Hi,
My dad aged 76 has recently been diagnosed with anorectal cancer post colonoscopy. We are awaiting the biopsy results & CT scan results. He has an MRI scan upcoming. Report also mentioned abdominal mass so this worries me that it’s spread.
My dad reports that he could feel a lump over the last 3-5 weeks which initially he thought was piles but we now know it’s the tumour. He’s passing fresh blood. Some weight loss & reduced eating.
He’s not opening his bowels regular and is now scared too due to the bleeding etc.
This recent/new diagnosis has broken us as a family. We are just waiting for further investigations and results and left with the unknown. My mum is broken. I’m trying to stay positive for them but I just worry because of my dads age that options may be more limited? Unable to cope with treatment? To high risk for surgery?
He has young grandchildren that adore him and I am so scared I will loose him. He is our rock and I just wish I could take this worry/pain away. I am a nurse and although I don’t specialise in oncology I’m scared of the results and what’s to come.
Does anyone else have experience of being diagnosed at this age or older?
They’ve been told he’s got cancer and then just waiting for appointments and left to it until we know more. Is their point reaching out the specialist nurses at the point? Or will not much be offered until the first MDT?
Thank you
Hi Newbie2023
Im sorry that your Dads going through this. It’s such a worry for you all.
If you click on my name you can read my bio. I was 67 so younger but my tumour was four inches and it was operate or block. I had no option.
I found eating really hard as processing it was challenging and scary. I lacked energy so the thought of exercising was too much. So my hubby bought me two meal supplements a day and I ate three small high protein snacks. This gave me a boost and I was able to do the exercises recommended by my physio
I contacted my colorectal nurses all the way through for advice and support.I started with Anneka after my colonoscopy then I had my MDT nurses that again really supported.
Ann
