From Gall Bladder to Bowel, how much more bad news can we take !!

  • 3 replies
  • 175 subscribers
  • 800 views

Hi all, I originally started on the Macmillan website when my wife of one year today was told she had gall bladder cancer, despite having it removed in 2017 !  Consultant believes gall bladder was cancerous when removed and some cells were wiped onto edges of keyhole surgery wound when tools were withdrawn. She started her chemo on 8/7/21 and of course after her second session on 15/7 the side effects kicked in and were quite bad for around 48 hours, by 17/7 wife was well enough for us to go out and enjoy a nice meal together.

then Monday 19th she started having severe pain below her waist, then diarrhoea and nausea, in the end she was admitted into the Christie just before midnight (the night before our first wedding anniversary) today she had a scan and this evening my wife called me to say scan not good. Apparently she has bowel blockage and signs of nodules around bowel which could be due to the cancer. To say we are devastated would be an understatement when just 4 weeks ago we were told her PET scan showed no signs of cancer having spread to anywhere else in her body and the hope was 3 months of chemo would be enough. My wife is so upset because tomorrow 21st is my birthday and she won’t be here and I’m currently not allowed to visit. 

we both feel so helpless and that we never get any positive news. I have to say thank god for anti-depressants as I know I would be a complete wreck, it is so hard feeling so totally helpless and unable to help comfort and support the love of my life. We met later in life and are both in our 60’s and had lots of plans once lockdown eased as I took early retirement last October. Now we are unable to plan anything and we just don’t know what will hit us next. I have never felt so despondent, helpless and yes angry that we may be denied just a few more years of happiness together, and we have been denied spending our first anniversary together.

best wishes to you all.

Paul

  • Hi 

    So sorry you have to join us here but I am glad you reached out to us . It is not the way to spend your first wedding anniversary or a birthday and I am so sorry about that . However I am hoping there are many good days ahead for you both .

    It is a strange method of diagnosis for sure and I am also surprised  the PET scan did not pick up the bowel tumour . However it sounds as though it is contained within that area . Bowel cancer caught early actually has a good prognosis. So despite this horrible period of time I am hopeful you will have time together to get through this !

    My own mum had a spread at diagnosis and a couple of recurrences and is still here 12 years later as bowel cancer is fortunate to have a lot of treatment options compared to some other primaries .

    However going through this is just horrible for you both and I can assure you we are here to support you until you find firmer ground . I felt an anger I had never experienced before when my mum was diagnosed as she had initially missed surgery ! So frustrated and hurting .

    However it settled after a good chat with my GP . I am glad you are taking action with your own mental health.

    It is beautiful that you found each other and with the help of a good treatment plan I hope it stays that way .

    take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • Thank you Court for your response, and words of support. I can only hope you are right and that my wife is strong enough to fight on.

    Regards,

    Paul

  • https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/bowel-cancer

    Just adding a booklet that might help you prepare for the process your wife has to go through !

    Also Happy Birthday ! 

    Take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000