Feeling a bit stunned

Hi Squashable 
So glad you found us after a difficult day !

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/bowel-cancer
I have linked in some information as you  await your biopsy results . The good news , bowel cancer caught early is very treatable. Others will be along to share their experiences with you . But I wanted to welcome you .

Once a treatment plan is in place , everyone reports it gives some direction to go forward with . This part is the worst will they pull together the information.

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Squashable.

Most of us have the very same feeling of doom when we're given the shocking news. It's hard to stay focused on anything else but try and wait for your results.  I worried myself sick, as I imagine everyone else does so it's easier said than done , but I'm now through the other side, Ive been through surgery and a course of Chemo and I no longer have cancer and I'm on the 5 year watch. Stay away from Google as you'll scare yourself rigid! There will be more people along soon to help with to settle your  fears , the advice on here is worth so much more than anything you'll ever read on Google. Once you have a treatment plan in place you will find a remarkable difference in how you feel. Best wishes and a big virtual hug to you and your fiance.x

When I got my diagnosis, it did me a lot of good to think about a couple of close friends who had been through bowel cancer. My policy was to keep no secrets, so as the news spread I discovered that another old pal I had known for years was going through much the same thing, and a woman who lives next door had been living with a stoma for 14 years. Obviously it's up to you whether you choose to keep things under wraps or be completely open about what you're going through, but I have found that being open turns up lots of people who have been through the same thing and worse, and you also find out how much you are loved by the support you get from friends, family, and sometimes perfect strangers.

You mention a colonoscopy. You know those empty-you-out drinks that you have to take before the procedure? Nothing I experienced over the next year (surgery, learning to use a permanent stoma, four cycles of CAPOX chemotherapy, and an incidental deep vein thrombosis assocated with my PICC line) was worse than those.

Good luck.

Ha ha I agree with Gokmop

Those horrid drinks the thought make me nauseous 

Hi Squashable 

I know what you mean those ten seconds that you awake for the nightmare to begin. 
I found I needed some head space so I listened to mindfulness, meditation anything that gave me a break from trying to process 

I’m sending you a hug 

Thank you so much for your replies and reassurance! At the moment my thoughts are just going round in a circle but getting on with normal stuff has helped a bit. I've told my mum and she was brilliant about it. She's just had a little facial thing took off her cheek so she's in the same boat of waiting to see if it was cancerous or not. The uncertainty is crippling though, I just want to know what's going on so that we can get on with it!

Hi Squashable!

So sorry to read your post. I have recently found out my sister has bowel cancer after she too had to go for a colonoscopy (these home bowel screening tests are a godsend). I just lost my husband 3 months ago to bowel cancer after almost a 2 year fight but please don't let that alarm you. My husbands cancer was quite extensive having been dormant for 3 years before it actually surfaced at the end of 2020. My sister, it looks as though they have got hers in time and it may be a case where she needs no chemo or radiotherapy s fingers crossed. Court is right. Bowel cancer is slow growing and if caught early is very treatable so keep that in mind. The MDT (Mutli Disciplinary Team) will get a plan for you together ASAP and in some cases `they hit the ground running` with this as they did with my husband and now with my sister so it's not all bad news. Just try- and I know it will be easier said than done- and stay as positive as possible your team will do all they can for you. Take Care and Best Wishes. 

Vicky xx

Oh yes! and stay away from `Dr Google` as I made the mistake of not doing. They tell you all sorts of things on there that are out of date and you end up worrying yourself sick. The waiting is the worst part as some have already said here nothing worse than waiting for results to come through. But I'm sure you'll get there. Sending you huge hugs and Best Wishes. 

Vicky xx

• Hi I haven't posted anything yet as still a bit stunned by my diagnosis. Done bowel screening last September and needed further investigation.  After 3 months waiting on colonoscopy and then 3 months for results was told benign. Went for flexible sigmoidoscopy to remove polyp and due to size and after hour and half on table had to stop and of able to remove half of it. Further analysis showed  cancer. Start treatment  for radiotherapy and chemo next week before safe to do Further surgery. I've really struggled with diagnosis and kept lit to myself but have now told .y family and some friends and have had great support. Hardest part was telling my 17 year old daughter.  Can only now be positive and go with what needs to been done to hopefully get cure x

Hi Katieliz

You’ve had a shock and a lot to process but it sounds as if your treatment is planned and ready to go.
Lots have treatment first to shrink it so once that starts you can feel you’re fighting back. 

It’s so hard telling our children. 
I dreaded it , my daughter just burst into tears.

I felt horrid making her cry, then I realised it wasn’t me but the ghoul cancer that made me more determined to do everything possible to get it out of me 
Take care 

Sending you a hug 

Hi thank you and you take care too x