Newbie panic

Hi . First of all, welcome to the board and secondly here’s a big virtual hug from me. Yes it’s a horrible shock isn’t it but please don’t give up hope. Bowel cancer is very slow growing but also very treatable nowadays. I don’t know how big ‘very large’ is but size is not an indication of severity. Mine was 4cm but shrank to 1cm after chemoradiotherapy but I’ve heard of ones being 10cm and still treatable.

You will no doubt be booked in for various scans now and then the MDT will meet. This consists of a specialist from all the various fields that might be involved and they will agree on a treatment plan for you. Once you have a plan in place then things will honestly feel a little better. At the moment you’re thinking back about previous aches and pains which may be totally unrelated - thoughts are not facts. Even if there is any spread to lungs there is still treatment available. 
Please stay away from google - it is out of date and downright scary in places. There are lots of posts on here from people just starting treatment and if you click on their name it will take you to their profile page which may show their journey so far.

I won’t lie, there will be a tough few months ahead but we’re all here to help you through it. Please keep posting and ask anything you want - there is nothing too daft or embarrassing

Take care

Karen x

I too found out I have bowel cancer during my colonoscopy.(I’m 51) You couldn’t miss the 4 inch tumour pumping out blood on the wide screen tv.

After the colonoscopy I was booked in for MRI, CT and PET scans. These all confirmed my cancer has spread to liver, lungs and possibly bone. During the scans though they did also see a tumour on my kidney which wouldn’t have been spotted if not for the bowl cancer but this has probably been there for decades and isn’t connected to the bowel cancer.

I’ve seen liver kidney and colorectal specialist as well and a consultant oncologist who have got together to formulate the best plan for my body to fight this with their help.

Please try not to stress about what’s going on until you have the full picture. 

I’ve had 2 rounds of chemo and I won’t lie, they’ve made me feel horrible but it’s been confirmed that my tumour factor has reduced to normal. 

Round 3 of chemo tomorrow and I know it will wipe me out for the rest of the week but not everyone has the same side effects.

If your cancer has spread, whatever chemo they give you for vowel cancer will also focus on the other places as it’s the same cancer just in a different place.

Stay positive, stay strong. You can do this. 

Thank you for the virtual hug and reassuring words.

Thank you, I hope your chemo goes okay tomorrow  it's just such a shock. I can see I'm in the right place for help.

Hi Quilter, I'm sorry to read about your situation.

My Wife had a Colonoscopy on Tuesday and was informed that some of the abnormalities that they had found in her Sigmoid to upwards bend of her Colon was 95% cancerous. She described them as looking like Button Mushrooms/Marbles in shape x 4 or 5. 

When I set off to collect her from her appointment I thought that there wouldn't be anything wrong. Then we  was called into a room, and was informed of the awful news. 

Like yourselves we too are extremely worried and emotionally very frightened, especially due to the Colonoscopy Nurse being so empathetic to the point that my wife thinks her time is up. 

It has now been confirmed to us that some cancer cells have been found during the Biopsy. However we expected that. We're just awaiting the CT scan and the interview with the specialists to see what awaits her in the future. 

We are hoping that it's treatable and not at stage 3. One thing I have noticed is that there are loads of positive stories and outcomes from various forums, British and American that I have read. 

I was also wondering whether there's any difference between American or British cancer treatment? Or is the quality/outlook about the same. 

I hope all goes well for you in the future.

TTFN Frank 

Sorry I forgot to mention that my Wife is 60, and had occasional streaks of blood in her stools every week or few days. Other than that absolutely no symptoms.

Hi, I've recently been diagnosed after colonoscopy had to be aborted as they couldn't get the scope around Sue to tumour partially blocking me bowel. This led me to believe the thing was huge, they also took biopsies and tattooed me! On Tuesday I found out that the cancer hasn't spread and surgery is scheduled for 1/6 which hopefully will be straightforward. Feel unbelievably fortunate, my symptoms were so vague I thought IBS or menopause stuff, so it's almost like this has been found by accident.

So as well as of course joining in with the virtual hugging I would say, keep busy, try not to think about it (probably a stupid thing to say) ... It's been found and each day that passes is a day closer to getting better. Big, big hug.. 

Hi

Thank you for the virtual hug.  Had a CT scan on Wednesday but still don't know anything more.  Great news that yours hasn't spread and your surgery is now scheduled. Sending a big hug back at you and hope all goes well x

Hi Frank

Sorry to hear about your wife's situation. They didn't even tell my husband I walked straight into his arms crying and blurted it out. I have since complained about how I was told to save anyone else going through that. 

I've had my CT scan but don't know anymore yet just hoping it hasn't spread and still worried about my coughing!

Hope all goes well for your wife x

Do you know when the MDT meeting is taking place to discuss your case? Take care of yourself. One day at a time. Mell X