Newly diagnosed

Hi Laurap85 and a warm welcome to the board. The next couple of weeks waiting for scans and results is very stressful but once you have a plan in place then things will honestly feel a bit better. 
Bowel cancer is notoriously slow growing but very treatable. Please stay away from google - it can be out of date and not always helpful.

Everyone on here is going through treatment or recovery and happy to help and support you through yours. You’re not alone on here so please keep posting - sometimes it really helps to talk to people who’ve been in the same boat.

Take care and feel free to ask anything you like - there is nothing too daft or embarrassing on here!

Take care

Karen x

Thank you Karen. Today has been tough. Very up and down. I have my CT scan tomorrow and then an iron infusion next week. It sounds so daft with what I'm facing but my needle phobia is making it a thousand times worse. I feel so silly getting so stressed by it but I can't help it. I'm just holding on that after a couple of days I'll stop feeling so defeated and start to get ready to fight x 

Hi Laurap85

I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in August, following a positive FIT. I, too, felt scared and at a loss with what to do with myself, but found the best way to deal with things was to take things one day at a time and not over-think things. I was given some good advice on this forum about working with what you know - not what you think. The most difficult time for me (and, I think, for most people) is waiting for tests, scans, and a treatment plan. I think you will feel much better once a plan is in place.

I had a CT Scan on the same day as my colonoscopy and an MRI the following week. My results from the colonoscopy were inconclusive, so I ended up having an examination under anaesthetic as well.  Once all test results were in I had an appointment with the Oncologist and a plan was put in place.  My plan was for 5 weeks chemoradiotherapy, followed by surgery.  My chemoradiotherapy is almost at an end - I have 4 sessions left (out of 25) and my follow up appointment with the oncologist is booked for next week. My treatment is going well - I am sore from the radiotherapy, but feel quite well, on the whole. Every treatment session is another step closer to getting my life back.

Karen's advice to keep off Google is good advice -  otherwise you will be left thinking all sorts of things. Just hang on in there - you will really feel better once you have a treatment plan. 

Oh, and don't be afraid to tell your team about your needle phobia - I'm sure they will do everything they can to support and reassure you.

Take Care x

Thank you for responding and it sounds like your treatment has been fast moving. You seem so positive as well which gives me hope I will feel that way too soon. My consultant appointment is on 20th November so then I'll know the plan. It feels like forever away. Also there's no hiding my fear of needles. They will be fully aware lol x