Hello,
I'm new here and wanted to post my story so far. It has given more some strength reading other people's stories and hearing from people who are staying positive. I'm 34f and was completely healthy prior to this. Thank you for reading.
November 2021 I went to the doctor for an examination after having to use the bathroom urgently, some blood and mucous for a few months.
December 1st I went to a specialist at BRI who examined me and told me he could feel a tumour and it was cancer.
Went for MRI, CT and colonoscopy in December. PET scan was scheduled for January.
January 2022 I was given the news I have a tumour but the cancer hasn't spread. The colonoscopy was inconclusive (apparently didn't show cancerous cells) but the consultant said they are treating it as cancer. I don't know the stage or any of the codes other people use for their diagnosis and don't want to know! It is in the bowel wall but not through it. Very low down in the bowel. I was told I will have treatment and then surgery which will end with permanent stoma. Also told I likely won't be able to have children naturally and will go through early menopause.
January went through IVF process with my partner and successfully have 4 frozen embryos.
February 16th began radiotherapy and chemotherapy tablets. I have 2 days left on treatment. I have been very lucky with side effects- mainly fatigue and slight nausea. Radiotherapy burns are fairly painful at this point but I'm bathing it, using Flaminal gel and cocodamol to keep the pain manageable.
I am feeling more down than before because I am so nervous for the scan in 6 weeks and then surgery. I'm worried about how my body will be changed forever. I'm scared about the menopause and how that will feel and then one day will I be able to have the family that I've dreamed of. I feel like no one around me understands completely (understandably) and people are excited for me to finish treatment but I feel like it just brings so much unknown.
Thank you for reading my story. If anyone has any words of encouragement, I'd love to hear them 
Love, H
Hello Openarms
I wanted to say I’m sorry you are going through all this at such a young age. It’s so much to manage but youre in the right place here to get lots of support.
Bowel cancer is extremely treatable and it sounds as if they’ve really got your treatment underway
You’ve been blasted with so much to process.
Try and just concentrate and getting rid of that cancer. It’s your main aim and really sounds as if you are doing brilliantly
Its wonderful that you have got your embryos ready for when that cancers in the bin.
Take care
sending you a hug
Ann
Hi Openarms and a warm welcome to the board from me. When I was diagnosed my oncologist told me that I had a tough 18 months ahead of me and she wasn’t wrong. Cancer is emotionally and physically draining but it is very treatable. I’m so glad your doctor took the right action - there’s a lot of cases where people are deemed ‘too young’ to have bowel cancer but that’s not the case. So let’s look at the positives -
The cancer hasn’t spread outside of the bowel wall
You’re young and ‘healthy’ so in a position to throw everything offered at it
Youve been able to successfully harvest some eggs for future consideration
Youre pretty much over the first treatment hurdle then you can have a break before your next scan
Youve found us here!
So the next step is the waiting while the chemoradiotherapy carries on working for a while. Would you feel up to a bit of a holiday? (That’s what I did!) The surgery will be quite a big operation with several weeks recovery but it’s a standard operation for the surgeons so trust in their capable hands. It’s hard to predict the menopause side of things so maybe wait and see how it affects you and take it from there? I was 53 when diagnosed so probably halfway there anyway but I’ve not had any physical symptoms.
Yes you will have a permanent stoma but you will get used to it very quickly and get into a routine with it. There’s lots of support on here from people with stomas so please don’t be afraid to ask.
Ive attached a link to a booklet aimed at young people and I think there’s also a group called Shine?
https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/YoungPersonsGuide_BowelCancerUK.pdf
So the next few months will be tough but worth it for the end result. I was diagnosed in 2016 and went through my treatment with 2 other ladies ‘online’. We’re all still cancer free. One of them had the same operation as you and has a permanent stoma but you’d never know - she dresses the same, she’s been on a cruise, loves a meal out and a glass/bottle of wine and has flown to New York - her only regret was finding the Tiffany shop eek! 
Keep posting and let us know how you’re getting on - it’s sometimes hard for others to understand how you’re feeling but everyone on here will help and support you through this
Take care
Karen x
Wow this message was so lovely to read. I needed it!
Reading the positives listed like that helps my mindset a lot because I can feel so clouded and my thoughts are not always the brightest.
And definitely grateful to my GP who took it seriously in the first place and made sure I got a quick referral. Very lucky 
I will definitely think about a little staycation between now and the scan - that would be SO nice!
Well it sounds like you and your 2 friends are doing amazingly well which is just wonderful to read. Maybe I'll have wine in New York one day when all of this is just a memory!
I'll update when I have more news. Already really grateful for this forum and the knowledge and kindness it provides x
