Hello!
Today is 10 years since my bowel resection for what turned out to be stage 3 cancer. I would just like to offer encouragement to anyone who finds themselves in the situation I was in. I was 54 years old, fit and well and simply noticed blood on my stools. I went to my GP immediately and long story short, a colonoscopy confirmed that I had a tumour. I had surgery - a nine inch scar which is now barely visible - and 6 months of chemotherapy. It was tough going but not as bad as I had anticipated ( not having had much experience of knowing anyone who had undergone similar treatment ). Today I am basically fit and well - though a head full of grey hair now!! - and the only thing is the daily reminder of how fortunate I am in that I have fairly severe constant neuropathy in my feet and lower legs. I am fine when on my feet and moving around but it is pretty annoying when sitting. It is not painful, just a nagging nuisance. Early on I decided that I didn’t want to take any medication for it because I knew it would be long term so instead I decided to accept it and focus on the fact that I am very fortunate to have otherwise made a full recovery. It is a bit of a mental battle but I will not be defeated! I don’t visit the bowel forum very often but I am so aware that there are lots of people travelling the same path as me and I just want to tell a positive story. Take care.
