Hi all, I created an account a few weeks back but have just been reading others situations and experiences.
I went into A&E in June with abdomen pain and vomiting, had an X-ray, CT scan and straight into surgery - all happened so fast I’m still processing it now. I had left my 5 month old at home (I was still breastfeeding) and my 12 year old with my partner.
The day after surgery was told a 50mm tumour had been obstructing my bowel and they removed that/ my appendix and 21 lymph nodes… and it was highly likely cancerous!
I then had a months wait whilst healing from surgery to be told it was a stage 3 bowel cancer they had become aggressive likely through feeding off my good pregnancy hormones and grew itself whilst I grew a baby - I feel lucky in one respect that I had a totally uncomplicated pregnancy and a healthy little girl!
So tumour out and clear margins, but it had got into 7 out of 21 lymph nodes. But a clear liver on the MRI.
I had a colonoscopy two weeks ago where they removed 9 more polyps and I have a feeling some of them had turned too but waiting on that result.
I was due to start chemo treatment on the 10th August but low and behold our household was hit with Covid - so now waiting to be 28days clear.
it’s been a rollercoaster and still feels surreal as I’ve healed well from the surgery. Hopefully should start treatment in the next few weeks - very anxious about how that will affect me and managing an 8 month old. My 12 year old knows all the facts and is handling it well but is a natural worrier and it’s heightened her fears of catching anything that could harm me :( she shouldn’t have those worries…plus she has a genuine fear of sickness.
Macmillan rang right away and they are due to meet us all in a few weeks as a family, I have a 12 year old step son also who’s with us fortnightly. Then my daughter will hopefully get weekly meetings whilst at school to keep her worries at bay.
taking each day as it comes, still feels like it’s not happening to me some days and I struggle to get my head around it. I’m 41 years old and was fit and healthy xxx
any tips on dealing with it all much appreciated. Xxx
