New to here

hi TreeHugger29

love your chosen name. I’m a bit of a treehugger myself. 
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, others will join that have had the same. 
I had rectal so Twas different. 
I wanted to say hello and send you a hug 

The early days I found the toughest, once you find out the next steps you can focus on that 

Just be kind to yourself 

Hi Treehugger and a warm welcome to the board. Yes it’s a hell of a shock isn’t it and the next couple of weeks will be a flurry of tests, scans and meetings but once you have a treatment plan in place then things will honestly feel a bit better.

Bowel cancer is pretty slow growing but very treatable. Stay away from google - it can be out of date and downright scary in places - stay on here and the bowel cancer uk board.

It’s totally understandable to be stressing but try to stay in the present and not let your imagination run away from you.

We’re all at different stages of treatment and recovery on here and happy to help and support you through yours. The support desk is closed at the moment but they are open 7 days a week from 8-8 if you want a chat?

Take care

Karen x

Hi Treehugger, I just wanted to say hi, and send you a big hug. You can read my profile which is very similar to yours although I have rectal cancer. Its bloody scary isn't it? I've been pretty calm and positive about it. Reading peoples journeys tor me has helped so much. I have changed my diet and I'm going to wild swim every morning with my swimble buddies till my op. (I dont have a date yet) I want to be in the best shape I can, to help with recovery. The only things I have any control over. I'm also accessing some counselling at a centre linked to my hospital. Reach out on here and to all your team and I think you can get 6xfree counselling sessions with bupa through Macmillan. I'm still waiting for a definitive treatment plan, although looks like a LAR with temporary stoma. I'm just living in today, it's all too much otherwise. Take care and chat soon xx 

Hi I just wanted to say that what you are feeling is perfectly normal. You mention that you haven’t had your biopsy results yet, so has anyone suggested that you don’t have cancer? I was married when I was diagnosed, and looking back, might as well have been alone. I separated from my husband two years ago and he is more supportive now! The lovely people in this community have helped me enormously. If I want to discuss treatment and procedures I come on here. I recently joined the cancer chat forum. It’s totally different because we’re not discussing cancer as such, but if we’re having a rough day, people annoying us etc! Wishing you luck going forward.

Hello TreeHugger, I'm in much the same position. Only had a virtual CT colonoscopy because of my age, not sure if they're going to do a full one with biopsy or not. But they found a colon tumour and seem sure it's cancer. I'm scheduled to see the colorectal team on Thursday. Absolutely terrified. I also live on my own and am already quite severely disabled by ME, don't feel I can cope with further difficulties. Contemplating the possibility of refusing surgery, I am in my 80s so not looking at a  much longer life anyway.

Hi Kakadu and a warm welcome to the board although I’m sorry that you find yourself here especially with the added worry of  ME. I know it’s hard not to stress but please try and stay calm until you’ve spoken to the team on Thursday. They will be able to advise you on the best way forward and discuss what treatments are available whilst taking your existing medical condition into consideration? 

Please keep posting and let us know how your meeting goes and remember the support desk is there if you want to chat to someone?

Take care

Karen x

Thank you Kareno62, I had a talk with Denise on the support service this afternoon. Very nice and very knowledgeable. I'm glad I came on here too, when something bad happens the best thing to do is always to communicate with others who have been through the same thing. My aunt had bowel cancer over 60 years ago and when my mother told me all the gory details I thought omg I hope I never get that!

You're right, I need to stay calm and see what they say on Thursday.

Best wishes,

Kakadu.

Hi Kakadu, my husbands 80 and just starting out after having 2 positive FIT test. He also has 3 other cancers, Kidney, Stomach and Lymphoma, he had a kidney out 5 years ago, his stomach out last Jan so obviously can’t drink all that prep you have to have for a colonoscopy, He had a CT scan tonight, I think to check the stomach cancer hasn’t spread and on 31 Aug a face to face with a bowel surgeon  where we may find out how their going to proceed. 
I wasn’t going to post anything on the bowel site until we know for sure but after reading your post I thought id say hi as we both seem to be in the same boat, well you and my husband. What’s a virtual colonoscopy please?  good luck to us both on Thursday I’m also dreading it, my husband so positive which is a good thing. Xx

Hi Sue, your poor husband, I wonder how he manages to stay positive. Must be so difficult for you too.

As I understand it, a full colonoscopy is when they put something right up into the bowel, which means they can take a bit of the tumour for a biopsy. The procedure I had I've seen called a CT colonoscopy, a virtual colonoscopy or a colonography. You have to have the special diet before it, and take stuff that gives you diarrhoea, but they only insert something a little way into the anus and then inflate the bowel with carbon dioxide. Then the patient goes into the CT scanner. This way they can see what's there but can't do a biopsy. I hope I have described it right, it's all new stuff to me. 

I don't know what an FIT test is.

best wishes and good luck to you both.

Thanks Kakadu, I think that’s what his Stomach CNS suggested, she said a CTC so sounds what you described, she also said maybe an enema, hopefully we’ll find out Thursday. The FIT test is a stool test, usual you get it sent to you within a certain age bracket but when you get to 75 ( I think) it stops, his doctor did it. 
Was you ok after you had the procedure like can you drive? I ask as I can’t drive so didn’t know if we have to get transport if he can’t. 
Yes it is a worry to me wondering if he’s getting enough to eat as he’s never hungry so up to me to sort his food out along with most other things. But we manage mostly and so long as he doesn’t lose too much weight we’ll go with that. Thanks for replying.

@TreeHugger, I’m sorry to jump in on your post, I hope it goes well and just keep posting, it’s all so scary, good luck xx