After some months attempting to work my way thru the absolute mire that is NHS Scotland access to care CT scan provided the “Golden Ticket” This is however which ever spin you put on it to little too late.
The CT revealed sigmoid colon primary and multiple liver lessons thus advanced stage 4 bowel cancer and all that entails. Stent fitted and chemo planned. I think I have moved on from the if only stage and started to live my life rather than dwell on the NHS failings. I have started to plan things around windows of opportunity between chemo sessions and this coupled with the absolute love from my family is helping keep me in some sense of normality.
I have browsed/joined a number of fora and I am encouraged by the amount of self help and practical support provided. Thanks to MacMillan, Bowel Cancer UK, Maggie’s etc. At this point I have only posted to be heard I think as these are only my personal opinions but it truly helps to say what I feel.
Good on you. It’s so important to have somewhere to keep it real .
I am so sorry you have had issues getting diagnosed. My mum was picked up as a stage 4 patient through a screen . She never had symptoms and I often think how difficult it would have been to be able to get a timely diagnosis.
We too are in Scotland and hopefully you are having a better experience with the chemo suit . We have found them very good .
We plan everything round those windows of opportunity however 14 years into it and mum is also bold enough to hand in her holiday dates 
.
Normality seems to be key in this situation .
All the very best ,
Court
Helpline Number 0808 808 0000
