Stage 3 bowel cancer

Hi Etteric. The fear diminishes over time I found and each clear scan gives you a little more reassurance. My oncologist told me that most reoccurrences happen within the first 2 years and by 3 years things are looking pretty good. There’s always the exception but those were the ‘landmarks’ that I pinned my hopes on - I’m now 5 years clear. 

You’ve had a very traumatic experience and that alone will have left it’s mark without the worry about the future. Macmillan has buddied up with BUPA to give free counselling sessions if you think that might be of interest - the support desk number is at the bottom of this post. A lot of people have also found this paper helps with dealing with your emotions after treatment and into the future

https://www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Please try not to focus on the 50/50 number - you are an individual not a statistic and these figures are often out of date and include people with other health issues

Hope the chemo continues to go well

Take care

Karen x

Thank you ,that's a really good advice  im glad the fear leaves you a little  ,I think that your right ,a few clear scans wi fo wonders for my anxiety 

So sorry to hear about your experience. Kareno62 has already given great advise . Statistically bowel cancer recurrences drop off after two years unlike some other primaries the longer you are away from the diagnosis date the better  in terms of recurrences.

Getting some support is a great idea .

Take care ,

Court 

Thank you so much for the kind words and advice ,because they took out 20 lymp nodes to test when they took the cancer out,they found cancer cells in 6 of them,hence the chemo.

I keep forgetting to ask them when I go....how do they test to see if they are turning into cancer,,,,I presume they have to wait till big enough to see on scan.

But I'm only 2 chemo sessions in ,and I've noticed they don't like to burden you with to much information lol.i will ask though as that silly question runs around my brain alot.

They have a robust follow up scanning process . My mum was stage 4 at the point of diagnosis but responded to chemotherapy. After surgery they scanned her every three months initially which was pushed out to six months then a year if no disease is noticed . She has had two recurrences , both detected on her scan , caught early with one in her lung being removed at 8mm . After five years with no evidence of disease she was discharged. It’s very efficient.

They also do CEA blood tests which identify a bowel cancer marker . So lots of back ups and quick action if required .

They will keep a very close eye on you but hopefully that’s all it will be .

take care ,

Court 

Hi Etteric

Youve had some lovely advice from Karen and Court 

I just want to agree with everything they’ve said and say that you probably need time to process. That experience must have been traumatic most people have a time between tests to process what’s happening and are forewarned before having treatment. 
Macmillian offer CBT which can be extremely beneficial with PTSD. I had support through them and it really helped. 
So that may be something to think about. There’s a waiting list however they stay in touch and it’s lovely to have that call to check in

Here is a good place to talk too, I’ve found that airing my concerns here I have answers from people that have been through it. 
It’s given my family a break from worrying too. In the past when I was anxious I asked here. 
Take care 

Thank you so much ,im glad your mother us doing well ,that has put my mind at rest a lot

Thank you I will definitely check that out