Hi, I didn't join any groups when I found out I had colorectal cancer. Now that I am one of the lucky ones I want to hear of others experiences. I now have a colostomy bag and a ureostomy bag due to my tumour attaching itself to my bladder. I know my bags are for living and I know I'm extremely lucky as they had a 2cm margin around the tumour when it was removed, all my latest scans and bloods are good so why do I feel so down!
I don't mean to sound selfish as I know I'm lucky to be alive but I feel overwhelmed and sad.
I was diagnosed Feb 2022, chemo April till July 2022 surgery (14hours) September 2022.
Has anyone else felt the same? x
Hi PaddieBear
You’ve had major surgery and so much to process if I were you I would feel exactly the same. I’m tagging SarahH21 as she has been through massive surgeries and can really empathise with you.
I didn’t join here either until I was struggling with my stoma and I joined there first. They’re a great bunch of people and helped me so much.
I hope you have a better day. I’m sorry you’re sad but I do think that you are allowed not to walk around being positive. I put a stupid grin on my face for months then it hit me and I took time to process what had happened. And I didn’t have half the surgery you did
You have got great advice from Court and Karen
Take care.
Im sending you a hug
Ann
Hi PaddieBear
As Ann said in her post I did have huge surgery-a total pelvic exenteration- and now have a urostomy and permanent colostomy. I can completely understand your feelings of being glad to be alive but at the same time being overwhelmed and sad. The paper which court has linked to is very helpful and really explains our feelings. The Life After Cancer group mentioned by Karen will also let you see that you are not alone and many of us feel the same.
I didn’t join here until well after my surgery, but it’s been so helpful to understand I wasn’t being selfish with my feelings and understanding they are completely normal. It takes a long time to come to terms with life changing surgery and it’s not easy, You have been through a lot but I do feel that things get better with time-I am now 3 years out from my own surgery.
Sarah xx
