis which no one knew about so i suppose it could even be that although it's never been active but you tend to think the worse,sorry to hear your mum's been ill with it also

Take care x

court over 4 years ago in reply to Vine

She has had a lot to deal with and I can totally understand why she is avoiding it . What a shame she has had to endure all that . Hopefully they will be able to encourage her .

My mum has come full circle with the scans . Now that they are talking about reducing them she feels safer getting them having seen the benefits of early detection , its so tough for them ,

However hoping it is just the diverticulitis and she can get the hell she needs .

I don’t think anyone would blame you thinking the worst when you have all been through so much ! Human nature ! But hoping it’s not .

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000