Newly diagnosed

Hey 

I was diagnosed on the 5 of July. After all scans I will have a surgery first 

Don’t worry about your first appointment, mine was with surgeon, they will explain you everything you can take someone with you as a lot of info and might be beneficial if someone will support you 

in my case I went on my own with my 2 appointments with surgeon and the nurse after took me to another room and gave me chance to ask all the questions 

Hi Natata,

Thank you; that's really helpful. Only my sister in law is available and I'm worried about being upset with her there, but do you think it's good for her to be in the room?

They want to shrink mine first as they'll have to remove a section of my bowel.

Do you mind me asking how young you are? I'm 41 so don't think they picked it up immediately as I don't fit the profile. Annoyed.

When will your surgery be? Hope you're feeling okay. I'm just on ibuprofen for the pain at night.

Hammo

I must apologise for misspelling your name. My little word box says Natata but the system has posted it as Natalie!

Hey Hammo

no worries about spelling 

I am 50 year old. 
Only you can decide if you want anyone with you to be honest as they ask me if someone with me for my appointments 
I was ok on my own as I mentioned the colorectal nurse answered all my questions after 

I will have a Robotic surgery next week 

you will be fine honestly 

I done all my scans, I don’t know my stage as in letter which I got after my first appointment with surgeon said unknowing stage, the surgeon told me they will know more after surgery and histology 

That all makes sense. Thank you so much.

How have you found telling people? Family has been fine, but I'm going to have to tell a broader group of people because of my job. 

Yes, they'll need to biopsy mine to work out the stage too.

To be honest I just told people which are my close friends for now. 
with job related people I just told my manager that I need a treatment and I will be off sick for how long depends on my surgery 

I decided that if I needed I will let them know later but of course it’s a personal choice and circumstances 

That makes total sense. I don't want to tell all and sundry, but as the Head my absence is going to be obvious and some advice from unions etc. is to be open and honest to prevent conjecture.

Do you have family around you too? Glad you've got close friends. Annoyingly, none of mine live in London for a coffee...or beer!

No I don’t have a family around. I lost my husband 9 month ago through cancer. My family l( sister, mum) live abroad , In UK I got only friends